Bellarmine College Preparatory, a prestigious private Catholic boys high school in San Jose, is planning for several updates to facilities on its campus in the city’s College Park neighborhood. The 17.6-acre campus could see an expansion to its building space—from 347,000 square feet to 487,000 square feet—if San Jose leaders approve a rezoning and redevelopment...
‘Without real power’: Another San Jose police watchdog leaves
San Jose’s assistant independent police watchdog quit months after the top police auditor stepped down, according to a letter obtained by San José Spotlight today. Eva Roa, the city’s assistant independent police auditor since 2020, sent a scathing letter to city officials on Friday sharing her frustrations with city management for consistently ignoring the IPA...
San Jose council eases transparency rules
San Jose leaders eased key transparency policies hours after a local judge ruled the city and former mayor violated a separate transparency law. The San Jose City Council changed three ethics rules last week that could affect how money is used to influence policy. Officials revised the city’s revolving door protocol for former employees, removed...
Ex-San Jose mayor and city violated the law, judge rules
Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and the city violated state transparency laws by failing to prove they adequately searched his private texts and emails for public records, a judge has ruled. In response to a lawsuit from this news organization and the First Amendment Coalition, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle wrote...
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...
Santa Clara mayor sent confidential report to private email
A day after Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor received a confidential report lambasting her political enemies, she forwarded it from her city account to her personal email. One legal expert says it raises questions about her intentions and whether she leaked the secret document—a charge that has landed her political rival in court. This news...
How much are the top San Jose employees paid?
As San Jose braces for budget deficits in the coming year, the city broke its record in employee compensation last year with 63 employees earning an annual salary of more than $400,000. Of the top 100 highest-paid city employees, 93 work in public safety—69 in the police department and 24 in the fire department. The only...
UPDATE: San Jose delays decision on city-run power grid
The San Jose City Council is holding off on creating a new, city-run power utility until officials are better informed to make a decision. Councilmembers unanimously voted today to defer a decision to Oct. 3 that would amend city code to establish “San Jose Power” — a city-run electricity utility to capitalize on two new...
San Jose grants few former employees lobbying exemptions
In San Jose, when you leave a job working for the city you are barred from lobbying anyone at City Hall for at least two years—but a handful of ex-employees are exceptions to the rule. The latest example is Allie Hughes, a former staffer for San Jose Councilmember David Cohen. She recently left the city to...