Oakland Budget Cuts: The Game of Chicken!

The Oakland City Council is now focused on dealing with the budget crisis. A balanced budget must be passed by June 30th. A proposal has now been put forth to deal with part of the $40 million deficit. 

One proposal includes cuts and raising taxes, like cutting salaries of non-union City employees who make over $100,000 by 10%; cutting hours of senior citizens centers by 20%, eliminating funding for non-City programs, cutting elected officials’ office budget by 25%, cutting Parks and Recreations by 10%, cutting the police service neighborhood coordinator’s program, installing 500 new parking meters, ½% sales tax, and negotiating with Police and Fire to reduce their pension costs.

In addition to those proposals, other Council members have proposed modifications to police pension, requiring both a contribution and lower benefits for new employees.  Other proposed cost savings include selling city owned assets.  For example, selling half of the 35 acres owned by Chabot Golf Course could generate the City $30 million. Sale of 10 acres of the Montclair Golf Course would generate $5 million. The Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center has been closed for a number of years. Selling it would generate over $11 million to the City. 

Of course, there have been numerous responses to the Council’s proposals. First, the OPA pointed out that they have already given the City’s concessions over $34 million. They further stated they did not hear from the City until May and have had little negotiating activity since then. Others question why police are targeted for layoffs when there are numerous other portions of the budget that can be reduced before public safety. Sale of assets assumes that buyers can be found. Or that the city would grant permits for development of these assets.

The City has scheduled public hearings on the budget in various neighborhoods. This is the time for Oakland citizens to voice their concerns regarding the budget. The final budget will be passed on June 30th.

The June election results are in and promises to be a highly contested November election. Democrat Jerry Brown will face off against ex-Ebay CEO, Meg Whitman. Ironically, Oakland will play a major part in this race. The former Mayor Jerry Brown will highlight his pragmatic, problem-solving approach and diminish his 70’s reputation. Mr. Brown will stress his years of leadership and his years of experience getting things done. Look for Ms. Whitman to relentlessly attack Mr. Brown on his previous record. Her controlled campaign will not work in November; many assume the voters will want to hear more from her than her canned ads, like real detail of her promised solutions. 

The Lt. Governor will be an interesting race of two statewide newcomers running more toward the center. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome is the Democratic nominee. He will stress his new, innovative leadership that he exhibited in San Francisco. Current Lt Governor and moderate Republican, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, Abel Maldonado will push his middle of the road persona as well. Even though the office does not have a lot of responsibilities, this will be an exciting race. 

The Attorney General’s race will also be quite interesting with two DAs: San Francisco DA Kamala Harris against Los Angeles DA Steve Cooley. She handily defeated a crowded Democratic field, while Mr. Cooley dispatched his more right-wing Republican opponents. Ms. Harris will have to moderate her San Francisco politics to appeal to the rest of the state. Mr. Cooley will have to rise above the Republican stigma and present his middle of the road, consensus-building platform that he has demonstrated while the Los Angeles DA.

The Insurance Commissioner will pit Democrat Dave Jones against Republican Mike Villines. Both are veterans of the CA legislature and are more typical party standard bearers as the more liberal Jones will face off against the more conservative Villines. 

The non-partisan School Superintendent race will pit San Jose school administrator Larry Aceves against Contra Costa State Senator Tom Torklason. Mr. Aceves has the support of school administrators, while the teachers are behind Mr. Torklason. The third candidate, Gloria Romero who is heavily supported by charter schools and business interests appears to hold the key in this election. Her supporters and endorsement will virtually swing this much divided race.

Proposition 13, the seismic property tax retro-fit passed handily. Proposition 14, the open primary initiative also passed by a wide margin. This means that instead of partisan primary elections, there will be one June primary with all candidates. The top two finishers will then run against each other in November. Proposition 15, public election finance; Proposition 16, local electric provider vote; and Proposition 17, auto insurance pricing all went down to defeat.

A nationwide watched Senate race is already brewing. Incumbent Barbara Boxer faces her toughest opponent yet in Republican Carly Fiorina, who handily beat the more moderate Tom Campbell and the more conservative Chuck Devore.  Senator Boxer once again gets a right of center candidate, who is anti-choice and against gay marriage, leaving her the left and middle. The downside is Ms. Fiorina is a strong, well funded and personable campaigner who may be able to sway the moderate and independent voters in this anti-incumbent season.

The unfortunate part of this June election is that voter turnout was only about 23%. Decisions and candidates were chosen in this election with ¾ of the voters sitting at home. Given the economic and government budget crisis, all voters should voice their opinions at the poll. Quite frankly, if you refuse to participate and vote, then you literally lose your right to complain. Fortunately, November offers a chance to make decisions on the direction of our state. Get up, get out, and vote.

Clinton Killian is an attorney in downtown Oakland, an Oakland resident and a former Oakland Planning Commissioner. He can be reached at: (510) 625-8823 or email: clintonkillian@yahoo.com