Comments for San José Spotlight

Comment on Santa Clara County could lose millions in food assistance by Joe Smith

Joe Smith — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:20:25 +0000

“This formula works since the federal government can operate at a deficit and print money when needed, unlike state governments.”

That’s not explicitly true. Through funny business accounting the state can, and likely has already, cooked the books so that it looks like we have a balanced budget. I think it just takes them creative thinking on how they value things and how we estimate how large revenues will be in later years.

Eventually, it all falls apart because at some point people, contractors, government employees and so on all need to receive cash in their bank accounts. Until the state can’t make those payments and we have checks bouncing, the average Joe like me has no way to know for sure how balanced the budget is or isn’t. Are we 1 year away or 10 years away from state checks bouncing?

Comment on Sunnyvale’s retail protection plan falls short by C L

C L — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 22:55:36 +0000

The state decided that it doesn’t matter what local communities want, and they falsely determined that the only way to lower housing costs is to build as many units as possible on an acre of land. This, of course, isn’t the biggest issue (not enough units) in places like north county – the true issue is the volume of tech workers that will pay $2M for a small home or $6,000/month for a 2 bedroom apartment. If you build more without an affordable requirement – then you are just building more very expensive housing. Whether Builder’s Remedy or SB330 – it’s just more really bad ideas coming from the state – and their “solutions”, as usual, are just causing more problems.

Comment on Next Santa Clara County assessor could reshape the valley by Joe Smith

Joe Smith — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:48:45 +0000

“It would also be interesting to see if the next assessor will be more political – advocating for stuff in Sacramento — things like split rolls, dealing with Prop. 13, dealing with exemptions for certain properties, especially with what we’re seeing in Washington, D.C.,”

Just what we want, the DEI assessor.

What happened to “candidates seeking to do one elected job: Determining property taxes”?

I think that’s what we want. Traditionally, property values and property taxes are determined by the sales prices of comparable properties, not by politics. Trying to make the position and having actions taken by the assessor motivated by politics won’t likely turn out well for the county or that assessor.

Comment on Santa Clara County fights to stop homelessness by Lisa Reeve

Lisa Reeve — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:46:22 +0000

In reply to mike X. Most homeless in San Jose were born and raised in Santa Clara County and/or California. As a matter of fact over the last 5 years the fastest growing homeless population is elderly that have been priced out of housing and kids that have aged out of foster care. Also undocumented immigrants can not collect any benefits. So nobody is "supporting" any of them.

Comment on The Biz Beat: Mommy’s Bánh Mì in San Jose knows best by Mitch

Mitch — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 15:43:38 +0000

The best Banh Mi. The bread was fresh and crunchy, packed with lemongrass chicken and fresh veggies. Both the sandwiches and bowls have generous portions. Friendly staff too!

Comment on Santa Clara County property values up while growth slows by Dennis K

Dennis K — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 15:34:20 +0000

The amount of real estate fraud, as in fraudulent deeds and fake mortgages on the record in this county is a joke. The lack of procedural requirements to pass “notarized” deeds across the desk of the clerk is a joke. The DAs refusal to investigate the fraud on real estate and elderly is a joke. The number of “appointed” judges in this county is a joke. The number of Jesuit “programmed” lawyers in this county is a joke. And Stone resigned, not retired. Cindy went to New Mexico. The rats are leaving the ship.

Comment on San Jose to add more multifamily affordable housing by Victoria Barrow

Victoria Barrow — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 14:58:44 +0000

I’m always glad to see new affordable housing developments in the pipeline — it’s absolutely needed. That said, I hope lessons are learned from sites like Vitalia, which has struggled with low occupancy despite being open for over a year. Clients who do meet eligibility requirements often wait months to hear back, and the rent levels (around $1,850 for a studio) are still too high for many low-income residents. I’d love to see more emphasis on streamlining the application process, ensuring clear communication from management, and aligning affordability levels with the actual incomes of people experiencing housing insecurity.

Comment on Silicon Valley officials rally to defend immigrants from ICE by lasmsj

lasmsj — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:07:53 +0000

@joe and Billy
She said, “stand up for…”. Not the same as impeding a federal officer.
We all know to count you out Joe. Your comments on here make it your views obvious.
Also, just because they are taking action in support of immigrant families, doesn’t mean they should become political prisoners..nor does it mean they’re full of hot air..big stretch Bill.

Comment on Santa Clara County fights to stop homelessness by mike X

mike X — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:10:12 +0000

In reply to SJCA. All correct !!

Comment on Santa Clara County fights to stop homelessness by mike X

mike X — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:08:25 +0000

Fight to stop homelessness?? Yeah, OK. Lets see,….the last incompetent administration let in over our border around 14 million homeless illegal aliens. Newsom admitted thousands of those homeless into California did he not?? Exactly who’s supposed to foot the bill for them??