Oakland may seek to give its mayor more power, signaling big-city ambitions

"The president of the Oakland City Council said Monday he is preparing to work on ballot language that would grant Mayor Barbara Lee and future city mayors the power to veto council decisions for the first time. Late last month, a group of officials convened by Lee formally recommended the city shift to a strong mayor system in which the mayor would hold crucial veto power while continuing to operate independently of the council."

"This would be an unprecedented change in Oakland, where critics say the mayor's relative lack of legislative authority has driven divisions in the local government, including political fights and budget standoffs. The mayor proposes the city's two-year budget, though its final approval and any amendments depend solely on the council's vote. But the proposed fix is quickly polarizing key advocates, some of whom argue for the mayor to instead become the head of the city council and vote with the rest of the eight-member body."

Oakland is considering a shift to a strong mayor system that would give Mayor Barbara Lee and future mayors veto authority over city council decisions. The City Council president is preparing ballot language to propose the change after a group convened by Lee recommended the move. Advocates say the current weak-mayor structure contributes to political divisions, budget standoffs, and dysfunction. Supporters point to other large U.S. cities with strong mayors. Opponents prefer a council-manager model where the mayor votes with the council rather than holding veto power.

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