Category: recession

EBC AGENDA: May 11-17 — A’s-Oakland Coliseum ENA; Budget talks all over the East Bay; ALAMEDA revamps council rules

--OAKLAND-- Regular council meeting, Tuesday, May 15, 5:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE] --A'S COLISEUM ENA-- The Oakland City Council is about to move on Mayor Libby Schaaf's pledge last month for the city to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Oakland Athletics with an eye on the city purchasing the county's portion of the jointly-owned … Continue reading EBC AGENDA: May 11-17 — A’s-Oakland Coliseum ENA; Budget talks all over the East Bay; ALAMEDA revamps council rules →

With Bitcoin booming, Bryan Parker’s idea of using it to uplift Oakland isn’t looking so crazy

Former Oakland mayoral candidate BryanParker says the city missed an opportunitywith Bitcoin for reason greater than finances.OAKLANDAs Oakland voters headed to the polls during the November 2014 mayoral election, the cost of a single Bitcoin was roughly $350. Last December, the astronomical success of Bitcoin saw the cryptocurrency top $19,000. Today, one Bitcoin is worth … Continue reading With Bitcoin booming, Bryan Parker’s idea of using it to uplift Oakland isn’t looking so crazy →

Steve Glazer’s pension bill that unions say is a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ fails in committee

State Sen. Steve Glazer said SB 1149 is notintended to fix the pension crisis, but notmake it any worse.7TH STATE SENATE DISTRICTA bill that gives new state workers a choice between the standard defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution 401k plan failed in a State Senate committee this week.The legislation, authored by East … Continue reading Steve Glazer’s pension bill that unions say is a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ fails in committee →

With Raiders departure, Oakland once again sticks it to ‘The Man’

The NFL announced approval Monday for theRaiders relocation to Las Vegas. The team isscheduled to play in Oakland through 2018.OAKLANDRaise a banner from the rafters at Oakland City Hall! By refusing to acquiesce to the threats of the Raiders and the National Football League, the city proved once again that the East Bay rests in … Continue reading With Raiders departure, Oakland once again sticks it to ‘The Man’ →

Alameda County scores highest possible credit ratings

ALAMEDA COUNTY | Global credit rating behemoths Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service boosted Alameda County to the highest possible municipal bond score Monday.Fitch upgraded Alameda County to “AAA,” while Moody’s posted an “Aaa” rating. Alameda County’s consistent operating surpluses and overall strong local economy, along with “management’s progressive actions to address its long-term liabilities” earned … Continue reading Alameda County scores highest possible credit ratings →

Hayward destroyed a famous indicator of seismic activity, now we’re all going to die

The corner of Prospect and Rose in Hayward.PHOTO/Oakland GeologyHAYWARD | Like many East Bay cities, Hayward has many streets and sidewalks in need of repair. However, Hayward's city government found the one road improvement project that it may have thought twice about fixing.Last month, Hayward city employees inadvertently repaired what they understood was a broken … Continue reading Hayward destroyed a famous indicator of seismic activity, now we’re all going to die →

Hayward city manager announces retirement

Hayward City Manager Fran DavidHAYWARD | Hayward City Manager Fran David announced her retirement Friday, effective sometime in the  fall.David has served as head of the city's day-to-day operation since being appointed to the position in 2010. Her tenure coincided with the worst of the Great Recession, a time when Hayward city services  like all … Continue reading Hayward city manager announces retirement →

Oakland sues Wells Fargo for damages from discriminatory lending practices

Oakland City Attorney Barbara ParkerPHOTO/Shane BondOAKLAND | The city of Oakland has filed a federal lawsuit against financial institution Wells Fargo alleging its lending practices were predatory and discriminatory. The lawsuit filed by Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker Tuesday alleges Well Fargo targeted African American and Hispanic borrowers in Oakland for high risk loans even … Continue reading Oakland sues Wells Fargo for damages from discriminatory lending practices →

No longer a reason for East Bay pols to fear pension-buster Daniel Borenstein; he was wrong, you were right

BANG editorial writer Daniel Borenstein led the pension reform debate for years, but it failed to scare East Bay officials to join his calls for austerity.Prola: 'I don't respect him. I don't respect his paper'By Darwin BondGraham and Steven TavaresPENSION REFORM DEBATE | "Dan needs no introduction," said Richmond Mayor Tom Butt at an April city council meeting, as … Continue reading No longer a reason for East Bay pols to fear pension-buster Daniel Borenstein; he was wrong, you were right →

Cassidy is no longer mayor, but he isn’t leaving San Leandro politics

Stephen Cassidy: Out of power, but notout of things to say.SAN LEANDRO | Stephen Cassidy left the mayor's office in San Leandro after just one term. There was no specific public reason for why he left thousands of his supporters in the lurch and bowed out of a likely successful re-election campaign.The reason is believed … Continue reading Cassidy is no longer mayor, but he isn’t leaving San Leandro politics →

San Leandro Places 30-Year Sales Tax Extension on November Ballot

SAN LEANDRO CITY COUNCIL | Nearly four years after voters in San Leandro approved a much-needed sales tax measure viewed by many to have helped the city escape the worst of the Great Recession, city leaders will again ask them to extend the half-cent increase next fall for another 30 years.The San Leandro City Council … Continue reading San Leandro Places 30-Year Sales Tax Extension on November Ballot →

Joe Lacob: A Sterling Example of the Rich Stealing from the Poor in Alameda County

The amount of outstanding debt Warriorsowner Joe Lacob owes Alameda County isalmost the same as its fiscal budget shortfall.ALAMEDA COUNTY | BUDGET | Starting next week, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will begin deliberations on a $2.8 billion fiscal budget. Over the past five years, charting the roller coaster of red ink at the … Continue reading Joe Lacob: A Sterling Example of the Rich Stealing from the Poor in Alameda County →

Wieckowski’s Campaign Thinks Andrew Breitbart is Alive

Bob Wieckowski, Peter KuoSTATE SENATE | 10TH DISTRICT | A day after Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski cruised to an eight-point win in the June primary, his campaign was already picking a fight with his November opponent, Peter Kuo, while erroneously raising from the dead a beloved conservative columnist.In a press release last week from Wieckowski’s campaign, … Continue reading Wieckowski’s Campaign Thinks Andrew Breitbart is Alive →

Hayashi on State Pensions: ‘There is no Problem’; Faults Banks for Budget Mess

Former Assemblymember Mary Hayashi speaking at a candidate's forum for the 10th State Senate District Wednesday evening at the Fremont City Council chambers. PHOTO/Steve Tavares STATE SENATE | 10TH DISTRICT | State Senate candidate Mary Hayashi said talk of California’s demise through unfunded public employee pension liabilities is unfounded. “There is no problem,” Hayashi said of … Continue reading Hayashi on State Pensions: ‘There is no Problem’; Faults Banks for Budget Mess →

Hayward Budget Report Tamps Down Exuberance After $4.8M in New Revenue

HAYWARD CITY COUNCIL | Hayward is forecasting a significant bump in revenue in a mid-year budget adjustment report to be presented to the City Council this Tuesday. On the heels of increased real estate activity in Hayward, the city’s finance director expects $4.8 million in additional revenue this fiscal year. The report, however, attempts to … Continue reading Hayward Budget Report Tamps Down Exuberance After $4.8M in New Revenue →