Author Archives : The Left Hook

Council Member Lan Diep Quietly Leaves the Republican Party


Lan Diep, the last remaining Republican on the San Jose City Council, quietly left the Republican Party several months ago and re-registered as Decline to State.  Records at the Santa Clara County Registrar of voters indicate that he made the change on March 11 of this year.  Diep is running for reelection in a hotly contested race against two Democrats,…

Policy Watch: Week of 8/12


Santa Clara County Chavez referral for report on the development of Measure A Extremely Low-Income (ELI) housing at 5 County-owned sites Following passage of the 2016 Measure A Housing Bond Measure, Santa Clara County set a goal of creating 4,800 new homes for the homeless within 10 years. To date, the Board of Supervisors has already approved funding for over…

Council Unanimously Votes to Expand Prevailing Wage to Subsidized Private Developments


Following multiple scandals uncovering wage theft and human trafficking at some on the city’s largest development projects, San Jose City Council voted to approve a groundbreaking ordinance requiring prevailing wages as a condition of any tax and fee breaks, development incentives, or other public subsidies provided to for-profit private developments. Other elements relating to expanding the workforce pipeline, including providing…

Josh Becker, Candidate for State Senate, Receives Governor Newsom’s Endorsement


Today, Josh Becker, candidate for State Senate District 13, announced that he has received the endorsement of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The announcement, which came via email, included a quote from Newsom which in part read, “Josh is a long-time, dedicated community leader and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the key issues of education, housing,…

Policy Watch: Week of 6/24


City of San Jose 6/21 CARRASCO, LICCARDO, ARENAS, FOLEY MEMO – Direction on moderate-income housing strategy, including approving a forgivable loan program for ADU construction 6/21 Memo – The Mayor and 3 councilmembers recommend: Directing staff to continue to pursue process improvements that can streamline the ADU permitting process Adopt Councilmember Foley’s memorandum to the extent that a loan program…

Labor Council Names New Political Director


Communications Director Dianna Zamora-Marroquin is taking the reins of the South Bay’s largest, most sophisticated political program as she transitions into the role of Political Director for the South Bay Labor Council.  Zamora-Marroquin, who has been with the Labor Council for four years, brings extensive campaign experience, having worked on numerous races ranging from ballot measures to local and congressional…

Policy Watch: Week of 6/3


Santa Clara County Amending county policy regarding cooperation with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) On October 18, 2011, the Board of Supervisors adopted Board Policy 3.54 regarding cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Civil Immigration Detainer Requests. The Policy states that the County will honor civil detainer requests from ICE only if, among other requirements, “there is…

Third Candidate Jumps into Race for Senate Seat Vacated by Bill Monning


Republican Neil G. Kitchens, an agriculture businessman and fifth generation rancher, has thrown his hat into the ring for the open 17th Senate District seat. The position is currently held by Bill Monning who is terming out. This is not Kitchens’ first attempt at political office. In 2018, he ran for California’s 30th Assembly District to replace termed out Assembly Member Anna…

SBLC Political Director Says Goodbye


After nearly five years with the South Bay Labor Council (SBLC), Political Director David Urhausen is leaving to pursue a new opportunity with SEIU-UHW’s political leadership team where he will continue to fight for working families in the labor movement. David, who has time and again shown his keen understanding of the South Bay’s political landscape, has been instrumental in successfully…

Policy Watch: Week of 5/27


City of San Jose Survey results on favorability of potential 2020 ballot measures to address homelessness, housing Since the State of California ended redevelopment in February 2012, the City of San Jose has lacked new revenue sources to fund the construction of affordable housing. Through feasibility analysis and survey research, the Administration has begun to explore a variety of ballot…