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S.J. must prioritize more housing quickly
San Jose continues to face one of the worst housing affordability crises in the country. Many working residents, students and young professionals cannot afford to live in the community where they work and study.
While the city has discussed solutions for years, the cost of housing keeps rising faster than wages. This is pushing people out of Silicon Valley and weakening the local workforce that supports our economy.
San Jose needs to prioritize building more housing, especially affordable units for middle- and low-income residents. Without serious action, the city risks becoming a place where only the wealthiest can afford to live.
Housing should not be treated as a luxury. It is a basic foundation for stable communities, economic opportunity and a city with a thriving community. If San Jose wants to remain a vibrant and inclusive place, solving the housing crisis must be a top priority.
Kezia ArugaySan Jose
S.J. must get new citizens involved
For a city whose population is nearly 40 percent foreign-born, of which more than half are naturalized citizens, San Jose needs to do more to engage its immigrant communities in the civic process.
Immigrant Americans have attained high levels of education, contribute billions of dollars to the local economy and make up a disproportionate share of the labor force, yet they are less likely to vote or participate in politics than their U.S.-born counterparts.
Many aren’t informed enough about national — let alone state or local — politics to participate meaningfully in our democracy. This is especially true for older immigrants who arrived here later in life.
The city needs to meet them where they are.
The multiracial democracy we are building in the United States is an amazingly ambitious project, but it requires that we actively involve the growing segment of new Americans who are just getting started.
Ashley KangSan Jose
Raise the standards to get a driver’s license
Many drivers on our roads appear unable to read or properly understand traffic signs, lane markings or basic rules of the road. This is not just frustrating, it’s dangerous. Anyone who has watched drivers ignore signals, misuse turn lanes or panic at intersections can see the problem.
Driving knowledge is a safety issue. If someone cannot make safe decisions when turning or lacks awareness, they should not be operating a two-ton vehicle at high speeds. Our licensing standards should reflect that.
The practical exam should be more rigorous, and a passing grade of 80% should be reconsidered to ensure drivers understand traffic laws. Driving is not a right; it is a responsibility. If we want safer streets in the Bay Area, we need to make sure every licensed driver can read, understand and follow the rules of the road.
Aaron QuachSan Jose
PG&E charge punishes those who conserve
PG&E customers are going to see a separate “base service charge” on their electrical statements starting in March. The utility claims it’s not an additional charge or new fee; it will rather be a portion of the bill in a fixed monthly cost to those who use the least amount of energy. This can be charged to people who rent small apartments, seniors and those who conserve energy.
Regulators should not penalize conservation if they want electrification. Yes, bills should be kept transparent, but there should be limits on fixed fees, and PG&E should demonstrate reliability improvements before collecting additional monthly revenue; higher bills should not result from fixed fees.
Jenna MenifeeSan Jose
For Muslim Americans, head scarves a choice
As Ramadan begins, many Muslim Americans choose to dress more modestly. Some women begin wearing the hijab, and others continue wearing it for years to come. Yet a Muslim woman in a headscarf still ignites accusations of oppression.
Such rhetoric raises the questions: Where does true empowerment come from? Must a woman reveal more of her body to be empowered? Can a woman still be free while choosing to wear a headscarf?
True freedom means respecting a woman’s autonomy and her right to decide whether to cover her hair or not.
Ruby HusainzadaSan Jose
State dishonors war dead with absence
Re: “Trump attends ceremony for soldiers killed in the Middle East” (Page A5, March 8).
The bodies of the six service members killed in the war in the Middle East were received and transferred on Saturday. The deceased were residents of five separate states.
The president, vice president and several cabinet members were on hand to honor these patriots. There were also representatives of each state (Iowa had seven in attendance), including the host state, whose only involvement was receiving the bodies.
Disgracefully, the only state conspicuously absent was California.
I want to personally acknowledge and honor the service of Robert Marzan of Sacramento. Our leaders are poor representatives of the deep appreciation that this citizen wishes to express. My deepest condolences to his family.
Kathryn TomainoLos Altos