San Leandro Councilmember Benny Lee'smayoral campaign already has $63,000 incontributions built over the past few years.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL--ELECTION 2018--Backed by the city's burgeoning Asian American demographic and already stocked campaign cash reserves, San Leandro Councilmember Benny Lee said Monday that he's running for mayor this fall.Although Lee's interest in the mayor's office had been … Continue reading San Leandro Councilmember Benny Lee is running for mayor
Category: Benny Lee
San Leandro severs $700,000 investment with Wells Fargo over scandals, pipeline support
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILA rash of banking scandals implicating Wells Fargo, in addition, to its controversial investment in the progressive cause célèbre, the Dakota Access Pipeline, has lead another East Bay city to take steps toward ending its banking relationship with the historic California institution.The San Leandro City Council voted, 6-0, Monday night to divest … Continue reading San Leandro severs $700,000 investment with Wells Fargo over scandals, pipeline support
San Leandro bans flavored tobacco sales, passes for now on menthol cigarettes
An proponent of San Leandro's ban on flavoredtobacco sales address the City Council Mondaynight with supporters in the foreground.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILLike some of its neighboring cities, the San Leandro City Council approved Monday night a prohibition on the sale of flavored tobacco products. The council, however, diverged from Oakland and San Francisco, by sidestepping … Continue reading San Leandro bans flavored tobacco sales, passes for now on menthol cigarettes
Form 460: East Bay’s semi-annual campaign finance reports
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS--MONEYBALL--It may be only August, but for federal, state and county races, the time for campaigns to raise money in advance of the June Primary is now. Based on mid-year campaign finance reports through June 30, several East Bay politicians were busy this year. Below are contributions, expenditure and ending cash on hand … Continue reading Form 460: East Bay’s semi-annual campaign finance reports
San Leandro City Council adds landlord exemptions to proposed tenant relocation payments
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILIt’s taken more than a year for the San Leandro City Council to formulate a tenant relocation payments amendment to its existing rent review ordinance. But following a number of additions to the proposal, some that benefit small-time landlords in San Leandro, the amendments will have to wait another two weeks for … Continue reading San Leandro City Council adds landlord exemptions to proposed tenant relocation payments
Oakland and San Leandro make banking statements
San Leandro Councilmember Benny Lee isleading the push for divestment of Wells Fargo.OAKLAND | SAN LEANDROBig banks took a big hit in East Bay politics last week. The Oakland City Council voted to cease its relationship with JP Morgan Chase. Then quickly reversed an apparently haphazard decision after realizing, on second thought, the absence of … Continue reading Oakland and San Leandro make banking statements
Despite threat of losing federal funding, San Leandro declares sanctuary city status
San Leandro recieves more than $9 millionin federal funding, but Trump's threat to defundsanctuary cities did not make the council pause.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCILSan Leandro became the fifth sanctuary city in Alameda County and the third local municipality to embrace a bulwark against President Trump’s immigration policies in the past month. The San Leandro City … Continue reading Despite threat of losing federal funding, San Leandro declares sanctuary city status
San Leandro gifts $800,000 loan for child care center
SAN LEANDROAccess to affordable child care has been on San Leandro’s radar for years. On Monday, the San Leandro City Council backed it up with approval of an $800,000 loan for a 4,850 square foot child care center and adjacent playground at the Marea Alta affordable housing development, near the San Leandro BART station. However, … Continue reading San Leandro gifts $800,000 loan for child care center
SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Slim pickings across the board
Bryan Azevedo and Ed Hernandez face-off in the San Leandro City Council's District 2--the only contested race of three open seats this fall.MEET THE CANDIDATESIn San Leandro, just four candidates filed for three seats this fall. But it gets worse. Two of the races involved termed out councilmembers--Jim Prola and Ursula Reed. Be it apathy in … Continue reading SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Slim pickings across the board
San Leandro sets the stage for third dispensary, without open bidding process
San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter already hasa operator in mind for the city's potential third dispensary.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL |San Leandro’s medical marijuana dispensary ordinance was amended Monday to include a possible third permit. The San Leandro City Council only recently awarded a second permit in July, and now with its latest action, is setting the stage … Continue reading San Leandro sets the stage for third dispensary, without open bidding process
San Leandro approves $15 minimum wage ordinance without small biz exemption
Union members and small business owners packedthe San Leandro City Council chambers Tuesdaynight to discuss raising the minimum wage.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL |Union members gathered for a group photo in front of the council dais and chanted si se puede following the San Leandro City Council’s approval Tuesday night of an ordinance that will raise … Continue reading San Leandro approves $15 minimum wage ordinance without small biz exemption
San Leandro will have just one contested race on the entire ballot this November
San Leandro District 2 City Council race betweenBryan Azevedo and Ed Hernandez will take centerstage in November.SAN LEANDRO |ELECTION 2016Either San Leandrans are content with how their city government and school district is running or nobody is interested to bother with running for local office.Come November, just one race in the entire city will contested … Continue reading San Leandro will have just one contested race on the entire ballot this November
San Leandro’s push for minimum wage boost continues despite state legislation
San Leandro Councilmember Jim Prola wants thecity's minimum wage to rise to $12 by 2017.SAN LEANDRO | California's minimum wage could rise to $10.50 by the end of this year, if a bill backed by Gov. Jerry Brown is approved by the state legislature, and jump to $15 an hour by 2022. But in more … Continue reading San Leandro’s push for minimum wage boost continues despite state legislation
San Leandro councilman wants to change odd Chinese translation of city’s name
San Leandro Councilman Benny Lee, second from left,wants a new Chinese translation of the city's name.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL | To the ears of San Leandro's Chinese-speaking residents, the phonetic translation of the city's name doesn't quite make sense and its first-ever Chinese American council member wants to fix it.San Leandro Councilmember Benny Lee says … Continue reading San Leandro councilman wants to change odd Chinese translation of city’s name
San Leandro council seeks five-year pension strategy
San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutters says setting aside $5 million over 5 years for pensions is doable.SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL | Last year, San Leandro's tab for unfunded liabilities over the next 30 years was $158 million. The City Council Monday night moved forward a strategy directing more of its growing revenues over the next five years … Continue reading San Leandro council seeks five-year pension strategy
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