As the Capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose fuels global innovation — but despite the city’s considerable economic heft, its elected leaders still struggle to command political clout on a broader stage. The city, California’s third largest, has never produced a competitive candidate for governor in its modern history. And over the past 50 years,...
Lawsuit alleges San Jose license plate readers violate privacy rights
A new lawsuit by local advocacy groups alleges San Jose’s use of data collected by automated license plate readers deployed around town violates drivers’ privacy rights The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, takes aim at the city’s practice of allowing the San Jose Police Department to search a vast database of license...
Downtown San Jose councilmember back on campaign trail
Just more than four months after winning his District 3 San Jose City Council seat in a June special election, Anthony Tordillos is already launching his reelection campaign. His Wednesday campaign announcement makes him the first candidate to enter the race for District 3, which covers San Joses’s downtown neighborhoods. The announcement includes a long...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve temporary tobacco shop ban
The San Jose City Council has enacted a temporary moratorium blocking the establishment of new tobacco shops throughout the city as officials draw up a long-term plan to regulate such businesses. Councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to halt the issuance of new licenses for local tobacco businesses, including retailers, smoke shops and smoking lounges. The 45-day...
San Jose council approves policies to freeze ICE out
San Jose continues to strengthen protections for its immigrant communities by prohibiting federal immigration agents from hiding their identity and advancing plans to prevent ICE from using city-owned properties for enforcement. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously for both policies on Tuesday. The city attorney created an unmasking policy that prohibits all law enforcement...
San Jose homeless audit highlights failed accountability
San Jose’s homeless outreach efforts have been more concerned about volume than outcomes, and there is little accountability when homeless support nonprofits did not provide adequate services. A city audit of San Jose’s homelessness services released in October found some nonprofits did not meet performance targets or reporting requirements, and the Housing Department failed to...
San Jose council signs off on new city attorney
The San Jose City Council has appointed Susana Alcala Wood to the post of city attorney. The unanimous vote Tuesday marks the final procedural hurdle to confirm Wood as San Jose’s top legal counsel. Wood officially starts Nov. 9, with an annual salary set at $390,000. Councilmembers approved Wood’s hiring without discussion. San José Spotlight...
San Jose scratches head over official’s ethical dilemma
The San Jose Police Department pays $55,000 a month to rent an evidence warehouse on Monterey Road. The owner: a San Jose official who votes on police spending. District 6 Councilmember Michael Mulcahy is the managing partner of his private, family-owned real estate firm SDS NexGen Partners, which has leased the warehouse to the city...
Meet downtown San Jose’s new City Council team
San Jose’s newest councilman has hired an office staff of fresh faces to restore trust with District 3 residents and bring downtown out of a dark chapter after his predecessor resigned in disgrace. Councilmember Anthony Tordillos has stacked his office with people across a broad range of experience to serve residents seeking help with potholes,...
San Jose Chick-fil-A moves forward after planning mistake
A contentious Chick-fil-A project is moving forward after hitting a road bump. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved removing a condition Tuesday that would have required a recently approved Chick-fil-A to construct the development without demolishing existing commercial buildings at 1301 W. San Carlos Street. Property owner Zotta Family Trust and applicant 4G Development...