Measuring the Measures
Watchdog group blasts local ballot measures for emotional appeals, missing financial info; Oakland's budget shortfall is $53M; 'Dro CM vindicated in sexual assault case; admired Union City CM passes
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,275
—MEASURING THE MEASURES—A new “Ballot Watchdog” review by the Alameda County Civil Grand Jurors’ Association criticizes several East Bay ballot measures for relying on emotionally charged language while failing to clearly explain key financial details.
The report reviewed eight measures appearing on the June ballot across Alameda County and repeatedly faulted them for emphasizing politically popular promises—such as public safety, homelessness services, school quality, and protections for children—without adequately explaining costs, existing taxes, repayment obligations, or how the money would actually be spent.
—That criticism landed hardest on measures in Oakland.
Oakland’s Measure D charter amendment involving the Police and Fire Retirement System Board received the lowest score in the report at 1.8.
Oakland’s Measure E parcel tax also drew heavy criticism, earning a score of 2.6.
Reviewers argued Measure E leaned heavily on emotionally resonant issues including 9-1-1 response times, gun violence, homelessness, and illegal dumping, while failing to clearly specify how revenues would be allocated or whether the measure constituted a general or special tax.
—School parcel taxes generally received higher marks, although reviewers still objected to what they described as manipulative wording.
The highest score in the report went to the Piedmont Unified School District parcel tax renewal, which received a 4.2.
Meanwhile, the Castro Valley Unified School District bond measure was criticized for failing to disclose the total repayment cost and whether the financing structure included capital appreciation bonds, which can significantly increase long-term taxpayer costs.
Several education-related measures—including those involving the Peralta Community College District and Hayward Unified School District—were also criticized for language stating funds “cannot be taken by the state,” which reviewers dismissed as misleading political rhetoric.
📊Ballot Watchdog Scores
Measure A — Peralta Community College District — Parcel Tax — 3.9
Measure B — Castro Valley Unified School District — Bond Measure — 3.2
Measure C — Oakland — Business Tax Exemption — 3.6
Measure D — Oakland — Charter Amendment — 1.8
Measure E — Oakland — Parcel Tax — 2.6
Measure F — San Leandro — Charter Amendment — 2.8
Measure G — Hayward Unified School District — Parcel Tax — 3.5
Measure H — Piedmont Unified School District — Parcel Tax — 4.2
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CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Form 497 large campaign contributions, and Form 6 federal 48-hour notices of contributions filed on May 22-25:
