![]() ![]() Council term limits and more-Measure XĬouncilmember Kalb was also the author of Measure X, which would establish term limits for councilmembers, allowing them to serve no more than three consecutive terms, or twelve years total. “The point is to attenuate the effects of large money, to give Oaklanders a larger voice, and to give all candidates a chance to run a viable campaign,” she said. Gail Wallace, the vice president of the League of Women Voters Oakland, told The Oaklandside that her group was “extremely pleased and excited” with the results after 3-5 years of helping to develop Measure W. And they worry about independent expenditures, which remain unlimited due to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case. ![]() Opponents to Measure W have said the $4 million it’ll take from the general fund every two years is too much for a city with lots of needs and not enough funding. “Measure W will empower Oaklanders to have a bigger influence, and ensure candidates are listening to voters rather than special interests,” said the group Oakland Rising Action in an email this morning. Measure W is based on a similar program in Seattle, which has seen more engagement in elections by eligible voters and more diverse pools of candidates running for office. “This is now an opportunity to change that dynamic to incentivize candidates for office to go after smaller contributions from all over the city.” “Historically most campaign donations to local races in Oakland come from just a few zip codes, from those who are mostly white, upper-middle class,” said District 1 Councilmember Dan Kalb, who supported Measure W. These “democracy dollars” are intended to boost participation in the election and level the playing field of campaign finance, which is currently dominated by a handful of affluent residents, corporations, unions, and outside interests who spend the majority of money each cycle. The measure will provide about $4 million worth of vouchers every two years to Oakland residents to contribute to candidates for mayor, council, school board, and other local offices. The coalition of statewide and local organizations behind Measure W, including Common Cause California, ACLU of Northern California, Asian Law Caucus, Oakland Rising Action, and the League of Women Voters Oakland are optimistic for its passage. is due by Maso it’ll be available next year for the 2-year budget process.” “Democracy Dollars”-Measure W “I’m pleased we were able to give it a start date of January 1, 2023. If Measure T passes, Bas said it will be a boon for the city’s next budget. “That makes for a stronger biz climate,” she said. But large businesses also supported or didn’t oppose the measure because they acknowledged it would increase city funding for services to deal with illegal dumping, fire safety, infrastructure maintenance, homelessness services, and much more. “Small businesses came on board much more readily for a number of reasons,” said Bas, including tax relief. “The returns look really promising,” said Bas, who authored the measure and, along with District 4 Councilmember Sheng Thao, negotiated with business groups and unions to reach a compromise that avoided a expensive fight with competing ballot measures or opposition. It’s estimated to raise about $20 million in new revenue each year for Oakland. Measure T will lower tax rates for small businesses and increase rates by a small amount for large companies with more profits. ![]() Maribel Gonzalez, executive director of the education policy group GO Public Schools, which campaigned for Measure S, announced they’re confident the measure has passed in an email yesterday. Measure S, which would extend the right to vote for school board representatives to noncitizens who are parents or guardians, also looks to be passing with 58% of early votes in favor. “It’s been very meaningful to me personally, after a controversial first year and a half on the board, to be involved so deeply with such a positive campaign that unified students, community and labor behind an uplifting message that everyone could get behind,” he said. “We do so with confidence because the early returns are so positive at 77% yes, and the votes that came in after the early returns were consistent with that strong yes, as well as all the positivity we heard from the community and during our campaign appreciating the student success stories.”ĭavis said the Yes on H campaign plans to have a celebration tonight at the Chabot Space & Science Center. “On behalf of the Friends of Oakland Public Schools committee, including representatives from CFJ, FIAEB, ACC and many other individual volunteers, I am glad to declare victory on Measure H,” said Sam Davis, OUSD District 1 board member. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |