Family Health Fiasco, Part I: Foundation Funded Political Campaigns, Not Kids
May 21, 2013 by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics, Business, Culture Comments (11)
Email records show that Kathleen King, executive director of the Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, has focused her agency’s efforts on coordinating political campaigns with county supervisor candidate Cindy Chavez at the expense of helping poor children.
A public agency created the Santa Clara Family Health Foundation more than a decade ago to fund the county’s groundbreaking children’s health care initiative, one that would guarantee that every child who needed a doctor’s attention would be seen. For the past three years, however, low income kids’ health insurance premiums have taken a backseat to personal ambition as Health Foundation officers ran for office, funded their $200k annual compensation packages and diverted money to pay for political consultants, mailings, public opinion polls, phone banks and ballot initiatives. All this transpired behind a shroud of secrecy that was lifted last week by Judge Carol Overton, who rejected SCFHF’s hard-fought legal battle to keep its activities out of the public’s view. Documents obtained as a result of last Friday’s superior court ruling show clearly that the Health Foundation repeatedly broke state laws by using a public agency’s funds and property to operate political campaigns in close coordination with local labor leaders.
Judge Orders County to Release Health Foundation Documents
May 20, 2013 by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics Comments (5)
Health Foundation attorney Ash Pirayou opens the door for Metro counsel Judy Alexander and County Counsel Donald Larkin. The courtroom has been blurred to comply with Superior Court photography rules.
Metro and San Jose Inside scored a legal victory Friday with Judge Carol Overton’s ruling that the County of Santa Clara must release documents on the political activities of the nonprofit Santa Clara Family Health Foundation. The documents, handed over to Metro on Friday, shed new light on how a recent ballot initiative was passed, and how the South Bay Labor Council interacts with local nonprofits to advance its agenda.
Council Set to Raise Pot Club Taxes
May 20, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Politics, Business, Culture Comments (8)
San Jose’s City Council could increase its tax on all gross receipts for medical marijuana collectives within the city limits to 10 percent.
The City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to pursue a tax hike on medical marijuana collectives, bumping up fees to the maximum amount allowed under the voter-approved pot club tax Measure U. Also on the council agenda for Tuesday: an update on measure B litigation and a new incentives agreement for Team San Jose.
County Supervisors to Discuss Environment, Electric Car Chargers
May 20, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Politics, Business, Culture Comments (8)
The county could soon be in the electric car charger market. (Photo by motorblog, via Flickr)
Santa Clara County has a lot of electric cars, but not enough chargers. The Board of Supervisors may start shaping some sort of public policy to make way for more chargers to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. Coming up with legit zoning rules could be a big push in that direction, according to a memo by Supervisor Ken Yeager on Tuesday’s meeting agenda. Other items on Tuesday’s agenda include county-provided transportation for low-income workers and meals for the elderly.
Campaign Appeals for National Help
May 17, 2013 by Silicon Valley Newsroom Comments (8)
Former South Bay Labor Council head Amy B. Dean
Former South Bay Labor Council head Amy Dean has sent out a national appeal to labor supporters, asking for financial support for supervisor candidate Cindy Chavez, according to an email forwarded to San Jose Inside. Dean, who formed Working Partnerships USA and mentored Chavez before moving to Chicago, writes that “The people of Santa Clara County need Cindy to have their back,” and asks recipients to “like” Chavez’s Facebook page if they can’t donate money.
Darcie Green Reappointed to Santa Clara County Board of Education
May 17, 2013 by Alicia Moore Politics Comments (8)
Darcie Green is sworn in Wednesday after the County Board of Education unanimously approved her reappointment.
The Santa Clara Country Board of Education reappointed Darcie Green to a trustee seat on Wednesday after her resignation in March.
Supreme Court Ruling Spurs San Jose Pot Club Ordinance
May 17, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Politics, Business, Culture Comments (5)
The San Jose City Council could soon form its own ordinance on regulating medical marijuana collectives.
Enforcement may soon get a lot stricter for San Jose cannabis retailers. Emboldened by the California Supreme Court’s recent ruling on City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patients Health and Wellness Center, that reinforced municipal rights to ban medical marijuana collectives, city officials are looking at ways to crack down on local storefronts and delivery services.
Why Sheriff Smith Won’t Run for Mayor
May 17, 2013 by Rich Robinson Politics Comments (18)
County Sheriff Laurie Smith, right, has proven herself to be a strong leader. But will that translate to a run for mayor of San Jose in 2014?
We dream of the perfect candidate in our business. The right person, at the right time, with resources to win and the perfect fit for the populace and the times. Barack Obama in President 2008, Jerry Brown Governor in 2010, Willie Brown for San Francisco Mayor 1995, and Sheriff Laurie Smith for San Jose Mayor 2014. Only the last scenario won’t happen.
Park Rangers Play a Special Role
May 16, 2013 by James P. Reber Politics, Culture Comments (0)
Almaden Lake Park is one area in San Jose that requires the oversight of the San Jose Park Rangers.
There is finally some good news on the San Jose Park Ranger front. Current plans are for the force to be increased next year. In addition to completing basic law enforcement training, park rangers have a unique set of skills and serve as ambassadors for our parks and trails.
Health Foundation Sues County
May 16, 2013 by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics Comments (3)
Santa Clara County Superior Court by HarshLight/Creative Commons.
UPDATE: A ruling is expected by 5pm Friday. Check back for a breakdown of Thursday’s court proceedings and the judge’s decision.—Editor
The Santa Clara Family Health Foundation has sued the County of Santa Clara to stop it from releasing documents about its financial transactions. The documents were requested by Metro Newspapers 30 days ago under the California Public Records Act. The foundation’s request for a temporary restraining order goes to court this morning.
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