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As minority businesses struggle to survive during the pandemic, the San Jose City Council is amplifying its efforts to ensure smaller, BIPOC, LGBTQ and women-owned businesses get a fair shot at competing for government contracts. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Jan 12. to advance a proposal from Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and Councilmember...
UPDATE: San Jose expands services for homeless amid COVID-19
Faced with an uptick in homeless deaths amid the pandemic, city leaders expanded shelter services for San Jose’s unhoused residents. The San Jose City Council on Jan. 12 unanimously adopted a $11.3 million expenditure plan for its Homeless, Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, which provides homeless outreach and shelter services citywide. The budget approval allows the city...
Cultural competency at center for new San Jose spokeswoman
As the need for information is heightened during the pandemic, San Jose has selected a new leader to communicate with the public from City Hall. Carolina Camarena — San Jose’s public information manager and emergency public information co-lead since July — will serve as director of communications for City Manager Dave Sykes. She replaces former...
‘Borderline treasonous’: San Jose leaders react to stunning riots at U.S. Capitol
Silicon Valley leaders from both sides of the aisle reacted with horror Wednesday after thousands pushed past police and stormed the U.S. Capitol in a dangerous attempt to thwart a peaceful transfer of power. One local lawmaker was even in tears, comparing the stunning scene in Washington to the terrorism acts of 9/11. The mob...
As COVID-19 cases surge, San Jose extends paid sick leave protections
As COVID-19 cases shatter records in Silicon Valley and hospital capacity dwindles, San Jose lawmakers took steps to ensure essential workers receive paid sick leave until June. In the absence of federal COVID-19 paid sick leave protections, the San Jose City Council unanimously voted Jan. 5 to is extend local sick leave benefits until mid 2021. Under...
UPDATE: San Jose approves naming street after Barack Obama
San Jose will join cities like Los Angeles and Milpitas in naming a street after Barack Obama, elected leaders unanimously decided Jan. 5. The renamed boulevard will include portions of Bird Avenue, South Montgomery Street, South Autumn Street and North Autumn. The plan has been more than three years in the making. Community leader Alex...
UPDATE: San Jose joins lobbying group to protect its casinos
San Jose has long had a love-hate relationship with its two casinos. But with those businesses threatened by new state regulations, the City Council voted 10-1 this week to join a group of other California municipalities to try to stave off the new rules. The reason comes down to simple dollars and cents — San Jose’s...
San Jose teachers could be next in line for COVID-19 vaccine
Some San Jose educators, anxious to return to in-classroom teaching, are eager to get the COVID-19 vaccine after Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed teachers be next in line. Vaccinations are one part of the Newsom’s $2 billion “Safe Schools for All Plan” that takes effect this month. The plan aims to open California elementary schools as soon as...
San Jose airport could raise rental car fees to make up for financial loss
Those looking to rent a car at San Jose’s downtown airport may soon face a heftier bill if city leaders vote to approve fee hikes for travelers. San Jose’s airport has struggled financially amid COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. In a memo, John Aitken, director of aviation, said increasing Customer Facility Charge fees — daily fees charged to customers...
Three South Bay powerhouses lost their CEOs in 2020 — here’s what’s next
Silicon Valley’s most powerful political circles saw major shifts in 2020 as three prominent men leading San Jose’s influential business and labor organizations were dethroned. The resignation of a trio of kingmakers could signal a sea change for local politics in 2021. In 2020, Ben Field resigned from the South Bay Labor Council after a...