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Silicon Valley in 2021 is a tale of two economies. COVID-19 is forcing many residents to grapple with death, unemployment and the threat of eviction, while big-tech companies are thriving, according to a new report. The 2021 Silicon Valley Index, released by the nonprofit Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s Institute for Regional Studies details how stark...
The fight against digital billboards in San Jose heats up
A local grassroots organization is urging lawmakers to halt plans for erecting electronic billboards throughout San Jose. In 2018, the San Jose City Council approved Phase 1 of a two-part plan that would increase the number of digital signs in the city. Phase 1 would allow up to 22 billboards on 17 city-owned sites. The council...
San Jose mayor forms new advocacy group to get ‘a little more control’
Mayor Sam Liccardo has started a new advocacy organization called “Solutions San Jose.” Some political insiders say it could rival lobbying and fundraising activities of the Silicon Valley Organization, the area’s largest chamber of commerce which has lost business members and dissolved its PAC following a scandal last year over its use of a racist...
Former San Jose lawmaker has a new gig in real estate
After getting a bit of rest, former San Jose Councilmember Johnny Khamis is back at work. Not at San Jose City Hall. He just accepted a job as a part-time public relations consultant for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors (SCCAOR). SCCAOR provides educational and networking opportunities to more than 6,000 Realtors across the county....
Hazard pay is coming to San Jose for grocery workers
Hazard pay is finally on its way for San Jose grocery workers. After hours of debate, the San Jose City Council voted 7-3 on Tuesday to give retail food workers an extra $3 per hour for putting their health at risk during the pandemic. Hazard pay would apply only to stores that have over 300...
Silicon Valley lawmakers approve plans for distributing rent relief funds
Renters make up nearly half of the Bay Area’s largest city, and many face an eviction time bomb after eviction bans end and back rent is due, prompting Silicon Valley lawmakers Tuesday to take steps to protect the most vulnerable tenants. Lawmakers at the city and county level approved a “hybrid” plan to distribute millions...
San Jose police introduce ‘less lethal’ weapons in place of guns, rubber bullets, batons
In a direct response to criticism during last year’s Black Lives Matter protests, San Jose police officers have been trying new tools meant to reduce harm and injury. In a report coming before the San Jose City Council today, Acting Police Chief David Tindall said new TASER models, pepper gel and tether launchers — used...
Post-scandal, former SVO leader Matt Mahood launches San Jose consulting firm
Rising from the ashes of scandal, former Silicon Valley Organization CEO Matt Mahood has a new gig — working for himself. The business executive founded a consulting firm called MRM strategies in January, three months after a racist attack ad was published on SVO’s website under his watch. The ad sparked outrage from lawmakers and community members alike...
Top questions about Opportunity Housing in San Jose answered
Opportunity Housing is the city’s latest strategy for solving San Jose’s housing crisis — but critics fear the policy may plummet property values, increase traffic congestion and destroy single-family neighborhoods. Supporters, however, say densifying those neighborhoods will boost San Jose’s affordable housing stock — which is much-needed in a city where the median cost of a single-family home...
San Jose could face a lawsuit over its rent freeze
San Jose’s recent ban on rent increases could possibly land the city in court. Douglas Dennington — a land-use attorney with Rutan & Tucker LLP, representing landlords across San Jose — submitted a letter to city leaders Feb. 1 stating that landlords adamantly oppose the rent freeze and warning the city may “wish to limit...