San José

City Council

Report Cards

Our perspective on the performance of Mayor Matt Mahan and the city council on issues that matter to us, and the people we serve and organize.

Here's how the mayor and council can earn straight A's in 2024

Report Cards

San Josė City Council Reports for 2023 - New and Improved!

Six members of the city council debuted in 2023 and a seventh, Mayor Matt Mahan, was previously in a different role. So in our third year of handing out grades we’re making changes to make the report cards more informative and ensure they reflect how the mayor and council are performing now.

These changes are:

  • Archiving the grades from 2017 - 2022 and starting everyone with a clean slate.

  • Rather than assessing whether someone has supported interim shelter in their district, we will rate whether someone stands up to “NIMBYs,” people who oppose affordable housing and interim shelter.

  • Weighting some votes differently based on how important the issue is to the people Sacred Heart serves.

  • Giving extra credit - or taking credit away - when someone champions an issue or is in particularly vociferous opposition.

  • An explanation of why we think each item is good or bad.

  • A “study guide” that tells the mayor and councilmembers how to earn an A in 2024 and beyond.

  • A special section called “The Bully Pulpit” for the mayor to grade how he is using his platform to help or harm the people Sacred Heart serves and stands in solidarity with.


It takes time to develop a record, so for now, every councilmember will have an “incomplete” next to the decisions they made in 2023. With one exception: Mayor Matt Mahan has earned a D+ for using his platform to call more attention to the humanitarian crisis of homelessness while undercutting the only proven long-term solution: permanent affordable housing.

Explanation of grades in 2023

COPA
A vote for Community Opportunity to Purchase (COPA) is good because it would give low-income renters the chance to pool resources and purchase long-term stability for themselves and their families.

Measure E
Voting to protect Measure E was good because it’s the city’s only dedicated funding to jumpstart affordable permanent housing projects. Permanent is the only actual solution to our homelessness crisis.

Interpersonal Violence Pilot
A vote to include this project in the budget was good because people harmed by domestic violence will be able to get support without involving the police if that’s what they choose. This is a small step to a safer community.

Independent Police Auditor
Voting to limit the power of the independent police auditor was bad because it preserves more power for law enforcement to police themselves.

Use of Force
A vote to track pulling a gun as a “use of force” was good because it is a simple common sense measure of accountability.

Wage Theft
A vote to protect workers against wage theft and create accountability for employers who do it is a good vote.

To earn an A in 2024 the mayor and council should take these actions:

Housing, Homelessness and Tenant Protections

  • Pass a policy to give low-income residents preference to move into new affordable homes in their neighborhoods

  • Approve a study to learn how the city can help tenants facing eviction with legal counsel or other support

  • Protect Measure E funds for permanent supportive housing

  • Expand safe parking for people living in recreational vehicles

  • Pass no bans or any other policy that criminalizes people for being unhoused

Community Safety

  • Create an “Office of Violence Prevention” or something similar to have non-police oversight of alternative models and programs to increase community safety

  • Fund Santa Clara County to expand TRUST access in San José

  • Create an equitable program to deploy speed cameras and prioritize traffic safety investments wherever cameras are placed

  • Use a deep analysis of 911 calls to identify types of calls that can be best handled by people without guns

  • Increase investments in BEST programs that help students build a bright future and increase safety in our neighborhoods

Economic Justice and Good Governance

  • Pass an ordinance to implement Measure I that will create accountability for all city staff and elected officials to deliver equity for all residents in programs, policies, budgets, services and amenities.

  • All additions or cuts to the city budget preserve services with an eye toward racial and economic justice.

  • Make good on a recent resolution to help working families have affordable childcare.