A lengthy battle over how to prioritize revenue from a tax measure ended Tuesday with city leaders striking a compromise before approving the city’s multibillion dollar budget. The most contentious part of Mayor Matt Mahan’s budget plan — how to spend Measure E dollars– failed in a 6-5 vote. Measure E is a 2020 voter-approved property tax...
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...
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...
San Jose loses another beloved restaurant
The Evergreen community has lost a beloved restaurant after almost 20 years due to unplanned hardships caused by the pandemic and family health. In a letter taped to the restaurant’s door, Evergreen Inn & Pub owners Hector and Emily Lopez said they were closing their cherished restaurant with heavy hearts and thanked their loyal customers....
San Jose police say pointing a gun isn’t use of force
When a police officer points a gun at a person, it can be terrifying, induce trauma and anxiety and can quickly escalate a situation. Police watchdogs and community advocates say when a San Jose Police Department officer points a gun at someone, it should be recorded as use of force. But since summer of last year, SJPD’s internal affairs...