Oaklander’s Together
Oaklander’s Together
Oakland needs a progressive business tax structure that imposes higher rates on businesses that earn more gross receipts and that is fair, equitable and helps small businesses which form the backbone of Oakland's economy. The City Council is considering a new tax rate that will discourage, and most likely prevent, business and job growth in Oakland. Their proposal also provides the City Council with an open checkbook with no limits and no assurances that the money will be spent on the issues of most concern to Oaklanders. Oaklanders Together is proposing a progressive tax structure, where larger businesses pay their fair share and small businesses receive real financial relief. It requires that the increase in tax revenue be spent on homeless shelters and services, small business sustainably, and efforts to clean up the trash that plagues our city.
Oaklanders Together is a group of Oakland’s Business Improvement Districts, five Chambers of Commerce and other business and community serving organizations. The Oaklanders Together measure guarantees that funds will be spent on the priorities of Oakland residents – not at the whim of the City Council - while protecting our city’s economy and local jobs. Oaklanders - by a two to one margin - want revenues raised to be spent on what they believe is important. We need to grow our tax base in Oakland, attract new tax paying businesses and increase our workforce—not jeopardize our future by imposing tax increases that are inherently too risky for Oakland's long-term fiscal stability.
What small businesses need is customers: patrons visiting their establishments to buy food, clothing, gifts, hotel rooms, groceries etc. Oaklanders know that a robust local economy and vibrant commercial centers are also strong deterrents to crime. The pandemic shutdowns have devastated business and tourism across the city, resulting in vacant buildings and empty sidewalks. Oakland and our small businesses deserve a progressive business tax that will not only support much needed services but will also bring businesses back and deliver on what it promises, particularly at a time of great uncertainty of how and where people will work in the future.
This measure will deliver dollars to provide physical shelter for our homeless neighbors as well as funding the supportive services necessary so they can find permanent housing. It will provide funding for our commercial corridors and our neighborhood shopping districts so our residents can support our local businesses safely. The measure will also provide grants to our local small businesses that have been hit so hard by the Covid Pandemic. It will provide funds to the City and nonprofit organizations to clean the trash and illegal dumping that occurs on too many of our streets, parks and public spaces.
Please join Oaklanders Together in ensuring economic sustainability for our small businesses and jobs for our residents.
