logo
Oakland voters on track to approve a sales tax increase

Oakland voters on track to approve a sales tax increase

CBS News16-04-2025

Oakland's Measure A, a half-cent sales tax proposal, was ahead in early returns Tuesday night with about 64 percent of voters approving it, according to information from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters' Office.
If approved, it would increase Oakland's sales tax from 10.25 percent to 10.75 percent to raise between $20 million and $30 million annually for the next 10 years.
It requires a majority of votes -- greater than 50 percent -- to pass.
The Oakland City Council voted 6-0 to place the measure on the ballot in December 2024, with then-councilmember Carroll Fife and Councilmember Janani Ramachandran excused.
The tax "will help stabilize our finances and prevent further erosion in city services, so without the added revenue Oakland will be forced to do deeper cuts that threaten critical community programs such as public safety, cultural arts, human services and undermining the city's quality of life and economic vitality," said Councilmember Kevin Jenkins at the time.
Jenkins, who sponsored the ordinance to place Measure A on the ballot, is now serving as interim mayor until the winner of Tuesday's mayoral election begins their term.
Measure A is intended to help tackle Oakland's ongoing budget shortfall, which is estimated at $280 million over the next two-year budget cycle.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee promises ‘relentless effort' at community inauguration
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee promises ‘relentless effort' at community inauguration

San Francisco Chronicle​

time5 hours ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee promises ‘relentless effort' at community inauguration

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee promised during a community inauguration Sunday to lead with 'openness, honesty and relentless effort' and invited the community to join her to make the city better. 'If we match hope with hard work, there's nothing that this city can't do, so let's do it,' Lee said on a stage at Jack London Square. 'Let's grab whatever you can grab — a paintbrush, a policy idea, a neighbor's hand, because the next chapter of Oakland starts now.' She added: 'All of you are co-authors of this next chapter.' Lee was elected in April and sworn in last month. The former congresswoman replaced former Mayor Sheng Thao, whom voters ousted in November in a recall fueled by a federal investigation that resulted in bribery charges against her. Thao pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lee takes over as the city confronts a historic budget deficit, public safety concerns, homelessness and illegal dumping, among other issues. By the end of this month, the city must balance its budget, which includes an annual deficit of about $140 million. Lee previously said the city will address the deficit through both short- and long-term solutions, though she did not provide specifics. During her remarks Sunday, after she again took the oath of office, Lee spoke of her work in the first few weeks of her administration. The goal from the start was to 'turn hope into action,' the Democrat told the crowd, which included faith leaders, business owners and other dignitaries, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. Already she's met with faith and business leaders to discuss public safety strategies. She acknowledged that despite violence prevention efforts and a decrease in homicides last year, some residents still don't feel safe. 'We've got to work to change this narrative in Oakland,' she said. Lee also said she traveled to the state Capitol to advocate for the city, 'because Oakland deserves its fair share of state resources,' she said. 'I made it clear: Investing in Oakland lifts the entire Bay Area.' State Sen. Jesse Arreguín, a Democrat whose district includes Oakland, said the city needs a 'proven leader with integrity and experience' to unite the city and region. 'That leader is Mayor Barbara Lee,' he said. Arreguín, who serves as chair of the public safety standing committee, said he's committed to working with Lee to curb crime in Oakland and make the city safer. He pledged to support the city's Ceasefire strategy and other violence-prevention programs. Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins called Sunday 'a beautiful day in Oakland.' He noted that Lee is the city's fourth mayor in two years. 'But I think we got it right this time,' he quipped. Jenkins described Lee as a mayor for all, especially Oakland residents 'who don't know where City Hall is.' 'The way she campaigned is the way she's going to govern: with integrity,' he added. Selena Wilson, CEO of the East Oakland Youth Development Center, urged the public to support Lee. 'We must continue to stand with her.' Barbara Leslie, president and CEO of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, picked by Lee as a co-chair of her transition team, said she can attest that Lee 'hit the ground running.' 'Frankly, my goal is just to keep up,' Leslie said, joined by members of the Rotary Club of Oakland #3 and Oakland Restaurant Collective. 'We are here to support you, as your success is Oakland's success,' Leslie said.

San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus
San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus

CBS News

time4 days ago

  • CBS News

San Mateo Co. supervisors to decide on starting removal process for Sheriff Christina Corpus

San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation San Mateo County Sheriff fights for her job by releasing new report on independent investigation The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a special meeting Thursday afternoon in which they are expected to decide on initiating the process to remove embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus from office. Supervisors gained the power to remove the sheriff after 84% of voters approved Measure A in a special election in March. The measure temporarily amended the County Charter to remove a sheriff from office for cause. Corpus has been facing months of scrutiny following a scathing independent report released last November by retired judge LaDoris Cordell into allegations of abuse of power at the sheriff's office. Cordell's report made multiple accusations against the sheriff, including intimidation, retaliation, the use of racial and homophobic slurs and conflicts of interest. Corpus is also accused of having a personal relationship with Victor Aenelle, her chief of staff. The report concluded that "Sheriff Corpus step down and that Victor Aenlle's employment by the sheriff's office be terminated immediately. Nothing short of new leadership can save this organization." The sheriff has repeatedly denied the allegations and has refused multiple calls to resign from local leaders and Deputy Sheriff's Association, which led to supervisors calling for the special election. In April, Corpus released her own report rebuttting Cordell's investigation. Corpus has also filed a $10 million lawsuit against the county, alleging discrimination and harassment. Under Measure A, removal of Corpus requires a four-fifths majority vote by the board of supervisors and Corpus will have an opportunity to defend her case. The board's authority to remove the sheriff expires at the end of 2028. Corpus, the county's first Latina sheriff, was elected in 2022. Thursday's board meeting is scheduled take place at the Board Chambers in Redwood City at 1 p.m.

Fresno County DA, sheriff get an extra two years in battle over election schedule
Fresno County DA, sheriff get an extra two years in battle over election schedule

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

Fresno County DA, sheriff get an extra two years in battle over election schedule

Two of Fresno County's top law enforcement officials just got extensions on their services, despite their own reservations and a voter-backed initiative that would have seen them up for re-election in 2026. On Monday, a state court judge ruled to invalidate Fresno County's Measure A, the 2024 ballot initiative that aligned District Attorney and Sheriff elections with the gubernatorial election cycle. The ruling pushes Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Sheriff John Zanoni into six-year terms, with their re-elections now set for 2028. Measure A passed in 2024's March primary election with 55% of the vote and immediately put Fresno County at odds with AB 179, a 2022 state law that mandated such elections be synced to the presidential cycle. In July, California's Attorney General and Secretary of State challenged the measure in court, claiming it was preempted by the state law. In a 19-page ruling released Monday, Superior Court Judge Tyler Tharpe agreed. While the county has 'authority to set the terms of its elected officials,' he wrote, 'it is not authorized under the California Constitution to set the dates on which the elections of local officials will be held.' Judge Tharpe acknowledged the change as 'a fairly minor intrusion on the County's power to set the terms of its officials.' It is a one-time extension. 'Any district attorney and sheriff elected from 2028 onward will serve four-year terms as specified by the county's charter.' In a joint statement, Smittcamp and Zanoni said they are prepared to serve the six-year terms and 'remain committed to fulfilling our responsibilities with integrity and dedication for the full duration,' even as the county Board of Supervisors meets to discuss potential next steps, which it will do in closed session June 10. But they also expressed concerns about the legislative process that led to the enactment of AB 759 in the first place. 'After sitting in the Senate Appropriations Committee's suspense file for over a year, the bill advanced rapidly in the final weeks of the legislative session,' they wrote. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in September 2022 'with little to no opportunity for public review,' Smittcamp and Zanoni said in their statement. 'As a result, local governments and voters were excluded from a policy decision that directly affects the terms of their elected officials.' For his part, Attorney General Rob Bonta claimed Monday's ruling as a win for voters. 'There is nothing more fundamental to American democracy than the right to vote and make your voice heard,' Bonta said in a statement. 'With Measure A, Fresno County threatened to undermine that fundamental right, intentionally seeking to move elections for sheriff and district attorney to off years, when voters are far less likely to show up and cast a ballot,' he wrote. 'Our democracy works best when everyone can participate.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store