#oakland-politics

#oakland-politics

Lee is exploring paying homeless people to pick up litter, inspired by a program in Portland, Oregon. That's because two years of intense sweeps haven't moved homeless residents indoors, Hauswald said. Budget cuts are forcing the closure of shelter sites this winter. And Lee, a former Democratic member of Congress, said she wants to respect the humanity of people who fell into homelessness.

Lee's disclosure seems to indicate she's going to run for a full term. The mayor raised $31,863 in the second half of 2025, according to a report filed with the city on Monday. She spent just under $6,000, mostly on routine office and professional services. It's a small amount compared to her total haul in 2025 for the special election - $580,000 - but it's far more than any of the possible challengers already in the race have raised.

Davie was the longest-serving mayor in Oakland's history. His first term was from 1895 to 1897, and he was in office again from 1915 to 1931. His accomplishments included the opening of the Snow Museum of Natural History, which is now part of the Oakland Museum of California; the creation of the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Port of Oakland; and the construction of the Posey Tube and the Oakland Airport.

Prosecutors claim Thao and Jones were bribed by the Duongs, who were seeking a multi-million dollar deal with Oakland to build shipping container housing units for the homeless. They also allegedly wanted their lucrative recycling contract extended. In exchange, Jones allegedly landed a cushy "no-show job," and the Duongs allegedly paid for attack mailers against Thao's opponents in the 2022 mayor's race.

OAKLAND - A high-ranking Oakland city official who said he provided federal investigators key evidence that led to criminal indictments against ex-Mayor Sheng Thao and others is leaving his role to take a leadership job in another East Bay city.