Ron Hilla has been homeless for about 11 years, and has seen so many of his friends die on the streets, he can’t count them all on his hands. The 65-year-old’s life fell apart when his health forced him to quit his more than 40-year career in construction, landing him on the Los Gatos Creek...
Sunada: Local unfunded pension liability mirrors national problem
Nationwide, the United States has $1.49 trillion in unfunded liabilities from state pension plans. Of this total, San Jose has an unfunded pension liability of $3.5 billion; that works out to $3,600 which every resident owes in future taxes or fees. I raised this issue with the four candidates running for election to the District...
Downtown San Jose high-rise aimed at college students
Plans years in the making for a 25-story apartment tower across from San Jose State University are moving forward. The San Jose City Council on March 12 is slated to consider greenlighting developer Nelly Amas’ plans for a 210-apartment building at 439 S. Fourth St. Councilmembers have final say on the project after it received...
San Jose fast-food workers question city official’s support
Dozens of fast-food workers and their families swarmed San Jose Councilmember David Cohen as he walked to his office, chanting “which side are you on, Cohen?” Members of the California Fast Food Workers Union held posters of his face plastered with the same phrase, and followed the North San Jose representative from the council chambers...
Santa Clara County deal brings teacher housing to Cupertino
Living as a teacher in the West Valley may become cheaper as more affordable housing is prioritized for educators. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors earlier this month unanimously approved a proposal from developer Eden Housing to build affordable teacher and school worker housing in Cupertino. The move aims to address the county’s high cost...
Upcoming San Jose budget avoids shortfall — for now
Contrary to prior predictions, San Jose will not see a budget shortfall this upcoming fiscal year. San Jose is in better financial shape than expected for the 2024-25 budget. The city will not see a surplus or deficit, but will still have to be conservative with spending as it braces for the years ahead, according to...
Scozzola: Why Joe for Congress?
There are few things I feel are more fortunate about my life than the fact that I grew up in a time where the middle class in our country was strong. This allowed for my folks to raise me with all of the comforts one might expect from the American dream. As the years went...
Former San Jose mayor quietly starts consultancy before congressional run
Congressional candidate Sam Liccardo is best known as San Jose’s former mayor, but now he’s describing himself to voters as a small business owner. The designation on the March 5 primary election ballot may be surprising to some. While Liccardo made a name for himself as a politician, prosecutor and Stanford University professor, businessman hasn’t...
Santa Clara political ads pulled after flubbing endorsements
Political advertisements promoting a Santa Clara ballot measure have been pulled after misrepresenting endorsements. Proponents of Santa Clara’s Measure B have removed a series of Facebook and digital ads that wrongfully portrayed former police chiefs’ positions on the measure. Measure B is on the March 5 primary election ballot and asks voters if they want...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County school superintendent still on the job
It was an emotional night for Santa Clara County’s top educator, as she wondered whether her time as superintendent might end. Residents waited for more than two hours at Wednesday’s Santa Clara County Board of Education meeting as trustees weighed Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan’s performance behind closed doors — which could have led to discipline...