After emotional and contentious debate about federal changes to campus sex discrimination laws, supervisors agreed to spend up to $1 million to study the issue in Santa Clara County schools. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Oct. 20 to begin the process of reviewing county compliance with Title IX and other laws regarding sexual harassment...
Exclusive Q&A: U.S. House District 18 candidate Rishi Kumar
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrat Rishi Kumar is attempting to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, in November. Kumar is serving his second term on the Saratoga City Council and serves as an executive board member for the California Democratic Party. Kumar and Eshoo recently were given the opportunity to answer the same 10 questions from...
Lombard: Businesses need gig workers, lawsuit protection to stay afloat
There is no way around it — California’s Assembly Bill 5 has been a disaster for our state. The so-called “gig economy” legislation passed last year has been a short-sighted and dangerous attack on nearly 10 percent of our state’s workforce. What’s worse, businesses continue to be attacked on all sides from attorneys looking to...
What early end to census could mean for Santa Clara County
With the Trump Administration prevailing in ending the census count early, Santa Clara County officials say they’re not sure if everyone who needed to be counted actually was. And that could have serious and far-reaching impacts for years to come, they say. “Because the census has been cut short, we believe we’re not going to...
Harbir Bhatia aims to expand diversity on Santa Clara council
When Harbir Bhatia first came to the United States, she never envisioned drafting policy and working in government as part of the American dream. But now, Bhatia is vying for the District 1 Santa Clara City Council seat against incumbent Councilmember Kathy Watanabe as the city is embroiled in a California Voting Rights Act lawsuit, tensions with...
San Jose mayor wants to know what to do about controversial Fallon statue
The flames set to the statue of Capt. Thomas Fallon during a downtown San Jose protest last month have sparked a debate about whether to remove the sculpture. Mayor Sam Liccardo posted on his government Facebook page Oct. 12 he wants to start a conversation about the statue and have residents come up with a...
San Jose Evergreen Community College District explores bringing satellite program to East San Jose
San Jose Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) is looking to expand its presence in East San Jose as it focuses on low-income high school students of color. SJECCD, which runs both San Jose City College and Evergreen Valley College, is exploring plans to bring an early college high school program to the East Side Union...
Cortese: Day on the Bay goes virtual with boat tour of wetlands
For 10 years, I have been privileged to bring diverse groups of residents together on a sunny autumn day to connect with vital resources, enjoy local entertainment and fun activities, ride in kayaks, pick out pumpkins and savor free food at Alviso Marina County Park. As with many traditional and annual events, the Day on...
Kathy Watanabe fights for four more years in Santa Clara
Kathy Watanabe has spent much of her first four years on the Santa Clara City Council battling the 49ers, and she does not plan to stop if voters return her to the council for another four-year term representing District 1. The 49ers and the city have clashed over a variety of issues since 2010, including...
Funk: Literacy program at Oak Grove making difference for English learners
In education, we preach the seven keys to college readiness. They include advanced reading in grades K-2, advanced reading in grades 3-8, advanced math in grade 5, Algebra 1 by grade 8 with a C or higher, Algebra 2 by grade 11 with a C or higher, 3 on Advance Placement (AP) exam or a...