While you were focused on elections, California proposed making it harder to add more solar powerDespite the hurricanes that recently devastated communities from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Tampa, Fla., homeowners with solar panels and…Nov 13, 2022Nov 13, 2022
Opinion: Please don’t call quick-build transitional housing ‘tiny homes’Every major city grappling with homelessness can point only to an array of imperfect solutions. With learning, innovation and iteration…Nov 11, 2022Nov 11, 2022
Clarification: Solutions Silicon Valley and Political AdsA recent Spotlight article links me to political attack ads by groups, such as the Realtors PAC and the Small Biz PAC against Cindy Chavez…Nov 7, 20221Nov 7, 20221
The Back Story: Cops, Crime, & CampaignsI’ve generally stayed quiet in the mayoral campaign; candidates should take center stage, and not outgoing mayors. It’s not a secret that I…Nov 6, 2022Nov 6, 2022
The Back Story: The Less Interesting Truth About the BART Extension’s Rising CostsIn the next day or so, the Mercury News will publish a story about the BART Silicon Valley extension. The story will likely feature a…Nov 3, 2022Nov 3, 2022
The Back Story: PG&E Lacks Accountability for Faulty Equipment Failures Leaving 100,000 San José…In a frustrating and menacing replay of August 2020, fears of heat-induced rolling blackouts resulting from insufficient load capacity…Sep 8, 20222Sep 8, 20222
The Back Story: The Facts About Police Staffing“Truth is the first casualty in war.”Aug 15, 20221Aug 15, 20221
The Back Story: Homelessness, Quick-Build Housing, and Our NeighborhoodsRecent controversy has emerged over the City Council majority’s decision to construct “quick-build apartment communities,” as I call them…Jul 25, 2022Jul 25, 2022
The Back Story: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Norman Y. MinetaMayor Liccardo delivered the following address at the June 16, 2022 memorial honoring the late Norman Y. Mineta:Jun 17, 2022Jun 17, 2022
The Back Story: Supporting Ukraine, and Standing Against WarAmid the horrors perpetrated by the Russian military upon the Ukrainian people, we should focus on concrete actions that help Ukrainian…Jun 10, 2022Jun 10, 2022
Back Story: How We’ve Righted the Budgetary Ship — and Why It Matters To YouThe Council and City management has been wrestling with budgetary decisions in recent weeks. As you can read in my March budget message…Jun 2, 20222Jun 2, 20222
Opinion: County must re-think release of dangerous pandemic-era inmatesSanta Clara County has quietly undergone a pandemic-era experiment of releasing unprecedented numbers of jail inmates. Before the county…May 9, 20221May 9, 20221
The Back Story — On BART Costs and Texts: I Would Do It AgainThe Mercury News posted an article yesterday with a click-worthy title (“Liccardo, VTA hid soaring cost, texts reveal”), but unfortunately…May 5, 20223May 5, 20223
The Back Story: This Earth Day, We Have Much to Do. Here’s What We’ve Done….This Earth Day, we have plenty of grim reminders about our challenges ahead– such as a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on…Apr 22, 2022Apr 22, 2022
The Back Story: San José Road Fatalities Need Focused ResponseA week ago, we lost a 25-year-old resident Diego Castanon to another tragic roadway fatality. According to news accounts, Diego rode his…Mar 28, 20221Mar 28, 20221
The Back Story: The California Exodus and Housing CostsI was asked to speak a bit about the future of the state that we love. As I stand here, I am mindful of the irony of a group of business…Mar 14, 2022Mar 14, 2022
My 2022–2023 March Budget MessageI released my March Budget Message, outlining my Proposed Budget for the 2022–23 fiscal year.Mar 9, 2022Mar 9, 2022
The Back Story: High-Rise Fee ReductionsLast month, the Council unanimously voted to apply its longstanding policy on high-rise housing to reduce City fees on a residential…Mar 5, 2022Mar 5, 2022
The Back Story: BAs a Board Member of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), I don’t purport to speak for the agency. On several occasions, I’ve…Feb 23, 2022Feb 23, 2022
