California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a plan to channel historic sums of money to address homeless encampments. If that money is to help those communities, it is vital to spend it where it will do the most good. To find those areas we suggest something radical: Talk to people to learn their needs. Hundreds...

Our society is experiencing an epidemic wave of behavioral health disorders that’s impacting our most vulnerable populations. The pandemic exacerbated a pre-existing emotional environment for young people that led to increased suicide rates, severe depressive episodes and likely early drug addiction among our youth. Too many of those young people are being left out of...

Throughout San Jose’s mayoral race, one of the primary concerns for candidates, rightfully so, is housing. Affordable housing. Housing for currently houseless. Senior housing. All types of housing have been discussed during mayoral forums, views differing greatly from being against more housing via SB 9 to being a dense housing advocate only within current Urban...

When President Joe Biden repealed the Muslim travel ban in 2021, the Persian community rejoiced. Our family members abroad could finally visit loved ones in America. After years of separation, mothers, sons and grandparents looked forward to reuniting and hugging each other at long last. But there was a catch. If you live in 155 countries, including...

From 2010 to 2019, 42% of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) PhD graduates from U.S. universities were international students. Working in America has always been seen as fertile ground for new career growth and bountiful opportunity. As someone who grew up in Malaysia, I can attest to the reputation the U.S. has overseas....

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the marches, protests, and civil upheaval that followed, support for Black-owned businesses grew significantly. According to Bloomberg and Business Insider, Black Americans became the fastest-rising group of entrepreneurs in the United States between February 2020 and August 2021, increasing by 38%. This trend was particularly prominent across...

It’s hard to overestimate the tremendous positive impact local franchise businesses have in California and our quality of life. Across the Golden State, franchise businesses employ more than 728,000 residents, pay out more than $28.8 billion in wages and generate $69.4 billion in economic output. But for franchisees and the people they employ, these numbers...

Everyone is aware of the awful pollution that spews out of our gas-powered cars. Yet have you ever thought about how the abundant parking spots we have scattered throughout San Jose are part of this problem? You have the opportunity to do something about it next month. First, let us explain how too many parking...

Recently, San Francisco officials announced a desire to shift the date of elections for purposes of increasing voter participation. San Jose is already pursuing this via Measure B this June primary election. We believe this is a common sense reform for democracy, and here’s why. Three years ago, Santa Clara County declared a climate emergency to...

When it comes to stopping digital billboards in San Jose, don’t expect our City Council to come to the rescue. That’s because the current council—except Matt Mahan—still favors the special interest billboard lobby, despite a public survey showing residents overwhelmingly oppose digital billboards along San Jose freeways and downtown, and despite the Airport Commission recommending...