San Jose Inside (https://www.sanjoseinside.com)
“Too Much Public Participation” Say Williams and Campos
Calling for more secrecy in government and saying they want to encourage less public participation, San Jose City Council members Forrest Williams and Nora Campos are proposing a series of “sunset” reforms.
Repeal of Ban on Alcohol Sales Could Give Rise to Gasclubs
Shortly after a unanimous vote by the San Jose City Council on an urgency ordinance that gives the police chief more discretion in shutting down problem nightclubs in downtown, a committee of nightclub owners met and decided to take their business elsewhere—to the neighborhood gas stations.
I have a modest suggestion for our city manager. (No, not that one. That one should come from his bosses on the San Jose City Council.) This one is genuinely intended to help rectify some of the immediate problems at City Hall. It is comprised of four words: concentrate on your job.
By Guest Blogger Jerry Estruth
In 1978, when I was a candidate running for the San Jose City Council, I supported districting. At that time, San Jose had 7 councilmembers, including the mayor, all elected at large. I became the last councilmember to be elected city wide. Therefore, I think that I am qualified to question whether or not districting has been good for San Jose and whether or not it has outlived its usefulness. I think the time when the scant support of 2000-3000 people can elect a district councilmember from a district has passed.
Today, the San Jose City Council could decide to raise their salaries. It’ll be an interesting vote because five of ten councilmembers are likely to be in competitive races for higher offices next year. No candidate likes to accept a raise. I’ve seen polling on this. It’s like putting a stick of dynamite in your pocket and handing your opponent matchsticks.
I’m going to keep my comments brief this week so that people can go read another guest column that we’ve got up. San Jose City Council Member Dave Cortese has written an interesting article about how Terry Gregory should be replaced. I do want everyone to know about an upcoming show on CNN that I know will be an interesting hour spent.
The Department of Homeland Security said ICE and Border Patrol have no plans to steer clear of the Super Bowl, despite the tension and unrest after the two fatal shootings in Minnesota.
Undeveloped land within the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility will be home to data centers and manufacturing campuses that power AI revolution.
The carpenters' union's stance broke from the powerful Building and Construction Trades Council, which has opposed nearly all proposals to lower hurdles for developers that do not include minimum pay levels and union hiring requirements.
The recount of the April 8 Special Election, required by the narrow margin at the close of regular vote tallies, showed Gabby Chavez-Lopez with 2,712 votes, Anthony Tordillos with 2006 votes and Matthew Quevedo with 2000 votes.
A one-day recount will begin on April 24, with certification of the final two candidates to be announced on April 28.
The convictions of Omar Torres stole the headlines from Election Day voting to replace the former council member, who resigned in November shortly before his arrest.
Low's Silicon Valley constituents could lose tens of millions of dollars in local tax revenues if Gavin Newsom signs a bill that allows casino-owning tribes to sue private card rooms, their competitors.
One day before the deadline, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority pulled a $20 billion affordable housing bond off Bay Area ballots amid fears that it wouldn’t pass.
In addition to outright winners in local races in the March primary, Matt Mahan, David Cohen and Otto Lee, another 10 local politicians emerged from the early ballot counts as shoo-ins for November, because they are already comfortably separated from their opponents.
The Santa Clara County supervisor says he already has raised $600,000 in federal campaign funds.
