A November ballot measure could profoundly change how essential government services are funded in California. The statewide fight to stop it has reached Silicon Valley. Labor, community and city leaders from Mountain View, Los Altos and San Jose rallied with signs and horns on Wednesday against a business community-sponsored initiative known as the Taxpayer Protection...
West Valley city faces multimillion-dollar shortfall
One West Valley city will be forced to tighten its belt in the coming years, as it faces a multimillion–dollar budget shortfall largely due to factors outside its control. Campbell anticipates roughly $66 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024-25, but expects to spend about $70 million, resulting in an estimated $4 million budget deficit....
San Jose cannabis dispensary opens in downtown
San Jose has opened its first ever retail storefront for cannabis in the heart of downtown. For years the city had strict rules on where dispensaries could operate, relegating them to industrial areas. Last year the City Council revised regulations on where dispensaries rent space and allowing one operator to have more than one location. Mark Ritchie, president...
San Jose food hall has rocky start
People driving by San Jose’s Downtown Food Hall might be forgiven for thinking it’s closed. The dark interior seems to be housing abandoned equipment. Next to a locked door directly under the building’s marquee, an “open” sign is turned off. The real entrance is three windows down, under an incongruous green and white striped awning....
San Jose Sharks tout benefits to city as lease set to expire
The San Jose Sharks’ SAP Center lease with the city is expiring next year, and the terms will be changing — opening the door for negotiations with both parties. Next year the city, which owns the arena, can hike the Sharks’ rent annually, and Sharks Sports and Entertainment leaders are hinting at a desire for...
San Jose looks to raise garbage and recycling rates
San Jose garbage and recycling rates are on the rise again, making it more difficult for low-income families to balance their budgets. The city is proposing a 4% rate increase or $2.05 a month for single-family service, which would bring the monthly bill to $53.45 or $641.40 annually for the 32-gallon cart. The multi-family service...
UPDATE: San Jose residents speak out against diverting affordable housing funds
In the face of the growing housing crisis, San Jose residents are urging elected officials to preserve funds for permanent affordable housing. The San Jose City Council is considering reallocating housing funds from Measure E, a property transfer tax approved by voters in 2020, to instead support and shelter homeless residents in the short term....
Last call at Los Gatos nightclub & bar after 50 years
Mini disco balls dangle from a giant chandelier over people dancing energetically to a cover band’s live performance of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk ” — but not much longer, as a legendary Los Gatos club shuts its doors after more than five decades. Charley’s Los Gatos Bar & Nightclub, a beloved local spot known for...
Santa Clara County struggles to improve internet in underserved areas
County officials want to provide broadband internet service in underserved neighborhoods, contrary to a long-awaited report that dismisses the idea. The digital equity study, which they commissioned two years ago, warned the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors against the steep cost of building an underground fiber network and instead suggested partnering with the private...
Santa Clara considers bond to tackle millions in infrastructure upgrades
Santa Clara has more than half a billion dollars in needed infrastructure improvements and officials hope residents will pay to get those projects done. The city is considering a bond measure for the November ballot to help tackle a more than $624 million infrastructure deficit. Santa Clara officials may have a chance of it passing...