With corporate giants like Monsanto lining up to invest in cannabis, some San Jose lawmakers are trying to make room in the industry for residents who fell victim to the war on drugs. Next week, councilors will decide whether to move forward with a cannabis equity program, previously proposed by Councilmembers Magdalena Carrasco and Raul Peralez. The concept is...
No more shredded tents: San Jose unveils new homeless sweeps policy
San Jose officials will now give homeless residents 15 minutes to pack up their belongings, avoid cutting their tents and provide ample notice in multiple languages before sweeping encampments, elected leaders decided this week. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday approved revised guidelines for homeless sweeps as part of a new agreement with the...
State of the County: 2019 is the year of health
The vital need for healthcare dominated this year’s State of the County address with Board of Supervisors President Joe Simitian stressing the need for quality mental health and homelessness services. His address called for creating a better system where the many facets of healthcare — lack of insurance coverage, homelessness, mental illness and texting while driving —...
Santa Clara County approves refugee funding, $8M for Sheriff’s Office
Santa Clara County lawmakers on Tuesday voted to approve a transfer of $8 million to cover overtime in the Sheriff’s Office, agreed to allocate money for refugee programs and discussed moving the Hope Village homeless encampment. The board approved a one-time transfer of roughly $3 million to cover overtime payments in the Sheriff’s Office, while...
San Jose council approves safe parking, co-living downtown
San Jose is taking the bold step of allowing homeless residents to park their vehicles overnight at certain churches, community centers and libraries. City lawmakers on Tuesday voted to expand San Jose’s safe parking beyond a single city-owned lot to allow parking in places of assembly. Last October, the City Council approved a $250,000 pilot program to allow...
Sam Liccardo beefs with NRA over new gun law proposals
Mayor Sam Liccardo caught heat on social media after Dana Loesch, a vocal and controversial spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, took aim via Twitter at his newly-unveiled gun laws overhaul proposal. “Think of the craziest gun control law out there, and I guarantee you that California lawmakers can come up with something more ridiculous,”...
Santa Clara looks to extend ban on recreational cannabis
Silicon Valley is home to some of the first recreational pot shops in California. But not in Santa Clara. The Mission City passed a moratorium on commercial pot two months ago — after voters approved a measure legalizing recreational sales — and now lawmakers want to extend the ban. “There’s not enough time, really, to do all...
San Jose homeless families living in cars receive new shoes
It started with a single pair of shoes. A student in North Carolina cut holes in his sneakers in an attempt to extend their usefulness after he outgrew them. His school nurse took a picture of the battered footwear and sent it to her husband — sparking an idea. After receiving the text message, John...
Ann Ravel witnessed wage disparity working in fruit orchards
Working in a fruit orchard cannery in San Jose as a school girl gave Former Federal Election Commission chair Ann Ravel a startling glimpse at income inequality, gender and racial disparities. White men were treated and paid better than white women, Latinos and Latina workers, she said. “I was a member of the union for the workers...
Roberts: H is for Holiday, Hair, Health… and now Homeless
Her name is Lily. She has strawberry-red hair and pink cheeks. She is a muppet on Sesame Street. A few years ago, Lily was introduced as a child in a family struggling to put food on their table. Today, she is portrayed as a child with no home. Traditional media and social media around the...