Bill author Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, and criminal justice reform advocates say some eligible prisoners received harsh sentences under a system that may look at their crimes differently today. They say inmates have worked hard to change themselves and atone for their crimes, and they no longer belong in prison.
In the News
Fentanyl’s toll now includes a growing number of children.
Melanie’s Law, making its way through the California legislature, is named after Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old who died from a suspected fentanyl overdose last September at a Hollywood high school.
The College of Adaptive Arts–the nation’s first inclusive higher education program for people with differing abilities–was awarded $2.2 million in state funding Friday morning to expand its workforce development program and offerings for students.
A South Bay senator is hoping to speed up affordable housing production statewide with a new bill aimed at trimming back red tape in California’s main environmental law.
The California State Assembly and State Senate passed legislation this week intended to help speed up the development of affordable housing across California.
Senate Bill 406, authored by Senator Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, cleared the State Senate on concurrence Thursday and is now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for consideration.
A virtual LGBTQ history project in Silicon Valley is looking for a physical space three years after it first debuted online. But finding a downtown San Jose location it can afford has been difficult to secure.
As Silicon Valley’s Black population continues to shrink, local leaders are celebrating a decades-long effort with a new cultural center to honor the history and contributions of Black residents.
The Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center is slated to open its doors in 2027, with the help of $3 million in state funds thanks to the efforts of state Sen. Dave Cortese.
Students and community members who attended the recent Silicon Valley Climate Summit at Cupertino’s De Anza College came away with information about issues ranging from plant-based diets to clean energy to a circular economy.