San Jose

San Jose

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VTA pulls funding from San Jose’s Charcot Avenue extension

VTA pulls funding from San Jose’s Charcot Avenue extension

VTA is diverting funding from a controversial highway project—the target of community outrage for years. The transit agency’s board of directors agreed to approve nearly $200 million for 11 infrastructure projects to relieve highway congestion in Santa Clara County during its Thursday meeting. At the urging of director and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, the...

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San Jose clears more than 200 homeless encampments

San Jose clears more than 200 homeless encampments

San Jose has cleared out 224 homeless encampments since January, with more than 75% of those removals happening in Districts 3 and 7, city data shows. City officials said a sweep could mean booting one person from their camping spot—or clearing out a massive site with multiple people. Advocates, who have long called for the...

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The exterior of San Jose City Hall

A look at San Jose policy changes headed to lawmakers

Nearly a year after it first convened, the 23-member body in charge of making changes to San Jose’s city charter is finished with its duty. Wednesday’s meeting of the Charter Review Commission unanimously rubber-stamped final recommendations for numerous changes to city laws—including shifting the timing of mayoral elections and adding more council districts. Commissioners voted 16-0,...

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Outside the rotunda at San Jose City Hall

San Jose residents clash over proposed redistricting maps

Bitter and passionate words marked the San Jose City Council’s first public redistricting hearing as advocates urged lawmakers to embrace two different visions of redrawn political boundaries. Mayor Sam Liccardo and fellow councilmembers refrained from discussion Tuesday, opting instead to hear from more than 150 residents. The hearing is the first of three to be...

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Outside the rotunda at San Jose City Hall

What do San Jose commissioners actually accomplish?

San Jose City Council decisions are almost always final, but they don’t start that way: Most major decisions go through a commission of appointees before they head to the council’s 11-member dais. Before a law or policy is passed, it’s usually first taken up by the relevant commission. After presentations from city officials, public comment...

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The site of a homeless housing project on Bernal Road touted by Mayor Sam Liccardo and Gov. Gavin Newsom was ripe with hazardous conditions, including construction debris, no fall protection for workers, no social distancing or face masks. Photo courtesy of Mauricio Velarde.

San Jose expands investigation of labor violations at emergency housing sites

San Jose is expanding its investigation of illegal labor practices, including wage theft, at emergency housing projects handled by Habitat for Humanity, but there’s no set date for when workers will get paid. The city’s Public Works Department is demanding $319,631.46 in restitution for workers from Veev Build, a subcontractor, for various alleged labor violations reported by...