San Jose City Hall refuses to turn over emails from Mayor Sam Liccardo related to an advocacy organization he formed in February, claiming that every communication is subject to attorney-client privilege. Now, San José Spotlight is appealing the denial that’s raised eyebrows among attorneys and open government advocates. “I just can’t see how everything you’ve...
Racial segregation runs deep in San Jose, report says
While activists maintain that San Jose’s housing policies are inherently segregated, a study undertaken by the city shows just how deep racial disparities go. “The main takeaway is the legacy of past segregation is still very much alive,” said Kristen Clements, division manager of the policy group within the city’s housing department. “It’s still visible...
Will Google hire San Jose workers? It might be too early to tell
Two weeks ago, San Jose approved the largest development in its existence: Downtown West, Google’s 80-acre campus near Diridon Station. Google estimates that up to 25,000 people will work at the downtown offices. Just how many of those will be local hires is still unclear. According to Google spokesperson Michael Appel, it’s too early to...
San Jose leaders call for gun control after VTA shooting
Less than two weeks ago, San Jose leaders gathered at City Hall to mourn the nine victims of the May 26 VTA light rail yard shooting. With the city still reeling from the shooting, elected officials gathered again Tuesday to propose local gun control measures, including rules that would require all gun owners to carry liability insurance...
Declining unemployment buoys Silicon Valley’s economic recovery
Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate is dropping after the economic roller coaster of the COVID-19 pandemic. But some business sectors could take years to rebound. Local unemployment was below 3% prior to the pandemic, said Bige Yilmaz, economic data analyst for San Jose. After a turbulent year, it now sits at about 5.5%. “In terms of...
San Jose poised to ban flavored tobacco
Flavored tobacco may soon be a thing of the past in San Jose. In September, the City Council will consider ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-juices and menthol cigarettes. The city plans to exempt hookah to align with state regulations. Dr. John Maa, board member of the American Heart Association, said...
UPDATE: San Jose council approves Google’s Downtown West project
After more than three years of community wrangling and negotiations, one of the world’s largest tech giants will have a home in downtown San Jose. The San Jose City Council Tuesday voted unanimously to approve Google’s Downtown West project, a multi-billion dollar plan by the company to expand into downtown San Jose. “Thousands of our...
What stocks do San Jose lawmakers own?
San Jose elected officials can hold stocks, but at what point does it interfere with their work? Stock ownership became an issue for the San Jose City Council in February when two members abruptly recused themselves from a vote on hazard pay for grocery workers due to a potential conflict of interest. “That was a learning lesson for me,”...
How San Jose mayor’s ally helped Bloom Energy skirt a natural gas ban
Two weeks before San Jose passed a landmark ban on natural gas for new commercial buildings, city officials introduced an exemption that benefited a local energy company, Bloom Energy, whose vice president is a personal friend to the mayor. And the way they did it shows the stark difference in access granted to political insiders...
San Jose Planning Commissioner Justin Lardinois to run for City Council
San Jose Planning Commissioner Justin Lardinois announced Monday he will run for City Council, becoming the first official candidate for District 1, which includes West San Jose, West Valley and Winchester. I’m running for San José City Council! San José is a big city with a lot of potential, a lot of challenges, and no...