Patrick on the Issues

Jobs

With a 13.4% unemployment rate, Patrick believes we need to do more to create jobs.

Job creation starts with improving our business environment - ensuring that companies launch, relocate or expand their businesses here in San Jose. Patrick knows from his own experience that small businesses are a critical part to this effort. He believes the city should work to provide relief for small businesses so they have the confidence that hiring more employees and expanding their operations will pay off financially.

Patrick will also work hard to find creative ways to provide incentives for cutting edge companies in high tech, clean tech and biotech to set up shop in San Jose. His plan also calls for reaching out to San Jose and Silicon Valley CEOs to start a discussion of how to keep jobs here instead of outsourcing work overseas.

Public Safety

With a down economy, law enforcement needs all the help they can get to keep the crime rate down, especially in regards to gang activity. To improve public safety, Patrick believes we must first steer budget cuts away from police and fire departments. As mentioned above, the City Council should not consider any proposal to layoff to officers and firefighters. And the police should be exempt from any efforts to implement a hiring freeze by the city.

Patrick recently met with Police Chief Rob Davis to address another issue – better communication. District 7 and some other districts have many English-learner residents and breakdowns in communication with law enforcement have led to breakdowns in trust within some communities. On the City Council, Patrick will work to implement programs that establish clearer channels of communication between residents and police officers and firefighters.

Health Care

As a Health Advisory Commissioner for Santa Clara, Patrick has always advocated for prevention measures.  For example, obesity, especially in children, is the cause of a whole array of medical problems and is reaching an alarming pandemic level. On the City Council, Patrick will work to address this issue through extensive education and participation of parents in co-operation with public health authorities at the City and County levels.

Budget Deficit

San Jose’s budget deficit for next year is expected to hit $100 million mark. (To be more updated to the reality-- $116.2 million-- according to the San Jose Mercury News issue of March 14, 2010; please read the testimonials section for more information.) That could mean unacceptable cuts to public safety and other critical departments.

Patrick believes improving our budget situation goes back to creating a better business environment. He wants to do more to promote the businesses within District 7. This increased business activity will generate more sales taxes and create more jobs. Also, as someone in touch with our community and a volunteer himself with numerous social services, Patrick will work with our neighborhoods to find ways where residents can do more to help soften the blow of budget cuts.  Finally, Patrick strongly supports plans put forth by the League of Cities to protect San Jose’s tax dollars from the state legislature.

Education

There is no doubt that education will play an increasingly important role in the future of our children and our country.  The jobs of tomorrow will require much higher technical skills as the latest technology replaces routine work.

Patrick wants to create a stronger partnership with San Jose schools by meeting on a more regular basis with San Jose Unified School District officials. Out of those meetings he hopes to find ways for increase cross-use of resources between the city and the school district, saving money for everyone.   Patrick has also pledged to meet regularly with superintendents and other school officials within District 7. And he will work closely with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services to fund and implement after-school programs.