Progressive and labor-friendly politicians have enjoyed a majority on the San Jose City Council for the past two years, but the November elections may flip the balance. Formidable business-backed candidates advanced in every council race during the March 5 primaries, which could spell trouble for the South Bay Labor Council — the main cultivator of...
Silicon Valley congressman nets millions for Black cultural center
A proposed cultural center aiming to honor the history of Silicon Valley’s Black residents and provide expansive support services just received millions to help build on its future. The Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center, slated to open in 2027, has secured $4.1 million in federal funding thanks to Rep. Ro Khanna. The mixed-use development...
LIVE BLOG: Voting begins in Silicon Valley’s primary election
After a frenzied election season, voters across Silicon Valley are heading to polls today to cast their vote in races up and down the ballot that will reshape the region. From who to send to Congress to the political makeup of the San Jose City Council, voters face many tough choices. And with a truncated...
Transcript: Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg’s 2024 State of the County
Editor’s Note: This is a transcript of Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg’s full 2024 State of the County address. Read our coverage of the address. Good evening – thanks so much for making time to be here this evening to celebrate the work of our County departments, leaders and employees and to get a...
San Jose leaders approve new wage theft policy for builders
Construction workers could soon gain an additional layer of protection in San Jose, as city leaders supported new rules to limit wage theft violators from completing development projects. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a “responsible construction ordinance” plan Tuesday that prevents builders from receiving a certificate of occupancy from the city for projects...
A historic election could split Silicon Valley’s Vietnamese voters
Little Saigon may be on the precipice of electing its first-ever Vietnamese American to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and a potential key voice in decisions on homelessness, mental health services and law enforcement spending. The two candidates seen as frontrunners in the race for the District 2 seat are Vietnamese American women: Betty...
San Jose bends to developers in delaying wage theft policy
A shiny luxury condo tower in downtown San Jose is a stark reminder of the dark and tragic abuse workers endured to construct it—with some locked in shipping containers after spending the day working for little to no pay. The city’s latest policy is designed to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. Under the proposed responsible...
Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is retiring
For the first time in two decades, a Silicon Valley congressmember is set to retire and shake up the South Bay’s political landscape — with many local Democrats reportedly eyeing the seat. Multiple sources in Sacramento and Silicon Valley told San José Spotlight Monday night that Rep. Anna Eshoo plans to end her three-decade congressional...
San Jose’s mayoral race has no labor candidate
For the first time in San Jose’s history, the city will align its mayoral race with the presidential election — a move championed by labor leaders to boost turnout and elect a progressive mayor. Yet Silicon Valley’s powerful labor lobby has no one to run for the seat. And time is running out. Candidates have...
Silicon Valley lawmakers pass a flurry of laws
This was a busy term for San Jose representatives in Sacramento. Much of their work made it to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk and was signed by Oct. 14. Most will be enacted in January. They passed dozens of bills and secured millions of dollars for the South Bay. San Jose has two state senators and...