Feb 8, 2017
I’m calling 2017 the Year of Compassion. The first ingredient of compassion is acceptance. We do not tolerate people here in Santa Clara County, we accept and embrace them. Whether they are members of our LGBTQ community seeking civil rights, or refugee children seeking asylum, women seeking equity, immigrants seeking a path to citizenship, the indigent seeking health care, the…
Feb 7, 2017
Tonight, the Milpitas City Council voted 4 to 0 to raise its minimum wage to $15 by 2019, three years sooner than mandated by the State of California. Workers in the City will see their first raise in July of this year. Voting in support of $15 by 2019 were Council Members Marsha Grilli, Anthony Phan, Bob Nuñez and Mayor Rich Tran.…
Feb 6, 2017
Santa Clara County Direction on contracting and business license policies to combat wage theft and pay inequity The committee will receive a report on four recommendations to improve pay equity: Improving pay equity reporting practices for directly-hired employees of the County. Terminating current contractors and disqualifying bidders for violating equal opportunity and nondiscrimination laws. Regulating businesses in unincorporated areas of…
Feb 1, 2017
The rumor around City Hall is that Republican Council Member Johnny Khamis is considering running for Mayor against Sam Liccardo in 2018. Is it no surprise that Council veteran Khamis was hoping to be appointed Vice Mayor and was handed a blow when Liccardo bowed to the political reality of a more progressive City Council by appointing Magdalena Carrasco instead. …
Feb 1, 2017
Yesterday, the San Jose City Council voted on a critical change to the banking component of the City’s rent control law. The original ordinance, passed by the previous Council, allowed landlords who did not raise the rent in a given year to save or “bank” the unused rent increase and apply it at a future date. With a vote of…
Jan 30, 2017
County of Santa Clara Special hearing on hate crimes The Committee will convene a special meeting on issues related to hate crimes in light of the 2016 Presidential election, and determine the next steps for developing a hate crimes communication and services plan. The hearing will have panel presentations on public safety, civil rights, race and religion, education, and LGBTQ…
Jan 16, 2017
City of San Jose Appointing Vice Mayor Council will be voting on the Mayor’s recommended appointment of a member of the Council to serve as Vice Mayor. The Mayor has not yet announced who he will nominate. Where: San Jose City Council When: January 24, 2017, 1:30pm Link to item: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2668&meta_id=611437 Link to agenda: http://sanjose.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?event_id=ab9181ab-2ca0-483f-86c6-30ab43f6864a Tweet
Jan 10, 2017
The 2016 election cycle seems to have carved out a new path for candidates who don’t like the outcome of their races: they sue. Both former Council Member Mahn Nguyen and his political ally, recently defeated Council candidate Jimmy Nguyen, say they are moving forward with lawsuits against the Registrar of Voters after losing their election bids. Strangely, Jimmy Nguyen…
Jan 9, 2017
County of Santa Clara Report on County contracting policies, including pay equity, living wage, DBE contracting & Ariba implementation The Committee will receive a report on Countywide contracting, including proposed policy revisions and contract language related to Pay Equity and Living Wage policies. The proposed living wage changes include an expansion of applicable solicitation types covered by the policy to…
Dec 20, 2016
For more than 30 years the Labor Movement Holiday Party has brought holiday cheer and visits from Santa to thousands of Santa Clara County children and their families. This year’s celebration was no exception. The Labor Movement Holiday Party provided gifts, pictures with Santa, lunch, face painting, tokens to play games and live music to hard working families with limited…