After losing re-election, San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep wants to give $440,000 in district funds to the city’s general fund — a move Councilmember-elect David Cohen is calling a Trumpian political ploy. In a memo to the city’s Rules and Open Government Committee, Diep detailed his intent to give his District 4 funds — meant...
Santa Clara County to offer small-business loans through state fund
Rather than create its own pot of money to help local businesses suffering through the pandemic, Santa Clara County will invest in a statewide fund that offers loans to small businesses. The Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8 voted unanimously to invest $6 million into the California Rebuilding Fund with the intent of offering loans...
UPDATE: San Jose details how it is spending $650 million in Measure T funds
Two years after San Jose voters passed a $650 million disaster preparedness bond, the city says it is making headway on fixing roads, preventing floods and improving emergency response times. The City Council voted unanimously to put Measure T on the 2018 ballot after dilapidated roads, mismanaged land and lack of emergency centers threatened resident...
Santa Clara County eyes small-business loan program
Santa Clara County is considering establishing a $50 million to $100 million small business loan program, despite county executives insisting it’s a bad idea. The Board of Supervisors started entertaining the idea in October, with Supervisor Joe Simitian saying loan amounts should be distributed in increments of $50,000 to $100,000 per business to increase impact....
Silicon Valley leaders ask for help solving the ‘poverty pandemic’
Santa Clara County elected officials, business and faith leaders are asking the community to help low-income people hit hardest by the pandemic. Through the new United Against the Poverty Pandemic coalition, formed during the pandemic by Brett Bymaster, executive director of Healing Grove Health Center, the group is working to find solutions for low-income families...
What Otto Lee’s election means for Santa Clara County
After 12 years on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Dave Cortese heads to Sacramento today to be sworn in as a state senator while former Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee takes part in his first meeting as a county supervisor for District 3. What do the coinciding actions mean for the political leanings of...
Appeals court backs Santa Clara County on immigration rule
A federal appeals court this week ruled in favor of Santa Clara and San Francisco counties in a suit seeking to block the Trump administration’s attempt to target immigrants who use social services. The “public charge” rule penalizes immigrants who are enrolled — or likely to enroll — in federally funded public assistance programs such...
Santa Clara mayor hints at more legal battles with 49ers over financials
Santa Clara lawmakers are not pleased with the loss of revenue from non-NFL events at Levi’s Stadium, and they say it’s due to sloppiness on the part of the San Francisco 49ers’ management. An accounting report presented this week to the Stadium Authority, a legislative body comprised of Mayor Lisa Gillmor and other elected leaders, stemmed...
San Jose councilmember announces run for county supervisor
Nine months after losing a bid for higher office, San Jose Councilmember Johnny Khamis is running for Santa Clara County supervisor. Khamis, who terms out from the council this month, is running for the District 1 seat held by Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who is terming out. So far, Khamis has raised $32,000 for his supervisorial bid...
San Jose comes under fire for police protest art piece at airport
An art piece at the San Jose International Airport is raising concerns from police advocates who say it depicts violence against officers. San Jose city officials confirmed the artwork has been taken down. “Last night, a temporary art exhibition at the airport ‘Holding the Moment’ was rotated out three days early,” said Carolina Camarena, a...