While Republican leaders dither on a new Speaker of the House, at least one Democratic congressmember is building bipartisan support to reform our politics. Silicon Valley Congressman Ro Khanna has brought together a bipartisan group of lawmakers. This includes Rep. Ilhan Omar on the far left to extreme MAGA supporter and Speaker slayer Matt Gaetz...
LaFortune: Why we need to invest in San Jose tourism
Tourism matters. In the U.S. last year, travel accounted for $1.2 trillion in direct spending which produced an economic footprint of $2.6 trillion. This travel supported nearly 15 million workers and directly employed 8 million people. In California, travel spending grew to $134.4 billion, and the California travel industry supported more than 1 million jobs....
Keegan: It can flood anytime it rains—be prepared
We’ve witnessed extreme weather over the last few years. This past winter, we emerged from a three-year drought that concluded with an impactful series of storms, filled reservoirs and one of history’s heftiest Sierra Nevada snowpacks on record. Valley Water was prepared. We know the climate is changing, and extreme weather is the new normal....
Dewan: When is it OK to be at school with symptoms of illness?
Each fall and through the winter, our communities begin to see increases in seasonal illnesses and allergies. Schools are continuing to navigate respiratory illnesses among students and staff, such as flu and COVID-19. In-person learning continues to be essential for the overall well-being and development of children. Children should attend school regularly and can do...
Silver Taube: California workers are gaining new rights next year
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bills that will give California workers important new rights in 2024. SB 616 will increase the number of paid sick days from three days to five effective Jan. 1, 2024. Access to paid sick days is crucial for the health and well-being of California working families. AB 1228 will raise...
Ritchie: Art is good real estate
Some might interpret the title as a reference to the hopeful rebirth/purchase of the tragically shuttered San Franciso Art Institute campus by Steve Jobs’ widow, as it is one of the most spectacular pieces of real estate anywhere. It is two acres on Russian Hill with the incredible twist that the Diego Rivera mural it...
Rawson: Three ideas to improve downtown San Jose
Seven months ago, I submitted an opinion piece raising concerns about the lack of a thoughtful strategy to guide downtown San Jose’s post-pandemic economic recovery. Unfortunately, since then not much has changed. There is still no guiding plan and fundamental indicators of downtown’s economic health remain discouraging. Office vacancies have now pushed over 30%, return-to-work...
Bramson: It’s more than just a disaster if you don’t have a home
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the southeastern United States. All told, the costliest disaster in U.S. history ultimately claimed the lives of more than 1,800 people. But it was not until the storm passed and the waters finally receded that the true extent of the destruction was fully revealed for the people who called the...
Philbrick: How many people will die on our roads this year?
Stop for a moment and think of 40 people you know. Think of their names, their faces. Now imagine them gone from your life forever. Forty people have died this year in San Jose in road collisions. Last year, 42,795 people—the population of a small city—died in collisions across the United States. When we read these...
Dean: San Jose residents and business will lose in city’s power play
Just this August, with virtually no public notice, analysis or stakeholder engagement, San Jose city leaders announced to the world that they wanted to get into the business of delivering electricity. The city’s desire to form an electric utility company should be a cause for concern for San Jose residents and businesses, particularly when they...