Bay Area residents got a shock with the hike in their January energy bills.  Those rates will increase—again—in April. These rising energy bills follow higher bills for insurance, food, water and medicine – not to mention the already-punishing cost of rent or a mortgage.  The bills are just too damn high. Contrary to the belief of some, these higher bills aren’t simply the result of some generalized “inflation,” which declined sharply in recent months.  Rather, specific policy choices got us to this place—and it’s long past time for relief for millions of American families.

The Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Project will give 150 Santa Clara County families who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing $1,000 per month in no-strings-attached cash assistance for 24 months.

The New York Times spotlights San Jose police salary negotiations as a measure of the high cost of living in the Bay Area.

Santa Clara County's Office of Human Relations is inviting public testimony about the cost of living in Silicon Valley.