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Budget

Frustrated Oaklanders prioritize the basics: a clean, safe, affordable city
Oakland’s Budget Advisory Commission released the results of its bi-annual survey. It showed broad frustration with city governance, and agreement on…
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Mike Forbes
4
Oakland's MACRO missed all of its pilot project goals—so the city expanded it
MACRO was pitched as a panacea that would “reimagine” policing, save money, and improve lives. Instead, it cost the city about $10M during a fiscal…
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Tim Gardner
14
Oakland Report chat room on Oakland's budget
A private space for subscribers to converse about budget ideas
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Oakland Report
You can influence Oakland's next budget
The Budget Advisory Commission seeks your input on the FY25-26 budget
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Mike Forbes
5
Oakland's city employee counts show a dramatic shift in service priorities over five years
Public safety staff declined by 206 employees (-12%), and other departments added 336 employees (+13%). Police are slated to bear the majority of…
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Tim Gardner
21
PODCAST: Oakland leaders perpetuate misinformation to justify public safety cuts
Oakland's council, city administration, and labor leadership are locked in a game of misinformation to advance their narrow interests. It may result in…
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Oakland Report
4
9:08
Oakland leaders perpetuate misinformation to justify public safety cuts
Oakland's council, city administration, and labor leadership are locked in a game of misinformation to advance their narrow interests. It may result in…
 • 
Tim Gardner
44
“If we do not change course, we will be roughly $115 million negative. We have already breached into our emergency reserve.”
Transcript of Budget Administrator Bradley Johnson’s remarks at Oakland City Council
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Oakland Report
13
12:38
PODCAST: 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
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Oakland Report
7:46
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
28
Podcast: Oakland's Pension Debt Problem
A 12-minute conversation explaining Oakland's pension debt issue, and what it means for the City it's residents
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Oakland Report
2
12:31
Oakland paid $450M in 2023 for pension costs and above-inflation wage increases
The city paid more than $130M in interest alone on its pension debt—far more than its $100M annual deficit, which it just sold the Coliseum to pay. It…
 • 
Tim Gardner
21
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