Advocates campaigning against a planned ICE facility in South County are expressing disappointment after two nearby cities decided not to throw their support behind a lawsuit challenging the project. Multiple city and county governments across the Bay Area and beyond have signed onto an amicus brief in support of the case filed last month by Santa...
Silicon Valley immigration advocates say birthright fight isn’t over
For more than a year, immigrant families across Santa Clara County have wondered whether a constitutional right that’s existed for generations would disappear after a Supreme Court ruling. Tuesday’s decision brought relief to many, but advocates said the fight over birthright citizenship is far from over. The U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling rejected...
Santa Clara County could see a bump in affordable homes
Santa Clara County may see another funding boost to build more affordable housing—if voters approve a bond measure in November. On June 25, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $11.25 billion affordable housing bond measure that would provide funding for home ownership, permanent supportive housing and the preservation of affordable housing. The bond would break out $1.25 billion...
Silicon Valley Pride takes over in August
San Jose may celebrate Pride Month in June, but it’s not over until Silicon Valley Pride has its parade and festival in August. In today’s political climate, Silicon Valley Pride’s event on Aug. 29-30 is more important than ever, advocates said. The celebration brings a sense of community and belonging to participants, which is especially...
Silicon Valley nonprofits partner to expand food aid
At a time when hunger is at a high and resources are low, two Silicon Valley nonprofits are teaming up to tackle food insecurity. Hunger at Home and Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen are working together to rescue more food and in turn produce additional meals across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Hunger at...
Rod Diridon memorial recalls Santa Clara County transit legend
Friends, family, politicians and members of the community remembered a pioneer who never gave up his dream for mass transit in Santa Clara County. Rod Diridon, Sr.’s wife Gloria Duffy said the event was a celebration of community and collaboration, because that’s who her husband was. His life was inspired by his upbringing at the...
Santa Clara County and state seek immediate halt to ICE facility
State and local South Bay leaders have escalated their legal campaign to block a planned ICE facility near Gilroy. California Attorney General Rob Bonta along with Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti filed a preliminary injunction in federal court Wednesday seeking to halt construction of a project that appears to be on course to create...
Santa Clara County balances budget without severe service cuts
Santa Clara County has closed its multimillion-dollar deficit while preserving essential services amid one of its most challenging budget years in decades. The Board of Supervisors on June 18 unanimously voted to adopt the $14.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. Despite previously facing a $787 million deficit, the county’s budget...
Parcel tax helps preserve Santa Clara County open space
A group that works to preserve open space in Santa Clara County will receive millions of dollars every year toward its efforts, following the approval of a parcel tax. Measure D will generate $17 million annually through a two-cent-per-square-foot of building area parcel tax to fund creek and water restoration, land stewardship, expansion of open...
Santa Clara County offers residents tips to avoid scammers
With scams targeting the pocketbooks of older adults on the rise, Santa Clara County is working to educate its residents on how to recognize and avoid financial fraud. The county’s Department of Aging and Adult Services teamed up with AARP for a June 16 “scam jam” forum, where fraud prevention experts talked about current scams...