From official newsletter
Beyond the Big Game
Apr 04, 2026, 9:57 PM • Anthony Tordillos
Summary
San José recently celebrated the SJ26 events and the Big Game with vibrant community participation, but late-night violence downtown has prompted a focus on improving safety for residents and visitors alike. Preparations are underway for the upcoming Music Mania festival starting March 27, offering diverse musical genres. The newsletter highlights the ongoing Schools of Tomorrow process addressing declining enrollment, with potential elementary school closures and boundary changes impacting District 3 families; key meetings are scheduled for February 24 and March 3. The City Council approved placing a transient occupancy tax increase on the June ballot to raise up to $10 million, prioritizing reinvestment in hotel-heavy communities and arts support. Additional updates include new speed humps in Japantown, Backesto Park improvements, and community engagement opportunities such as the Cli…
Related causes
Key positions and references
Key positions
- Prioritize improving late-night downtown safety
- Support transient occupancy tax increase to prevent service cuts
- Monitor and inform on Schools of Tomorrow school consolidation
- Reinvest TOT revenue in hotel-heavy communities and arts
Agenda items and issues mentioned
- Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee options for elementary school closures
- Transient Occupancy Tax measure for June ballot
- Installation of speed humps on 5th Street in Japantown
- Backesto Park pest control and facility improvements
Meetings and events mentioned
- Schools of Tomorrow meetings on February 24 and March 3
- Schools of Tomorrow Public Hearings on February 24, March 3, and March 7
- Office hours at Roy’s Station on February 21
- Dumpster Day volunteer event on February 14
Full newsletter
This newsletter is best viewed in its original format.
RSVP for Coffee with a Councilmember on February 21! Dear neighbors, As we head into the weekend, I’m still in awe of how San José turned out for our first SJ26 celebrations . Whether you enjoyed a drone show or one of our concerts at City Hall, partied at San Pedro SuperFest, or celebrated San José at the State of the City, last weekend was unforgettable.…