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The COVID pandemic has put in sharp relief the weaknesses, inequities and complexities of our patchwork system of health care. Our nation’s for-profit private insurance model has garnered billions in windfall profits for insurance companies while patients and small health care providers suffer. Twenty-eight million people were uninsured in the U.S. in 2020. Another 31...
Vargas: Reforming the recall process
With the attempted recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom now an absurdly expensive footnote in the pages of history, the question of reform looms large. Demands for reform began almost immediately, as the magnitude of the recall’s failure—and the waste of more than a quarter of a billion dollars—became apparent less than an hour after polls...
EGD: Explaining San Jose’s partnership with Helium
A peculiar news release landed in my inbox the morning of Sept. 29 about San Jose using some cryptocurrency program to raise money for internet services for those who can’t afford it. I almost immediately rolled my eyes upon even seeing the word “cryptocurrency” in a government news release. What’s more, I had never heard of...
Op-ed: Everyone needs a place to call home
What is synonymous with the American Dream? Of course, the first thing that comes to the minds of many is a house or home. A home is a place where children play, families eat and life happens. Our fondest memories, loving relationships and reprieve from the outside world occur inside our homes, thus making it...
Bramson: Ending homelessness in the election season
When homelessness starts to dominate politics you know the election season isn’t too far away. And this year, with concern for the unhoused polling as a top issue, you can be sure that we’ll be hearing plenty of plans on what can be done now to solve this crisis on our streets. Some of this...
Philbrick: Distracted driving puts pedestrians at risk
Reflective vests, painted crossing lines, bright orange flags and flashing signs—all aimed at protecting the safety of pedestrians across the nation. Speed limits—and speeding tickets—also help protect our most vulnerable commuters. Despite these critical safety protocols, the number of motor vehicle-related deaths remains staggering. Such a tragedy struck recently in Lafayette, California when a crossing...
Breland: Community college in a post-pandemic world
What if I told you there was a single organization designed to fight income inequality; produce the next generation of first responders, teachers, scientists and high-tech workers; fight hunger and housing insecurity; register voters; develop individuals into civil rights and social justice leaders; and serve as a social hub for entire communities? In the South...
Op-ed: Honor Hispanic Heritage Month by committing to criminal legal system transformation
Over the course of the past few weeks, our communities have come together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, including a Mexican Flag raising ceremony we all attended on Sept. 16 at San Jose City Hall to commemorate Mexican Independence Day. It was a beautiful event honoring the culture, traditions and values of Mexican people and...
Staedler: A closer look at Santa Clara County’s redistricting process
Every 10 years, political district maps are redrawn at the congressional, state and local levels to account for shifts in population. The 2020 census data shows there are significant shifts in population throughout Santa Clara County. The county Board of Supervisors directed its administration to establish a 15-member Advisory Redistricting Commission to hold public hearings,...
Seaver: ADA reform needed to protect small businesses
As advocates for small business, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce continues to work on the safe reopening of our economy so we can get our residents, neighbors and friends back to work. San Jose businesses have been hit hard by the economic slowdown related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and those challenges continue, but...