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Battered voter syndrome
A commentary on the abusive relationship between Oakland City Hall and Oakland voters: on leadership, crime, services, encampments, politics and…
 • Oakland Report
Oakland’s police oversight system: auditor’s report raises questions, recommends independent staffing study
City officials sought to move the Office of the Inspector General to the city auditor’s office
 • Rajni Mandal
Police overtime report shows $16.9 million over budget halfway through the fiscal year
Oakland police department is dangerously understaffed with only 509 sworn officers on active duty – far below the minimum threshold of 700 set by…
 • Sean S. Reinhart
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: $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

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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.
6:01
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
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…
 • Seneca Scott
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
Mayor Barbara Lee: Strengthening government accountability through charter reform
Mayor's charter reform working group published its recommendations for reforming Oakland's governance model
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
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Commentary

View all
Battered voter syndrome
A commentary on the abusive relationship between Oakland City Hall and Oakland voters: on leadership, crime, services, encampments, politics and…
 • 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…
 • 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.
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
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…
 • 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
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…
 • Oakland Report and Sean S. Reinhart
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Oakland's surplus mirage sets the stage for a $34 million tax increase
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Battered voter syndrome
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Police overtime report shows $16.9 million over budget halfway through the fiscal year
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Oakland school board (OUSD) approves $102.5 million in budget cuts in 5-2 vote
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