From a wide-open governor’s race to a bitter congressional contest, Santa Clara County has emerged as a key battleground in the tech industry’s bid to control California politics — and shield billionaires from a wealth tax. Two electoral fights have shaped the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” into combative territory. In the 17th Congressional District, incumbent...
Silicon Valley low-cost grocer for military families stays open
Santa Clara County’s low-cost grocer for military families was at risk of closing, but will live on for at least another two years. Congressman Sam Liccardo on Wednesday announced the Defense Commissary Agency — a U.S. Department of Defense agency — reached an agreement to continue the Moffett Federal Airfield Commissary’s operations through 2028. The...
Silicon Valley lawmakers criticize Mahan, endorse opponent
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s moderate campaign for California governor has fared well with billionaires and tech moguls. But two progressive state lawmakers in his own backyard are less enthused. Democratic Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Alex Lee are spurning Mahan’s bid for statewide office as a “handpicked” vessel for big tech’s movement to consolidate control...
San Jose lawmaker’s housing bills advance through Congress
A pair of bills spearheaded by Congressman Sam Liccardo that aim to speed up the approval process for new residential projects advanced through the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week as part of a bipartisan housing package. The bipartisan act aims to alleviate the housing shortage by streamlining housing regulations, updating certain programs in...
Here’s who paid for San Jose mayor’s Super Bowl ad
From Peter Thiel-linked tech investors to the creator of “Law & Order,” several notable people are gunning to vault San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s bid for California governor to frontrunner status — starting with a Super Bowl ad. The 30-second ad, which vaunts Mahan for making San Jose the “safest big city in America,” brought the...
Op-ed: Roma Dawson was a force of nature
“She was such a force of nature in her enthusiasm for making our city, county and the whole Bay Area a better place.” One of many comments shared about Roma Dawson, a dynamic activist who succumbed to cancer last December. Many knew Roma as a longtime dedicated League of Women Voters and community member for...
Silicon Valley lawmakers take stand against ICE violence
Silicon Valley lawmakers are speaking out against violence involving federal agents as the region prepares for potential conflict during the upcoming Super Bowl. Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Sam Liccardo, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen and immigration advocates held a press conference Thursday, where they talked about potential immigration enforcement...
San Jose mayor jumps into governor’s race
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday joined the race for California governor, putting to rest months of will-he-won’t-he speculation about his gubernatorial ambitions. “We need to stand up for our rights, for our freedoms and for our neighbors. We need to use the tools we have at hand to protect our democracy,” Mahan posted...
Congressman secures millions of dollars for Silicon Valley projects
Dysfunction and federal funding cuts in Washington, D.C. aren’t stopping one Silicon Valley lawmaker from getting money into his district. Congressional District 16 Rep. Sam Liccardo — San Jose’s former mayor — announced a nearly $14 million infusion of federal cash into San Mateo and Santa Clara counties on Thursday. In Santa Clara County, that means...