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....
Negash: Black-owned businesses are our economic future
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...
Zimmerman: Drought and heat stress California’s infrastructure
The heat this past weekend was a reminder that California’s weather is changing—and we are in a hot-zone. Parts of California, including San Jose, are actually warming faster than the global average and some parts have already reached the 2 degrees Celsius cutoff cited by scientists as the point of no return. California’s infrastructure isn’t...
Johnson: Franchising can pave a path to a better life
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...
Bramson: Finding affordable housing in the desert
You’re probably familiar with some version of the story of a lost man wandering through the desert in search of water. In the distance, he sees palm trees, birds flying overhead and a shimmering pool below. Sadly, as he approaches, the water vanishes. Convection currents created by the extreme heat – coupled with the maddening...
Robinson: The best of the San Jose mayor’s race
Cindy Chavez will face Matt Mahan in the race for mayor of San Jose. On a purely result basis, these two had the best campaigns; for winning is the only measure of real success in politics. That said, viewing the campaigns on an empirical level, certain candidates used different strategies and tactics. The following is...
Silver Taube: We must step up wage theft regulation in Santa Clara County
“We’re being robbed,” said Georgina Hernandez, a janitorial worker whose former employer was ordered to pay workers over $1.7 million for multiple wage theft violations in 2014. Five years later, Hernandez and other employees have not received a dime. Ms. Hernandez is not alone. A 2014 report the Eastern Research Group prepared for the Department...
Op-ed: A better balanced transportation policy in San Jose benefits the environment
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...
Op-ed: Measure B is common sense reform for democracy
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...
Op-ed: Bring San Jose’s billboard ban back with a ballot measure
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...