San Jose’s Budget Crisis: The Fight to Protect Jobs & Services Continues
The City of San Jose has released its latest budget forecast, and while the projected shortfall has dropped from $60 million to $45.7 million, the threat of layoffs and service cuts is still very real.
Mayor Matt Mahan is pushing a false choice—he wants to permanently shift Measure E affordable housing dollars to fund his tiny home project, leaving essential services at risk. This is not the only option, and we must continue to apply pressure to stop cuts to jobs and city services.
What’s in the Five-Year Budget Forecast?
Revenue is on the rise. The City is expecting $49 million in increased revenue from Property Taxes, Utility Taxes, and other sources.
Speculative revenue drops. The City is assuming a $6 million drop in Cardroom Tax, despite no confirmed regulatory changes, and a $2.6 million decrease in fines and penalties, rather than looking at ways to expand revenue.
Measure E funding is at risk. The Mayor is proposing to shift $39.2 million from affordable housing to homelessness support—a move that would permanently eliminate affordable housing funding while failing to address the root causes of the housing crisis.
City strategies to “balance” the budget include:
Reviewing vacant positions—potentially eliminating jobs instead of filling them.
Cutting contracts—potentially an opportunity to bring work in-house and protect city jobs.
Exploring new revenue options—but without clear plans or commitments.
The bottom line: The City has options to avoid layoffs and service cuts, but we have to hold them accountable and demand they make the right choices.
Now is the Time to Act – Join the Fight!
Show Up at the MLK Rally – March 13th
We need to send a strong message to City Hall that cuts are not the answer. Be there to fight for jobs and services. RSVP HERE
Sign the Pledge to Protect Jobs & Services. Let’s make it clear: No layoffs. No cuts. No budget games. Sign the Pledge Here
This fight isn’t just about one budget year—it’s about protecting workers, services, and the future of San Jose. The decisions made now will have lasting impacts on our jobs, our families, and the communities we serve.
Let’s make sure our voices are heard. RSVP, sign the pledge, and stay engaged. Together, we can stop these cuts!
