Money pouring into a tight Silicon Valley congressional race is drawing attention to a loophole in campaign finance rules that obscures the influence of special interests. Three political action committees — Equality PAC, Equality California Federal PAC and Voter Protection Project — have spent a combined $221,233 in independent expenses to support Assemblymember Evan Low in...
Silicon Valley nonprofits mismanaged federal dollars
Dozens of uncashed checks. Expenditures that were not allowed. Tardiness in submitting quarterly performance reports. These are some of the issues found in an audit of local nonprofits providing housing assistance during the pandemic. In fiscal year 2021-22, the San Jose Housing Department received $89 million in federal and state dollars for nonprofits to distribute for...
Cupertino approves plan to end traffic deaths
There’s a car crash in Cupertino about every three days, city data shows. Officials and advocates are trying to change that. The Cupertino City Council unanimously passed the city’s Vision Zero plan earlier this month, joining a network of more than 60 cities in a national movement to end traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries. The...
Silicon Valley Democrats rally around Kamala Harris after Biden drops out
President Joe Biden’s stunning decision to drop out of the presidential race Sunday has put the Bay Area’s own Kamala Harris at the forefront of the country’s most critical race this November. Silicon Valley leaders on both sides of the aisle saw it coming. Biden had faced intensifying pressure in the last few weeks to...
San Jose water rate hikes could drop
The for-profit company feeding water to six Santa Clara County cities may agree to walk back its plan for a 22% water rate hike over three years. State officials are in the process of developing a settlement with the San Jose Water Company that would adjust its controversial January proposal, after residents during hearings this...
What Silicon Valley DNC delegates say about Biden
Most of Silicon Valley’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention who backed President Joe Biden are now on board with fresh leadership from the party. Days before Biden withdrew from the race Sunday amid intensifying calls for him to step aside, most delegates stood staunchly behind him. Some local Democrats wished they had a better...
Silicon Valley candidates backed by Vietnamese American heavyweights
The FBI probe into a Bay Area recycling hauler — and the showdown between its owner and another influential Vietnamese figure — has sent a ripple through one of Santa Clara County’s hottest elections. It’s also revealing how two of Silicon Valley’s most powerful Vietnamese figures are backing competing Vietnamese American political candidates in a...
Silicon Valley lawmaker tells Biden he will lose the White House
A top Silicon Valley congresswoman has a grave warning for President Joe Biden — step aside or lose the White House. San Jose Rep. Zoe Lofgren, one of the most senior and respected members of Congress, sent a strongly-worded letter to Biden Thursday expressing significant concerns over his ability to beat former President Donald Trump....
Santa Clara County property value growth is slow
The total assessed value of all properties in Santa Clara County has increased, but revenue isn’t enough to keep up with cost of services. According to the 2024 Assessment Roll, Santa Clara County’s assessed property value is $696.8 billion and has grown by $35.6 billion, or 5.4%, from last year. That growth rate isn’t fast...
Summer movie screenings return to downtown San Jose
Summer in San Jose has brought back the classics: a scorching heat wave, crowded conventions and an almost decade-long tradition of outdoor movies. In partnership with the city’s Viva Parks program, the San Jose Downtown Association is hosting Starlight Cinema — a seasonal summer event that provides free movie showings on Saturday evenings in St....