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The Silicon Valley Pain Index is produced by the San Jose State University Human Rights Institute. The annual study focuses on racial discrimination and wealth inequality. The report was first published in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and was inspired by an index compiled about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina....
San Jose parents, teachers call for safety task force
Parents and teachers in the San Jose Unified School District are demanding district leaders take action to address a recent string of shooting threats. Almost 300 teachers, parents and residents across the largest school district in Santa Clara County have signed a petition from Abraham Lincoln High School parent Trudi McCanna and English teacher Elizabeth...
San Jose’s housing plan projected to be more costly
Quick-build temporary shelters are faster and cheaper for San Jose than investing in permanent affordable housing—that’s been Mayor Matt Mahan’s pitch during his first six months in office. But as officials prepare to approve this year’s $5.2 billion budget, the long–term costs for short–term housing don’t exactly support Mahan’s sweeping claims. It’s something he touted...
San Jose cops can remain on duty while suspended
San Jose cops suspended for misconduct may now be allowed to serve their suspension while still on duty, drawing concerns from the city’s police watchdog and criminal justice experts. Under the most recent labor contract between the city and police union, officers facing a suspension for violating a department policy or city ethics code may now...
San Jose workers demand more money amid hundreds of vacancies
More than 4,000 San Jose employees are asking for a raise—but the city has yet to come close to meeting their demands. For the past 13 weeks, a coalition of two unions representing more than half of the city’s employees—MEF-AFSCME Local 101 and IFPTE Local 21—have been in salary negotiations to adjust for cost of living....
San Jose council divided on core budget issue
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan sought to reduce the number of votes needed to pass his Measure E spending plan. Councilmembers resoundingly said no—partly because there are two alternative plans, widening the gap between Mahan and his colleagues. On Wednesday, Mahan released his $5.2 billion budget proposal for the next fiscal year. In it, he snuck in an...
Santa Clara County’s controversial mental health program in high demand
A Santa Clara County program to help the severely mentally ill receive treatment has outpaced expectations in its first year of implementation, after a hard fought battle to get it approved. The Assisted Outpatient Treatment program (AOT) also known as Laura’s Law, allows different authorities and family members to refer people diagnosed with a severe mental illness—schizophrenia...
Writers strike comes to Cupertino—Apple’s front door
While Apple held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) organized outside the company’s visitor center to protest unfair wages and job security. Members of the local guild leafletted and made speeches on Monday, voicing their frustrations over an ongoing labor dispute between WGAW and the Alliance of Motion Picture and...
San Jose independent police auditor to retire
San Jose’s independent police auditor is planning to retire, city officials said. Shivaun Nurre, who has been in the auditor role since 2018, has worked in the auditor’s office since 2006. Word that she plans to retire comes about a week after she published her annual report on police oversight in the city. During a...
UPDATE: San Jose unveils $5 billion budget with surplus
San Jose’s final draft of its multi-billion dollar budget is out and Mayor Matt Mahan is sticking to his “back-to-basics” approach—prioritizing homelessness, crime and blight. Mahan released his June budget message today, outlining how he plans to allocate the city’s $5.2 billion purse. The monthslong budget process started smoothly, with unanimous approval of his first...