A South Bay senator is hoping to speed up affordable housing production statewide with a new bill aimed at trimming back red tape in California’s main environmental law. State Sen. Dave Cortese’s bill, SB 406, would grant local agencies who help fund affordable housing an exemption from a provision of California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that...
Silicon Valley official wants to speed up apartment construction
A bill sailing through the state Legislature could help build more homes across San Jose and the rest of California, but safety concerns are being raised. Assembly Bill 835, spearheaded by San Jose Assemblymember Alex Lee, would enable developers of new apartment buildings higher than three stories to build only one stairway—eliminating the two stairway...
Silicon Valley voters asked to erase obsolete same-sex marriage law
Voters in San Jose and the rest of the state have a chance to erase a law still on the books that bans same-sex marriage in California. The California Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment last week to repeal Prop. 8, a 2008 measure that established a ban on same-sex marriage. The ban became moot...
San Jose lawmaker’s social housing bill advances
A bill to establish affordable housing in California is making its way through the state Senate after a successful committee vote—but not without revisions. Assembly Bill 309, also referred to as the Social Housing Act, is authored by San Jose Assemblymember Alex Lee. The bill proposes social housing, a technique brought to fame by countries...
San Jose mayor supports state mental health reforms
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is voicing support for reforms to the state’s Mental Health Services Act, which targets those with severe mental illness and are homeless. The plan—first announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom in March—includes putting a new $4.68 billion bond measure on the 2024 ballot to fund more behavioral health beds and carve out...
San Jose leaders resist state bill targeting casinos
As a bill that could open card rooms up to new legal scrutiny makes its way through the state Legislature, San Jose officials aren’t willing to accept the hand they’ve been dealt. The city is strongly opposing Senate Bill 549, a measure that would allow tribes to sue card rooms over the games they offer....
Bay Area lawmaker won’t be bullied out of office
In her first six months in office, state Sen. Aisha Wahab has faced critiques for pro-worker, anti-discrimination bills and even a recall committee—but said she still hasn’t hit her stride. Last November, Wahab became the first Muslim, Afghan American elected to the state Legislature and jumped right into the work, authoring 10 bills since her...
‘Real or not’: San Jose students support social media bill
Teens in San Jose said the line between truth and lies is becoming harder to define on social media and distinguishing the difference would be welcome. One state legislator wants to make that happen. Assemblymember Marc Berman authored a bill that will require schools to incorporate media literacy into K-12 classes in every subject. AB 873, which...
How San Jose lawmaker’s bill could curb workplace violence
Manuel Huizar, a 24-year-old San Jose Safeway employee, was fatally shot by shoplifters last year. In April, Home Depot employee Blake Mohs, 26, was shot and killed while attempting to stop a robbery in Pleasanton. In May 2021, nine people were fatally shot by a transit worker at San Jose’s VTA rail yard. It was...
Palo Alto mayor launches bid for state Assembly seat
Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou stumbled into politics accidentally as an active member of her community—now she wants to run for higher office. Kou declared her candidacy for state Assembly on Monday. She will run against incumbent Marc Berman who represents District 23, which includes Mountain View, Palo Alto, most of Menlo Park, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Saratoga and Campbell. Her focus is...