Hundreds Oppose Cuts At Oakland Budget Meeting
OAKLAND (KCBS) --- It was standing room only at Tuesday night's Oakland city council meeting with hundreds of city workers and community members protesting Mayor Jean Quan's plan to cut a $58 million deficit. The public comment portion took the meeting into the early morning hours.
Hundreds of Oakland's city workers held a rally before marching into the meeting where more than 100 people signed up to comment on the mayor's budget proposal. It calls for nine percent across the board concessions from unions or most of the city's libraries, four fire stations and five rec centers would be closed.
"We feel like there's $42 million in savings that the city hasn't looked at," said electrician and union representative Michael Patterson.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
He said alternative measures include cutting contractor costs and bringing projects in house.
A fifth grade teacher came with students from Encompass Academy.
"Take these libraries out of the neighborhoods, and you're killing the neighborhoods," she said. "You're killing the community by taking the libraries away."
"They want us to learn, but they're closing down the libraries," one of her students added.
Councilmembers are expected to present counter proposals on the budget next week.
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