San Jose city leaders want to entice new businesses into filling empty office space in Downtown San Jose with perks that can save them money. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a policy for any new business looking for a minimum of 2,500 square feet to be exempt from paying city business taxes...
Silicon Valley food stamp levels highest since 2014
It’s a tale of two worlds in Santa Clara County — one of affluence and one of survival, as thousands of residents struggle to put food on the table. Participation in CalFresh is at its highest level in a decade. As of July, the federally funded food assistance program has more than 130,000 individuals receiving...
Silicon Valley service workers support no taxes on tips
Bev Lucatelli, owner of The Caravan Lounge, pretends to jokingly strangle one of her bartenders, King Patrick Eugenio, under the warm glow of the bar’s rainbow Christmas lights and they both burst out laughing. All the employees treat each other like family, with Lucatelli even offering to spot Eugenio when he’s low on rent money....
Failed contract prompts San Jose hotel worker strike
Frustrated San Jose hotel workers launched a three-day strike over Labor Day weekend against the Signia and DoubleTree after more than two months of failed contract negotiations with Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Unite Here Local 19 hotel workers in San Jose chose to strike Monday night and picket through Tuesday, a union representative told San...
East San Jose businesses to launch growth plan
East San Jose businesses are partnering with the city to launch a plan to drive more shoppers into the Tully Eastridge neighborhoods and breathe new life into its diverse economy. The business owners want to create a business improvement district as a way to draw more foot traffic to the area for upcoming events such as farmers markets...
Santa Clara preps stadium security ahead of Super Bowl
In what regional leaders call a first for American sports arenas, Levi’s Stadium will host World Cup matches and the Super Bowl in the same year — and the costs of making history are taking shape as Santa Clara officials work to secure the venue from threats. World Cup public safety costs could hover around...
San Jose has highest home prices in nation
It’s cheaper to rent a home in San Jose than buy one, though renters still pay steep prices in one of the most costly cities in the nation. A report by real estate platform Clever ranks San Jose as the No. 1 most expensive city to buy and rent, out of the 50 most populous...
San Jose water rates keep going up
The for-profit company providing water for six Santa Clara County cities will walk back proposed rate hikes over three years. But watchdogs say the cuts are a sham and residents will still face higher water bills. San Jose Water Company initially proposed to hike rates by a total of 20% through 2027. A proposed settlement agreement between the...
Santa Clara County city pushes for higher sales tax
Campbell officials are asking residents to boost the city’s sales tax to the highest rate in Santa Clara County this November to provide revenue they say is necessary to maintain its quality of life. The Campbell City Council unanimously voted last week to place a 1/2-cent sales tax increase on the ballot, which could raise...
Santana Row parking no longer free
Max Shandeh has been frequenting Santana Row since it opened more than two decades ago to enjoy a cup of coffee or a delectable meal. When he came for his late afternoon run to a French-style bakery, he was surprised to find parking would no longer be free. “I’m not happy with it. We come...