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When California started its COVID-19 rent relief program in April with a plan to disburse $33 million in federal funds to San Jose residents, the city and Santa Clara County decided to run their own joint program for extremely low income households. But this hybrid approach creates problems, state officials say. “We have two programs in...
Pop star inspires Silicon Valley lawmaker’s conservatorship reform
A Silicon Valley lawmaker is vowing to continue his fight for conservatorship reform after pop icon Britney Spears recently slammed California for allegedly failing to protect her from abuse and exploitation. “We need to close loopholes and create accountability and transparency,” state Assemblyman Evan Low said in a statement. “I will continue to fight for...
Another candidate joins Silicon Valley Senate race
Jaime Raul Zepeda doesn’t have the political experience like his opponents. He says he doesn’t want it. “If candidates are funded by the exact same special interests who have funded everyone else before you, it’s going to be the same conversation,” Zepeda, 38, told San José Spotlight. “I don’t want to start my campaign by...
Aisha Wahab looks to break barriers in Sacramento
Senate hopeful Aisha Wahab grew up in the foster care system and, if elected, would become the only renter in the state Legislature. Wahab, a Hayward councilmember, is running for State Senate District 10. The district encompasses parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, including Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas and North San Jose. The state Senate...
Newsom’s newest defender: San Jose Councilmember Carrasco
As he faces possibly being removed from office, embattled Gov. Gavin Newsom has a new ally in his corner: San Jose Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco. Carrasco hosted a Zoom call this month and wrote a passionate Facebook post defending Newsom, referring to the recall effort as a “dirty tactic” and “costly political theater.” “Governor Newsom has...
Single-payer health care back under San Jose assemblyman’s plan
Watching friends and family without health insurance struggle to cover the costs of doctors’ appointments and medicines left a mark on Meriam Ahmad. In fact, the experience launched the high school junior to lobby for change. “It is something that I don’t want to be dealing with later in life, and it is something I...
State task force questions Silicon Valley tech companies about political ads
As politics and big tech increasingly collide, a new state task force is examining whether more regulation is needed to increase accountability for Silicon Valley companies who run digital political advertising. The Digital Transparency Task Force, a division within California’s Fair Political Practices Commission, recently questioned representatives from Google and Facebook about their political advertising...
San Jose senator wants to end life without parole under California’s felony murder law
California’s felony murder law allows judges to send convicts to prison for life — and sentence them to death — even when that person is not directly responsible for the death of another. Sen. Dave Cortese wants to end that practice, and give thousands of inmates charged under the law a chance to apply for...
San Jose lawmaker proposes revolutionary social housing policy
Housing advocates say an ambitious bill brought to the table this week in the state Legislature seeking to establish “social housing” is the right approach to California’s crisis, but it faces plenty of obstacles, too. Assemblymember Alex Lee, whose district includes part of San Jose, on Tuesday introduced a bill asking the state to begin...
Newly-elected San Jose legislators pressed on COVID-19 vaccine rollout
California and Santa Clara County’s vaccine rollout — full of mixed messages and poor communication — have been widely criticized over the past few weeks. Conflicting numbers have led to confusion and a massive backlog for vaccine distribution, and have left residents looking for answers. Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-San Jose) and Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto...