English
Spanish
Vietnamese
Russia funds their modernized military with income from petroleum. To allow its attack on Ukraine, Russia attempted to blackmail Europe and the world by cutting off petroleum. Already high fuel prices will spike even higher. Though that dynamic is sad, I’ve been driving free since my first of six electric vehicles (EV) arrived in 1996...
Dewan: Santa Clara County schools confront climate change
Growing evidence points to the need for an urgent response as the changing climate is having an observable impact on communities, students, educators and schools. Providing access to safe, healthy, sustainable and resilient learning environments is a focus of policy makers and school leaders. In 2020, the United States experienced a record-breaking 22 natural disasters...
Heffner: Homelessness stems from a lack of affordable housing
The No. 1 reason people experience homelessness in our county and nation is the lack of affordable housing. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “The solution to homelessness is straightforward: housing. By connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing and services, they have a platform from which they can address other areas that may...
Shaw: Homeless people need more care than shelters provide
How is a homeless shelter expected to maintain the health and well-being of individuals with a mental illness or emotional issues, when no doctors are on staff? How is a homeless shelter expected to ensure the safety and comfort of individuals who require respite care, when no nurses are on staff? How is a homeless...
Help Wanted: An election reader panel for San José Spotlight
Election season is here, and we’re looking to put together a reader panel to talk about the key issues, contests and what matters most to you. We want to know what your top pritoties are as you head to the polls in June and November. What do you want to see in your next mayor?...
Zimmerman: Take time to celebrate climate victories
One important aspect of environmentalism is knowing when to take a break. News feeds are dire right now, and without diminishing the gravity of contemporary events, we need a win. So, I am taking this opportunity to highlight some good environmental news. The world, the United States and the residents of San Jose—and our elected...
Op-ed: Basic aid community colleges must start listening to students
Student enrollment has declined sharply at community colleges. Why then, are community college districts ignoring student preferences in course offerings? We are faculty union leaders from three Bay Area community-funded college districts, also known as “basic aid.” Rather than being funded by enrollment, our colleges receive local property tax money to offer classes and services and run...
Bramson: Locking people away isn’t the answer to our mental health crisis
When Randle Patrick McMurphy was locked up in an asylum in Ken Kensey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the 1962 novel directly exposed readers to the institutional horrors that had been going on for a long time in the United States. Led by Nurse Ratched, patients at the so-called hospital were neglected, abused and...
Khamis: Beyond housing—addressing factors that impact homelessness
Throughout Santa Clara County, we have all seen the growing number of people living on our streets and waterways. The number of people struggling with homelessness continues to rise, even though we have passed new taxes like 2016’s Measure A which promised to build 5,000 units over 10 years. Another tax, 2020’s Measure E, promised...
Waite: San Jose budget should focus on core services
Proving yet again that government spending is “sticky downward” and all new programs should be reviewed skeptically, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo opens his March budget message by lamenting, “If we wished merely to maintain the level of services we currently provide San Jose residents into the next year, we would commence our budget decision-making...