Santa Clara County officials on Tuesday voted to add an additional half million in funding to the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, a move that was applauded by all across the political aisle. Labor activists and former victims of wage theft, sexual harassment and human trafficking were among those in the crowd advocating for the...
Growing inequality: A look at the 2019 Silicon Valley Index
As big tech’s grip on Silicon Valley strengthens, the gap between the rich and the poor widens. A new report highlights the downsides of the region’s booming economy: Exacerbated inequality, rising housing and transportation woes, and a stifled market for competitors to break into. The 2019 Silicon Valley Index by Joint Venture Silicon Valley showcases why more people are leaving...
San Jose City Council talks Measure T, closing the ‘digital divide’
As San Jose prepares to roll out millions of dollars in Measure T funding this summer, city leaders on Tuesday discussed their plans to divvy up the money across the city. Measure T – a $650 million bond that was passed in November by nearly 70 percent of voters – is earmarked for public safety, infrastructure and...
San Jose denies airport commission chair access to records
San Jose leaders on Tuesday denied the airport commission chair’s request to see documents that detail the impacts of raising height limits in downtown San Jose. One government watchdog says the denial could run afoul with California’s public records law. San Jose lawmakers this month will weigh raising building heights up to 35 feet above...
Santa Clara County sees spike in whistleblower complaints, expands office
Improper hiring, employee or employer misconduct, corruption, favoritism and misuse of public resources. These are just some of the cases the Santa Clara County Whistleblower Program has taken on since it was established in 2010. But now the county’s watchdog office is expanding by adding new staff and updating the intake system for complaints, many of which are filed anonymously by county employees...
Greenlee: Decision on height limits will impact SJC for decades
I am an airline transport pilot with over 37 years of military and commercial experience and I want to make sure that all stakeholders of Mineta San Jose International Airport, including airlines, local businesses, citizens of San Jose and passengers who travel through the airport are aware of upcoming decisions that will impact operations at...
Ann Ravel joins the Senate race to replace Jim Beall
After months of speculation, former FEC commissioner Ann Ravel on Monday jumped into the race to replace Silicon Valley Senator Jim Beall next year. “I care a lot about California, and I want to do things that are in the public interest,” Ravel said in an interview with San José Spotlight on Monday. “I’m interested only...
Silicon Valley advocates push for funding to combat wage theft
Victims of wage theft and workplace sexual assault and harassment are calling on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to fund partnerships with local nonprofit organizations to expose violators of workers’ rights in the South Bay. The board on Tuesday will determine whether or not to allocate up to $1 million in county funds to...
Bramson: Evans Lane homeless housing is a model for others
On a Tuesday evening in January, San Jose City Council sat in chambers considering a rezoning application and planned development permit for a piece of property on Evans Lane. The site, a city-owned parcel purchased for the purpose of affordable housing over a decade ago, had sat vacant for years, with the grass growing high...
Measure T funding plans top San Jose City Council agenda
From 388 miles of street repairs to two new fire stations, flood protection and an emergency operations center, San Jose elected leaders on Tuesday will discuss projects funded by a newly-passed bond. Measure T, a $650 million bond for infrastructure, public safety and disaster preparedness, was approved by nearly 70 percent of voters in November....