Citizen-led parcel tax for affordable housing may be coming to the ballot next year

Oakland’s $9 million-a-year citywide security contract is stirring controversy; Why is a San Leandro councilmembers accused of ethical misconduct sitting on the council's rules committee?

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—A group of housing advocates is exploring a citizen-led parcel tax measure to fund affordable housing in Alameda County, with a target of placing it on the June or November 2026 ballot. The proposed tax could raise $90 million annually for the next 30 years.

Supporters are polling voters on potential funding mechanisms and have narrowed in on a flat-rate parcel tax—unlike Alameda County’s Measure A1, which was based on assessed property values. County voters approved Measure A1 in 2016 to address the region’s chronic housing and affordability struggles

Specific ballot language hasn’t been drafted yet, and the group is waiting to see how the county finalizes its new Housing Plan before moving forward, said Michelle Starratt, the county's housing director.

The effort follows the path of previous measures like Measure C (child care and early education) and Measure W (housing and homelessness), which passed with simple majorities, but faced legal challenges over the threshold needed for passage.

A citizens-led tax initiative intended for a specific purpose, requires a simple majority for passage. Whereas, as tax measure placed on the ballot by a government body for a specific allocation requires a far more onerous two-thirds majority.

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—More inside:

• MORE COUNTY NEWS: Alameda County advances sidewalk vending ordinance with tougher rules, permit system. The brazenness of some unpermitted food providers has angered business owners, residents, and officials in the unincorporated areas for some time.

• CITY NEWS: San Leandro councilmember accused in a lawsuit by the former city manager of ethical violations, attempted to railroad proposed revisions to the council’s code of ethics.

• Oakland’s $9 million-a-year citywide security contract is stirring controversy, with councilmembers questioning a rushed selection process and clashing over a staff recommendation.

• STATE NEWS: Sen. Aisha Wahab’s bill to hold the state’s power utilities accountable is sparking tensions in Oakland, the new home of PG&E, leaving an Oakland councilmember to face pressure to rescind a resolution in support of the legislation.

• A Republican state senator questioned a birthright citizenship resolution in the state Senate, Wahab clapped back, reminding him that President Trump benefited from birthright citizenship.

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