Commentary

'Where is my tax money going?': KTVU 2 News interviews Oakland Report

Television station KTVU invited Oakland Report managing editor Sean Reinhart to talk about Oakland's many taxes.

Apr 18 • Oakland Report

13:08

Oakland union boss threatens fire station closures unless voters approve tax hike – despite the city's past broken promises

Oakland’s 20-year record of diverted tax funds, fire station cuts used for political pressure, and a firefighters union that continues to back new tax…

Apr 13 • Sean S. Reinhart

The Bookmark: a cornerstone at the intersection of Broadway and civic self-reliance

A volunteer-driven nonprofit bookstore redefines public service in Oakland — and demonstrates the power of Oakland’s people to thrive despite chronic…

Mar 29 • Sean S. Reinhart

Eliminating standardized testing undermined University of California’s own admissions goals

Standardized tests improve fairness in admissions while increasing opportunities for high performing students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Mar 23 • Oakland Report

75% of Black Oakland residents surveyed say the taxes they pay are not worth it

Also: Nine out of ten Black survey respondents said crime and public safety are 'concerning' or 'extremely concerning' — the highest concern level of…

Mar 21 • Loren Taylor

Battered voter syndrome

A commentary on the abusive relationship between Oakland City Hall and Oakland voters: on leadership, crime, services, encampments, politics and…

Mar 14 • 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…

Mar 8 • 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.

Mar 2

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…

Feb 28 • 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…

Feb 23 • 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

Feb 21

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…

Feb 7 • Oakland Report and Sean S. Reinhart

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