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Some of Santa Clara County’s most vulnerable families are receiving $1,000 checks starting this week—the first of many. The Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Program is giving 150 families $1,000 a month with no strings attached for two years. The program, run by housing nonprofit Destination: Home, prioritizes homeless and marginalized families while studying the effects of...
Santa Clara County loses revenue from Stanford’s property tax exemptions
The largest tax exempt entity in Santa Clara County is depriving neighboring cities of much-needed tax revenue, local leaders say. Stanford University received more than $16.8 billion in tax exemptions last year for its various campus properties, nearly half of the $35.2 billion of property tax exemptions in the county, according to the Santa Clara...
‘They don’t care about us’: Future doctors are fleeing Santa Clara County
Doctors in training are fleeing Santa Clara County, and they blame ongoing workload issues and dismissive leadership at Valley Medical Center. Their complaints about being overworked and undervalued, along with numerous issues brought up by other health care workers at VMC, are raising concerns for some elected officials—with one vowing to get to the root...
Silicon Valley officials shut down their Twitter accounts
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen recently deactivated his office’s Twitter account, but he isn’t the first South Bay politico to leave the social media site—and he likely isn’t the last. Rosen deactivated the DA’s official Twitter account earlier this week, noting the recent takeover by billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has resulted...
Convicted Santa Clara County sheriff keeps retirement benefits
The former Santa Clara County sheriff is still eligible to receive her retirement benefits, despite being convicted of several felony-equivalent charges in a civil trial last month. Some local leaders say she doesn’t deserve it. Last month, a civil jury found Sheriff Laurie Smith guilty of six counts of corruption and willful misconduct for her part...
Santa Clara County official raises six figures to run for Congress—someday
It’s no secret Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian has long considered a congressional run. But just because he isn’t running right now doesn’t mean he isn’t preparing. Simitian has collected roughly $600,000 in donations through his congressional campaign committee, Friends of Simitian, over nearly 14 years. The committee currently has about $500,000 on hand after...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County sheriff starts—one month early
Santa Clara County Sheriff-elect Bob Jonsen will assume his duties one month early after his embattled predecessor abruptly resigned in October. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Jonsen as sheriff before officially taking office in January. Jonsen will start on an interim basis Dec. 8—after the election is certified by the county...
San Jose warming centers open as temperatures drop
With cold temperatures and pouring rain expected to blow through the South Bay this week, local officials are urging unhoused residents to seek shelter at temporary warming centers. San Jose opened up two locations this month, restarting its annual program to help homeless people weather the cold winter. Santa Clara County is also turning a dozen...
Former San Jose official appointed to county education board
The search to fill a Santa Clara County Board of Education seat is over after an expedited selection process. Sitting members appointed former San Jose Councilmember Donald Rocha on Monday to represent Area 3, with San Jose District 1 Councilmember-elect Rosemary Kamei vacating the seat next month. “I want to thank the Board of Education...
Where to find a Thanksgiving meal in San Jose
While Santa Clara County residents may be celebrating the holiday season, with some of the worst effects of the pandemic fading from view, thousands are still facing hunger and financial insecurity across the expensive region. Nonprofit organizations, centers of faith and other community groups are expanding efforts to meet the growing needs of people across San Jose...