Santa Clara County Business, Economy & Jobs Digest

Legislators are pushing ahead with a retail theft bill package in their continued opposition of Proposition 36 — a November ballot measure backed by law enforcement groups and Republicans (and some Democrats) that would roll back parts of 2014’s Prop. 47.

The City of Palo Alto is working out how to shift parking to accommodate bike lanes on El Camino Real.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles granted approval for Mountain View-based self-driving car company Nuro to test a new model of autonomous vehicle on local streets.

In his 2018 campaign, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would create 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. So far, the state has registered more than 180,000 new apprenticeships. Many of them are firefighters.

After years of delay, a new California regulation to protect indoor workers from extreme heat is now in effect.

California Forever’s announcement July 22 that it has decided to pull a ballot measure that would have let voters decide on a controversial planned city in rural Solano County drew swift reaction from political leaders and opponents.

On July 22, California Forever announced it was withdrawing its initiative to amend the Solano County General Plan off the November ballot and would instead begin working with the county through the normal, though less expeditious, process.

A judge has halted a union effort at the Wonderful Company, throwing into question a new state law designed to make it easier for agricultural workers to organize.

California courts have long upheld below-minimum wage pay for prison inmates working a wide range of jobs. A 2024 ballot measure that would ban forced labor could alter those decisions.

A mother picks up her son from daycare in Richmond on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Marissa Leshnov for CalMatters

The weekly Cupertino Farmers Market is seeking a new location after losing their lease at the De Anza College's parking lot.

A program for low-income, first-generation STEM students at community colleges is receiving millions of dollars to expand across the state.

Private-sector jobs in California have declined since their post-pandemic peak, while public-sector employment has shown gains, the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office says.

A seven-story housing development has been proposed for an under 2-acre site on Los Gatos Boulevard, but will require the demolition of a longtime community fixture.

Patelco Credit Union restored some online services but is still working to unlock customer access to accounts following a crippling ransomeware attack on July 3.

Patelco Credit Union systems were crippled in a ransomware attack and unable to resume banking operations.

On June 19, California YIMBY announced support for the California Forever project going to the Solano County ballot in November.

Local real estate development company Lakeside Community shared feedback collected over several sessions expressing local resident input about desired uses for the 114-acre former golf course.

On June 12, a pre-application was submitted by philanthropic organization Emerson Collective for a 300-unit affordable housing mixed-use development in East Palo Alto.

The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury released a report on Measure J and the City of Santa Clara's deal with the San Francisco 49ers, finding the city was "outplayed."

On June 11, Solano County elections officials announced the verification of necessary signatures for the California Forever sponsored initiative to amend the county General Plan to be on the November ballot.

A panel of labor experts at the CalMatters Ideas Festival say California workers should have more access to more apprenticeships that pay more. Barriers still exist, especially for women and low-income Californians.

An economic mobility report released on May 30 detailed economic and housing inequalities in Morgan Hill.

Site preparation for a mixed-use development of retail and offices and 2400 units of house is set to commence at the site of the former Vallco Shopping Mall in Cupertino.

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, flew more 6,000 miles to Rome this month to deliver a brief speech on climate change at a Vatican-sponsored conference.

A proposal was unveiled for dual 28-story towers with 529 units of housing and some retail and a restaurant on East Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose.

As Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators spend the next few weeks fashioning a state budget that’s plagued by a multibillion-dollar deficit, they can’t count on a booming economy to make their task easier.

More than half of the U.S. House supports a bill to extend the funds, but it can’t get out of committee.

It’s been more than 18 months since Apple Inc. last updated its iPad line, marking the longest gap in new models since Steve Jobs first unveiled the product in 2010. The drought finally ends on May 7.

Service connects at-home moms with working moms to provide accessible and affordable child care.

A mixed-use development of 75 condominiums and retail space is being proposed for 800 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto.

The City of Mountain View is studying the state of local Internet service for a citywide broadband needs assessment.