Browsing Category : Government

Reed Withdraws Pension Measure


Former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed has finally made a decision we can stand behind: he has withdrawn his floundering measure that attacks the retirement security of public workers in California.  Polls recently conducted showed waning support for the measure, making it impossible for Reed to drum up the $3 million dollars in financial support he needed to get the…

Chad Walsh Resigns from West Valley-Mission Community College


As predicted, conservative West Valley-Mission Community College District Board Member Chad Walsh has officially resigned. Walsh’s resignation, effective January 7, 2016, was received by the County Office of Education earlier this week.  The Board will now vote on whether to appoint a replacement within 60 days or hold a costly election.  The best bet is that the Board will appointment…

Policy Watch: Your weekly tip sheet for what’s going on in your community


City of San Jose Agreement with San José Sports Authority The San Jose Sports Authority (SJSA) is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1991 to promote San Jose as a location for high profile, marquee state, national and international sporting events and to develop and support existing sporting events and organizations in San Jose and the Bay Area. The proposed agreement…

Candidates Vie to Replace Rich Gordon in Assembly District 24


The race for California’s Assembly District 24 appears set, and there are several strong contenders looking to replace Assemblymember Rich Gordon. Josh Becker ran against Assemblymember Gordon in 2010 when the seat was last open and made a good showing.  Mr. Becker, a venture capitalist and social entrepreneur, recently sold his business and should be able to devote substantial time,…

San Jose City Council District 2 & 6 Races Take Shape


As 2016 draws to a close, the fields for the San Jose City Council District 2 and 6 races appear to be largely set. Current District 2 Councilmember Ash Kalra is terming out in November 2016 and is running for California State Assembly District 27.  Here’s a look at those vying to replace him: Sergio Jimenez, an investigator at the Santa Clara County…

Bankruptcy Reforms Needed to Help Californians Climb Their Way Out of Debt


New U.S. Census Bureau data show the Bay Area is booming, but rising housing costs and poverty rates are making the recovery a spectator sport for many people trying to pay their bills while eliminating their personal debt.  Incomes have increased, but rents have jumped way more, and owner-occupied housing has dropped in the region.  For most people, it’s hard…

Rose Herrera’s Next Step?


When the Santa Clara County Water District Board appointed former Morgan Hill Mayor John Varela to fill the Board seat vacated by Dennis Kennedy, who is battling cancer, they probably were not looking ahead to the 2016 election, but one potential candidate was.  Apparently, San Jose Vice Mayor Rose Herrera, who will be termed out at the end of 2016,…

Policy Watch: Your weekly tip sheet for what’s going on in your community


Santa Clara County: Consider policy revisions to Equal Opportunity/Nondiscrimination provision in County contracts; County to pursue more robust pay equity assessment After a preliminary review on the County’s demographic data examining classified and certain unclassified County positions under the County pay ordinance and the Executive Management Pay Ordinance, the data showed the following: Female employees comprise 70% or more of…

Candidates for Vacant Water District Seat Narrowed to Five


The candidate pool for the vacant Santa Clara Valley Water District 1 seat, has been narrowed from 21 to five. The Board is set to make the appointment tomorrow afternoon. The final five candidates, all of which received at least three votes during the candidate screening process earlier this week, are: Morgan Hill Council Member Rich Constantine, President of the…