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San Jose passes budget, compromises on mayor’s housing plan

A lengthy battle over how to prioritize revenue from a tax measure ended Tuesday with city leaders striking a compromise before approving the city’s multibillion dollar budget. The most contentious part of Mayor Matt Mahan’s budget plan — how to spend Measure E dollars– failed in a 6-5 vote. Measure E is a 2020 voter-approved property tax...

Report: Silicon Valley Latinos face ongoing struggles

Latinos in Silicon Valley are facing exacerbated quality of life challenges in the wake of the pandemic, including education gaps, worsening housing conditions and health disparities, according to a new report. The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley’s 2023 Latino Report Card, unveiled Tuesday at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, shows that even as some...

Silicon Valley inequality persists four years in a row

A vast amount of wealth in Silicon Valley is concentrated in just a few households, while residents throughout the region struggle to afford basic needs. That’s according to the 2023 Silicon Valley Pain Index, an annual report put forward by researchers at San Jose State University. This year’s findings highlight how eight households in Silicon...

Full report: Silicon Valley Pain Index 2023

The Silicon Valley Pain Index is produced by the San Jose State University Human Rights Institute. The annual study focuses on racial discrimination and wealth inequality. The report was first published in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and was inspired by an index compiled about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina....

San Jose parents, teachers call for safety task force

Parents and teachers in the San Jose Unified School District are demanding district leaders take action to address a recent string of shooting threats. Almost 300 teachers, parents and residents across the largest school district in Santa Clara County have signed a petition from Abraham Lincoln High School parent Trudi McCanna and English teacher Elizabeth...

San Jose’s housing plan projected to be more costly

Quick-build temporary shelters are faster and cheaper for San Jose than investing in permanent affordable housing—that’s been Mayor Matt Mahan’s pitch during his first six months in office. But as officials prepare to approve this year’s $5.2 billion budget, the long–term costs for short–term housing don’t exactly support Mahan’s sweeping claims. It’s something he touted...

San Jose cops can remain on duty while suspended

San Jose cops suspended for misconduct may now be allowed to serve their suspension while still on duty, drawing concerns from the city’s police watchdog and criminal justice experts. Under the most recent labor contract between the city and police union, officers facing a suspension for violating a department policy or city ethics code may now...

San Jose workers demand more money amid hundreds of vacancies

More than 4,000 San Jose employees are asking for a raise—but the city has yet to come close to meeting their demands. For the past 13 weeks, a coalition of two unions representing more than half of the city’s employees—MEF-AFSCME Local 101 and IFPTE Local 21—have been in salary negotiations to adjust for cost of living....

San Jose council divided on core budget issue

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan sought to reduce the number of votes needed to pass his Measure E spending plan. Councilmembers resoundingly said no—partly because there are two alternative plans, widening the gap between Mahan and his colleagues. On Wednesday, Mahan released his $5.2 billion budget proposal for the next fiscal year. In it, he snuck in an...

Santa Clara County’s controversial mental health program in high demand

A Santa Clara County program to help the severely mentally ill receive treatment has outpaced expectations in its first year of implementation, after a hard fought battle to get it approved. The Assisted Outpatient Treatment program (AOT) also known as Laura’s Law, allows different authorities and family members to refer people diagnosed with a severe mental illness—schizophrenia...