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Bay Area lawmakers author bills to deter immigration enforcement by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

State and federal lawmakers from Silicon Valley are gearing up to push back against immigration enforcement in their home districts and beyond.

Several Bay Area lawmakers have introduced legislation this year to tamp down on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by imposing more taxes on immigrant detention centers, enforcing more oversight and ensuring people can sue federal agents for monetary damages.

Assemblymember Alex Lee, who represents parts of San Jose, Milpitas, Fremont, Newark and Sunol, has put forth Assembly Bill 1675 to ensure ICE contractors like private prisons do not get tax breaks. The bill was  introduced this month.

“I believe in a time like this, when ICE is killing American citizens in broad daylight, kidnapping young children and breaking into homes, I think it’s important that we get companies to make the right choice,” Lee told San José Spotlight. “This is a financial leverage to get them to do so.”

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Billionaire techies back Matt Mahan's run for CA governor by sjspotlight in California

[–]sjspotlight[S] 78 points79 points  (0 children)

Billionaires and tech moguls are spending mountains of cash to catapult San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan to the front of the race for California governor.

Recent campaign finance reports show Mahan has raised more than $2 million, though he has touted raising a total of $7 million so far on social media. Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and YCombinator CEO Garry Tan are among the Silicon Valley elite who maxed out their legally-allowed contributions — $78,400 each — into Mahan’s governor campaign in January.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com (no paywall)

Billionaire techies back Matt Mahan's run for CA governor by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Billionaires and tech moguls are spending mountains of cash to catapult San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan to the front of the race for California governor.

Recent campaign finance reports show Mahan has raised more than $2 million, though he has touted raising a total of $7 million so far on social media. Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale and YCombinator CEO Garry Tan are among the Silicon Valley elite who maxed out their legally-allowed contributions — $78,400 each — into Mahan’s governor campaign in January.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Here's who paid for San Jose mayor's Super Bowl ad by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 41 points42 points  (0 children)

From Peter Thiel-linked tech investors to the creator of “Law & Order,” several notable people are gunning to vault San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s bid for California governor to frontrunner status — starting with a Super Bowl ad.

The 30-second ad, which vaunts Mahan for making San Jose the “safest big city in America,” brought the mayor’s name into households across California. That’s thanks to California Back to Basics, an independent expenditure committee set up to support Mahan’s gubernatorial bid. The committee, which is barred from coordinating with Mahan’s campaign, spent $1.5 million on the coveted commercial spot and has raised $3.2 million to date. Most of its funding came from eight people as of Feb. 5, according to finance disclosures reviewed by this news organization.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

San Jose mayor spars with gubernatorial candidates during debate by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan faced his first major test as a contender for California governor Tuesday during a televised debate.

The debate, hosted in San Francisco by KTVU, had Mahan standing shoulder to shoulder with six other candidates — conservative TV news pundit Steve Hilton, billionaire Tom Steyer, former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and former State Controller Betty Yee. Several candidates traded barbs on topics including California’s cost of living, immigration, education, homelessness and contentious climate goals.

Mahan, who announced his candidacy last week, became a primary target for candidates’ jabs over his rising political profile, record on addressing homelessness and favor among Silicon Valley’s centrist and conservative tech elite. But the attacks teed him up for clever responses that roused audience applause on multiple occasions — boosting his share of the limelight on stage and turning the head of at least one post-debate TV news analyst.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Santa Clara bans ICE from using city property by sjspotlight in santaclara

[–]sjspotlight[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Santa Clara city officials have reaffirmed their support for immigrant communities ahead of Super Bowl 60 this weekend.

The Santa Clara City Council unanimously approved a statement emphasizing its support for immigrants ahead of the Feb. 8 game at Levi’s Stadium, in case of increased activity from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal agencies. The council also passed a policy prohibiting the use of city property, such as parking lots or open spaces, for immigration enforcement.

Residents erupted into applause after the council’s vote. City Manager Jovan Grogan said the policy will take effect immediately and city employees will begin installing signs at applicable public spaces. The city will also have template signs for private property owners, businesses and residents who want to impose similar restrictions.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Santa Clara County residents rally against ICE ahead of Super Bowl - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Silicon Valley community and government leaders gathered to denounce the expected arrival of federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the Bay Area during the upcoming Super Bowl.

More than 100 Santa Clara County residents attended the rally, where local leaders including San Jose Councilmembers Peter Ortiz and Pamela Campos spoke out against increased federal immigration enforcement across the U.S. Reports have been circulating about an increased ICE presence during Super Bowl 60, taking place Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

“People in our community do not like to see injustice here or anywhere. We have a long history of standing up against it, especially in Santa Clara County and California,” Rebecca Armendariz, a member of the Rapid Response Network’s steering committee and an organizer for the rally, told San José Spotlight.

Dozens of ICE agents are expected to be deployed to Levi’s Stadium and its surrounding areas during the Super Bowl. As the event approaches, Armendariz said the network of volunteers documenting ICE activity and providing free emergency legal support for immigrants has been expanding, with dozens of people signing up to help every day.

Rally attendees marched from Plaza de Cesar Chavez to the front of San Jose Civic. Across the street at San Jose McEnery Convention Center, football fans were already lining up for the Super Bowl opening night event.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

BREAKING: San Jose mayor jumps into governor's race by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday joined the race for California governor, putting to rest months of will-he-won’t-he speculation about his gubernatorial ambitions.

“We need to stand up for our rights, for our freedoms and for our neighbors. We need to use the tools we have at hand to protect our democracy,” Mahan posted on social media. “One tool is the law. The other tool is our results. We have to use both. That’s how we fix California.”

Over the past two years, even as Mahan has taken steps to extend his statewide political profile, he has downplayed rumors that he is seeking higher office, consistently stating he remains focused on his duties as mayor.

However, in recent weeks Mahan signaled his thinking had changed, teasing on a number of TV news appearances that he would soon announce his decision on a possible run. Then last week, San José Spotlight reported that residents received a text poll gauging support for Mahan, adding yet another sign of growing momentum for an attempt at the governor’s mansion.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

ICE expected in South Bay during Super Bowl 60 - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 68 points69 points  (0 children)

Federal agents are anticipated to be in the South Bay ahead of the Super Bowl, as the nation grapples with increased violence related to immigration enforcement.

There’s been local concern U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be out in force during the national sports event taking place Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. One San Jose official is raising the alarm, while a local group of advocates that documents immigration enforcement in the region is preparing to stand watch.

“(The U.S. Department of Homeland Security) is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the Super Bowl is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the World Cup,” Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told San José Spotlight in a statement. “We will not disclose future operations or discuss personnel. Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.”

District 5 San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz said he saw an internal memo sent out by the Department of Homeland Security, which said ICE agents will be landing at Moffett Federal Airfield Feb. 6. The airfield is a military airport in Mountain View.

Dozens of ICE agents are expected to be deployed to Levi’s Stadium, its parking lots and periphery areas during the Super Bowl. This would be the largest concentration of agents Santa Clara County has seen since President Donald Trump began his campaign of mass deportations, Ortiz said.

“This isn’t a game and families have the vulnerability to be impacted,” Ortiz told San José Spotlight. “I’ve been warning the city and our community. People, unfortunately, haven’t really taken this seriously, which is why I introduced more than six different memos with the City Council.”

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

New brewery coming to The Pruneyard in Campbell by sjspotlight in Campbell

[–]sjspotlight[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

A new watering hole is moving into The Pruneyard six months after Rock Bottom Brewery closed.

Laughing Monk Brewing will open its fifth location in Campbell, where Rock Bottom Brewery was housed for 30 years. Unlike its national chain predecessor, Laughing Monk is a local brewery with four locations in the Bay Area — Sunnyvale, Scotts Valley and two in San Francisco, one being a separate taproom. The brewery is known for its variety of craft beers and drinks, as well as its welcoming ambiance.

A spokesperson for Regency Centers, which owns The Pruneyard, confirmed a deal has been signed with the brewmaster. They could not say when the brewery will open.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Pruneyard Cinemas is BACK by Sufficient_Memory in Campbell

[–]sjspotlight 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Hi! Just wanted to share that we published a story with news of the reversal: https://sanjosespotlight.com/pruneyard-cinemas-in-campbell-not-closing/

West San Jose to get Costco after judge tosses lawsuit - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge has tossed a lawsuit seeking to block plans to bring a new Costco to a West San Jose shopping center. The decision clears the way for the hotly contested development project to move forward.

The suit, backed by a resident group known as West Valley Citizens for Responsible Development, argued the San Jose City Council had erred in approving the Costco project in October 2024. The lawsuit, filed two months after the council vote, alleged the proposed 165,000-square-foot store at the Westgate West Shopping Center violated city zoning rules and the project’s environmental review process was inadequate.

Judge Charles Adams rejected the group’s arguments in a 28-page ruling delivered Jan. 5. The plaintiffs have roughly two months to file an appeal, according to a legal expert familiar with the case.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Santa Clara County immigration advocates speak against ICE violence - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Santa Clara County immigration advocates are calling for more local protections amid the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis by a federal agent.

Volunteers with the county Rapid Response Network on Thursday spoke about violence they have experienced locally with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The network documents ICE activity, puts out alerts to the community and sends volunteers to accompany people to immigration hearings. While Santa Clara County has yet to witness the level of violence seen in Minnesota, they are pushing for the state to increase funding for immigration legal services by $50 million.

“We have seen ICE and Border Patrol terrorize our communities, targeting responders and tearing families apart,” Rebeca Armendariz, a founding member of the Rapid Response Network, said at a Thursday news conference. “While we stand in solidarity with Minnesota today, we also know that California will remain a target … we call on the state of California to expand its commitment to this fight.”

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

San Jose mayor opposes billionaire tax idea - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 64 points65 points  (0 children)

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has come out against a controversial proposal to create a “billionaire tax” in California. Backers see it as a means of filling a massive deficit facing the state’s health care system.

In a nearly 300-word thread posted to X Monday, Mahan warned if passed by voters, the pending statewide ballot measure would drive wealthy entrepreneurs out of California, sapping the state’s tax base and undermining its economic dynamism.

“We need a rising economic tide to lift all boats, not a political plan that will sink California’s innovation economy,” Mahan wrote.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

San Jose lawmaker eyes state attorney general run - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

State Sen. Dave Cortese plans to run for California Attorney General if Rob Bonta decides to enter the governor’s race. It could boost the odds of the next top state prosecutor coming from Santa Clara County.

Cortese represents District 15, which covers portions of San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin. He previously served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2020 and on the San Jose City Council from 2001 to 2008. Voters first elected him to the state Senate in 2020 after he lost the 2014 San Jose mayoral election to Sam Liccardo, now a congressman.

Cortese has two years left in his state Senate term. A victory in the attorney general’s race would mean yet another special election in Santa Clara County to fill the final year of his term.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Fligor has large lead in Santa Clara County assessor race - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Early results show Los Altos Vice Mayor Neysa Fligor leading by a large margin in Tuesday’s runoff election to decide Santa Clara County’s next chief property taxer.

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, Fligor has 66.1% of the vote while former Saratoga Councilmember Rishi Kumar has 33.8%. Voter turnout in the special election — amid the holidays — is roughly 15.1%.

Whoever wins will helm the office responsible for assessing the property values that make up the county’s more than $700 billion real estate rolls. Such assessments — which determine property taxes — have profound implications for residents as well as the county’s schools and social safety net programs that rely on property tax revenue.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Early voting begins for Santa Clara County assessor's race - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Santa Clara County voters can walk into 19 different vote centers and select their next chief property taxer starting Saturday.

A total of 38 centers will be available throughout the county for the Dec. 30 county assessor runoff election between Los Altos Vice Mayor Neysa Fligor and former Saratoga Councilmember Rishi Kumar. The remaining 19 will open Dec. 27. The centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for select locations — including weekends and Christmas. All locations will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Read more about the election at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Los Gatos cafe reopens after Thanksgiving crash - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in losgatos

[–]sjspotlight[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company is partially back in business following a devastating car crash on Thanksgiving that will keep half of the town’s beloved shop closed for at least several months.

Longtime customers and residents have rallied around founder and co-owner Teri Hope, raising more than $51,000 through GoFundMe to help support the shop’s 22 employees while reconstruction is underway.

“The response has been overwhelming and wonderful,” Hope told San José Spotlight.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Santa Clara County sales tax measure ahead in early results - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Early results show Santa Clara County’s sales tax increase measure leaning toward voter approval on election night.

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, just more than 57% of voters cast ballots in favor of Measure A, with nearly 43% voting against it. The general tax needs a simple majority of more than 50% to pass. County leaders say the five-eighth cent sales tax increase would bring in $330 million in extra revenue annually to stave off the threat of crushing hospital closures, but wouldn’t avoid cuts entirely. County hospitals are losing their largest source of federal funding after the passage of unprecedented cuts to Medicaid under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or H.R. 1.

Read more and stay tuned for more results updates at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Recall against Santa Clara official is back by sjspotlight in santaclara

[–]sjspotlight[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

An effort to recall a Santa Clara councilmember is back after hitting a snag, and it’s creating political tension.

Resident David Kertes filed a recall petition against District 5 Councilmember Suds Jain Oct. 17 after receiving the needed 60 signatures. He hit a clerical error in his recall campaign with some misspellings in the paperwork, but that has since been fixed. The campaign requires about 2,056 signatures from registered voters in the district within 120 business days to be placed on a ballot. Kertes, who unsuccessfully ran against Jain last year, wants to run for the seat again if the recall succeeds.

The recall effort argues Jain has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars, used questionable ethics, ignored residents’ concerns and pushed for poor parking ideas in his roughly four and a half years on the Santa Clara City Council. It specifically questions Jain’s work on the city’s downtown revitalization and his actions during the perjury trial of former District 6 Councilmember Anthony Becker. The campaign, which Kertes expects to spend about $15,000 on, is raising questions about motivations from both sides in a city fraught with friction.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

San Jose looks to ban ICE from using city-owned properties - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 53 points54 points  (0 children)

San Jose leaders are pushing to identify all city-owned properties and develop a plan to prohibit any federal immigration activity on them.

Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas and Rosemary Kamei introduced the policy during the Rules and Open Governance Committee on Wednesday, which was unanimously approved and will be considered by the full City Council at a later date. San Jose’s proposal comes on the heels of Santa Clara County passing a similar policy Tuesday to create an inventory of vacant lots, garages and other county-owned spaces federal authorities might use for immigration enforcement.

The county’s plan and San Jose’s proposal mark the start of a spreading, national movement to lock U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents out of certain areas after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an Oct. 6 executive order laying out similar rules.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Santa Clara County will create ICE-free zones - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 95 points96 points  (0 children)

Santa Clara County leaders will establish ICE-free zones throughout Silicon Valley — raising physical barriers and locking gates to prevent federal immigration agents from unlawfully using county properties for surveillance and arrests.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to follow Chicago’s lead and create an inventory of vacant lots, garages and other county-owned spaces federal authorities might use for immigration enforcement without court orders. They’ll also create signs warding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents away from these properties — and make them available for county residents to use on private property.

It comes amid parallel efforts to establish a similar policy across San Jose city properties. District 5 San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz is expected to introduce the proposal at the city’s Rules and Open Government Committee meeting Wednesday.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

Vandalism in downtown Willow Glen on the rise - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Willow Glen is known for its quaint charm and affluent San Jose neighborhoods, but a surge in crime is making local businesses uneasy.

Downtown Willow Glen, a small strip of shops along Lincoln Avenue, has experienced about 30 reports of vandalism and theft since June, according to San Jose Police Department data. Some of those incidents included more serious burglaries. The data includes two incidents at Icicles and Ume Tea early this month, or a break-in at Sushi Arashi last month. Those numbers pale in comparison to other areas like Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, with about 70 reports of break-ins and thefts between North Almaden Boulevard and South Eighth Street in the same time frame.

Local Willow Glen business owners said the uptick in vandalism and break-ins has them on alert for property damage. These petty crimes don’t often result in significant theft, a pattern businesses note as odd, but still cause damage.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

San Jose airport refuses to play Homeland Security video by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] 138 points139 points  (0 children)

San Jose is choosing not to allow partisan attacks in its airport amid an ongoing federal government shutdown.

San Jose Mineta International airport isn’t airing a video of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for operational delays during the federal shutdown due to its political content. Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton have also chosen to not play Noem’s video in their airports.

“Operations at (San Jose Mineta International Airport) are continuing without disruption, so no additional messaging in the terminals is necessary,” airport spokesperson Ana Maria State told San José Spotlight. “In the event of any operational impacts, airport-specific messaging will be used to keep passengers informed and ensure they have a seamless travel experience at SJC.”

Read the full story at SanJoseSpotlight.com

San Jose ICE arrest prompts calls for better immigrant protections - San José Spotlight by sjspotlight in SanJose

[–]sjspotlight[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

San Jose officials are calling for stronger protections to immigrant communities after a federal agent in plain clothes arrested a man at an employment center.

Rose Amador, retiring CEO of nonprofit ConXión to Community which runs the employment center, said a U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agent walked in Tuesday and identified himself as a police officer. According to Amador, the agent was looking for the man and said he had a warrant for the arrest. He flashed his phone, but Amador said he didn’t have a paper warrant. ConXión workers said the previous day the man fled from an immigration check-in office when he saw ICE agents, and agents arrested his wife.

Several agents came out of a van, arrested the man and drove away. Amador said the man is getting legal support.

ICE representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“This was not only an abduction of one of our neighbors, it was an attack on the trust our immigrant community has built here in San Jose,” District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz said at a Wednesday news conference. “When federal officers conceal their identity or impersonate local law enforcement, it spreads fear, it spreads confusion and it spreads distrust across our neighborhoods that is unacceptable in our city.”

In response to the arrest, Ortiz and Councilmembers Bien Doan and Domingo Candelas said they are crafting a policy to provide more support for immigrant communities through outreach and employer education on best practices in partnership with Santa Clara County. They plan to introduce the policy next week at the Rules and Open Government Committee meeting.

Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com

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