Politics

Politics

In split vote, San Jose lawmakers decide to study potential 2020 tax measure

Despite warnings from Councilmembers Johnny Khamis and Sergio Jimenez that San Jose residents are becoming overtaxed, a split City Council on Tuesday decided to move forward with researching a 2020 ballot measure to help build affordable housing and shelter the city’s homeless. Last month, San Jose administrators studied three potential tax measures – two of them were...

Santa Clara County lawmakers make no changes to ICE detainer policy

A nail-biting 56 days have passed since the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to explore changes to the county’s sanctuary city policy, but on Tuesday it voted unanimously against a notification policy preventing law enforcement from cooperating with ICE officials. Emotions ran high among the public at April’s grueling and nearly eight-hour long meeting...

San Jose mayor focuses on equity and blight in budget message

As San Jose lawmakers prepare to approve next year’s budget, Mayor Sam Liccardo announced in his budget message Monday that he wants to distribute public dollars equitably – focusing limited funding and resources on areas with the greatest needs. “All of us should agree that across several city program areas, high-poverty neighborhoods need greater resources,” Liccardo wrote. “In some...

San Jose political foes join forces against new taxes

Two very unlikely San Jose political leaders joined forces Friday against one common enemy: New taxes. In a memo released late Friday, San Jose Councilmembers Johnny Khamis and Sergio Jimenez — who are often on opposite sides of most social issues — directed city administrators to stop studying placing any new tax measures on the...

San Jose mayor one step closer to suing over overnight trains

In an effort to combat the blaring horns of trains that have been waking San Jose residents from slumber, Mayor Sam Liccardo, along with four of his council colleagues, have signed on to explore legal options against Union Pacific Railroad and consider designating the land along the rail line as public open space. According to...

San Jose to pay six-figure settlement in traffic death case

San Jose City Hall will shell out a six-figure settlement to the family of a man who was killed while walking near a dark overpass with broken lights — which should’ve been maintained by the city. The settlement, which will be formally approved by the City Council on Tuesday, awards $100,000 to the parents of...