A brewing battle in the California courts may lift San Jose from the mandates of a controversial law that ended exclusionary single-family zoning statewide. The prospect has local experts shrugging and questioning what effect, if any, Senate Bill 9 has had on San Jose’s housing stock. The law has underperformed in new home approvals since...
San Jose bathrooms may soon have sex trafficking signs
A local official wants to put an end to sex trafficking in San Jose. San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan wants to create a sex trafficking awareness campaign in public restrooms throughout the city. Notices would be posted by bathroom mirrors and in stalls with phone numbers for victims to call or people to report incidents....
San Jose leaders want budget to focus on housing, homelessness
San Jose officials have a daunting task of balancing the budget as they attempt to preserve city services with a $52.1 million shortfall. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved Mayor Matt Mahan’s March budget message on Tuesday, but not before numerous councilmembers added their own amendments around housing, homelessness and other city services. Over the next few months, councilmembers,...
San Jose fast-food workers grill city leaders for better rights
Dozens of fast-food workers flooded the San Jose City Council chambers on Tuesday, demanding their representatives pass a policy to expand workers rights. Workers asked councilmembers to include a rule that enables fast-food workers in the city to accrue paid time off and get a paid day for an annual training that educates workers on...
San Jose mayor’s budget plan saddled with a shortfall
A looming multimillion-dollar deficit will force San Jose to make cuts in the next budget. Instead of detailing what will be lost, Mayor Matt Mahan has outlined his nonnegotiables. His March budget message prioritizes addressing street homelessness and blight, increasing public safety and making San Jose easier to invest in. Those may seem like the same...
Cost of San Jose BART extension balloons — again
The VTA megaproject to bring BART to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara, with a cost estimate that’s already ballooned to more than two and a half times its original target, is now facing yet another increase and timeline delay. Officials said this week the six-mile extension project for the rail line is expected to...
San Jose councilmember trails political rival
A South San Jose councilmember who snagged a seat in a contentious appointment last year is fighting to stay in office — and now it appears he’ll face challenger George Casey in November. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Casey leads with 38.6% of the vote. San Jose Councilmember Arjun Batra has secured 36.6% of the...
Michael Mulcahy leads District 6 San Jose City Council race
A prominent investor in Willow Glen appears to be ahead in an open San Jose city council race in early election returns. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, real estate investor Michael Mulcahy leads a field of four candidates with roughly 39.2% of the vote. He is trailed by Olivia Navarro, an insurance agent and political...
San Jose creates ‘no return zone’ for homeless residents along river trail
San Jose officials are doubling down on efforts to revitalize the Guadalupe River Trail and prevent homeless residents from seeking shelter there. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved allocating $200,000 to remove roughly 20 people living by the river and work with community partners to encourage residents to frequent the trail. Mayor Matt Mahan...
Follow the money: Silicon Valley’s 2024 primary election
Silicon Valley voters are making consequential decisions about who should represent them up and down the ballot — from San Jose City Hall to Washington, D.C. The highly-anticipated race to replace retiring Silicon Valley Rep. Anna Eshoo is among the most watched locally and nationally. A slew of big-name candidates are lining up for the...