WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress must take swift action to combat voting misinformation and foreign interference in the November election, according to witnesses who testified this week before the House Subcommittee on Elections. “If foreign countries are able to interfere in our elections, it undermines faith in the entire electoral process,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena...
South Bay legislator says ‘crisis of confidence’ in a vaccine could hurt nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccination development process is of utmost importance, according to Rep. Anna Eshoo. “The goal must be to have a vaccine that is scientifically proven to be safe and effective,” she told San José Spotlight on Thursday. “Nothing and no one whatsoever should interfere with the scientists and...
House committee investigation finds drug companies targeting US for price hikes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A House committee investigation into the increasing costs of prescription drugs found that some of the largest global pharmaceutical companies are targeting the United States for the biggest price hikes, according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York). “I was astonished to see some of the new documents we will be discussing today,”...
Catholic schools gradually reopening in Santa Clara County
While most San Jose public school campuses will remain closed at least until January, Catholic schools are starting to welcome back students with sanitizing stations and wellness checks in place. “It’s been a real boost for faculty to see kids on campus,” said Principal Kristina Luscher of Bellarmine College Preparatory, which opened Sept. 23. “Overall,...
South Bay legislators split on clean energy legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House passed legislation this week intended to help the environment by phasing out the use of coolants and promoting the development of renewable energy. H.R. 4447, dubbed the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, passed by a vote of 220 to 185 on Thursday. Democratic Reps. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose...
San Jose legislator pushes for immigration reforms amid COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Zoe Lofgren called for immigration reform this week during a congressional hearing examining the role of undocumented immigrants in the essential workforce. The San Jose Democrat said essential workers, such as those working in agriculture or food processing, have risked their lives by continuing to work in-person throughout the coronavirus pandemic....
Santa Clara County education leader drops lawsuit against board
Education leader Joseph Di Salvo is dropping his lawsuit against the Santa Clara County Board of Education and fellow trustees who voted in July to censure him, but Di Salvo says the fight is far from over. “I am 100 percent innocent of the alleged charges,” Di Salvo told San Jose Spotlight Sept. 24. “The...
South Bay lawmaker calls on Republicans to end fight against the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Health experts warned House lawmakers this week that repealing the Affordable Care Act amid the coronavirus pandemic would have devastating consequences for millions of Americans. Dr. Benjamin Sommers, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a professor of health care economics for Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained...
Route 22 overnight bus service once again on chopping block in Santa Clara County
The Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority is proposing to reduce or eliminate overnight services of the bus line dubbed Hotel 22, the only 24-hour bus route in the county that is often used by homeless residents seeking shelter at night. The transit agency has proposed several scenarios for Route 22, which is part of the...
‘You are missing in action’ — South Bay lawmaker takes FCC to task
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Anna Eshoo took the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to task during a contentious Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on Thursday. The Palo Alto Democrat told Chairman Ajit Pai he had failed her constituents, who are currently struggling with the wildfires in northern California. There are 77,000 evacuees, she said,...