The article on restoring Coldstream Canyon is illustrative of the problem with these otherwise worthy goals. Spending $3.5 million to restore a mile of a small creek, points to the real problem of why the State’s deficits are out of control, and unless we can make the cost/benefit ratio make sense, this is another wasteful use of public money. The Legislative Analyst’s Report says California will have an $18 BILLION deficit this year, which is more money than 31 states spend in total each year.

Nick Chickering
Soda Springs

Support the Housing Tahoe Needs, Sign Mountain Area Preservation’s Petition

It’s no secret that housing in Tahoe is unaffordable and not accessible to the workforce. According to a recent report, the total unmet housing need in Tahoe is 10,521 units, and 62% of that need is for families earning less than 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). But what does that actually mean? Well, in the Placer County part of Tahoe, for example, most of the housing needed is for families earning less than $145k. Right now, the median home sales price in Kings Beach is about $1 million. In other words, for working families, the gap to purchasing a home is steep, and the only things we like steep in Tahoe are our ski hills and mountain slopes. Let’s work together to support our neighbors and community members who are most affected by this crisis.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) is trying to address this issue by drafting NEW policies to incentivize housing for the local workforce. MAP supports this end goal, but we also believe that any new development must protect lake clarity, public safety, and prioritize those who truly need housing—the workforce, seniors, and our disabled communities. We do not need more market-rate housing for second homeowners. Tahoe has plenty. Join us in advocating for smart solutions to Tahoe’s housing crisis and sign the petition today to support the housing Tahoe needs. Learn more: https://www.mountainareapreservation.org/the-housing-tahoe-needs

Sophia Heidrich
Truckee