Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club

GENERAL ELECTION 2016 MGO ENDORSEMENTS

Posted on September 26, 2016 Updated on September 27, 2016

City of Oakland

• Dan Kalb –– District 1
• Lynette McElhaney – District 3
• Noel Gallo – District 5
• Larry Reid – District 7

Oakland City Attorney

• Barbara Parker

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

BART Board of Directors:

• Ward 3: Rebecca Saltzman
• Ward 7: Lateefah Simon

AC Transit

• At Large: Chris Peeples
• Ward 2: Greg Harper

East Bay Regional Parks

• Dionisio Rosario

MEASURES

Alameda Contra Costa Transit                             YES 

• Parcel tax initiative 

BART                                                                             YES

• $3.5 million capital reinvestment measure

Alameda County Housing Bond                           YES

• $580 million affordable housing bond

City of Oakland $600 million bond                    YES

• Repair local infrastructure 

Oakland Police Commission                                  YES

• Ballot measure to change the city’s charter in order to create a citizen Police Commission

Oakland Soda Tax                                                    YES

• A penny-per-ounce revenue stream that could rise up to $12 million per year to aid in efforts to fight obesity

Oakland Unified School District                           YES

• To provide a district wide educator salary increase designed to attract/retain teachers; provide enhanced middle school art, music, language and other programming

Next MGO Endorsement Meetings

Posted on August 23, 2016

Sept 15th – Special District Races.  Sept 22nd – State Senate, City of Oakland, School Board, City Attorney

RENEW / JOIN Membership – http://www.mgodems.org

Endorsement 2016 Measures

Posted on August 23, 2016 Updated on August 23, 2016

To preserve essential local public transportation services, including those for youth, commuters, seniors, and people with disabilities, while keeping fares reasonable, shall the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District extend its existing 8 dollars per month parcel tax at current levels for 20 years with no increase in tax rate, raising approximately 30 million dollars annually, with independent oversight and all money spent locally

BART Safety, Reliability and Traffic Relief. To keep BART safe; prevent accidents/breakdowns/delays; relieve overcrowding; reduce traffic congestion/pollution; improve earthquake safety and access for seniors/disabled by replacing and upgrading 90 miles of severely worn tracks; tunnels damaged by water intrusion; 44-year-old train control systems; and other deteriorating infrastructure, shall the Bay Area Rapid Transit District issue $3.5 billion of bonds for acquisition or improvement of real property subject to independent oversight and annual audits

ALAMEDA COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOND. To provide affordable local housing and prevent displacement of vulnerable populations, including low- and moderate-income households, veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities; provide supportive housing for homeless people countywide; and help low- and middle-income households purchase homes and stay in their communities; shall the County of Alameda issue up to $580 million in general obligation bonds to acquire or improve real property, subject to independent citizen oversight and regular audits

To improve public safety and invest in neighborhoods throughout Oakland by re-paving streets to remove potholes, rebuilding cracked and deteriorating sidewalks, funding bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, funding affordable housing for Oaklanders, and providing funds for facility improvements, such as, neighborhood recreation centers, playgrounds, and libraries, shall the City of Oakland issue $600 million in bonds, subject to independent citizen oversight and regular audits

Oakland’s City Charter be amended to establish: (1) a Police Commission of civilian commissioners to oversee the Police Department by reviewing and proposing changes to Department policies and procedures, requiring the Mayor to appoint any new Chief of Police from a list of candidates provided by the Commission, and having the authority to terminate the Chief of Police for cause; and (2) a Community Police Review Agency to investigate complaints of police misconduct and recommend discipline.

The City of Oakland impose a 1 cent per ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages, including products such as sodas, sports drinks, sweetened teas, energy drinks, but exempting: milk products, 100% juice, baby formula, diet drinks, or drinks taken for medical reasons; and providing an exemption for small businesses

To provide a districtwide educator salary increase designed to attract/retain teachers; provide enhanced middle school art, music, languages/other programs in addition to core educational programs; improve academic achievement; provide safe, positive schools, and prepare students for college/careers; shall Oakland Unified School District levy a tax of $120 per parcel, providing $12.4 million annually, for 12 years, with exemptions for senior and low income residents, no money for Sacramento, and all money benefitting Oakland students.

2016 General Election Endorsement Series

Posted on August 13, 2016

Please RSVP your attendance at http://www.mgo2016election.eventbrite.com

June Primary Election Results

Posted on April 22, 2016 Updated on June 9, 2016

MGO endorsed the following candidates during its April 21st endorsement meeting, during which approximately 60 members were in attendance. Our bylaws require a vote of at least 60% for endorsement, which is why we did not reach decisions in some of the races.