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Charter Reform series

Oakland’s police commission could be headed for reform
A new proposed charter amendment would change how commissioners are chosen, move the Inspector General under the City Auditor, and remove the…
 • Alex Montana
City council seeks a pay raise of up to 125% – which would be among the highest in the nation
Oakland city council is set to consider a charter amendment that would give city councilmembers substantial pay raises as part of a charter reform…
 • Alex Montana
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.
Mayor Barbara Lee: Strengthening government accountability through charter reform
Mayor's charter reform working group published its recommendations for reforming Oakland's governance model
Libby Schaaf: Give Oaklanders what they want and need: a strong mayor
Former mayor Libby Schaaf lays out the case for a citizens’ initiative to reform Oakland’s charter and put in place a true strong-mayor form of…
Loren Taylor: Oakland needs a council-manager government — or needs to eliminate ranked-choice voting
A former city council member and mayoral candidate explains why he changed his mind about Oakland's form of government.
 • Loren Taylor
Steven Falk: Oakland Should Return to the Model City Charter
Oakland Charter Reform Project kicks off our charter reform series exploring Oakland’s city charter and how it potentially could change in 2026.
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