Senator Dave Cortese’s Initiative Leads to Cooperative Agreement Between State and City of San Jose Addressing Blight and Litter

SAN JOSE, CA – As Chair of the California State Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Dave Cortese (D – San Jose) met earlier this year with former Caltrans Director, Tony Tavares,  and current Secretary of Transportation, Toks Omishakin, at the request of City of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, requesting that the state agency enter into a cooperative agreement that would authorize the City of San Jose to directly conduct removal of blight and litter at 13 different Caltrans interchange areas within the city’s limits. A cooperative agreement between Caltrans and the City of San Jose has finally been reached and announced by the Governor’s Office. San Jose now joins 21 other cities that have signed onto similar agreements, including the cities of San Diego and San Francisco.  

“Residents throughout San Jose have expressed frustration and great concern over the increase of blight and litter along Caltrans property adjacent to their residential neighborhoods. Blight and litter along freeway interchanges has posed a threat to public safety,” said Senator Dave Cortese. “This cooperative agreement is a win-win for everyone providing additional staff capacity and resources to remove blight and litter more quickly as well as prioritizing temporary shelter placement for unhoused residents residing along Caltrans property.” 

Since 2021, Caltrans has removed more than 19,000 encampments on state right-of-way and collected approximately 354,000 cubic yards of litter and debris through these cooperative agreements. From July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Caltrans removed 115 unsheltered encampments in the City of San Jose – an increase of more than 50% from the previous year – and collected 9,200 cubic yards of debris. The cooperative agreement streamlines the process for relocating and sheltering the unhoused population on state property. It further requires the city to adhere to strict state standards when engaging with the unhoused population safeguarding their rights and dignity. 

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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