Watch CBS News

Oakland Mayoral Candidates Put Differences Aside To Support Public Safety Measure Z

OAKLAND (KCBS)— The race for Mayor of Oakland is heating up with just three weeks to go, but on Monday the top candidates all campaigned with a common goal— to preach the benefits of Measure Z.

Five of the leading candidates put aside their campaign differences to endorse the public safety measure that would extend police funding.

Oakland's Mayoral Candidates Put Differences Aside To Support Public Safety Measure Z

Measure Z is the successor to Measure Y from 10 years ago, which generated about $20 million a year for police and fire services, and anti-violence youth programs. Its parcel tax and 8.5 percent parking tax run out in December, so Z asks voters to extend them another decade.

Among those endorsing the measure was Mayor Jean Quan and Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan who spoke out.

"Let's be clear if Measure Z fails, we will be cutting officers and we will be cutting vital, violence-prevention programs," Kaplan said.

The measure requires two-thirds support to pass, so Councilmember Libby Schaaf said Z improves on Y, to address some voter concerns including a guarantee that the city maintain a police force of at least 678 cops.

"That officer guarantee is for boots on the ground for actual officers that are working not just numbers in a budget," said Schaaf.

Candidates Joe Tuman and Bryan Parker also joined the show of unity, for Measure Z.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.