Milpitas needs to increase its affordable housing, and one nonprofit may be able to assist with its plans by redeveloping some of its commercial space. The Milpitas City Council on Nov. 14 heard early plans to convert the Sobrato Centers for Nonprofits location in the city into a 244-home community with 140 affordable apartments. The...
Robinson: Who will replace Congresswoman Eshoo?
Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is resigning, San José Spotlight first reported. Eshoo who along with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Rep. Jackie Speier and Rep. Zoe Lofgren dominated federal representation in the Bay Area. Her resignation will set off a sprint to the March primary. State Sen. Josh Becker, 54, is best positioned...
‘It’s time, Anna’: Silicon Valley Congresswoman Eshoo reflects on retiring
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo had it all planned out. She had lined up endorsements, secured donations and volunteers. The 80-year-old Democratic lawmaker was about to launch a reelection campaign for her 16th district congressional seat. But a voice in her head stopped her. “Most people don’t think we spend any kind of time thinking about whether...
San Jose schools to teach media literacy in misinformation fight
California passed a bill last month to help students tell fact from fiction, especially regarding social media. Now it’s up to school districts to incorporate media literacy into the curriculum. The bill, AB 873, was authored by local Assemblymember Marc Berman and signed into law on Oct. 13. Its purpose is to integrate media literacy...
Chester: Housing loopholes expose a problem and a solution
A recent San José Spotlight article explained how a state law intended to create more housing can also be used to drastically reduce home construction. The San Jose Flea Market site, an Urban Village, may have just over 25% of the original amount of homes proposed. The reporter spoke with Erik Schoennauer, who represents the...
Santa Clara County education office earns an ‘F’, unions say
When it comes to the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s performance, parents, teachers and residents are giving it a failing grade. County education officials received all Fs on a report card drafted by the Association of County Educators and SEIU Local 521 earlier this month—and it’s meant to sound the alarm. This move stems...
Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is retiring
For the first time in two decades, a Silicon Valley congressmember is set to retire and shake up the South Bay’s political landscape — with many local Democrats reportedly eyeing the seat. Multiple sources in Sacramento and Silicon Valley told San José Spotlight Monday night that Rep. Anna Eshoo plans to end her three-decade congressional...
San Jose to pay six figures after losing public records lawsuit
San Jose is preparing to pay half a million dollars to San José Spotlight and the First Amendment Coalition, two organizations that prevailed in a public records lawsuit over the city. The San Jose City Council on Nov. 28 will consider a $500,000 payout to the organizations to cover attorneys’ fees and costs accumulated over roughly 18...
Dewan: This state program could help make college a reality for your child
Figuring out how to pay for college can be difficult, especially for families with limited resources. Students throughout California, including thousands of youth in Santa Clara County, can access a new benefit that could make college a reality. The California Kids Investment and Development Savings (CalKIDS) program expands access to higher education and encourages families...
San Jose mellows cannabis rules to help industry grow
San Jose officials are relaxing cannabis regulations and instead want to refocus efforts to end the black market industry. The San Jose City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to reduce fines on dispensaries that violate city policy. Councilmembers also expanded hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The move is aimed...