Dear Neighbor, 

Silicon Valley and cutting-edge technology are basically synonyms. And it only makes sense – we have the talent, creativity, world-class educational institutions, intellectual property, and infrastructure that makes innovation possible. 

Since before the launch of the internet, San Jose has been a place for entrepreneurs, engineers and inventors to come together – often in a tiny garage or windowless basement – and change the world. 

The personal computer, the smart phone, search engines, and GPS – things kids couldn’t imagine not existing – were all conceived or created here in the South Bay. 

And we want to stay on the cutting edge. One of the next big technological revolutions will be driven by artificial intelligence, and we should be doing everything we can to attract and foster the minds and companies advancing this technology. To this end, Vice Mayor Kamei, Councilmember Cohen, and I recently put forward a multi-pronged vision for making San Jose a center for AI research and development: 

• Launching an Economic Development Pilot Program
• This pilot program would support the launch and re-location of AI companies to San Jose with the goal of improving the AI ecosystem and quality of life in San Jose. We are anticipating this will create specific incentives for companies such as energy discounts, tax and fee rebates, and potentially expedite the city’s planning and permitting process.

• AI Startup Ecosystem
• Through partnerships with the private sector and academic institutions, our goal is to establish incubators, accelerators, applied laboratories, and co-working spaces to support and grow the network of individuals working in AI in San Jose. We have signed a letter of intent with a Sunnyvale incubator and are currently in preliminary discussions with other such organizations. 

• Asking Innovators to Solve City Problems 
• Our city – like all big cities – has big problems. Homelessness, crime, blight, traffic safety and the like. We should be asking our engineers and entrepreneurs to help us solve these problems by sharing what we’re seeing in the field, convening them with city staff, and applying their work to real-world civic problems. 

• Privacy and Security Protocols
• Building on our IT Department’s national leadership in this space, we will continue to convene cities from around the world to share best practices and develop guidelines for the use of AI in government and beyond.  

In the coming months, we will continue to explore how we can test and implement AI solutions, foster economic growth and innovation, and create the technology of tomorrow ethically and equitably. If you have thoughts or ideas on how we can spur economic growth and innovation, especially related to AI, here in San Jose, please submit them right here.

Sincerely, 

Mayor Matt

Each year, San Jose’s mayor hosts “State of the City” – an event to reflect on where we’ve been and look ahead to where we’re going. This year, we’re doing things a little differently – and I hope you’ll join us! Leading up to the event next Saturday, my team and I will be highlighting the people and organizations solving our most pressing challenges. 

Our Week of Action will culminate in a State of the City that thanks you for all you’ve done – and invites you to get even more involved. We’ll be asking you to commit to doing something that will improve quality of life in your neighborhood – each opportunity centered on one of our four focus areas: homelessness, crime, blight, and economic development. Whether you pick up a graffiti kit to help keep our streets free of vandalism, or a hygiene kit to give to a homeless neighbor in need, know that this small action on your part means big change for our community. 

You can RSVP here.

We did it! Despite significant initial opposition, so many of you came together to organize and make the common sense case for bold action that you inspired the VTA board to get behind putting all 200 tiny homes at VTA’s Cerone site.

Soon Cerone will be home to 200 of our homeless neighbors who will have the opportunity to turn their lives around. This is exactly the kind of action we must take to end San Jose’s era of encampments. Thank you to my colleagues Vice Mayor Kamei, Councilmembers Foley, Cohen, Jimenez, Gilroy Mayor Blankley, and to VTA for being a strong partner in ending our homelessness crisis. Above all, thank you for fighting with us to end homelessness.

Both bills we’ve been championing were signed into law this week! We spoke up, and our statewide leaders listened. 

SB43, conservatorship reform, will soon help our most vulnerable neighbors get the care they need. AB645 will make our streets safer and take us one step closer to our Vision Zero goals. 

I could not be more grateful to you. Many of you advocated for and followed along as these bills went through the legislative process. I want to thank you for paying attention and pushing for change! This is an incredible example of our democratic processes working for us. 

I want to share a little bit about what I believe these bills will do for our city. 

• SB43 
• Authored by Senator Susan Eggman, SB43 is a significant new tool that will prevent neighbors from endlessly cycling through our streets, jails and hospitals. We still have much to do to address the challenges of mental health, substance abuse and homelessness, but seeing action like this at the state level makes me hopeful for a future in which we have a system that works for everyone in need.

• AB645 
• Allows San Jose, along with five other cities in California, to pilot the use of speed safety cameras near schools and along our most dangerous local roads. Last year, we lost 65 neighbors to traffic accidents on local roads. Speed safety cameras are in use across the country and they work–areas that have deployed them see an over 50% reduction in traffic accidents.

Our animals can’t speak for themselves – but luckily, we have dedicated staff, volunteers, rescue partners and advocates who speak for them. This week, Vice Mayor Kamei, Councilmembers Doan, Ortiz, and Torres and I asked for an audit of our Animal Care Center to add another voice to the conversation – an independent voice to evaluate concerns, see how our shelter stacks up against industry standards, and make sure we are providing the best care possible while our animals wait for their forever home. This is an important step toward what staff, volunteers, rescue groups and the community all want: the shelter to be the best it can be, and to provide the best care possible to the animals we serve. You can find the full memo requesting an audit right here.

P.S. Our shelter is still significantly over its planned capacity! You can do your part to give an animal a home by clicking here.



In the wake of a brutal terrorist attack on Israel, we have seen shocking antisemitism online and across the world. We must stand together against this antisemitism and against all those spreading hate. We have no room for terrorism in a just world. No room for mass murder, war crimes, oppression or hatred aimed at races, ethnicities, or religions. 

Right now, children in Gaza and children in Israel are paying a horrible price for a world that is not of their making. We in San Jose must make room to mourn all of the innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives lost in the past week, seek empathy across cultural and religious differences, and commit ourselves to making our city a beacon of hope for others.

San Jose is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Nearly half of our residents immigrated here from another country. We come from every corner of this planet, and we practice every faith. I am proud to live in our remarkable city, where we recognize each other's humanity, feel each other's pain, and most importantly hold on to hope that by working together we can create a peaceful and inclusive community where we share the same opportunities today regardless of where we lived yesterday. I wish you and your families peace and solace during this difficult time.

State of the City 2023

Saturday, October 21st at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

San Jose City College, 2100 Moorpark Avenue San Jose, CA 95128

Over the past 9 months, Team Mahan has been working every day to focus City Hall on the basics – homelessness, blight and crime. While we still have a long way to go to create the safe, clean city we all deserve, I want to celebrate our work together and the progress we’ve made so far at our annual State of the City. Capacity is limited, so make sure to save your spot and RSVP today! http://qrco.de/StateOfTheCity 

26th Annual Día De Los Muertos Community Day 

Saturday, October 28th at 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

City View Plaza, Corner of Market Street and San Fernando

Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with a day full of live performances, workshops led by local artists and community leaders, and calavera de azúcar, or sugar skull, decorating! The Procession starts at City View Plaza at 12:20pm and travels around the César Chávez Park to the San José Museum of Art corner of Market and San Fernando streets. Learn more here.

Community Fun Fair at Jeffrey Fontana Park

Saturday, October 28th at 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Jeffrey Fontana Park, Meridian & Oak Glen Way

Enjoy an afternoon of fun, friends, and family-friendly activities at the Community Fun Fair! Martin Fontana Parks Association is hosting a free event, featuring face-painting, music, food trucks, a bounce house, a dog parade, and more! 

Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful Clean-Up

Sunday, October 29th at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location Provided Upon RSVP

Take action and help beautify Coyote Creek and the surrounding trails with Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful! Join KCCB to pick up litter from the surrounding trails and playground, remove debris from the creek, and more. Please RSVP here. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Snack with Matt townhall! Paul and the Kenshō Social family were great hosts — I highly recommend stopping by Kenshō for ramen the next time you’re in Little Saigon! We had a great time discussing how we can combat graffiti on freeway signs, how we are coordinating with the District Attorney to stop crime, and sharing details about upcoming clean ups – all over a delicious bowl of mazemen ramen. Join us at our next Snack with Matt event for the opportunity to support a local small business and ask me your toughest questions about our city: https://qrco.de/SnackWithMatt-Interest

Last weekend, we partnered with Plata Arroyo Neighborhood Association, BeautifySJ, and Councilmember Ortiz for an amazing Dumpster Day! Plata Arroyo Neighborhood Association is the oldest in District 5, celebrating 25 years of community building and collective action. We've been working with PANA to clean up the neighborhood, especially Plata Arroyo Park, which they adopted in July. Thanks to all the volunteers who came out and helped us fill 5 dumpsters’ worth of neighbors’ unwanted junk and items that had been illegally dumped in the surrounding area! 

What a beautiful day at O.B. Whaley Elementary School! At this year’s Beautiful Day event, WestGate Church and over 100 volunteers stepped in to make magic happen. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work, fixing the Friendship Garden, enhancing the campus landscape, and adding a splash of color with a beautiful mural. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a weekend of collective action — we hope to see you at Beautiful Day next year!

We have exceptional neighbors all over San Jose! San Josean Meagan McKee is a 4-time Highland Games World Champion, boasting numerous record-breaking titles in heavy hammer throwing. The hammer throwing event features a 16lb metal hammer, which athletes whirl around their head before throwing as far as possible. Meagan threw the hammer 101’11,” breaking her own world record! Congratulations to Meagan on her amazing achievement!