Apr 30, 2018
County of Santa Clara Consider impact fees for residential and non-residential development at Stanford University and in unincorporated areas of the County The Board will: (a) Receive report and Affordable Housing Nexus Studies; (b) Direct Administration and County Counsel to prepare an ordinance implementing affordable housing impact fees for Academic Space (non-residential) and Faculty and Staff Housing (residential) development at…
Apr 27, 2018
The race for Santa Clara County Sheriff shows a stark difference in the fundraising power of each of the candidates. Former Undersheriff John Hirokawa raised $10,000 this period and loaned himself $25,000. While Hirokawa’s records show that he currently has $105,000 in the bank, after subtracting his debt of $75,000, he is actually closer to $30,000 cash on hand. In…
Apr 27, 2018
The newest set of fundraising numbers are in and show some candidates holding strong, while other are falling behind. In the race for Santa Clara County Supervisor, most candidates have neared or hit the fundraising cap of $250,000. Santa Clara Council Member Dominic Caserta raised $52,000, Susan Ellenberg brought in $32,000, San Jose Council Member Don Rocha raised $27,000, Pierluigi Oliverio…
Apr 26, 2018
Earlier this week, a series of measures impacting renters came before the San Jose City Council. Among the votes taken, was the Council’s decision to ensure that tenants in rent-controlled apartment complexes pay only their share of utility bills rather than allowing landlords to divide utility costs based on how many people live in each apartment and the unit’s size.…
Apr 23, 2018
City of San Jose Liccardo and Carrasco memos: Amending Tenant Protection Ordinance to prohibit landlords from disclosing tenants’ immigration or citizenship status to authorities and adding felony conviction as a just cause basis for eviction Mayor Liccardo recommends approving an ordinance to: Amend the Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) to state that the term “nuisance” in the just cause ordinance…
Apr 20, 2018
Conservatives have a well-documented history of engaging in voter suppression, and rank choice voting is no exception. Therefore, it is no surprise that John Arnold, the Enron crook and funder of conservative causes, is supporting rank choice voting. One of the primary criticisms of rank choice voting is that it makes the voting process more intricate and tedious. When voter…
Santa Clara County Direction on potential ballot measures to extend and/or increase sales tax The Administration to report information regarding the County’s 2012 Measure A one-eighth cent retail transaction (sales) and use tax, including: Workplan or decision matrix for the Board to examine the value of a possible extension of the County’s one-eighth cent sales tax in the 2018 or…
Apr 13, 2018
Yesterday, San Jose community groups gathered at Google’s Mountain View headquarters to release a comprehensive set of community demands for the tech giant’s proposed San Jose mega-campus. The demands are the result of Silicon Valley Rising engaging more than 1,500 San Jose residents through town hall meetings and community surveys. Key findings from the survey include: 73% think Google has a…
Apr 10, 2018
After years of poor leadership and fiscal misconduct, the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (District), received a notice of stay and rescind from Santa Clara County Office of Education Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan. The notice comes after the board majority consistently voted to undermine the financial stability of the District. The notice is the result of allegations that surfaced…
Apr 10, 2018
Last week, 24 community members from all walks of life celebrated their graduation from the Santa Clara County Trades Orientation Program. The graduates ranged from an 18-year-old former foster youth to a single mom in recovery to a Vietnam War veteran. They all had one thing in common: seeking a good, family-supporting career. Through their hard work and dedication, they…