Top 5 initiatives to watch ahead of California's November election
Article by New America Media.
Last updated at Sun, 4 Mar at 10:30am.

New America Media, News Report, Rene Ciria-Cruz

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Mayor Jean Quan's Statement on the Measure I Parcel Tax
Blog entry by Jean Quan.
Last updated at Wed, 16 Nov at 8:39am.

from the Mayor:

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Dummies’ Guide to Measure J (aka the PFRS-pension-plan funding extension) (Opinion)
Blog entry by Len Raphael.
Last updated at Fri, 28 Oct at 11:32am.

The sneakiest, scariest ballot measure is J. It is the opening shot in the coming retirement-cost generational war in Oakland that is playing out across the country, and in developed countries across the world.
 

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Nov. 15 special election: Make sure to send in that ballot
Blog entry by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Wed, 26 Oct at 12:42am.
In the upcoming Nov. 15 Special Election, Oaklanders are being ask to vote on several measures - all via a mail-in ballot you received in your home if you're registered to vote. (Not sure? Check here).  

All voting in this election will be conducted by mail.
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How many police officers will Oakland have in 4 years? Oakland Local checks the facts
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Mon, 1 Nov at 10:40pm.

(Editor's note: Oakland Local and Make Oakland Better Now - MOBN - have teamed up to take a close look at the accuracy of candidates’ response to an online questionnaire from MOBN.

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How will our next mayor set budget priorities? Oakland Local checks the facts
Article by Jennifer Inez Ward.
Last updated at Wed, 27 Oct at 5:34am.

 

(Editor's note: Oakland Local and Make Oakland Better Now - MOBN - have teamed up to take a close look at the accuracy of candidates’ response to an online questionnaire from MOBN. We want to know if candidates are being truthful and accurate in their responses, or are they veering from facts and offering opinion without any solutions?

Each day, Oakland Local will run a fact checking story on seven important questions.)


Tuesday’s Question: How will our next mayor set budget priorities?

Oakland’s mayoral candidates provided a wide variety of responses. Some response were detailed, some were brief. Others were ambitious or focused more on the budget problems than voicing detailed solutions.

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Do you know if you are registered to vote? Last date is Oct. 18
Blog entry by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Wed, 27 Oct at 4:59am.

Are you registered to vote?  The deadline to register to vote for the November 2, 2010 General Election is Monday, October 18, 2010, so this is the moment to figure it out.

Alameda County residents must be citizens, 18 years old and not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony to be eligible to register to vote.

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BART Board of Directors Race--who's running and what do they stand for?
Article by Irene.
Last updated at Wed, 22 Sep at 4:02pm.

Elections are on as Oakland seeks its next mayor. But, while many are talking about who will best deal with current city-wide unemployment, wealth disparities and fiscal realities, an under-publicized, key post is being contested.

Nineteen months after the death of Oscar Grant III - the young man killed by a BART police officer on New Year’s Day 2009 - a BART directors seat is up for decision by Oaklanders.

In addition to police armament controversies, BART has recently received criticism for the Oakland Airport Connector and the associated $70 million loss in federal stimulus funds, as well as budget decisions regarding a surprise $4.5 million surplus.

Who will voters elect to guide BART through rough financial waters and oversee policies regarding safety, system expansions and ridership?

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