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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
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
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
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 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
"Death and taxes" - Oakland City Council is the one who knocks
The city council finance committee spitballs ideas to extract an additional $40 million in taxes from its residents and businesses
 • Sean S. Reinhart
Measure NN’s oversight commission wields unprecedented citywide power
Oakland’s newest citizen commission now controls $45 million a year and the city’s overall public safety strategy.
 • Rajni Mandal
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
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
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