The San Jose City Council has punted on a proposal that could have introduced ranked choice voting to certain city elections. Councilmembers on Tuesday voted 8-2 — with Vice Mayor Pam Foley and District 10 Councilmember George Casey voting against, and District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz absent — to advance a ballot measure that would...
Water and garbage rates increase for San Jose residents
While utility hikes are a regular occurrence for San Jose residents, an especially sharp jump in garbage disposal fees and water rates have led to pushback amid growing concern over rising living costs. Under new fee schedules set to take effect July 1, the start of fiscal year 2026-27, San Jose’s garbage disposal service fee...
State proposition could wipe out San Jose’s Measure E funds
San Jose leaders are rallying opposition to a measure headed for the statewide November ballot that could undermine a cornerstone of the city’s efforts to keep low-income people housed. The measure, championed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, raises the threshold to pass local voter-sponsored tax initiatives, and also limits the amount cities can tax...
San Jose passes budget with millions of dollars in service cuts
The San Jose City Council passed a $5.5 billion budget Tuesday, balancing a $50 million deficit by tapping into reserve funds and making wide ranging service cuts — but no layoffs. Over the course of the four-month-long budgeting process, San Jose leaders have warned the city may need to resort to painful fiscal trimming. However, in...
Will San Jose mayor face fallout after running for governor?
When San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced his run for California governor in January, the news divided residents. Longtime supporters cheered on Mahan’s bid to elevate his centrist brand of politics into the statewide policy conversation. But the decision to seek higher office before reaching the halfway mark in his four-year term also drew sharp...
Bien Doan leads in San Jose District 7 council race
Early election night results show San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan with a commanding lead in the race for the District 7 seat on the San Jose City Council. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Doan has 48.5% of the vote or 3,580 votes, followed by Van Le, an East Side Union High School District trustee, in...
Peter Ortiz maintains lead in San Jose District 5 race
Early results show incumbent Councilmember Peter Ortiz leading the pack of candidates seeking the District 5 seat to represent East San Jose on the City Council. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Ortiz is ahead with 44% of the vote or 3,363 votes, while former state lawmaker and District 5 Councilmember Nora Campos is in second...
Genny Altwer keeps lead in San Jose District 9 race
As the ballots pour in, Genny Altwer has emerged as the frontrunner for the San Jose District 9 City Council race, the city’s only open contest this election cycle. Three other candidates remain in a tight heat for the second place spot that would allow them to progress to the November runoff. As of 5...
San Jose poised to restore virtual public comment
San Jose is poised to bring back virtual public comments during its meetings, two years after the city cut the option due to hate speech concerns. The reintroduction of remote participation, which could come as soon as the June 8 budget hearing, is a response to a new state law mandating digital access for a...
San Jose may rethink voting method for special elections
San Jose is taking another look at ranked choice voting after the City Council rejected a proposal to adopt the idea in city elections four years ago. Amid concerns over the spiraling costs from special elections, councilmembers are considering a charter amendment that would give the city the option to use ranked choice voting in...