Take Action Now
June 11: San Jose City Council Meeting
On June 11, the City Council will vote to move forward the plan to offer “Know Your Rights” training for fast food workers in our budget. Developed in partnership with the County, this training program will ensure workers receive their full wages and won’t cost the City extra money from the General Fund. Let’s flood the City Council meeting on Tuesday with our support for fast food workers in San José. Whether in person, via Zoom, or through email, let your voice be heard loud and clear!
- Learn more about how the Fast Food Fair Work Ordinance can be a transformative force for the 13,000 fast food workers in San José and the communities who depend on them.
- Join fellow San José community members and sign the petition to call for a Fast Food Fair Work Ordinance.
- Send a letter to our City Council letting them know you support ‘Know Your Rights” training for fast food workers.
- Review the talking points and instructions for the City Council meeting on June 11.
Why your voice matters
Providing public comments during local City Council meetings is important for several reasons:
Representation and Participation: Public comments allow citizens to participate in the democratic process by voicing their opinions and concerns directly to their elected representatives. This helps ensure that the government is responsive to the needs and viewpoints of the community.
Transparency and Accountability: Public comments contribute to the transparency of local government proceedings. They provide an opportunity for issues to be raised publicly and for discussions to be held in the open, increasing the accountability of elected officials.
Informed Decision-Making: Hearing from members of the public can provide City Council members with valuable insights and perspectives that they may not have considered otherwise. This can lead to more informed decision-making.
Community Engagement: Public comments can foster a sense of community engagement and involvement in local governance. When citizens feel that their voices are heard, they are more likely to stay engaged in civic affairs and take an active interest in the well-being of their community.
Checks and Balances: Public comments serve as a form of checks and balances within the democratic system. They provide a mechanism for citizens to hold their elected officials accountable and to ensure that decisions are made in the public interest.
Overall, public comments during City Council meetings are an important way for citizens to participate in the democratic process, hold their elected officials accountable, and contribute to the effective functioning of local government.
Every San José resident has the opportunity to speak directly to their representatives – and have a voice in their governance.
City Council meetings are vital to civic engagement
Every week, our city council members gather to make decisions that impact all our lives, ranging from issues like childcare and housing to pedestrian safety and beyond. It is a crucial forum where the voices of the community can be heard and valued. Every San José resident has the opportunity to speak directly to their representatives, playing an active role in the governance of our city.
City council members actively seek input from regular San José residents and their constituents, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives — especially from those who will be directly impacted by a decision. This process not only provides an avenue for residents to share in decision-making but also serves as a mechanism to hold our elected representatives accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities.
Public comments are open to everyone, requiring no special qualifications. Here’s everything you need to know so you can make your voice heard through this process:
All you need to know
- Public comments are open to anyone, and no special qualifications are required.
- Comments carry more weight when they come from individuals directly impacted by a decision or legislation. If you or your community will be affected, make your voice heard.
- Each speaker will have 1 minute to speak, with those needing translators receiving double the allotted time.
- The Mayor and City Clerk determine speaker time allocations based on the number of speakers. Time cannot be ceded to another speaker.
- In-person comments are generally taken first, and the order is based on sign-up or call-in. The Mayor and City Clerk maintain the discretion to alter the order of speakers.
- In-person attendees must sign up at the table to the left when entering the council chambers to speak. If you don’t sign up here, you won’t be able to comment. Working Partnerships USA staff can assist you if needed.
Tips for providing public comment + sample talking points
- Only speak during the agenda item that pertains to your comment
- If you attempt to provide comment before or after the item, the mayor or chairperson will cut you off. It is possible that we will each only have one minute to speak, so writing your comment beforehand and practicing it may help you stay on time.
- State upfront who you are, your connection to San José and what you are speaking for:
- “Hello, my name is ________ and I am from ________ and a member of the ________.
- I’m here to support ________.
- State why you are supporting this or the values that brought you here.
- Include your main calls to action again.
Thank you for participating in local democracy!
