Washington D.C. — The Committee on Oversight and Reform recently convened an emergency hearing to discuss President Donald Trump’s efforts to exclude undocumented immigrants from the base count used to redistribute congressional seats after the census. “The president’s direction is unconstitutional,” said Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “It is illegal, and it disregards the precedent set...
San Jose Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren grills Barr over federal reaction to protests
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Zoe Lofgren took Attorney General William Barr to task during a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing to discuss a range of issues related to President Donald Trump’s interactions with the Justice Department. The San Jose Democrat told Barr she believed the Trump administration deployed federal troops to the protests in Portland,...
San Jose, AT&T invest in free internet access for students
For many, the pressure to work and attend school remotely during the coronavirus pandemic has amplified Silicon Valley’s digital divide. But a new plan announced Monday by Mayor Sam Liccardo and AT&T will bring 11,000 wireless internet hotspots and 4G LTE data plans to K-12 students and low-income households lacking internet connection. “It is important...
Silicon Valley activists and legislators mourn Rep. John Lewis
WASHINGTON D.C. — Mourners gathered by the thousands around the U.S. Capitol this week, waiting in long lines to pay their respects to the late Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Some honored his legacy as a civil rights icon by wearing masks or shirts emblazoned with the Black Lives Matter emblem. A few even had...
Lawsuit against San Jose college district moves forward
A prominent San Jose developer’s lawsuit against the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District will move forward after the court ruled last week that the district can be held legally liable for an alleged contract breach after pulling out of a lucrative land deal. “Essentially, (the judge) said if you can prove everything that you say,...
Ro Khanna says outdated IT hurt government’s COVID-19 response efforts
WASHINGTON D.C. — One Silicon Valley legislator said the federal government urgently needs to update its information technology systems — especially as it deals with the COVID-19 crisis. “Two years ago, I introduced and passed the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act to modernize federal websites and digitize government processes,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, told...
Anna Eshoo and mental health advocates push suicide prevention legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A few weeks ago, Palo Alto resident Victor Ojakian received an unexpected letter in the mail. It was from one of his son’s former classmates. The boys went to secondary school together and played some of the same sports, he said, but they weren’t best friends or even especially close companions. Yet...
Report details how a Santa Clara County trustee discriminated against women
A new report obtained by San José Spotlight through a records request revealed Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee Joseph Di Salvo was “dismissive and disrespectful” toward women and attempted “to undermine or to intimidate a woman into changing her opinion.” Earlier this month, Di Salvo was censured by the board in a split...
Silicon Valley legislators weigh in on D.C. statehood
A historic vote in the House of Representatives recently moved the District of Columbia one step closer to achieving statehood— and Silicon Valley’s congressional leaders believe that’s a step in the right direction. “D.C. is home to over 700,000 residents, nearly half of whom are Black, yet these citizens do not have an equal voice...
Caltrain’s future in limbo after Santa Clara County defers tax measure
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to defer the decision for a Caltrain ballot measure to a special meeting on Aug. 6 — the last day to approve measures for the November ballot. In the final item of a 10-hour meeting Tuesday, county lawmakers considered a proposed ballot measure for a one-eighth...