I recently participated in two peaceful and inspiring protests close to where I live in downtown San Jose. I was moved by the diversity of the participants, their eloquent and strong demands for change and especially by the voices of our youth.  At this point, it’s important we listen to the voices emerging from the...

In California, the housing crisis has often made news with skyrocketing rents and affordable housing shortages. Yet, there is something many California residents need for survival, even more than a roof over their heads, that has increased at a rate that far outpaces even our housing market. That necessity is insulin, the price of which...

Nearly 50,000 Californians  on  parole  today are  ineligible  to vote.  They pay taxes at the local, state, and federal levels, but are prevented from their fundamental voting rights.  Taxation without representation is present yet again;  this time,  there is  no  tea  party. For  those who have served their time to be truly free,  it is...

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors needs to place a sales tax on the ballot for the November Election. The reasons are straightforward and righteous. COVID-19 demands bold action and investment, at an unprecedented scale. Since the pandemic has begun, our organizations have together served over 21,000 individuals who are suffering tremendous hardship due...

During an unprecedented global pandemic and civil protests over police brutality and systemic racism, Mayor Sam Liccardo, Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and Councilmembers Lan Diep, Dev Davis, Pam Foley and Johnny Khamis are missing the mark and a genuine opportunity to rebuild trust, and foster collaboration and equity with their constituents. Pursuant to the Code...

I want people to understand that when San Jose’s Mayor Sam Liccardo writes a Medium post patting himself on the back for “supporting efforts to save Caltrain” he never really did. If he is proposing more of the same kind of “support” for Caltrain he and his fellow Santa Clara County and San Francisco representatives...

In 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 109 after the Supreme Court ruled California’s overcrowded prisons violated inmates’ 8th Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment. It was and has continued to be portrayed to the public as a good thing. A “reward” for nonviolent and non-serious offenders. While the law may allow inmates to...

It is just a day business trip to San Jose, but a good opportunity to check out the new Boring Transit Loop from the airport to downtown. I read it was built in under a year and for $100 million. Sounds like a lot of money, but peanuts for a transportation system. As I exit...

“Never waste the opportunity offered by a good crisis.” – Niccolò Machiavelli On July 1, the San Jose City Council voted 6-5 to place a ballot measure amending the City Charter on the November ballot. The proposal would move the mayoral election to the presidential election cycle, enact certain campaign contribution restrictions and increase the...

The crisis of authority is not unique to California or COVID-19. The question is not even new to government itself. In fact, the question about if, when and how an authority shall govern dates back to the origins of human life. This conundrum is not about Dr. Sara Cody, it’s about trust in an imperfect...