Sunnyvale residents will vote on a multi-million dollar bond measure to support local school facilities this March. Measure C would help the Sunnyvale School District continue facility improvements at multiple locations, which include updating technology and retrofitting old buildings. The measure needs 55% voter approval to pass. If the measure fails, the district will be...
San Jose revisits old goals to solve homelessness
New year, new goals — and San Jose officials are trying again to resolve the city’s homeless crisis. This week, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved its annual update of a five-year plan to end homelessness following a lengthy two- hour debate. The city will spend $50 million to subsidize affordable housing construction to bring 400...
Downtown San Jose apartments welcome formerly homeless seniors
Steven Lynch used to ride his bike past PATH Villas at 4th Street in San Jose every week, checking on the development’s progress. He hoped luck would roll his way and he’d secure a spot in one of the studio apartments, after five years of rotating between homeless shelters and his car. Lynch, 64, along...
Doctor joins race for District 5 Santa Clara County supervisor
Neurologist Dr. Peter Fung wants to parlay his years of health care experience into a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and use it to improve care quality. Fung, a 76-year-old retired neurologist, joins a crowded race for District 5 supervisor as incumbent Joe Simitian terms out and runs for Congress. Fung...
Silicon Valley Rep. Eshoo endorses Simitian as replacement
Silicon Valley Rep. Anna Eshoo has chosen who should replace her in Congress. Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian has Eshoo’s support in his run to represent California’s 16th congressional district that covers swaths of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. “I don’t think there is anyone in the entire field that has the experience...
San Jose bans ‘foreign-influenced corporations’ from political donations
San Jose leaders want to make sure that money spent on local elections comes from Americans — and they have passed a landmark campaign finance policy that seeks to do just that. The San Jose City Council yesterday unanimously approved prohibiting “foreign-influenced corporations” from making political contributions in city races in hopes that election results reflect...
UPDATE: Silicon Valley water board elects new chair
In an unexpected turn of events, Valley Water’s board of directors reelected Director Nai Hsueh to be its next chair. After a motion to elect Director Barbara Keegan failed, the board voted 5-2 to make Hsueh chair. Directors John Valera, Richard Santos, Tony Estremera, Rebecca Eisenberg and Hsueh voted yes, and Director Jim Beall and...
San Jose Police Chief Mata to retire
San Jose’s top cop is set to retire in a few months — and is moving on to lead investigations for the county. Police Chief Anthony Mata will retire in March as he steps into the role of investigations bureau chief for the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office the following month. Mata has served...
Another U.S. senator weighs in on Silicon Valley congressional race
The country’s top political leaders are weighing in on who should fill an open Silicon Valley congressional seat. California Sen. Laphonza Butler is the latest national leader to voice who should represent the state’s 16th congressional district — and her pick is Assemblymember Evan Low. Gov. Gavin Newsom selected Butler to fill the seat in...
San Jose lawsuit sparks legislation to bolster government transparency
From Stockton to Anaheim and San Jose, government officials across California use personal email accounts and texts to do the public’s business—and those messages often never see the light of day because public agencies can’t access them. Now, a San Jose legislator is working to change that. State Sen. Dave Cortese on Monday introduced a...