Only in San José

Episode 34: 2025 Measure A Explained

Join host Ellina Yin and County Executive James R. Williams to tackle the 2025 Measure A, a temporary Santa Clara County Sales Tax for the upcoming Special Election on November 4, 2025. Santa Clara County Residents will understand the why’s and how’s of this Measure as we dive into the details and the math! Early Voting at the Registrar of Voters Office : 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose, CA 95112 Dates & Hours * Monday - Friday, October 6, 2025 – November 3, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. * Saturday and Sunday, October 25, 2025 – October 26, 2025, November 1, 2025 – November 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. * Election Day, November 4, 2025, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guest: James R. Williams [https://ceo.santaclaracounty.gov/meet-county-executive-and-chief-operating-officer] is the County Executive for the County of Santa Clara, a position he has held since July 2023. James began his career with the County in 2010 as a Social Justice and Impact Litigation Fellow in the Office of the County Counsel. He is a first-generation American and the first person of color to lead the largest and most diverse county in Northern California. ⁠⁠Only in San José⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyinsj]/Only in Santa Clara County is a civic education podcast series dedicated to demystifying and democratizing the process of local government and civic participation in the City of San José. ⁠About Us⁠ [http://www.onlyinsj.org] ⁠| ⁠Join Patreon ⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/onlyinsj]| ⁠One Time Donation⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UMAZC9SLUVPMU] | ⁠Volunteer⁠ [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSH4v1BqIaF-WjMhkMl_yBLHqV0wZNOeBc9pNbYZBjuPvcVg/viewform] Music: Spunker by Blue Dot Sessions (https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/271482) Creative Commons License Attribution - Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) *Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Resources:  1. Santa Clara County Voter Information: https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/elections/november-4-2025-statewide-special-election [https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/elections/november-4-2025-statewide-special-election] 2. County of Santa Clara Finance and Government Operations Committee October 16, 2025 2:00 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/live/hDKpRfIGsPk?si=u15jXx_xfm7kNgcb&t=870 [https://www.youtube.com/live/hDKpRfIGsPk?si=u15jXx_xfm7kNgcb&t=870]  3. Impacts of Federal Budget Cuts https://www.santaclaracounty.gov/federalfunding [https://www.santaclaracounty.gov/federalfunding]  4. Statement from County Executive James R. Williams on the Passage of H.R. 1 https://news.santaclaracounty.gov/statement-county-executive-james-r-williams-passage-hr-1 [https://news.santaclaracounty.gov/statement-county-executive-james-r-williams-passage-hr-1]    5. 2025 Measure A https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/list-local-measures-2 [https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/list-local-measures-2]  6. H.R.1 Bill Text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1 [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1]

Episode 33: H.R.1 Impacts Explained

Join host Ellina Yin and County Executive James R. Williams to unpack what the newly passed H.R.1 means for Santa Clara County. This bill includes the most significant cuts in our nation’s history to Medicaid and food assistance — jeopardizing health care and food for millions of Americans. Learn how this federal law could reshape daily life for residents—and what the County is doing to prepare. Guest: James R. Williams [https://ceo.santaclaracounty.gov/meet-county-executive-and-chief-operating-officer] is the County Executive for the County of Santa Clara, a position he has held since July 2023. James began his career with the County in 2010 as a Social Justice and Impact Litigation Fellow in the Office of the County Counsel. He is a first-generation American and the first person of color to lead the largest and most diverse county in Northern California. ⁠⁠Only in San José⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyinsj]/Only in Santa Clara County is a civic education podcast series dedicated to demystifying and democratizing the process of local government and civic participation in the City of San José. ⁠About Us⁠ [http://www.onlyinsj.org] ⁠| ⁠Join Patreon ⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/onlyinsj]| ⁠One Time Donation⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UMAZC9SLUVPMU] | ⁠Volunteer⁠ [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSH4v1BqIaF-WjMhkMl_yBLHqV0wZNOeBc9pNbYZBjuPvcVg/viewform] Music: Spunker by Blue Dot Sessions (https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/271482) Creative Commons License Attribution - Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) *Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Resources:  1. County of Santa Clara Finance and Government Operations Committee October 16, 2025 2:00 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/live/hDKpRfIGsPk?si=u15jXx_xfm7kNgcb&t=870 [https://www.youtube.com/live/hDKpRfIGsPk?si=u15jXx_xfm7kNgcb&t=870]  2. Impacts of Federal Budget Cuts https://www.santaclaracounty.gov/federalfunding [https://www.santaclaracounty.gov/federalfunding]  3. Statement from County Executive James R. Williams on the Passage of H.R. 1 https://news.santaclaracounty.gov/statement-county-executive-james-r-williams-passage-hr-1 [https://news.santaclaracounty.gov/statement-county-executive-james-r-williams-passage-hr-1]    4. 2025 Measure A https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/list-local-measures-2 [https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/list-local-measures-2]  1. H.R.1 Bill Text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1 [https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1]

Episode 32: County Assessor Special Election

Join host Ellina Yin  and Guest David Ginsborg, as we unpack the upcoming Special Election for Santa Clara County Assessor on November 4. This episode breaks down who’s running, what each candidate stands for, and why this often-overlooked office plays a critical role in how property taxes fund our schools, cities, and public services. We’ll also address circulating misinformation, clarify what’s fact versus fiction, and help you make sense of what’s truly at stake in this election. You can check out the full episode on the County Assessor here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/onlyinscc/episodes/Episode-13-County-Assessors-Office-with-David-Ginsborg-e39jgmv/a-ac7ata8 Early Voting at the Registrar of Voters Office : 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose, CA 95112 Dates & Hours * Monday - Friday, October 6, 2025 – November 3, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. * Saturday and Sunday, October 25, 2025 – October 26, 2025, November 1, 2025 – November 2, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. * Election Day, November 4, 2025, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guest Bio: In 2021, David K. Ginsborg retired from nearly 30 years in government service which included serving as one of the youngest Chiefs of Staff for then Congressman Bob Filner; Policy Director for Supervisor Ron Gonzales; and most recently for nearly 25 years for Assessor Larry Stone as his Deputy Assessor. Previously he also worked in commercial real estate in southern California. ⁠⁠Only in San José⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyinsj]/Only in Santa Clara County is a civic education podcast series dedicated to demystifying and democratizing the process of local government and civic participation in the City of San José. ⁠About Us⁠ [http://www.onlyinsj.org] ⁠| ⁠Join Patreon ⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/onlyinsj]| ⁠One Time Donation⁠ [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UMAZC9SLUVPMU] | ⁠Volunteer⁠ [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSH4v1BqIaF-WjMhkMl_yBLHqV0wZNOeBc9pNbYZBjuPvcVg/viewform] Music: Spunker by Blue Dot Sessions (https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/271482) Creative Commons License Attribution - Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) *Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.   Resources: 1. Santa Clara County Voter Information: https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/elections/november-4-2025-statewide-special-election [https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/elections/november-4-2025-statewide-special-election]  2. Candidate: Bryan Do https://www.bryando.org/ [https://www.bryando.org/]  3. Candidate: Neysa Fligor https://www.voteneysaforassessor.com/ [https://www.voteneysaforassessor.com/]  4. Candidate: Rishi Kumar https://rishikumar.com/ [https://rishikumar.com/]  5. Candidate: Yan Zhao https://www.yan4assessor.com/ [https://www.yan4assessor.com/]  6. Partial/Reduce Property Tax Exemptions for qualified Seniors: https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/states-that-exempt-seniors-from-property-taxes/ [https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/states-that-exempt-seniors-from-property-taxes/] County Assessor Office: https://www.sccassessor.org/ [https://www.sccassessor.org/]  7. Annual Assessor Reports: https://www.sccassessor.org/forms-and-publications/annual-report [https://www.sccassessor.org/forms-and-publications/annual-report]

Episode 31: The 2025 Silicon Valley Pain Index

In Episode 31, join host Ellina Yin and the team behind the Silicon Valley Pain Index (SVPI) for a deep dive into this year’s report. The Annual Silicon Valley Pain Index features new data that highlights the region’s persistent inequalities. The SVPI was originally inspired by Professor Bill Quigley's Katrina Pain Index [https://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/20/new-orleans-katrina-pain-index-ten-who-was-left-behind] following the devastating 2005 hurricane and later by 2020 Black Lives Matter national protests in the wake of the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Guests: Dr. Michael Dao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at San Jose State University and currently serves as the Associate Chair in the Department of Kinesiology and is the current Director of the SJSU Human Rights Institute. Dr. Anji Buckner-Capone is an Associate Professor, Public Health and Recreation, College of Health and Human Sciences and practitioner of community health promotion with expertise in program planning and evaluation, health education, and advocacy. Ruth Melton is a fourth year at San Jose State University, majoring in Communication Studies. She was a student assistant and co-author for the 2025 Silicon Valley Pain Index report released this month. Her interest in working with families and education comes from her non-profit involvement over the years. Briyana Costa holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health (MPH), with a concentration in Community Health Education at San José State University. ⁠Only in San José⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyinsj] is a civic education podcast series dedicated to demystifying and democratizing the process of local government and civic participation in the City of San José. About Us [http://www.onlyinsj.org] ⁠| Join Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/onlyinsj]| One Time Donation [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UMAZC9SLUVPMU] | Volunteer [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSH4v1BqIaF-WjMhkMl_yBLHqV0wZNOeBc9pNbYZBjuPvcVg/viewform] Episode Resources: 1. SJSU Silicon Valley Pain Index: https://www.sjsu.edu/hri/policy-projects/svpi/index.php [https://www.sjsu.edu/hri/policy-projects/svpi/index.php] 2. Human Rights Institute: https://www.sjsu.edu/hri/about/index.php [https://www.sjsu.edu/hri/about/index.php] 3. Support the Human Rights Institute with a Donation [https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1771/lg23/form.aspx?sid=1771&gid=3&pgid=531&cid=1295&dids=4726] 4. Contact Person: Dr. Michael Dao michael.dao@sjsu.edu [michael.dao@sjsu.edu]  5. SB33 (Dave Cortese) [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB33]guaranteed income for unhoused high school seniors 6. SB685 (Dave Cortese) [https://sd15.senate.ca.gov/news/senator-dave-corteses-bill-give-financial-leg-homeless-high-school-students-wanting-college] pilot program covering full cost of college attendance (at select universities) for unhoused youth 7. AB3229 (Alex Lee) [https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab3229]pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among CalFresh recipients Music: Spunker by Blue Dot Sessions (https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/271482 [https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/271482]) Creative Commons License Attribution - Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) *Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

Episode 30: Voting Rights Pt 2 the Down Ballot with Dr. Angelica Cortez

Episode Synopsis:  In this Voting Rights Pt 2 episode: Ellina Yin speaks with Dr. Angelica Cortez about the presidential election and the importance of the Down Ballot vote. Guest: Dr. Angelica "Gel" Cortez is a nonprofit executive, organizer, and leading voice in the Filipina/x/o American power building movement. Voted as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence and 40 Under 40, she is the mind behind multiple civic and health equity campaigns across the state and nation. She is the current Executive Director of LEAD Filipino [https://leadfilipino.org/] and first Senior Vice President of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) for Pacific Clinics [https://www.pacificclinics.org/], the largest mental and behavioral health service provider in California. Additionally, she is the owner of FancyHeadz [https://fancyheadz.com/], a social enterprise that produces headwear and accessories to support health services in Southeast Asia. 2024 Voter Guide: https://linktr.ee/onlyinsj2024 Learn more about Only in San José: www.onlyinsj.org Resources: 1. Emancipation Proclamation (1863) [https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation] 2. Civil Rights Act (1866) [https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/civil-rights-act-of-1866-april-9-1866-an-act-to-protect-all-persons-in-the-united-states-in-their-civil-rights-and-furnish-the-means-of-their-vindication] 3. Voting Rights Act (1965)  [https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act] 4. 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights (1868) [https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/14th-amendment] 5. 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Voting Rights (1870) [https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/15th-amendment] 6. California Voting Rights Act  (2001) [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=ELEC&division=14.&title=&part=&chapter=1.5.&article] 7. California Code, Government Code - GOV § 54950  [https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/government-code/gov-sect-54950/] 8. The California Voting Rights Act and Local Governments by David C. Powell, California State University, Long Beach [https://escholarship.org/content/qt031405xr/qt031405xr_noSplash_8347fa41c58afabae968f5a27eaf18d4.pdf?t=pgic0a]  9. Post-Election Trends in County of Santa Clara https://data.sccgov.org/stories/s/m73k-nkyp [https://data.sccgov.org/stories/s/m73k-nkyp]  10. Pew Research Center, Voter Turnout 2018-2022 https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/07/12/voter-turnout-2018-2022/ [https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/07/12/voter-turnout-2018-2022/]  11. State-by-State Youth Voter Turnout Data and the Impact of Election Laws in 2022 https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/state-state-youth-voter-turnout-data-and-impact-election-laws-2022 [https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/state-state-youth-voter-turnout-data-and-impact-election-laws-2022]  12. APIA Vote Surveyhttps://apiavote.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-Asian-American-Voter-Survey-Report.pdf [https://apiavote.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-Asian-American-Voter-Survey-Report.pdf] Mis/Disinformation Tools: 1. InVID Reverse Search Tool: https://www.invid-project.eu/tools-and-services/invid-verification-plugin/ [https://www.invid-project.eu/tools-and-services/invid-verification-plugin/]  2. Lateral Reading and the Nature of Expertise: Reading Less and Learning More When Evaluating Digital Informationhttps://purl.stanford.edu/yk133ht8603 [https://purl.stanford.edu/yk133ht8603]  3. Hive Ai Detection Softwarehttps://thehive.ai/apis/ai-generated-content-classification [https://thehive.ai/apis/ai-generated-content-classification]  4. Dare to be Greyhttps://www.daretobegrey.com/home [https://www.daretobegrey.com/home]  Media Clips 1. Springfield, Ohio Public Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/justgalsbeingchicks/comments/1g5t3si/a_woman_from_springfield_ohio_addresses_the_towns/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button [https://www.reddit.com/r/justgalsbeingchicks/comments/1g5t3si/a_woman_from_springfield_ohio_addresses_the_towns/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button]  2. https://www.tiktok.com/@sunrisemvmt/video/7426126368271781151 [https://www.tiktok.com/@sunrisemvmt/video/7426126368271781151] Music: Spunker by Blue Dot Sessions, Creative Commons License Attribution - Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) *Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.