As major cities like San Jose and San Francisco struggle with emptied out downtowns after the pandemic pushed huge swaths of people to remote work, discussion of converting empty offices to housing is gaining traction. The Office to Housing Conversion Act, or AB 1532, would allow certain office buildings to be converted to housing across...
San Jose residents press for updated immigration reform
When San Jose resident Gina Guevara first came to the U.S. years ago, she encountered many barriers. Though she had already earned a telecommunications degree from her home country of Venezuela, she found her job options limited by her undocumented status. That’s why Guevara and others are pushing Congress to pass a federal bill introduced...
San Jose official skips trip to avoid breaking rules
San Jose officials hoping to travel out of state next month almost violated city laws, until one of them dropped out. Six members of the San Jose City Council were set to join the annual trip organized by the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. This year it’s happening in Phoenix, Arizona on April 18-21. But their actions...
Silicon Valley city tosses out controversial official
A controversial Cupertino planning commissioner has been booted from his seat. After nearly two hours of heated public comment from more than 60 residents, the Cupertino City Council voted 3-2 to remove R “Ray” Wang from the Planning Commission Tuesday. Mayor Hung Wei, Vice Mayor Sheila Mohan and Councilmember J. R. Fruen voted in favor, while Councilmembers...
Santa Clara County concealed weapons applications skyrocket
A Supreme Court ruling last summer changed two words, starting a chain reaction across the nation for who can obtain a concealed carry weapons permit. In Santa Clara County, it means more residents will be able to carry concealed weapons on the streets. The June 23, 2022 ruling struck down previous regulations that gave the...
‘We will sue you’: VTA strong-arming San Jose property owners to sell
As the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority prepares to bring BART through downtown San Jose, some property owners claim the agency is refusing to negotiate terms. The second phase of the BART extension to San Jose brings the Bay Area rail line through downtown along Santa Clara Street, a stretch that will displace a number...
‘A very dark place’: Silicon Valley leader opens up about fatal crash
More than three years after Jenny Higgins fatally struck Santa Cruz resident Timothy Starkey with her car, she said not a day goes by when she doesn’t think about the pain her actions have caused his family. “I carry a burden of shame, of sadness,” Higgins told San José Spotlight. Higgins, the co-founder and former...
San Jose reveals homelessness data
San Jose is launching a tool to help the public better understand the city’s efforts to address growing homelessness. The Homelessness Program Dashboard lets residents browse different city-run programs and learn more about their results on the city website. The tool shows where funding comes from, which services are being prioritized and how many people are being served. “We can’t expect to solve our...
Silicon Valley water agency makes Lunar New Year a paid holiday
California took an important step last year when it recognized Lunar New Year as an official holiday. Now, one Santa Clara County agency is giving it the same treatment at the local level. The Valley Water board of directors unanimously voted last week to recognize Lunar New Year as a paid holiday. The move goes...
Silicon Valley official makes bid for county supervisor
Longtime Mountain View Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga has more to give as she looks beyond serving in her city. Abe-Koga, 52, is the first to enter the race for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat. She announced her bid to replace incumbent Supervisor Joe Simitian at a Lunar New Year event hosted by...