Oakland voters face a dizzying variety of metropolis poll measures this fall that cowl the gamut – from increasing eviction protections to democratizing marketing campaign contributions.
For those who really feel misplaced making an attempt to grasp the intricacies of the progressive enterprise tax proposal or confused by the Oakland metropolis constitution’s reference to “substitute matrons,” don’t fear. We received you.
Right here’s a breakdown of what it's essential know concerning the metropolis’s 9 poll measures, and what impression they’ll have on Oakland’s future.
‘Democracy Dollars’
Councilmember Dan Kalb’s “Honest Elections Act” is maybe essentially the most uncommon measure up for a vote in Oakland this November.
If handed, the measure would set up a program to dispatch 4, $25 “Democracy Greenback” vouchers to each Oakland voter forward of native elections. To be clear, “Democracy Dollars” will not be actual cash that may be redeemed at your native grocery retailer. The vouchers can solely be used to help candidates for metropolis and college board positions. Any unspent vouchers would stay within the pool of funds to be despatched out in later elections.
The measure is meant to degree the enjoying discipline by decreasing the impression of big-money donations. The concept would value town an preliminary $700,000 in start-up prices and round $4 million each two years to manage.
If Oakland voters give it a thumbs up, it might be the primary “Democracy Dollars” program in California, based on Kalb. Seattle handed an identical “Democracy Dollars” measure in 2015, which Kalb credit with rising citywide voter engagement and turnout. He hopes to repeat Seattle’s profitable marketing campaign right here in Oakland.
“This engages not 2% of individuals within the Oakland voters – it engages the complete voters,” Kalb stated.
Progressive enterprise tax
Present metropolis tax legislation requires that small companies just like the Leaning Tower of Pizza pay the identical flat tax charge as large firms, equivalent to Clorox, which generate tens of millions of dollars in yearly income.
The progressive enterprise tax measure would modify these charges in order that large companies pay a significantly larger tax charge.
Although proponents of the measure say it should decrease the tax charge for small companies, that’s solely partly true. Lots of Oakland’s smallest companies will truly be taxed on the identical charge if the measure passes. All companies which generate greater than $1 million in gross receipts will see their tax charges hiked.
Proponents say the extra taxes are effectively well worth the $20.9 million in annual income the measure is anticipated to generate.
$850 million for infrastructure, housing
This bond measure would authorize town to spend as much as $850 million on among the metropolis’s greatest long-term priorities. The measure dedicates $350 million to reasonably priced housing and $290 million to paving roads and bettering metropolis infrastructure. The rest of the funds can be freed as much as assist keep metropolis properties like libraries and senior facilities.
This measure would add significantly to Oakland owners’ tax payments, rising them by about $71 per $100,000 in assessed residence worth for the 40 years it’s in impact, based on town’s estimates. However supporters say taxpayers will get some reduction on their yearly tax invoice as older metropolis tax obligations fade.
Gender-neutral constitution
In case you are among the many handful of people that have truly learn the Oakland metropolis constitution, you could have seen that it consists of some outdated language. It usually assumes that the mayor, council members, and different officeholders are males. It additionally refers to feminine cops invariably as “matron,” “substitute matron” and “police girl.”
This measure would replace the language of the constitution to make it extra inclusive. For instance, “him/her” would get replaced with “they/them,” and “matron” would get replaced with “member of the police.”
Increasing eviction protections
This poll measure would make a number of important adjustments to Oakland’s eviction legislation. Among the many most excessive profile is that it might defend Oakland public college academics and households with youngsters in public college from some forms of eviction through the college 12 months. These households couldn't be evicted for substantial renovations or so the owner may transfer into the unit, however they may nonetheless be evicted in the event that they fail to pay hire or violate the phrases of their lease settlement.
The poll measure additionally would lengthen present tenant protections to Oakland residents who stay in RVs, tiny houses and all residential buildings besides these constructed within the final 10 years.
Oakland zoo funding
Because the COVID-19 pandemic begins to ease, the zoo continues to be dealing with a steep price range shortfall fueled partially by its compelled closure through the first a number of months of the pandemic.
This poll measure would elevate round $12 million yearly by means of a parcel tax that will fund fundamental operations and supply upgrades to long-deteriorating infrastructure just like the zoo’s sewage system.
Oakland residents must foot the invoice by means of a 20-year, $68 flat charge tax, which incorporates some exemptions for some low-income and aged residents. Coincidentally, individuals over the age of 76 additionally qualify at no cost admission to the zoo.
Noncitizen voting
Ought to noncitizen dad and mom and authorized guardians of school-age youngsters be allowed to vote in native college board elections? That’s the query behind this poll measure. This proposal, together with an identical one in San Francisco, has been challenged in court docket. Final month a decide dominated that the Oakland measure ought to keep on the poll, regardless of lingering questions over its constitutionality.
Time period limits, different administrative adjustments
This poll measure would prohibit Metropolis Council members from serving greater than three consecutive phrases, or 12 consecutive years, in workplace. It might additionally give the council members, solely one in all whom opposed the invoice, a pay elevate by tying their wage to inflation.
Low-income housing authorization
This proposed measure would authorize town of Oakland to construct 13,000 low-income housing items with out having to place every undertaking up for a citywide vote as is often required. The measure doesn't truly present funding for these housing items, however reasonably opens the door for his or her development with out the necessity for a citywide vote.