San Jose might not be ready for a strong mayor—at least not yet. That was the concern discussed during a public meeting this month by a commission reviewing the proposal to change San Jose’s governance. Among large cities in the U.S., San Jose’s way of government is unusual: the mayor has little power compared to the...
San Jose lawmaker asks for $1M to reopen small businesses
Small businesses lost millions over the course of the pandemic. One local lawmaker wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again. San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez requested Wednesday that $1 million in federal funds go to support businesses as they reopen. Peralez, whose district includes downtown San Jose, spoke alongside members of the Greater Downtown...
South Bay leaders quit city committee, decry lack of focus on police reform
Seven prominent leaders are quitting a San Jose public safety committee after claiming it was a sham and that it failed to address police reform as promised. The San Jose Reimagined Safety Advisory Committee, which includes 46 leaders across Silicon Valley, formed in September in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. The goal,...
San Jose business leader mulls ending political endorsements, new name
The Silicon Valley Organization’s newly-hired chief executive officer says the powerful business lobby should no longer endorse candidates. In the latest episode of The Podlight, CEO Derrick Seaver told host Bob Staedler that he’s looking to ending the organization’s tradition of political endorsements and changing SVO’s name back to a variation of its previous name,...
San Jose panel discussing ‘strong mayor’ wants more money
A San Jose panel tasked with deciding how much power the city’s mayor will wield is getting more than $100,000 to do its work. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved more funds for the Charter Review Commission, along with a bigger push for more community outreach. “I don’t know if we’ve made leaps and...
San Jose group debates reimagining community policing
The conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin brings an end to one chapter in the ongoing battle for racial equity. But San Jose’s new community safety advisory group sparked by George Floyd’s murder just began convening. Three meetings in and discussions over police and community relations already prove to be so divisive among...
San Jose mulls major changes to campaign finance law
San Jose lawmakers are looking to overhaul the city’s campaign finance regulations in hopes of avoiding more ugly political contests in 2022. Councilmember Sergio Jimenez introduced a proposal, updated from an earlier version discussed in November, that includes a requirement that campaign committees file mailers with the city clerk, an online repository for all campaign...
Do San Jose’s wage theft policies lack teeth?
San Jose has a long history of wage theft on construction projects throughout the city—what are officials doing to prevent it? A recent San José Spotlight investigation revealed numerous allegations of wage theft and unsafe working conditions on a public works project built last year intended to provide emergency shelter to the city’s homeless. Days after...
Should San Jose require nonprofits to disclose lobbying?
More than 50 individuals, companies and advocacy groups legally lobby San Jose each year about subjects including Google developments and cannabis. Lobbying is governed by the city’s lobbying ordinance, which requires lobbyists to register, pay annual fees and file weekly reports disclosing conversations with city officials. But 501(c)(3) nonprofits, or charitable nonprofits, are exempt from...
Will Topgolf revitalize San Jose’s ‘forgotten stepchild’ of Alviso?
Alviso, despite its quaint small-town charm, isn’t primed as a go-to destination as much as neighboring Willow Glen or downtown San Jose. One San Jose councilmember even called it the “forgotten stepchild” of the city. Topgolf San Jose, a gleaming multi-story golf entertainment center, looks to change that. “This is historic,” said Richard Santos, a longtime Alviso resident...