The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to explore the legality of creating a county-operated public bank in support of a California bill that, if passed, will allow local governments to form their own banks. Advocates say that public banks would help strengthen local institutions, keep public money within the local economy...
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San Jose council debates downtown design changes to protect birds
The towering buildings that dot San Jose’s skyline could soon take on a different shape – in large part to protect birds. According to The Guardian, up to one billion birds die annually in the United States from running into illuminated skyscrapers or glass buildings akin to a Windex commercial. And San Jose councilors on...
UPDATE: Sam Liccardo rejects $58k raise recommended by commission
A city commission on Monday unanimously approved salary increases for San Jose elected leaders, including a whopping $58,000 raise for Mayor Sam Liccardo and a $28,000 raise for city councilmembers. But on Tuesday morning, Liccardo rejected the raise in a new memo released by his office. Instead, Liccardo suggested aligning current and future mayoral salary...
Poll: Dave Cortese leading opponents in state Senate race
Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese has emerged as the frontrunner in a crowded race to replace state Sen. Jim Beall, holding a 13-point advantage over his likely opponents, according to a new poll obtained by San José Spotlight. The poll, which surveyed 600 likely voters from March 26 to April 2, found that 32...
San Jose leaders to mull improving public outreach on development
From involving neighborhood organizations to creating a form for public feedback to reaching limited English speaking areas, city officials on Tuesday will recommend a series of improvements to help San Jose better engage the community over upcoming building projects. The San Jose City Council will review eight sweeping recommendations on development noticing as prepared by...
San Jose explores reducing police staffing at outdoor events
San Jose city leaders are looking to reduce police presence at major outdoor events — a cost-savings measure first suggested by Mayor Sam Liccardo last summer. The mayor last June asked city administrators to find “ways to safely reduce the city’s police staffing requirements at major events” such as the San Jose Jazz Festival, Silicon...
Following outcry, major changes coming to San Jose Planning Commission
Mayor Sam Liccardo joined with political rivals to propose sweeping changes to the Planning Commision following community outcry, changes that could reshape the size and diversity of the powerful panel. In a new proposal, Liccardo and Vice Mayor Chappie Jones teamed up with progressives Magdalena Carrasco and Maya Esparza to suggest prohibiting more than two...
San Jose has nearly 600 job openings, but it’s an improvement
San Jose has reported a steady decline in job vacancies and employee turnover for the last three years, a statistic that city officials say is the result of sweeping efforts to improve employee retention and compensation following an economic downturn in 2012. According to data requested by San José Spotlight, the city had 650 vacancies in...
Initiative to align San Jose mayoral election with the presidential election fails
Despite a push from community advocates to align San Jose’s mayoral election with the presidential election cycle, the votes to make the change just weren’t there on Tuesday. Mayor Sam Liccardo, Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and Councilmembers Lan Diep, Pam Foley, Johnny Khamis and Dev Davis voted against the measure, citing concerns that the presidential...
Silicon Valley Democratic Club endorses Kimberly Ellis for state party chair
Candidates running for Chair of the California Democratic Party swung by the South Bay to answer questions at a forum on Monday — each making the case for why they are fit for the role. Following the hourlong candidate forum, the Silicon Valley Democratic Club voted to endorse Kimberly Ellis, a progressive activist and former...