Daniel Borenstein

Mar 29, 2024 | mercurynews.com | Daniel Borenstein

As the price for the South Bay BART extension continues to soar, elected officials must decide whether they want to honestly evaluate the project or rubber-stamp it. In just the last three years, the estimate for the four-station, mostly underground extension has more than doubled, from $5.6 billion to $12.8 billion, and the completion date has been kicked back more than a decade, from 2026 to 2037. That’s before a single shovel of dirt has been moved. Map of the planned San Jose BART extension.

Mar 8, 2024 | mercurynews.com | Daniel Borenstein

As the Oakland A’s bargain for a short-term lease extension at the Coliseum, the city’s mayor insists that the team, before departing for Las Vegas, leaves behind its name and a promise of a future expansion team here. It’s not going to happen. And it’s the wrong play. Mayor Sheng Thao and county officials should keep their eye on the ball and stop swinging for the fences.

Dec 8, 2023 | mercurynews.com | Daniel Borenstein

Alameda County officials on Thursday demanded $45 million in payments from the A’s because the baseball team is leaving Oakland for Las Vegas. It’s a move the county should have taken eight months ago when the team first announced its departure. But late is better than never. That deal, struck in 2019 and expected to close in 2026, calls for the county to sell its half-interest in the Coliseum site to the team. The city of Oakland owns the other half interest.

Nov 29, 2023 | mercurynews.com | Daniel Borenstein

In the latest bizarre twist of the Oakland A’s exodus from the Bay Area, Alameda County officials claim that the team has not yet announced its plans to leave town. The determination allows the A’s to postpone payment on $45 million it owes taxpayers for the team’s purchase of the county’s half-interest in the Coliseum. The Coliseum is co-owned by the city and the county. County supervisors in 2019 agreed to sell the county’s share to the team for a sweetheart price of $85 million.

Nov 11, 2023 | mercurynews.com | Daniel Borenstein

With former President Donald Trump and his right-wing conspiracy followers attacking election officials nationwide, it’s disappointing to see Democratic Party activists piling on in the Bay Area. The attack from the left targets Tim Dupuis, the Alameda County elections chief, calling for his removal and claiming he has been unresponsive and responsible for ballot mistakes. To be sure, there’s room for improvement of the county elections office.