San Jose’s next mayor must be someone we can count on to protect our neighborhoods and families by keeping guns off our streets and away from those who shouldn’t have access to them—especially those suffering from serious mental issues. That means our next mayor must strongly oppose any organization that blocks reasonable, common-sense laws and...
Editorial: Our lawsuit could defend democracy in San Jose—and beyond
This story is part of a project called Democracy Day, in which newsrooms across the country are shining a light on threats to democracy and what action is needed to protect it. Why would a small local news organization sue the 10th largest city in the country? What could it possibly gain? The legal costs are...
Silver Taube: The restaurant industry wants to halt a law giving fast-food workers a seat at the table
On Labor Day, Gov. Gavin Newson signed the landmark bill, AB 257, the FAST Recovery Act, into law. The law will establish a 10-member council with four seats held by fast-food franchisor and franchisee representatives, four seats held by fast-food worker representatives and advocates and two seats held by representatives of the Department of Industrial Relations...
Op-ed: When will Cindy Chavez tell the truth?
These are ominous times in America for those who have lost their fundamental right to make decisions about their own body in many states—although thankfully not here in California where our rights will remain protected—and because of the threats to our democracy. In these serious times, we need our leaders to take our issues seriously,...
Bramson: When the market gives you a recession, make some affordable housing
Recessions usually mean bad tidings for everyone. Jobs are lost, savings are depleted, and the poor get poorer. Generally the most vulnerable people feel the pinch the worst, struggling to make ends meet while shivering under the shadow of a bleak economic outlook. That’s why with major market indicators once again pointing to the strong...
Rodríguez: Partnering to build an innovative campus in Milpitas
Since opening its doors to students in early 2017, the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) Milpitas Extension has served thousands of students and community members, bringing higher education classes and services to Escuela Parkway in Milpitas and creating one of the first locations anywhere in the United States where a kindergarten-to-college pipelines exists within...
Staedler: AB 2011 opens up commercial corridors to housing development
California passed several housing bills before the end of the current legislative session. Assembly Bill 2011 enacts a streamlined ministerial approval by cities comparable to Senate Bill 35, for multi-family projects on commercial zoned land that meet certain provisions. Those include prevailing wages and affordable housing requirements. The bill would allow housing projects to be...
Velasquez: Choosing real results over impossible promises on homelessness
This election season, confusion and common sense seem to be tied together for some reason. This is especially true since someone claiming to be the purported leader of the common sense revolution is trying to solve a complex problem like homelessness using sensationalized slogans, misleading data and impossible promises. Take the current mayoral race in San Jose, for...
Zisser: San Jose mayor’s ‘facts’ about policing ignore community-based alternatives
The hot San Jose summer must have fried Mayor Sam Liccardo’s memory. In an Aug. 15 opinion piece, Liccardo calls for more police officers and more incarceration as the answer to public safety concerns. He remembers back to protests in 2020, though glosses over the most important parts: righteous national and local outrage over police excesses....
Mallon: San Jose is putting public transit first
Last month, San Jose became the initial “Transit First” city in Santa Clara County. While it will take time for San Jose to truly become a city where public transit is prioritized, improved and seen as a better option than driving, this policy represents a shift in priorities. For decades, the city has prioritized cars...