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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'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
Oakland set to declare “extreme fiscal necessity” again, coordinate with unions to increase property taxes
City council finance committee to review the FY 2024-25 revenue and expenditure report, annual consolidated financial report, and a proposed parcel tax…
 • Sean S. Reinhart
New taxes: Oakland public employee unions collecting signatures for a new parcel tax
The city council is already counting the money — they added $40 million in hoped-for income to the city budget, assuming that voters will approve the…
 • Oakland Report
Why I changed my mind about Oakland school closures
A former Oakland Unified School District board member shares why he voted for school closures in 2022, after voting against them in 2021.
 • Oakland Report
Oakland’s quarterly financial report is delayed until March, amplifying budget risks
The city is skipping its Q1 Revenue and Expenditures Report this year. And the Q2 report will not be available until early March, leaving only four…
 • Tim Gardner
Oakland school board (OUSD) approves $102.5 million in budget cuts in 5-2 vote
Details of the how and where of cuts remain vague; it relies on speculative enrollment gains; and did not include closing or consolidating…
 • Bob Borek
A day of budget reckoning for Oakland Unified School District
The agenda is worth 1.5 million words – and 108 hours of reading. Can the school board save Oakland’s schools from a state takeover? – Oakland Agenda…
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Oakland schools budgeting 101: how Oakland schools are funded
OUSD’s budget crisis is playing out in slow motion in the public eye. Understanding the district's options starts with understanding how OUSD is funded.
 • Bob Borek
Oakland school board kicks budget can down the road, passing “absolute minimum requirements” for county’s approval
County superintendent Castro approved this year's budget in a highly critical letter to OUSD, noting the district is still on the path to insolvency
 • Bob Borek
Oakland can’t sell infrastructure bonds approved by voters due to fiscal mismanagement, Grand Jury reports
City of Oakland responds to Grand Jury report that cites "stunning failures" of governance
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Oakland schools budgeting 101: a primer on OUSD’s budget process
A brief overview of how OUSD's budget is governed and how decisions are made
 • Bob Borek
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