The City of Santa Cruz has finally adopted a real plan to address homelessness, which is a change from past practice. The city has a three-year plan to help transition people into housing and clear city streets and parks of encampments. Mike Rotkin, longtime mayor of Santa Cruz, wants us to give our city leaders credit for trying to tackle this longtime issue. He also wants us to use our votes to fund city taxes that fight homelessness, he writes.
Mike Rotkin
Mike Rotkin is a former five-time mayor of the City of Santa Cruz. He serves on the Regional Transportation Commission and the Santa Cruz Metro Transit board and teaches local politics and history classes at UC Santa Cruz.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Why does no one want to run for office in Santa Cruz? Future leaders are likely to lack experience
Mike Rotkin, former five-time Santa Cruz mayor, is predicting a new trend in Santa Cruz politicians. Low pay, less expensive district elections and increasing abuse from the public are, he writes, causing many experienced leaders to bow out. He thinks Santa Cruz will likely see younger, less experienced city councilmembers and mayors in the future.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
If Santa Cruz wants more accountability from police, we need to repeal state Peace Officer Bill of Rights
The Santa Cruz Police Department is among some of the best in the country, but it wasn’t always, writes five-time former mayor Mike Rotkin. If we want a police department that is fully accountable, he says we’ll need to change the state’s Peace Officer Bill of Rights. He’d like to see that happen.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Measure D is over. The RTC needs to go after federal and state money.
Santa Cruz voters have spoken. Now what? Mike Rotkin, former five-time Santa Cruz mayor and member of the Regional Transportation Commission, writes about next steps for the RTC and explains how we can get past the logjam and move toward action. That will take federal and/or state funds, some local funding commitment, patience, and a desire to work together.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Design matters in affordable housing
Mike Rotkin, five-time mayor of Santa Cruz, says the city needs more affordable housing, but we also must be careful what we build. Design, including open space and access to the San Lorenzo River, are key, he says. He cautions against cost-cutting, which could undermine increasingly strong public support for more affordable units.