Those following Mayor Sam Liccardo’s push for — and subsequent dropping of — a strong mayor ballot measure are likely to feel whiplash after Tuesday’s City Council meeting. A fiery debate culminated in a unanimous vote that left some councilmembers wondering why they had to fight so hard in the first place. Prior to Tuesday’s...
Lawsuit against San Jose college district moves forward
A prominent San Jose developer’s lawsuit against the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District will move forward after the court ruled last week that the district can be held legally liable for an alleged contract breach after pulling out of a lucrative land deal. “Essentially, (the judge) said if you can prove everything that you say,...
San Jose, mayor sue Trump over Census policy that excludes undocumented immigrants
The city of San Jose filed a lawsuit Monday night against the Trump administration over a memorandum that aims to ban undocumented immigrants from being counted in the 2020 Census. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, is among several lawsuits over the president’s Census policy. King County,...
Policy to build dense housing in San Jose neighborhoods delayed
Amid public pressure, San Jose’s General Plan review committee postponed a vote on whether to study “opportunity housing,” a controversial initiative to build more homes in single-family neighborhoods. “Not all of our neighbors are on social media or can Zoom in order to be heard,” said resident Tim Clauson said during the public comment period. “Please...
San Jose residents weigh proposed closure of Reid-Hillview Airport
Planes have flown daily out of Reid-Hillview Airport in East San Jose since the mid-twentieth century. But 2020 could be the last decade in which the roar of these engines is heard, and as ideas to repurpose the airport are discussed, residents are speaking out. Santa Clara County officials just finished gathering public input about...
Silicon Valley’s COVID-19 testing guru quit last job amid pressure to reopen economy
Three months ago Dr. Marty Fenstersheib was pressured to reopen the economy in San Benito County. He knew COVID-19 cases would surge if he bowed to the pressure. Hours after a high-stakes confrontation with county supervisors, he quit. Now, he is the COVID-19 testing guru in Santa Clara County where he is credited for the...
San Jose hires a new innovation chief to bridge digital divide
Growing up in Texas near the border with Mexico and close to large Black and Latinx populations gave San Jose’s new Chief Innovation Officer Jordan Sun a very diverse image of America. Now he is working in one of the country’s most diverse cities — San Jose — as Mayor Sam Liccardo’s new innovation chief....
San Jose’s racial equity office could mirror other major cities
A month after San Jose approved creating an office of racial equity in the wake of civil unrest, questions remain about what the office will actually do — and how it can tackle systemic racism. Some activists have accused San Jose lawmakers of creating the office to appease protesters instead of defunding police. They claim...
A San Jose commission will decide on strong mayor, moving mayoral elections
After a month-long debate over a proposed ‘strong mayor’ measure and outrage over lack of community involvement in the decision, San Jose leaders unanimously approved putting decisions about the city’s future into the hands of community members. The Charter Revision Commission, created Tuesday, will consist of residents appointed by Mayor Sam Liccardo and the City Council....
San Jose council candidate was on prescription drugs before deadly crash
San Jose City Council candidate Jenny Higgins Bradanini tested positive for benzodiazepine, a class of medication sometimes prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, after she killed a pedestrian with her SUV in Los Gatos last year, according to documents charging her with a felony. Patients who are prescribed tranquilizers are warned not to drive because the...