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Rent control helps
calm volatile market
Re: “Concord rent control punishes landlords” (Page A8, March 17).
I read Tom Portue’s letter regarding rent control in the Bay Area, particularly in Concord, and while I respect his perspective, I must respectfully disagree with his stance.
He argues that rent control is ineffective and does more harm than good. However, it’s important to recognize that the effectiveness of rent control can vary depending on the specific circumstances and implementation.
In the Bay Area, where housing costs have skyrocketed, rent control can serve as a necessary safeguard for vulnerable populations, including small businesses and workers outside of the tech industry.
Furthermore, his depiction of rent control as punishing landlords and attributing economic challenges solely to progressive interference overlooks the complexities of the housing market. It is not an attack on landlords but rather a policy tool to address the inequities exacerbated by an unfettered market.
Tyler Brumfield
Palo Alto
Bills would get us
on right climate track
Re: “Analysis says state in danger of not meeting climate change goals” (Page A1, March 15).
This article overlooks our best tool to meet California’s climate change goals: tripling rooftop solar adoption. Unfortunately, the California Public Utility Commission, bowing to lobbying pressure from investor-owned utilities (i.e., PG&E), has crippled rooftop solar by gutting net metering rules.
Thankfully, some state legislators are stepping into the breach to get rooftop solar growing again. They are challenging the utilities and the CPUC by proposing several bills.
Here they are, organized by category: prevent further harm to rooftop solar (AB 1999); grow rooftop solar again (AB 2619, SB 1374, and AB 2256); reduce utilities’ political influence (AB 2054, SB 938); and create “virtual power plants” (SB 1305).
You have the power to fight climate change and restore rooftop solar growth. Write, call or meet with your legislative members to convince them to co-author those bills. If they refuse, then exercise your power at the ballot box this November.
Andrew Wise
Fremont
Ranked-choice voting
encourages diversity
Re: “Ranked choice hurts democracy” (Page A8, March 17).
The writer’s conclusion regarding the effects of ranked-choice voting seems way off base.
In fact, ranked-choice voting can lead to an expansion, rather than a limiting, of diverse views and opinions. “Mainstream” or “major” candidates are forced to expand their platforms to appeal to a wide range of voters; they must appeal not only to their core constituency but also to voters who see such “major” candidates only as a “second choice.” These “major” candidates will want their own name, and not their opponent’s name, to appear in the “second choice” column of those voters who voted for the eliminated “minor” candidate.
Ranked-choice voting is an antidote to tyrannical control by one party, with the added advantage of encouraging more voters to participate in the process. It should be used in elections everywhere.
Bruce Williams
Oakland
Trump’s candidacy is
a threat to democracy
Re: “I want to support Trump, but he keeps making that harder for me” (Page A9, March 17).
I write in response to this opinion piece. Marc Theissen needs to get out and learn more. He can start by checking out rankings of our presidents on Wiki.
Trump is ranked in the bottom four. For Theissen, former President Trump is “the best president in my lifetime.” Historians certainly don’t agree. Trump recently stated, “I don’t think you’re going to have another election in this country if we don’t win this election.”
Russian soldiers are pointing guns at Ukrainians under Russia’s control to mark their ballots for Vladimir Putin. Is this what Trump is thinking?
And please don’t think a third-party vote will eliminate the chance of a Trump presidency. It’ll split the vote and possibly send the choice to Congress to choose a president and vice president.
Please vote for President Biden.
Lisa Rigge
Pleasanton
Source: www.mercurynews.com