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Oakland’s homeless population is growing by 1,000 people per year
The city plans to spend $1.06 billion to cut homelessness 50% in five years – and it isn’t enough. Oakland Agenda Watch
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Battered voter syndrome
A commentary on the abusive relationship between Oakland City Hall and Oakland voters: on leadership, crime, services, encampments, politics and…
 • Oakland Report
Oakland’s police oversight system: auditor’s report raises questions, recommends independent staffing study
City officials sought to move the Office of the Inspector General to the city auditor’s office
 • Rajni Mandal
Police overtime report shows $16.9 million over budget halfway through the fiscal year
Oakland police department is dangerously understaffed with only 509 sworn officers on active duty – far below the minimum threshold of 700 set by…
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Voter turnout and "strong mayor": equal voices or skewed by districts?
A dialog with an Oakland Report subscriber and the authors of our March 2 commentary, “Oakland voters should reject the inadequate ‘strong-mayor…
 • Oakland Report

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Oakland: $34 million property tax increase appears headed for June ballot
Union-sponsored signature campaign collects required number of signatures to qualify; Oakland city council set to formally put the measure on the June 2…
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Oakland voters should reject the inadequate “strong-mayor” proposal
Mayor Barbara Lee’s Charter Reform Working Group recommendations would be a step backwards for accountability and transparency inside City Hall.
6:01
Oakland's surplus mirage sets the stage for a $34 million tax increase
The city and its unions are preparing a parcel tax increase on the June ballot using budget maneuvers and a union-funded "citizen-sponsored" campaign to…
 • Oakland Report
Nearly 25% of Oakland SEIU members have quit the union and stopped paying dues
Disillusioned with Service Employees International Union Local 1021’s focus on political activities, former Oakland union members are seeking to…
 • Seneca Scott
44% of Oakland’s proposed $34 million tax increase would go to union payouts
Public employee unions are spending $400,000 to pass the tax increase which would mainly pay for a contingent raise they negotiated in 2025
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Mayor Barbara Lee: Strengthening government accountability through charter reform
Mayor's charter reform working group published its recommendations for reforming Oakland's governance model
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Commentary

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Battered voter syndrome
A commentary on the abusive relationship between Oakland City Hall and Oakland voters: on leadership, crime, services, encampments, politics and…
 • Oakland Report
Voter turnout and "strong mayor": equal voices or skewed by districts?
A dialog with an Oakland Report subscriber and the authors of our March 2 commentary, “Oakland voters should reject the inadequate ‘strong-mayor…
 • Oakland Report
Oakland voters should reject the inadequate “strong-mayor” proposal
Mayor Barbara Lee’s Charter Reform Working Group recommendations would be a step backwards for accountability and transparency inside City Hall.
Oakland's surplus mirage sets the stage for a $34 million tax increase
The city and its unions are preparing a parcel tax increase on the June ballot using budget maneuvers and a union-funded "citizen-sponsored" campaign to…
 • Oakland Report
6:01
Nearly 25% of Oakland SEIU members have quit the union and stopped paying dues
Disillusioned with Service Employees International Union Local 1021’s focus on political activities, former Oakland union members are seeking to…
 • Seneca Scott
Mayor Barbara Lee: Strengthening government accountability through charter reform
Mayor's charter reform working group published its recommendations for reforming Oakland's governance model
Any charter amendment that does not eliminate ranked-choice voting is a waste of time
Also: OUSD board members accept our invitation to break bread; Democracy Dollars wasn’t enough for council members; Prostitution has exploded since…
 • Oakland Report and Sean S. Reinhart
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Oakland's surplus mirage sets the stage for a $34 million tax increase
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Sean S. Reinhart
Oakland’s homeless population is growing by 1,000 people per year
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Oakland Report
Battered voter syndrome
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Tim Gardner
Oakland is beautiful and we deserve better - Letters to the Editor
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Bob Borek
Oakland school board (OUSD) approves $102.5 million in budget cuts in 5-2 vote
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Oakland Report provides reasoned, evidence-based analyses and critiques of the policies, actions, and inactions of our city, county, and state governments.
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