Rather than create its own pot of money to help local businesses suffering through the pandemic, Santa Clara County will invest in a statewide fund that offers loans to small businesses. The Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8 voted unanimously to invest $6 million into the California Rebuilding Fund with the intent of offering loans...
Santa Clara County eyes small-business loan program
Santa Clara County is considering establishing a $50 million to $100 million small business loan program, despite county executives insisting it’s a bad idea. The Board of Supervisors started entertaining the idea in October, with Supervisor Joe Simitian saying loan amounts should be distributed in increments of $50,000 to $100,000 per business to increase impact....
What Otto Lee’s election means for Santa Clara County
After 12 years on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Dave Cortese heads to Sacramento today to be sworn in as a state senator while former Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee takes part in his first meeting as a county supervisor for District 3. What do the coinciding actions mean for the political leanings of...
Appeals court backs Santa Clara County on immigration rule
A federal appeals court this week ruled in favor of Santa Clara and San Francisco counties in a suit seeking to block the Trump administration’s attempt to target immigrants who use social services. The “public charge” rule penalizes immigrants who are enrolled — or likely to enroll — in federally funded public assistance programs such...
San Jose councilmember announces run for county supervisor
Nine months after losing a bid for higher office, San Jose Councilmember Johnny Khamis is running for Santa Clara County supervisor. Khamis, who terms out from the council this month, is running for the District 1 seat held by Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who is terming out. So far, Khamis has raised $32,000 for his supervisorial bid...
Grand jury finds Santa Clara County conservators low on morale
Those assigned by the court to manage the affairs of some of Santa Clara County’s most vulnerable are overworked, suffering from low morale and could benefit from better workplace communication, according to a grand jury report. The findings are part of the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury’s review of conservatorships, or guardians appointed by...
Santa Clara County sees 760 new COVID-19 cases, increases restrictions
Despite increased pleas and restrictions for people to stay home over the past two weeks, Santa Clara County’s case rate and hospitalizations are even worse after the first two days of Thanksgiving weekend. As of Nov. 28, health officials tallied 760 new COVID-19 cases within 24 hours, a new record for the county. Hospitals have...
Food banks prepare for record numbers this Thanksgiving in Silicon Valley
As 2020 comes to a close, many Americans are yearning to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones and uphold yearslong traditions. However, as COVID-19 continues to spurn closures across the country and in our own backyard, the holiday season — starting with Thanksgiving — will look different from years past. With COVID-19 shuttering businesses...
San Jose mayor and police chief push sanctuary policy changes following fatal stabbing
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Police Chief Eddie Garcia are demanding Santa Clara County change its sanctuary city policy — for the second time in a little more than a year — after discovering the suspect arrested for a fatal stabbing spree at Grace Baptist Church is undocumented. The suspect, Fernando Lopez, allegedly stabbed five...
Santa Clara County joins census lawsuit over count of undocumented immigrants
Santa Clara County has joined the legal effort to challenge the Trump administration’s move to exclude undocumented immigrants from this year’s census count. The county led a coalition of local governments by filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court this month challenging a July memorandum issued by the Trump administration. The memorandum would remove...