For years, a San Jose lawmaker has been advocating to implement Laura’s Law to help the growing number of mentally ill people in need of treatment living on the streets. Now, for Councilmember Johnny Khamis, that hope might become a reality. On Wednesday, the council’s Rules and Open Government Committee unanimously voted to draft a letter to...
Santa Clara County leaders approve safe gun storage law
In the wake of a mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival last summer, Santa Clara County leaders this week approved a new gun control law that requires firearm owners to safely lock their weapons when not in arm’s reach. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance requiring the safe storage of firearms within...
Santa Clara and 49ers headed to arbitration over purchasing rights at Levi’s Stadium
The San Francisco 49ers and city of Santa Clara are in the midst of another legal battle this week, this time over whether the city had the authority to revoke the NFL team’s right to make purchases at Levi’s Stadium. Santa Clara officials, acting as the city’s Stadium Authority Board, this year effectively revoked the 49ers’...
Santa Clara officials discuss 2020 ballot question, innovation and transportation collaboratives
Santa Clara city leaders on Tuesday approved the language set to appear on the March 3, 2020 ballot to split the city into districts for future voting following a tense discussion that at times turned to yelling and head-shaking from audience members. Now, the question of how the city will redistrict is in residents’ hands....
After heated debate, San Jose approves drafting new property tax measure
San Jose lawmakers Tuesday voted 8-2 to put a new property transfer tax applying to all properties valued at $2 million or more on the March 2020 ballot, following a heated debate on tax burdening residents and how city funds are used to solve the region’s housing crisis. Councilmembers Johnny Khamis and Sergio Jimenez voted...
Santa Clara County announces inaugural children’s budget and child care funding
Nearly a quarter of Santa Clara County’s population is under the age of 18, but until recently, the county didn’t have a way to measure the full span of services it provides to support its youngest 450,000 residents. Supervisors Susan Ellenberg and Cindy Chavez, who announced Monday the inaugural Children’s Budget, also proposed allocating $3...
Santa Clara County plans to close receiving center for vulnerable children
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Tuesday will consider a complete overhaul of services the county provides to children who have been removed from their homes — often because of abuse or neglect — before they are placed with responsible family members or foster parents. Supervisors are expected to vote to phase out the...
San Jose leaders split on how to spend housing tax revenue
San Jose lawmakers on Tuesday are expected to approve drafting an affordable housing tax measure for the March 2020 ballot, but differ on how to divvy up the funds that the tax will generate — a frequent dilemma among a City Council that is often at odds with one another. In a memo to their...
Cupertino commissioner threatens lawsuit for Nextdoor posts
The Cupertino Planning Commission chair who in July came under fire for a past harassment lawsuit and more recent controversial posts on social media site NextDoor says a former resident’s postings on the site have defamed his character and he is considering legal action. Planning Commission Chair R “Ray” Wang’s attorney, Krista Baughman, a partner...
New restaurant to arrive with live music at Santa Clara Square
Santa Clara’s Planning Commission on Wednesday made a decision that some members have pushed for a long time: they approved live music for a new restaurant coming to the city. That may not sound like a big deal to some, but it’s a milestone for Anthony Becker, chair of the city’s planning commission, and Commissioner...