Dec 8, 2014
The second largest waste and recycling company in the world is playing chicken with the City of San Jose, in a wage theft game that’s worth 14 million dollars to the City, and nearly five million to workers. Republic Services was found to have been underpaying its sorters since 2011 to the tune of millions of dollars. When the City ordered Republic to pay…
Dec 8, 2014
City of San José Interim Appointment Mayor Reed and Mayor-elect Liccardo have jointly issued a memo to the Rules and Open Government Committee seeking an interim appointment for Council District 4 until a new council member can be elected in the upcoming special election. Tweet
Dec 5, 2014
America is embroiled in an immigration debate that goes far beyond President Obama’s executive order on undocumented immigrants. It goes to the heart of who “we” are. And it’s roiling communities across the nation. In early November, school officials in Orinda, California, hired a private detective to determine whether a seven-year-old Latina named Vivian – whose single mother works as…
Dec 3, 2014
The recent executive order issued by President Obama represents a huge victory both for undocumented immigrants and for the advocates and activists who have participated in this struggle for the last several years. For undocumented people, the scope of the decision goes beyond our original expectations. Analysts predict that as many as 5 million people could benefit from it. And…
Dec 2, 2014
If you’re diverting your attention to more mundane issues now that the General Election is over…not so fast. San Jose City Council members decided to call a special election to fill the seat in District 4 left vacant when Kansen Chu was elected to the State Assembly. Tweet
Dec 2, 2014
For six years, Republicans in Washington have blocked almost every effort to improve conditions and wages for working people. Around the country, cities and states are no longer waiting for Washington to act, and are taking things into their own hands. They have passed laws increasing the minimum wage and requiring sick pay for workers. Now San Francisco has passed,…
Dec 1, 2014
County of Santa Clara Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Elections The Citizens’ Advisory Commission will be meeting in the wake of a very interesting election cycle. Right or wrong, the Registrar of Voters was foisted into the hot seat on election night with the technical difficulties, a perceived slow counting process and personnel changes in the heart of the lineup. Some…
Nov 28, 2014
Wondering how Santa Clara County is setting the trend? On October 21st, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors upheld the county’s high standards for workers by moving to incorporate these standards into a new kind of residential construction program, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE programs bring energy efficiency to residents by providing low-cost, secure financing options…
Nov 25, 2014
There could be a very crowded field vying for the open District 4 seat on the San Jose City Council. Kansen Chu, on his way to the State Assembly in District 25, has two more years in his Council term. Mayor-elect Liccardo could choose the unpopular option of appointing someone to the post for the rest of the term, but…
Nov 24, 2014
City of San Jose District 4 Vacancy Assemblymember-elect and current Councilmember from District 4 Kansen Chu is currently orienting himself to his new gig representing Assembly District 25 in the state’s capitol. With the Assemblymember-elect’s swearing in scheduled for December 1, the San Jose City Council is poised to decide how to fill the newly created vacancy for District 4.…