A San Jose City Council candidate is facing questions about whether he used his city commission title to boost his campaign. Planning Commission Chair Rolando Bonilla announced his run for District 5 earlier this month. But for three months before he jumped into the contested race, Bonilla knocked on “thousands” of doors in the district...
A look at the latest San Jose candidates running for office in 2022
In less than six months, San Joseans will go to the ballot box to pick their next councilmembers and mayor. Numerous candidates have already pulled papers, including well-known politicians Raul Peralez and Cindy Chavez, who are vying to become San Jose’s next mayor. Here’s a roundup of the candidates who have declared so far in...
San Jose lawmakers establish design goals for BART extension
San Jose lawmakers and transit leaders are cautiously laying the groundwork for how to integrate new BART stations in San Jose. The City Council received an update Tuesday from VTA and BART officials on the latest stages of the BART Silicon Valley Phase II project. This major infrastructure development will extend BART service by six...
UPDATE: San Jose council approves license plate readers to curb crime
San Jose has approved leasing new license plate reading cameras, although questions remain about their deployment. The San Jose City Council agreed Tuesday to spend $250,000 in federal relief funds on license plate reading cameras. The proposal was prompted by several high-profile robberies and thefts at retail stores in the Bay Area. Details about collection,...
San Jose commissioners blindsided by procedural attacks
Work on the San Jose Charter Review Commission turned frustrating for three commissioners who question if their voices are being heard. The latest round of recommendations pertaining to climate change and police reform has become contentious, as a subcommittee composed of Commissioner Magnolia Segol and fellow progressively-aligned Commissioners Veronica Amador and Maria Fuentes run into...
Only one San Jose VTA board member uses public transit
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is dealing with tight budgets, low ridership and out-of-touch officials, even as they discuss expanding to new technologies. A San José Spotlight survey found that just one of the 18 lawmakers who oversee and govern the troubled transit agency—of those who responded—actually ride its buses and trains. San José...
UPDATE: San Jose delays vote on COVID-related funds
Millions of dollars in federal funds for emergency housing and food services still hang in the balance for San Jose. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to delay plans to give out COVID-related funds from the federal government. Nearly $40 million from the city’s $212 million American Rescue Plan money may go to...
Staedler: Lets focus on mixed-use projects that will impact our community
While there has been a lot of discussion in the last week about SB 9, SB 10 and the gaping legislative holes in what each bill will and won’t do, it overshadows projects that will redevelop neighborhood retail centers. These projects will develop more than 1,000 homes in areas with amenities and infrastructure. The two...
San Jose increases homeless camp cleaning efforts
San Jose residents and elected officials are frustrated with the buildup of more than 200 homeless encampments. The city plans to clean up some of them by next spring. The San Jose City Council reviewed the city’s ongoing encampment management policy on Tuesday. City officials will come back with a plan to identify encampments across the...
San Jose delays insurance mandate that could decimate taxi drivers
Amid growing frustration from San Jose taxicab drivers, a city committee is taking another look at regulations that could hamper the industry. The San Jose Rules and Open Government Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to delay any new requirements imposed on the taxicab industry until officials come back at a later date with an analysis on...