Berryessa Flea Market vendors are popping up outside San Jose City Hall. Their booths are loaded with Mexican candy, artisanal crafts and produce, welcoming city employees, residents and councilmembers to peruse colorful stalls and ask questions. The event marks a new location for vendors to sell goods outside the flea market grounds. It’s a first-of-its-kind...
Which San Jose city employees get a taxpayer-funded ride?
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has a new ride, courtesy of the city’s taxpayers. Mahan’s SUV—purchased at the start of his term—is part of his security detail, which is typical for the city’s top elected official. But it’s just one of thousands of cars city officials have at their disposal, which include vehicles to maintain...
San Jose political divide snarls mayor’s plans
The power dynamic between San Jose’s two political factions is shifting. For the first time in years, labor has the upper hand over business interests—and some believe it’ll stay that way. The political fight over raises for city workers ended earlier this month in what was presented as a united victory between the San Jose City...
Why don’t all San Jose elected officials pay their interns?
Student interns eagerly enter San Jose City Hall year-round with dreams of launching their political careers, but only some leave with a paycheck. On the 18th floor of city hall, there are currently 66 student interns who work for councilmembers or the mayor—and about 60% are paid for their time. Just seven interns receive hourly pay...
The first six months: San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. She’s been called a connector, collaborator and bridge builder. In a city frequently divided by two political factions, San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei finds common ground. The West San Jose councilmember...
The first six months: San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. A drive-by shooting at an elementary school can change the course of students’ lives. For San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres, it sparked a dedication to community organizing. At 14, Torres witnessed the...
San Jose housing advocate jumps into District 6 council race
Alex Shoor began working in San Jose city politics more than a decade ago. Now, he’s moving his political agenda forward by running for office. Shoor, executive director of Catalyze SV, an organization that works with residents and community leaders on transportation and housing solutions, is running for the San Jose City Council District 6...
The first six months: San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. District 8 San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas hasn’t moved far from his Evergreen childhood home. Growing up in the Brigadoon neighborhood in southeast San Jose, the freshman councilmember attended Evergreen Valley High School...
The first six months: San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. If you have lived as many lives as San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan, it gives you a unique perspective on life. For Doan, he believes more than anything that people...
San Jose passes budget, compromises on mayor’s housing plan
A lengthy battle over how to prioritize revenue from a tax measure ended Tuesday with city leaders striking a compromise before approving the city’s multibillion dollar budget. The most contentious part of Mayor Matt Mahan’s budget plan — how to spend Measure E dollars– failed in a 6-5 vote. Measure E is a 2020 voter-approved property tax...