For more than a decade, Santa Clara has been consumed by one major controversy after another. Whether it’s been Levi’s Stadium, the convention center, the PAL BMX track, downtown redevelopment or the proposed City Hall move to Agnews, our community has spent years divided instead of united. Each issue has its own history and each...
Gutiérrez: Legal literacy in Santa Clara County should not begin in a crisis
Like many people, I grew up watching television shows about the law. For a long time, courtroom dramas were my first introduction to the justice system. Even now, I still find myself drawn to legal shows, podcasts, social media clips and YouTube videos that try to explain the law in simple ways. But after graduate...
Baker: Not all donation bins are authentic in Santa Clara County
Dropping off clothes and other items at a nearby donation bin feels like a convenient way to make a difference. But you may not realize that deceptive donation bins have become a big problem in Santa Clara County — just as they have in many communities across the United States. Sadly, it’s not a new problem. The...
Bramson: The fiscal blind spot concerning homelessness
Every year, Sacramento produces another round of homelessness legislation. This year is no different. Lawmakers have introduced bills to strengthen prevention programs, improve behavioral health services, regulate sober living environments and give local governments additional tools to respond to homelessness. Some of these proposals are thoughtful. Many deserve support. None are unreasonable. But after years...
Editorial: Why is San Jose ignoring unhoused, mentally ill people in downtown?
San Jose’s commitment to housing unsheltered people hit a milestone when hundreds of shelter beds came online and temporary housing sites were expanded. Yet a portion of the city’s homeless population — those with a serious mental illness — were left out, and the problem is glaring. The number of mentally ill people in the...
Stone: Don’t experiment with our elections by adopting ranked choice voting
Election systems should be judged by one simple standard: Do they make it easier for voters to participate and have confidence that every vote counts equally? Ranked choice voting fails that test. Supporters describe ranked choice voting as a cure for many of our political problems. They argue it produces majority winners, encourages more civil...
Paz-Cedillos: Joy is an act of belonging
I’ve been thinking a lot about joy over the past few weeks. Not because there has been an abundance of it, but because it has felt increasingly hard to come by. For many immigrant families, the past several months have been marked by uncertainty. Increased ICE activity, heated political rhetoric and the recent debate surrounding...
Teniente-Matson: America at 250 — Civic engagement is our shared responsibility
For 250 years, democracy in the United States has endured because each generation has accepted a shared responsibility to solve public problems, strengthen communities and contribute to the common good. From those who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, to college students who volunteer to support literacy initiatives in local schools and libraries, the...
Mallon: When transit meets the moment and riders show up en masse
As discussed in previous columns, the FIFA World Cup was supposed to be a major test for Bay Area transit systems, with thousands of fans coming from all over the world to attend the matches. So far, it’s shown what can happen when transit meets the moment and riders show up. I’ve written about transit...
Urbanowski: Teamwork amplifies arts, culture and entertainment
The Arts Will Play In 2026! is a cooperative marketing program created to enhance San Jose’s branding and economy through the promotion of arts and cultural events and activities. From musical productions to art exhibits to film festivals and more, this opportunity supports the marketing and promotion of arts and culture programs and events that...