Economy
Prop 30 and its effects explained in an Oakland North infographic.
The polls have now closed in Oakland, and throughout the city, candidates and voters are awaiting the results of closely-watched local and state races that includ a seven-way race for the District 1 city council set and a closely-matched at-large race, while others have begun celebrating the apparent victory of President Barack Obama, after CNN, NBC, Fox News and CBS all projected a win for the president at approximately 8:15 p.m. Shortly after the opening of the polls in California at…
After months of failed contract negotiations, Port of Oakland workers rallied outside Oakland Airport Friday to protest potential cuts to their own benefits amid allegations that port commissioners have misused public funds. “We have been bargaining with the Port for over 15 months now,” said Alfonso Loera, president of Service Workers International Union Local 1021, which represents approximately 225 workers responsible for physical maintenance at the Port and at Oakland Airport, which is run by the Port. “Our offer to…
Oakland’s premier cultural event is in flux. Can a grassroots community effort come together to organize and fund First Friday before the city steps out of its planning role?
From Fruitvale to Rockridge, Oakland North reporters spoke recently to residents about the city council elections. We asked everyone the same question: If you could speak directly to the candidates, what would you like to know? We delivered the most frequent of the residents’ questions, in person to the seven candidates for the District 1 City Council seat. Their edited answers, one question at a time, will appear in Oakland North every week between now and Election Day.
Amy Lemley, the only woman among seven candidates competing for the District 1 seat, lists safety, the economy and education as some of her campaign’s top priorities. The Oakland Police Officers Association and the Chamber of Commerce are some of Lemley’s endorsers.
Oakland city councilmembers approved a set of hiring and staffing policies on Tuesday to ensure a local workforce for the redevelopment project at the former Oakland Army Base.
Jeanice Spence stood in the doorway of her new apartment at Clinton Commons watching her four-month old kitten frolic amongst the guests gathered to celebrate the opening of Oakland’s latest affordable housing development. She said she feels at ease now, finally, after spending years in homeless shelters and rescue missions, struggling to find a place to call home. A blur of potential tenants walked past her, followed by the occasional laugh or tidbit of conversation, but Spence stood at her…
Should voters approve Proposition 32, or the “Paycheck Protection Initiative,” it would change the law by prohibiting corporations, labor unions, government contractors and government employers from using employee payroll deductions for political purposes. It would also prohibit contributions from government contractors to officials on committees, which have the power to decide which companies receive government contracts.