Voters will decide on a new Oakland parcel tax in June

"If approved by voters in the June 2 primary election, the measure would impose a $192 annual parcel tax on single-family parcels and other real estate, with exemptions for certain low-income households, seniors, and others. The tax would raise about $34 million annually over the next nine years."

"The city's 2025-2027 budget, approved by the City Council last June, includes tens of millions of dollars in anticipated revenue from the tax. But because the measure could be rejected at the polls, city leaders are making contingency plans. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee will introduce her proposed budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year in May."

"A labor-sponsored political committee called 'Oaklanders for a Safe, Clean & Healthy City' spent $440,000 last year to collect signatures to get the measure on the ballot. The bulk of that money was raised by SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21. PG&E also chipped in $50,000."

Oakland's City Council unanimously approved certification of a ballot measure for the June 2 primary election that would impose a $192 annual parcel tax on single-family parcels and other real estate. The tax would raise approximately $34 million annually over nine years, with exemptions for low-income households and seniors. The city's 2025-2027 budget already anticipates this revenue, but city leaders are preparing contingency plans in case voters reject the measure. Mayor Barbara Lee will present two budget scenarios in May—one assuming tax approval and another if it fails. City unions, particularly SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21, are the primary drivers behind the measure, having spent $440,000 to collect nearly 30,000 resident signatures. The measure requires only a simple majority for approval.

Read at The Oaklandside