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San Jose is a big city anomaly when it comes to the way it is governed. In the 10th largest city in America, it’s the city manager who calls the shots – not the mayor. It’s an issue that politicos have debated for decades over whether San Jose should shift to a strong mayor system...
Sam Liccardo rejected his raise. What about his San Jose council colleagues?
Less than a year ago, Mayor Sam Liccardo and his council colleagues backed a measure to drop the political hot potato that threatened to burn them every two years — setting their own salaries. They supported Measure U, a Nov. 2018 ballot initiative that took the decision to approve salaries out of the City Council’s...
East Side lawmakers worry about light rail extension’s future
East San Jose has eagerly awaited a light rail connection to the Eastridge Transit Center since Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A almost 20 years ago. By imposing a 30-year sales tax, county voters in 2000 decided to expand a light rail service into San Jose, but now it appears the long-awaited Capitol Expressway...
Santa Clara County to explore forming its own public bank
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to explore the legality of creating a county-operated public bank in support of a California bill that, if passed, will allow local governments to form their own banks. Advocates say that public banks would help strengthen local institutions, keep public money within the local economy...
San Jose council debates downtown design changes to protect birds
The towering buildings that dot San Jose’s skyline could soon take on a different shape – in large part to protect birds. According to The Guardian, up to one billion birds die annually in the United States from running into illuminated skyscrapers or glass buildings akin to a Windex commercial. And San Jose councilors on...
UPDATE: Sam Liccardo rejects $58k raise recommended by commission
A city commission on Monday unanimously approved salary increases for San Jose elected leaders, including a whopping $58,000 raise for Mayor Sam Liccardo and a $28,000 raise for city councilmembers. But on Tuesday morning, Liccardo rejected the raise in a new memo released by his office. Instead, Liccardo suggested aligning current and future mayoral salary...
Poll: Dave Cortese leading opponents in state Senate race
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese has emerged as the frontrunner in a crowded race to replace state Sen. Jim Beall, holding a 13-point advantage over his likely opponents, according to a new poll obtained by San José Spotlight. The poll, which surveyed 600 likely voters from March 26 to April 2, found that 32...
San Jose leaders to mull improving public outreach on development
From involving neighborhood organizations to creating a form for public feedback to reaching limited English speaking areas, city officials on Tuesday will recommend a series of improvements to help San Jose better engage the community over upcoming building projects. The San Jose City Council will review eight sweeping recommendations on development noticing as prepared by...
San Jose explores reducing police staffing at outdoor events
San Jose city leaders are looking to reduce police presence at major outdoor events — a cost-savings measure first suggested by Mayor Sam Liccardo last summer. The mayor last June asked city administrators to find “ways to safely reduce the city’s police staffing requirements at major events” such as the San Jose Jazz Festival, Silicon...
Following outcry, major changes coming to San Jose Planning Commission
Mayor Sam Liccardo joined with political rivals to propose sweeping changes to the Planning Commision following community outcry, changes that could reshape the size and diversity of the powerful panel. In a new proposal, Liccardo and Vice Mayor Chappie Jones teamed up with progressives Magdalena Carrasco and Maya Esparza to suggest prohibiting more than two...