Upzone the coastal elites
@aboutdave.bsky.social
Patent attorney, astrophysicist, & Stack-and-Packist 🏙️🥑🔋⛷️. Ready to help enforce state housing law.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
I've been working on California state policy the entire time Newsom has been governor, and I can assure you that it has not been doing "just fine" with a governor who has always been more focused on podcasting and promotion-seeking than doing his job.
Newsom is the antidote to Trump. We need Newsom's fearsomeness to attack Trump. California is doing just fine with Newsom away for a few days.
January 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
I've been working on California state policy the entire time Newsom has been governor, and I can assure you that it has not been doing "just fine" with a governor who has always been more focused on podcasting and promotion-seeking than doing his job.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
Follow-up question, does this proposed fee reflect the wildfire or other climate risks of home location?
Should homeowners in Oakland flatlands be subsidizing homeownership insurance in very high fire severity zone Orinda?
Should homeowners in Oakland flatlands be subsidizing homeownership insurance in very high fire severity zone Orinda?
January 21, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Follow-up question, does this proposed fee reflect the wildfire or other climate risks of home location?
Should homeowners in Oakland flatlands be subsidizing homeownership insurance in very high fire severity zone Orinda?
Should homeowners in Oakland flatlands be subsidizing homeownership insurance in very high fire severity zone Orinda?
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
Domestic politics are horrific right now and likely will be for the next 5-10 years, but I'm quite optimistic that the collapse of Trumpism will lead to a rebirth of American political institutions that will get us closer to the democratic principles we like to believe we were founded on.
January 21, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Domestic politics are horrific right now and likely will be for the next 5-10 years, but I'm quite optimistic that the collapse of Trumpism will lead to a rebirth of American political institutions that will get us closer to the democratic principles we like to believe we were founded on.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
LA faces nearly the same political constraints as San Diego (high interest rates, tariffs, California law).
Yet SD has managed to increase housing construction by 10% over the past three years, while LA has dropped by 33%.
LA's leaders are failing its residents.
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
Yet SD has managed to increase housing construction by 10% over the past three years, while LA has dropped by 33%.
LA's leaders are failing its residents.
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
San Diego shows what happens when a city actually lets builders build
Why does San Diego lead California in apartment construction?
www.latimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:14 PM
LA faces nearly the same political constraints as San Diego (high interest rates, tariffs, California law).
Yet SD has managed to increase housing construction by 10% over the past three years, while LA has dropped by 33%.
LA's leaders are failing its residents.
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
Yet SD has managed to increase housing construction by 10% over the past three years, while LA has dropped by 33%.
LA's leaders are failing its residents.
www.latimes.com/business/sto...
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
Just a reminder of how MLK was being portrayed at the time. I keep this in mind every time FOX "news" claims peaceful protests are "Violent" or "Rioters". They have no factual rebuttal, so they must lie at all times. The MAGA way. ~AdminMatt
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Just a reminder of how MLK was being portrayed at the time. I keep this in mind every time FOX "news" claims peaceful protests are "Violent" or "Rioters". They have no factual rebuttal, so they must lie at all times. The MAGA way. ~AdminMatt
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
Got my new T-shirt today!
voiceofdissentwear.etsy.com/listing/4419...
voiceofdissentwear.etsy.com/listing/4419...
January 19, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Got my new T-shirt today!
voiceofdissentwear.etsy.com/listing/4419...
voiceofdissentwear.etsy.com/listing/4419...
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
I would prefer the State to actively structure the risk profile of the market by defining
- minimum scope of warranty protections, including 3rd party inspectors during construction
- creating objective performance standards to clarify what constitutes a defect for condos
- minimum scope of warranty protections, including 3rd party inspectors during construction
- creating objective performance standards to clarify what constitutes a defect for condos
January 19, 2026 at 6:41 PM
I would prefer the State to actively structure the risk profile of the market by defining
- minimum scope of warranty protections, including 3rd party inspectors during construction
- creating objective performance standards to clarify what constitutes a defect for condos
- minimum scope of warranty protections, including 3rd party inspectors during construction
- creating objective performance standards to clarify what constitutes a defect for condos
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
One of the bits that gets lost in the condo defect risk conversation in California is that the higher cost of premiums itself is not the binding constraint to production.
It’s that many carriers simply won’t write the policy for GCs, subs or designers irrespective of higher premiums.
It’s that many carriers simply won’t write the policy for GCs, subs or designers irrespective of higher premiums.
January 19, 2026 at 6:26 PM
One of the bits that gets lost in the condo defect risk conversation in California is that the higher cost of premiums itself is not the binding constraint to production.
It’s that many carriers simply won’t write the policy for GCs, subs or designers irrespective of higher premiums.
It’s that many carriers simply won’t write the policy for GCs, subs or designers irrespective of higher premiums.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
He’s out of his mind, a narcissistic megalomaniac in an all-consuming spiral of self-pity and selfishness, but the truly insane people are the thousands of powerful men around him who won’t say so and continue to dance around him like this is normal, rational behavior.
(NYT) - President Trump is now claiming that one reason he is pushing to acquire Greenland is that he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize, according to a message he sent to Norway’s prime minister over the weekend.
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
January 19, 2026 at 1:55 PM
He’s out of his mind, a narcissistic megalomaniac in an all-consuming spiral of self-pity and selfishness, but the truly insane people are the thousands of powerful men around him who won’t say so and continue to dance around him like this is normal, rational behavior.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
this Greenland shit is fucking insane. it’s fucking insane. the fact that anyone is humoring him is fucking insane. the biggest problem in the world today is that nobody is taking the president seriously for the fucking psychopath he is. this isn’t all some fucking joke
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 5:53 AM
this Greenland shit is fucking insane. it’s fucking insane. the fact that anyone is humoring him is fucking insane. the biggest problem in the world today is that nobody is taking the president seriously for the fucking psychopath he is. this isn’t all some fucking joke
El Cerrito nextdoor. Poster thought this was a "sand trap" and "stupid streets."
90% of the comments are saying it's working as designed.
Nice.
90% of the comments are saying it's working as designed.
Nice.
January 19, 2026 at 2:38 AM
El Cerrito nextdoor. Poster thought this was a "sand trap" and "stupid streets."
90% of the comments are saying it's working as designed.
Nice.
90% of the comments are saying it's working as designed.
Nice.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
Opening fraudulent investigations into Governor Walz & Mayor Frey is a textbook example of prosecutorial misconduct. Judges must start imposing sanctions and holding lawyers accountable.
To every federal official participating in these shams: one day you will be held accountable.
To every federal official participating in these shams: one day you will be held accountable.
Instead of investigating the death of Renee Good, Trump wants to investigate Governor Walz & Mayor Frey. Despicable.
This is a clear weaponization of justice against Trump's political rivals & a desperate attempt to distract from ICE's growing brutality & Trump's lawlessness.
This is a clear weaponization of justice against Trump's political rivals & a desperate attempt to distract from ICE's growing brutality & Trump's lawlessness.
January 17, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Opening fraudulent investigations into Governor Walz & Mayor Frey is a textbook example of prosecutorial misconduct. Judges must start imposing sanctions and holding lawyers accountable.
To every federal official participating in these shams: one day you will be held accountable.
To every federal official participating in these shams: one day you will be held accountable.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
🎯🎯🎯 "If Los Angeles is exempted from SB 79...Metro will continue building expensive infrastructure through low-density neighborhoods while ridership lags, housing costs soar, and access to homes near transit remains scarce. That is not a transit success story. It is the status quo, reinforced."
Read @marvistavoice.bsky.social breakdown of Metro push to gut state law (SB79) that facilitates housing near transit stations marvistavoice.org/metro-seeks-...
Metro Seeks Carve Out From State Housing Law Designed to Override Local NIMBY Opposition - Mar Vista Voice
At a January 15 meeting of Metro’s Executive Management Committee, Metro quietly advanced a legislative position that would weaken a state law whose central purpose is to take land use control away fr...
marvistavoice.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:48 PM
🎯🎯🎯 "If Los Angeles is exempted from SB 79...Metro will continue building expensive infrastructure through low-density neighborhoods while ridership lags, housing costs soar, and access to homes near transit remains scarce. That is not a transit success story. It is the status quo, reinforced."
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
America has a housing shortage. Every single housing proposal you see that is not "build more housing" will have the primary effect of pushing up the prices of existing housing, and is therefore, in reality, a plan to enrich current homeowners. In conclusion, build more housing.
President Trump will issue a plan next week for letting Americans tap their 401(k)s for a down payment on a home, a senior White House official said Friday.
Trump Plan Would Let Americans Use 401(k)s for Down Payments on Homes, Official Says
President Trump will issue a plan next week for letting Americans tap their 401(k)s for a down payment on a home, a senior White House official said Friday.
on.wsj.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 PM
America has a housing shortage. Every single housing proposal you see that is not "build more housing" will have the primary effect of pushing up the prices of existing housing, and is therefore, in reality, a plan to enrich current homeowners. In conclusion, build more housing.
No American *consumer* wants to be "protected" from cheaper Chinese EVs. We can shop for ourselves thank you.
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
US says Canada will regret decision to allow Chinese EVs into their market
Trump administration officials said on Friday that Canada would regret its decision to allow China to import up to 49,000 Chinese EVs, and that those cars would not be allowed to enter the United Stat...
www.reuters.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:35 PM
No American *consumer* wants to be "protected" from cheaper Chinese EVs. We can shop for ourselves thank you.
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
There are only 2 real policy responses to a housing shortage. You can either get to work building enough housing for everyone or start making a list of the types of people you want to exclude. I know which side I’m on.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner: "100% of rental demand in California and New York is because of illegal immigration"
January 16, 2026 at 5:57 PM
There are only 2 real policy responses to a housing shortage. You can either get to work building enough housing for everyone or start making a list of the types of people you want to exclude. I know which side I’m on.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
Almost everywhere the high cost of housing is caused by low supply. We don’t build enough housing. Too many people are competing for not enough houses. If you give people more money, that reality does not change. It only drives the bidding wars higher.
I wonder what happens when you subsidize demand
President Trump will next week unveil a plan for letting savers in 401(k) retirement plans to use some of their money for down payments on a home purchase, according to National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett.
January 16, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Almost everywhere the high cost of housing is caused by low supply. We don’t build enough housing. Too many people are competing for not enough houses. If you give people more money, that reality does not change. It only drives the bidding wars higher.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
January 16, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
January 16, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
it’s kinda funny how every single one of these articles is like “neither YIMBYism nor NIMBYism but a secret third thing (NIMBYism)”
January 16, 2026 at 2:35 PM
it’s kinda funny how every single one of these articles is like “neither YIMBYism nor NIMBYism but a secret third thing (NIMBYism)”
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
if you try to focus on Trump’s authoritarianism, Schumer will deflect and say people want us to focus on affordability. but when Zohran Mamdani made affordability the heart of his campaign Schumer refused to endorse him because they disagree about Israel. it’s all mealy mouthed bullshit.
January 15, 2026 at 6:50 PM
if you try to focus on Trump’s authoritarianism, Schumer will deflect and say people want us to focus on affordability. but when Zohran Mamdani made affordability the heart of his campaign Schumer refused to endorse him because they disagree about Israel. it’s all mealy mouthed bullshit.
Reposted by Upzone the coastal elites
State legislature: cities have to plan for housing growth but we will let them decide where it goes.
Local gov’t: ok we will rezone some land that we know will never actually get redeveloped.
State: alright we will directly preempt your zoning.
Local: why are you taking away our local control???
Local gov’t: ok we will rezone some land that we know will never actually get redeveloped.
State: alright we will directly preempt your zoning.
Local: why are you taking away our local control???
Marblehead will attempt to use a 32-acre portion of Tedesco Country Club to satisfy the entirety of their MBTA Communities multi-family zoning requirements. The 120-year old club has no plans to end operations and recently completed a brand new multi-million dollar clubhouse.
January 15, 2026 at 4:08 PM
State legislature: cities have to plan for housing growth but we will let them decide where it goes.
Local gov’t: ok we will rezone some land that we know will never actually get redeveloped.
State: alright we will directly preempt your zoning.
Local: why are you taking away our local control???
Local gov’t: ok we will rezone some land that we know will never actually get redeveloped.
State: alright we will directly preempt your zoning.
Local: why are you taking away our local control???
Trump has come to power through repeatedly exploiting the sloth and inability of our systems to punish his criminal behavior.
Parker thinks the solution is to double down, wait for the midterms and pray.
Preemptively surrendering won't work.
Parker thinks the solution is to double down, wait for the midterms and pray.
Preemptively surrendering won't work.
Then the next step is Trump attempts to nationalize the MN National Guard. Then MN national guard has to choose a side. If they side with Walz, the next step is Trump sends in a red state national guard or the actual military.
Are you prepared to come fight on the streets in the resulting war?
Are you prepared to come fight on the streets in the resulting war?
January 15, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Trump has come to power through repeatedly exploiting the sloth and inability of our systems to punish his criminal behavior.
Parker thinks the solution is to double down, wait for the midterms and pray.
Preemptively surrendering won't work.
Parker thinks the solution is to double down, wait for the midterms and pray.
Preemptively surrendering won't work.
If it's impossible to enforce laws against the feds, we're already in a civil war.
Parker is calling for preemptively surrendering.
Parker is calling for preemptively surrendering.
You can come up with hypotheticals for other forces that could back them up, like the MN National Guard. But you also have to be clear-eyed when discussing those options that to go down those roads you need to be prepared for things to spiral into civil war.
January 15, 2026 at 4:20 PM
If it's impossible to enforce laws against the feds, we're already in a civil war.
Parker is calling for preemptively surrendering.
Parker is calling for preemptively surrendering.