Observer_Archive

Oakland Observer Week Ending 6/18/2023: Council President Budget Amendments Restore Some DVP, OFD and Democracy Dollars Funding, but Pushback on Department Mergers Arises...

Council President and Council Members Deliberate Budget Amendments During an atypically mellow special budget deliberation meeting Wednesday, Council members discussed amendments to Mayor Sheng Thao’s proposed budget. The main set of amendments was put forward by Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and a budget team–CMs Rebecca Kaplan, Carroll
Jaime Omar Yassin

Oakland Observer Week Ending 6/11/2023: Ramachandran Misses Vote for Just Cause Amendment; Becker Boards Agreement Passed Without Council Scrutiny; ALCO BOS Creates Election Advisory Commission; Council Committee Roundups Coming this Week

Council Votes Unanimously for JCO "Substantial Injury" Amendments with Ramachandran and Gallo Absent; Reid Abstention City Council voted Tuesday for a Just Cause ordinance amendment [JCO] that was a flashpoint for local landlord advocacy and lobbying group East Bay Rental Housing Association [EBRHA] just one month ago. During
Jaime Omar Yassin

Oakland Observer Week Ending 6/4/2023: Two Oaklands Address Public Safety; Department Heads Drill Down on Thao Budget; Substantial Damage Amendment for Just Cause Headed to Council Tuesday...

Two Oaklands Address Public Safety at Venues Separated by More Than Distance Disparate Oakland constituencies addressed public safety at two very different venues last Tuesday. At a special Council meeting on the mayor’s budget, dozens of residents advocating on behalf of organizations that provide services through the Department of
Jaime Omar Yassin