Tax fatigue, low trust in government, and an aggressive “no” campaign may end up tanking a parcel tax sought by Oakland’s unions and the mayor.
Category: City Hall
Posted inCity Hall
District attorney results: Ursula Jones Dickson leads after early ballot counts
Lots of ballots still need to be counted, but the incumbent Alameda County DA, appointed after Pamela Price’s recall, has 66% of votes so far.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland Measure E: Early results show voters skeptical of parcel tax
Measure C tax relief looks like it will pass, according to the first tally of ballots. But thousand remain to be counted.
Posted inRoads & Transit
Buffy Wicks brings her YIMBY approach to road safety
The state rep has sought to steamroll obstacles to road improvements by limiting public feedback. Yet she was a player in a contentious debate over traffic-slowing measures in her own neighborhood.
Posted inCity Hall
A last-minute voter’s guide to the June 2 primary election
Oakland voters are weighing in on ballot measures and the district attorney — plus governor and a slew of other statewide races. Here’s some helpful information.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland Coliseum sale to Black-led developer group inches forward
Alameda County leaders approved a term sheet for the complicated deal — but there are major unresolved sticking points.
Posted inArts & Community
Why more filmmakers could soon be eyeing Oakland
After advocacy by Oakland filmmakers, Mayor Barbara Lee restored $250,000 for a film rebate program in what was otherwise an austerity budget.
Posted inCity Hall
Recycler at center of FBI corruption probe got inside help from past mayor
Elihu Harris used his influence in City Hall to ask Oakland’s public works director to hear a pitch from California Waste Solutions, according to city records and interviews.
Posted inCity Hall
Rescue dogs from Oakland allegedly killed at shelter in Humboldt County
Oakland Animal Services sent 205 dogs to Miranda’s Rescue last year. The agency has discovered that some animals it sent for adoption were killed and dumped instead.
Posted inOaklandside 510
Oakland’s city administrator resigns after Oaklandside reporting…on the podcast
Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner with Oaklandside 510.
Posted inCity Hall
The Measure E parcel tax fight is hot — and pricey
Oakland’s mayor and public sector unions are sparring with business interests and civic groups over the $34 million proposal for police, illegal dumping, and homeless services.
Posted inCity Hall
His little pony: what happened to Ken Houston’s urban horse?
For years, the District 7 Councilmember kept a small pony on a city-owned lot. But then the complaints rolled in.
Posted inCity Hall
Barbara Lee all but declares she’ll run for mayor in November
But a controversial parcel tax, one that Lee has staked her fortunes on, first faces a vote in June.
Posted inCity Hall
Postmark rules have changed. Experts say vote early or use a drop box
A quiet Trump administration rule change in December means it now takes longer for USPS to postmark mail — impacting which ballots will be counted.
Posted inCity Hall
How is Mayor Lee balancing Oakland’s budget?
City leaders say they’re prepared to make some deep and painful cuts if a parcel tax doesn’t pass.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
‘Take the handcuffs off’: Texts show Oakland officials privately cheering Supreme Court ruling on homeless sweeps
Public records reveal how Jestin Johnson and other officials were pressured to close encampments by developers, and in at least one case, the governor.
Posted inCity Hall
City administrator resigns after crass texts about female employees
Mayor Barbara Lee announced Sunday that Jestin Johnson is stepping down after three years.
Posted inCity Hall
At vague preview of Oakland budget, officials pledge no layoffs or service cuts
Mayor Barbara Lee promoted Measure E, saying the city isn’t counting on the parcel tax but could use it for critical deferred maintenance.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland approves police contract with Israeli company that does business with ICE
Did city leaders ignore a law prohibiting contracts with vendors that work with federal immigration agencies?
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
A tax to support Oakland homeless shelters could be headed to the ballot
Councilmember Charlene Wang wants a real estate transaction tax on foreclosed properties to support services for unsheltered residents.
