Tentative Deal To Save Oakland Police Jobs
The Oakland City Council approved a proposal Monday night to ask voters this November to approve a parcel tax to pay for the rehiring of 80 police officers laid off because of budget cuts.
The proposal would need the approval of two-thirds of the voters and an agreement by members of the police officers union to pay into their own pension fund. The members have not decided whether they will agree to the concession. If they don't, the parcel tax would not go before the voters.
Meanwhile, the deal was not unanimously supported by the city council, with some members saying it is asking too much of the public to approve another parcel tax.
The proposed tax is one of several controversial measures to raise needed funds, including one that would tax marijuana sales.
Oakland faces a projected $50 million deficit next year.
