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Leadership Vacuum at Oakland’s Human Services Department Exposes Systemic Failures
A failed 2023 plan to dismantle Oakland’s Human Services Department left a leadership void, now filled by interim staff amid fiscal uncertainty.
 • 
Joe Turner
3
Election results follow long-established voting patterns in Oakland
East Oakland had a disproportionately low influence due very low voter turnout, but slightly favored Lee. West Oakland/Temescal and district 4 dominated…
 • 
Tim Gardner
9
“Our officers have been conditioned to do as little as possible—to stay out of trouble”
Zealous investigations of Oakland police officers have created a downward spiral of morale and performance
 • 
Rajni Mandal
12
Oakland's MACRO missed all of its pilot project goals—so the city expanded it
MACRO was pitched as a panacea that would “reimagine” policing, save money, and improve lives. Instead, it cost the city about $10M during a fiscal…
 • 
Tim Gardner
16
Oakland City Council used illegal votes to change city ordinances
In December, the city council relied on tie-breaking votes from recalled mayor Sheng Thao, a violation of city and state law. A lawsuit may be filed…
 • 
Brenda Harbin-Forte (Ret.)
 and 
Seneca Scott
8
Oakland's city employee counts show a dramatic shift in service priorities over five years
Public safety staff declined by 206 employees (-12%), and other departments added 336 employees (+13%). Police are slated to bear the majority of…
 • 
Tim Gardner
21
We can balance Oakland’s budget without selling the future
Seven actions could save the city $200M per year without wage cuts, pension cuts, selling city assets, or gutting public safety
 • 
Tim Gardner
28
Podcast: Oakland's Pension Debt Problem
A 12-minute conversation explaining Oakland's pension debt issue, and what it means for the City it's residents
 • 
Oakland Report
2
12:31
Most ballot measure questions in Alameda County are biased
A volunteer body composed of former Alameda County Grand Jurors started a new rating system to help voters understand which ones are misleading
 • 
Tim Gardner
11
Oakland paid $450M in 2023 for pension costs and above-inflation wage increases
The city paid more than $130M in interest alone on its pension debt—far more than its $100M annual deficit, which it just sold the Coliseum to pay. It…
 • 
Tim Gardner
21
Oakland employee compensation grew 2.5 times faster than inflation, far outpacing other cities
Since 2013, Oakland grew employee compensation by $411M. That’s $184M more than needed to keep pace with inflation. It far exceeds raises of other…
 • 
Michael Ubell
 and 
Tim Gardner
37
Oakland 2024 crime trends are mixed, but CHP efforts are delivering significant impact
Compared to 2023, homicides and firearm assaults are down 10-20%, but residential robberies have doubled. For other crimes, the data is still unclear.
 • 
Tim Gardner
5
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