Rewind 2025: Part III - 'One Big Beautiful Bill' greatly threatens local funding; Trump threatens Oakland; Fight over encampment policy emerges; Khanna seeks to reveal Epstein files
The best and worst in East Bay politics from July through September
Let’s look back at the events that shaped the year in East Bay politics with Part III — July through September. Part IV of Rewind 2025 resumes with October through December on Friday, Dec. 26.
JULY
—BUFFY CEQA SLAYER—Legislation authored by two East Bay lawmakers is included in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s landmark housing package. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks’ bill exempts qualifying urban infill housing projects from CEQA lawsuits and delays. State Sen. Aisha Wahab’s bill quadruples the refundable renter’s tax credit, caps rental “junk fees,” and includes $1.4 billion in funding for first-generation homebuyers, low-income housing tax credits, and assistance for the unhoused. July 2 - Duong pardon speculation raises stakes in FBI corruption probe
—FBI PLOT THICKENS—Former San Leandro City Manager Fran Robustelli add new context to the East Bay’s FBI public corruption investigation after alleging in a lawsuit against the city that Councilmembers Victor Aguilar Jr. and Bryan Azevedo pushed her to act on the controversial Evolutionary Homes project, and retaliated when she “refused to do their bidding.” July 3 - Former San Leandro city manager alleges retaliation by councilmembers was tied to Evolutionary Homes deal
—ETHICS ON THE BACK BURNER—The county treasurer’s proposed Ethical Investment Policy — under consideration since November 2024 — is again placed on the back burner by the Board of Supervisors, upsetting proponents of the policy. It would return later this year, but without a resolution. July 9 - County is slow-footing hotly-debated Ethical Investment Policy
—FACING REALITY—John Bauters, the former Emeryville mayor and candidate for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors last year, appears on the Fox reality show, The Snake. Bauters appears in five episodes before being eliminated in episode 8 after his opponents detected his duplicity. July 9 - County is slow-footing hotly-debated Ethical Investment Policy
—MORE THAN SORRY—Alameda County Supervisors Elisa Márquez pledges $400,000 from her district funds to the Russell City Redress Fund, and Supervisor Nate Miley adds $250,000 from his district funds to provide direct payments for redress of the forced displacement of the mostly Black and Latino residents of Russell City in the 1960s. Two other supervisors would later add $100,000 apiece to the pot. July 10 - Russell City redress effort gains momentum with new county funding commitments
—SENATE FLOOR FIGHT—State senators approve a resolution authored by State Sen. Aisha Wahab supporting the constitutional right of birthright citizenship, but not before she takes exception with a Republican state senator’s comment that birthright citizens are not loyal to the U.S. “The fact that I hear that in California—on the senate floor—is deeply damaging,” Wahab said. July 11 - Citizen-led parcel tax for affordable housing may be coming to the ballot next year
—DOLLARS AND SCENTS—Residents in Fremont, Union City, and Newark receive limited garbage services after Teamsters working at Republic Services go on strike in solidarity with garbage haulers in others states. The strike will last nearly two weeks. July 14 - Public transparency is in decline across Alameda County
—CHARTER SHART—In search of new revenues, Pleasanton officials propose a novel idea for raising its Real Estate Transfer Tax rate: Become a charter city, which would give them greater autonomy on local issues, including taxation. But a majority of the council reject the idea, asserting voters will not support a ballot measure to raise taxes. July 16 - Pleasanton nixes charter city tax plan
—MEASURE W DIVVIED UP—Alameda County supervisors approve a plan to distribute an expected $1.83 billion in Measure W funds by dividing revenues into three “buckets”: the Home Together Fund, the county’s long-term strategy to combating homelessness; an Essential County Services Fund; and creation of a “prudent reserve.” July 23 - Alameda County sets path for Measure W homelessness funds
—PLAYING BALL YET AGAIN—Assignment of Alameda County’s half-interest in the Coliseum from Coliseum Way Partners (a group that includes A’s ownership) to the Oakland Acquisition Company is approved by county supervisors. But the celebration is tempered, noting the long road to get to this point, Supervisor Nate Miley said, until escrow closes, “no champagne, no cigars.” July 23 - Alameda County sets path for Measure W homelessness funds
AUGUST
—WAHAB’S WARNING—State Sen. Aisha Wahab tells the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee in August that federal troops in Los Angeles is a precursor for expanding its use across the state, “Even though we are watching what is going on in L.A., the consensus is that we are not prepared in the Bay Area.” Aug. 11 - Wahab said. Wahab: ‘We are not prepared’ for ICE
—TREASURED MOMENT—Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf abruptly ends her campaign for California State Treasurer after Eleni Kounalakis abruptly ends her own gubernatorial campaign and files to run for treasurer. Schaaf then endores Kounalakis. Aug. 11 - Wahab said. Wahab: ‘We are not prepared’ for ICE
—TRUMP THREATENS OAKLAND—President Trump singled out several major cities, including Oakland, as places he might target for sending in the National Guard to combat crime. Specifically referring to Oakland and Baltimore: “We don’t even mention them anymore,” Trump said. “They’re so far gone.” Aug. 12 - Trump threatens to send National Guard to Oakland
—DISASTER UN-PREPAREDNESS—Following ferocious wildfires in Los Angeles County, Alameda County emergency management officials say the county’s alert system is functional but hampered by technical limits, uneven use by cities, and a looming threat of federal funding cuts. By year’s end, several swarms of moderate earthquakes in the East Bay only further concerns. Aug. 13 - Courting with disasters
—ICE AHEAD—Immigrant rights advocates sound the alarm that federal officials are eyeing the former Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin as a potential immigration detention center in the East Bay. “If you build it, they will fill it,” said Jehan Laner of the Immigrant Legal and Resource Center. Aug. 15 - ‘If they build it, they will fill it’: Concerns are growing over potential ICE detention center in Dublin
—HOME SCHOOL—Michael Gonzales, a New Haven Unified School District trustee in Union City is under investigation by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for living outside the district he was elected to represent. The news is reported by Gonzales, himself, during a school board meeting. The DA’s office will decide later in the year not to seek charges. Aug. 21 - New Haven trustee under DA investigation over residency allegations
—OH, BRYAN!—East Bay Insiders reports that the wife of embattled San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo created a Limited Liability Corporation in September 2023 named BCP Consulting. The LLC will be a central part of the charges handed down by federal authorities in late October. Aug. 22 - Azevedo LLC
—FOR THE SWIFTIES—America is in titters about news that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married. The City of Alameda follows up on the big news by inviting them to host their nuptials at Alameda City Hall. Aug. 27 - Report: Alameda County evictions rose sharply after lengthy moratorium ended
SEPTEMBER
—LEADING THE CHARGE—Rep. Ro Khanna co-leads a bipartisan discharge petition to force a full House vote requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to release all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The discharge petition is successful and though the release of the documents in December is incomplete, the move places Khanna positively in the middle of a major national storyline. Sept. 5 - Renters: highs and lows
—SURPRISE!—Hayward’s worsening fiscal failures is now a full-fledged crisis after the city announces it needs to quickly attend to a $30 million shortfall. “More work needs to be done to stave off insolvency,” Councilemember Julie Roche said. The fiasco is blamed on inaccurate budget assumptions. Sept 3 - Hayward’s fiscal crisis has reached Oakland levels of budget desperation
—ENCAMPMENT DEBATE BEGINS—Oakland Councilmember Ken Houston unveils his Encampment Abatement Policy at a Public Safety Committee meeting. It proposes scraping Oakland’s 2020 rules and replace them with tougher measures aimed at swiftly clearing people off city streets. The plan stokes strong support and strong opposition, and will be placed on hold through the end of the year. Sept. 8 - Houston wants to crack down on Oakland encampments
—ORDER IN THE CHAMBERS!—Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch violently slams the gavel during a council meeting, calls for a five-minute recess, and leave the dais after getting into a disagreement with Councilmember Julie Testa. Sept. 17 - Not so Pleasanton
—WIN FOR RATEPAYERS—Livermore agrees to credit ratepayers $3.78 million to settle a nearly two-year-long lawsuit brought by the Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association over claims the city illegally diverted water and sewer fees into its general fund. Sept. 19 - Livermore settles lawsuit, agrees to credit ratepayers $3.78 million in utility fees
—ON THREE, CANCUN!—Alameda County Registrar of Voters Tim Dupuis, often a political punching bag over his handling of recent elections, announces he will retire in March 2026. Sept. 19 - Livermore settles lawsuit, agrees to credit ratepayers $3.78 million in utility fees
—THREAT TO THE SAFETY NET—Alameda County are warned about the devastating fallout from the passage of H.R. 1, otherwise known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” that will strip more than $100 million a year from the county’s safety-net hospitals and health programs. Sept. 23 - Alameda County braces for health care crisis created by federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
—ICE ARRIVES—Federal ICE agents arrest an individual at the Alameda County Superior Court’s Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland. It is believed to be the first federal immigration enforcement action at a courthouse in Alameda County since the start of the second Trump administration. Sept. 24 - Supervisor faults county for lack of urgency on Trump policies
—DOUBLE DEFEAT—Alameda and Livermore come out on the losing end in their bid to be the site of Pacific Fusion’s commercial fusion research and manufacturing campus to Albuquerque, New Mexico, which offered generous tax incentives. Sept. 29 - Nothing looks good on the menu
—AUDIT FALLOUT—A state audit, ordered by State Sen. Aisha Wahab, of Alameda County’s Department of Children and Family Services raises concerns about the county’s ability to safeguard vulnerable children. Among the damaging findings: The department sometimes failed to begin investigations of alleged child abuse and neglected referrals within the required time frames. Sept. 30 - Landlord control
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YEAR-END PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Dec 23 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part III - ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ greatly threatens local funding; Trump threatens Oakland; Fight over encampment policy emerges; Khanna seeks to reveal Epstein files
Tuesday, Dec. 23 - 🎙️EBI Podcast: Episode 122 - 3rd Annual Insidey Awards
Friday, Dec 26 - ⏪Rewind 2025: Part IV - Letter alleges video of Bonta in a ‘compromising situation;’ FBI probe moves to San Leandro; Swalwell runs for governor; Price comes back for more
Monday, Dec 29 - 🔝🔟Top 10 East Bay Stories of 2025
Tuesday, Dec 30 - ❝Best Quotes of 2025❞
Monday, Jan. 5 - 🗞️EBI Newsletter returns, 6 a.m. sharp
🙏To all the new paid subscribers who joined the East Bay Insiders this year. Thank you for your support!
