Elections & Politics Image

Santa Clara County Elections & Politics Articles



San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Trump Tells California GOP: ‘No Way We Lose This State in a Real Election’

The former president railed against Democrats and again claimed the 2020 election was rigged, even though he lost California by nearly two-to-one. The GOP's 2023 state convention also heard from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Image caption: Fast food workers celebrate as Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill raising their minimum hourly pay to $20.
New CA Fast Food Minimum Wage Set at $20 Under New Law

More than half a million fast food workers, mostly minorities and women, will earn higher minimum wage because Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a fast food bill Thursday. But some say that’s not a living wage.

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dies at 90

The California Democrat, the oldest member of Congress, had suffered a precipitous decline in health in recent months.

Image caption: Dianne Feinstein began her career in government six years before current Gov. Gavin Newsom was born.
Dianne Feinstein Dies, ‘Charted Own Path’ in Legendary Career

Dianne Feinstein, California’s longtime senior U.S. senator, has died at age 90, after a legendary career in public life that began in 1961 and took off amidst the turbulent, violent era of San Francisco in the 1970s.

Image caption: Gov. Newsom this week signed a law creating a new 11 percent excise tax on gun manufacturers and retailers.
Gun Manufacturers Fear Days Are Numbered in California

Gov. Newsom just signed a tax on firearms and ammunition, among other new gun control laws. California’s remaining gun manufacturers wonder if they have a future.

Image caption: California workers could receive unemployment benefits if they go on strike. It’s up to Gavin Newsom.
Gov to Decide if Unemployment Benefits Go to Striking Workers

A union-backed bill that would make strikers eligible for California’s unemployment benefits awaits the governor’s signature. Businesses say it’ll cost too much.

Image caption: Kara Meyberg Guzman is one of the hardest working journalists in the business.
Q&A: Kara Meyberg Guzman of Santa Cruz Local

Meet tiny newsroom co-founder Kara Meyberg Guzman, who has been honored by the Local Independent Online News Publishers Association.

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Assessor Stone Given FPPC Warning for 2018 Complaint from Union Leader

Larry Stone, Santa Clara County assessor for 28 years, said he agreed with the FPPC finding, and has changed the mailing list procedures for his annual report.

Image caption: Fewer and fewer Californians every month have health insurance due to thinning of enrollment in the state's free health plan for low-income people.
Thousands of Californians Lost Medi-Cal. Here’s What to Do Now

About 300,000 Californians have lost Medi-Cal coverage since the state resumed eligibility checks. You have options if you get a notice about your coverage.

Image caption: Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to wait for more information before signing a bill that would remove TikTok from most state smartphones.
Newsom Halts TikTok Ban, App to Stay on State Phones

A bipartisan bill to prohibit TikTok on state phones is shelved until 2024. It had breezed through the state Legislature, but the authors want to tweak the measure. It's the latest social media regulation to get stalled in California.

Image caption: In a recent poll, 60 percent of Californians supported use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
How Some Psychedelic Drugs Could Be Decriminalized in California

Psychedelics are having a moment. A nationwide push to bring magic mushrooms and other psychedelics into the mainstream is gaining traction, and some Californians want in.

Image caption: Advocates of allowing public meetings to use COVID-19 pandemic rules say they increase inclusiveness.
Pandemic Rules to Remain for Public Meetings Under New Bill

State boards are backing a bill to continue carve-outs from California’s open meetings law. An unusual coalition of good government, press, taxpayer and industry groups is fighting back.

Image caption: Almost 4 of 10 California Black women work at least two jobs and 62 percent say the second job is "essential."
Poll: California's Black Women are Overworked, Underpaid

A recent state survey reveals 2 in 3 Black women are breadwinners; 8 in 10 worry about discrimination or mistreatment and more like Gov. Gavin Newsom than Vice President Kamala Harris.

Image caption: Feud between the “blue” and “red” governors has been broiling for over a year.
Newsom Vs. DeSantis: Feuding Govs Agree to ‘Red vs. Blue’ Debate

Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis finally agreed to debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom after a feud hat has lasted for more than a year and included DeSantis dumping planeloads of immigrants in Sacramento.

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Hilton announces reelection campaign for Gilroy City Council

Gilroy City Councilmember Zach Hilton announced he will be seeking re-election in 2024. Hilton, a firefighter/paramedic for the Oakland Fire Department, was first elected to the council in 2020 after serving as chair of the Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. “Over …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Blankley seeks to keep mayor’s seat in 2024

Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley got an early start on the 2024 election, announcing July 20 that she will seek to retain her seat next year. In a press release, Blankley, who was elected as mayor in 2020 after serving on …

Image caption: Now-retired Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) was the most outspoken climate denier in Congress for many years.
10 Frequently Heard Claims Made by Climate Deniers

Here are 10 of the most often-heard climate change denial claims and arguments. Do any of them hold any water?

Image caption: The surprising history of climate change denial can be traced back to fears over nuclear war.
It Started With ‘Star Wars’: Understanding Climate Denial

To understand climate change denial, we must go back to the Ronald Reagan presidency and his proposal for the “Star Wars” space-based missile defense system.

Image caption: There won't be big changes to the way Californians vote, but expect some tinkering around the edges.
California Lawmakers Kill Bills to Make Big Election Reforms

The most sweeping bills to change California elections got shelved in the Legislature. Instead, lawmakers are focusing on ballot measure language, local redistricting, voting integrity and campaign finance tweaks before the 2024 election.

Image caption: COVID pandemic measures requiring more sick leave and family days expired, but legislators want to make them permanent.
New Legislation Looks to Improve Work-Life Balance for Employees

Supporters say a series of bills before the Legislature would improve work-life balance by expanding sick days and family leave. But opponents say the proposals would hurt struggling small businesses.

Featured

California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Voting Rights...the Final Frontier
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.
There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained
Areas that the county overlooks can form their own local governments.
California continues to work on legislation that would make voting easier.
Voting Rites
And more bills are on the way to help you make your mark on Election Day.
The cycle of crime and homelessness is escalating, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Homelessness and Crime in California: Even More Complex Than You Think
What causes the cycle of homelessness and crime, and how to stop it.
The California Supreme Court has defined the state’s legal and political agenda for more than 170 years.
How the California Supreme Court Blazes Legal Trails
From its beginnings in the Gold Rush, the state Supreme Court continues to define the state today.
Translated from the Greek, “Democracy” means “people power.” How much power do the people have in California?
People Power! What Is Democracy, and How Does It Work in California?
The Goddess of Democracy is alive and well in California, but that hasn’t always been true.