As a public defender, Ash Kalra said he experienced firsthand the impact racism has had on communities of color in the court system, including jury selection, the use of racially discriminatory language and disparities in charging and sentencing. The San Jose assemblymember said his answer was to author Assembly Bill 2542, the California Racial Justice...
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UPDATE: San Jose council OKs anti-displacement plan to protect renters, landlords
Amid a housing crisis exacerbated by COVID-19, San Jose leaders approved a 10-part plan to provide rent relief and give nonprofits first dibs on property that goes on the market. The anti-displacement plan was approved Sept. 23 past the 12 a.m. curfew in a 10-1 vote. Councilmember Johnny Khamis cast the lone dissenting vote. Displacement...
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UPDATE: San Jose City Council approves Bay 101 casino settlement
After years of legal battles between San Jose and the Bay 101 casino, the City Council voted 10-1 Sept. 22 to approve a 2020 settlement agreement and put a series of suits to bed. Most notably, Bay 101 sued the city in 2013 for charging “unconstitutionally excessive” fees. As a compromise, the city will consider...
Census workers push on in Santa Clara County despite challenges
A hearing by a federal judge in San Jose on when the U.S. Census count will end was met with another delay. Due to COVID-19 and other challenges, only four states reported 99% of housing enumerations completed, according to testimony at a hearing Sept. 22 before U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose. Concerned...
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Service workers caravan from San Jose to Sacramento for labor protections
More than a dozen drivers honked their horns as they circled around Cesar Chavez Park in downtown San Jose with “sign AB 3216” inscribed on their car windows. Their message was directed to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who they want to sign Assembly Bill 3216, which is designed to provide significant labor protections for hotel, janitorial,...
Santa Clara County makes history with Juneteenth holiday
June 19, the date that marks the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, is now a holiday for Santa Clara County employees — a first in California. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 22 to make the day, also known as Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day,...
San Jose candidates for local, state offices face off on racial justice, affordable housing
Eight South Bay candidates competing in state and local races tackled questions on economic recovery, climate change, racial justice, housing and transportation in a two-and-a-half hour discussion hosted by San José Spotlight. The Sept.16 forum was held virtually and moderated by City Hall reporter Carly Wipf and Michael Lane, San Jose director for SPUR. The forum...
Route 22 overnight bus service once again on chopping block in Santa Clara County
The Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority is proposing to reduce or eliminate overnight services of the bus line dubbed Hotel 22, the only 24-hour bus route in the county that is often used by homeless residents seeking shelter at night. The transit agency has proposed several scenarios for Route 22, which is part of the...
‘Hellhole’: Santa Clara County suspect who got COVID-19 in jail describes conditions
Raul Covarrubias has sat in the Santa Clara County Main Jail awaiting trial since June 6, 2019. While his right to a speedy trial promised a decision by July 3, COVID-19 threw everything out the window. Covarrubias, who had no previous criminal history, tested positive in jail two days later. In an interview from the...
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The search for San Jose’s landmark narrows: Here are top three finalists
And then there were three. After years of planning, fundraising and community input, Urban Confluence Silicon Valley finally named the finalists in its international ideas competition to build an an iconic landmark in San Jose expected to draw tourists from around the world. Chosen from more than 900 entries originating in 70 countries, 13 expert...