Judge Orders County to Release Health Foundation Documents
May 20, 2013 by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics Comments (4)
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.
Santa Clara Family Health Foundation Fights Public Records Request
May 15, 2013 by The Fly Politics, Business, The Fly Comments (5)
Santa Clara Family Health Foundation CEO Kathleen King, left, has an attorney challenging a pubic records request into her nonprofit’s internal communications.
The Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, a local nonprofit that helped bump up the county’s sales tax last fall, doesn’t want the public to know about its secret political activities. And now it’s lawyering up to quash Metro/San Jose Inside’s public records act requests.
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