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When I read The Oakland Report, it is easy to see how the local "media" got us into this mess. My friends share Oaklandside on Social Media but this article is a good example of how they angle their stories only in support of their favored "progressives" instead of doing what they do here to explain what actually happened. In oaklandside.org/2024/03…
When I read The Oakland Report, it is easy to see how the local "media" got us into this mess. My friends share Oaklandside on Social Media but this article is a good example of how they angle their stories only in support of their favored "progressives" instead of doing what they do here to explain what actually happened. In https://oaklandside.org/2024/03/28/oakland-bracing-for-another-budget-deficit/, there are two things the reader is supposed to takeaway:
1. City Has Done A Great Job, especially Nikki Bas
"The most significant revenue drop is from real estate transfer tax—a levy imposed on the sale of residential and commercial properties. The city received a record amount of this tax revenue in fiscal year 2021-2022 and city staff correctly predicted there would be a drop off when crafting last year’s biennial budget. But staff didn’t foresee just how big the decline would be."
"Oakland is also facing shortfalls in revenue from sales tax and business licenses, the latter bringing in $9.53 million fewer dollars than the city hoped for. Business license tax revenue would have been even lower if not for Measure T, the progressive business tax approved by voters in 2022." (No mention of Crime???)
"Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas said there are “opportunities and challenges” as the city prepares to adjust the budget. Bas, who played a pivotal role in balancing the biennial budget last year, said she believes it is important for Oakland to find ways to raise funds before considering cuts that would lead to layoffs."
Police Bad
1. "All but one city department are spending on or under budget. The Oakland Police Department is projected to overspend its 2023-2024 budget by $25.6 million. This is primarily due to overtime shifts worked by officers."
2. "As in most cities, Oakland spends a disproportionate amount of its general fund on police and fire services. During the last budget cycle, police received an increase in funding while some departments cut their budgets. OPD was supposed to reduce its overtime, however, as in previous years the department spent significantly more than it should have."