Here's the reason why Oakland is on the 'wrong track,' according to voters

"Most Oakland residents aren't happy with how their city is functioning. In fact, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey which found that 75% of Oaklanders say the city is on the "wrong track." Some blame the city charter, which they say, is dysfunctional and doesn't hold Oakland leaders accountable. People will tell you, Oakland has problems. Homelessness, illegal dumping, companies leaving the city, car break-ins, potholes and a budget crisis are only a few of them."

"Before taking office, former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown supported Measure X which basically took some powers away from the City Council and shifted them to the City Administrator. Voters passed it in 1998. Through Measure X, The City Administrator now had one and only one boss, Jerry Brown. Things got done at City Hall."

"A city's charter is kind of like its constitution, a social contract of sorts that is adopted by the people it governs. That's you - Oakland voters are responsible for what's in the charter, 132 pages long and every time you vote, things get added to the charter, just like Measure X did."

A survey found 75% of Oakland residents say the city is on the wrong track. Residents face homelessness, illegal dumping, businesses leaving the city, car break-ins, potholes, and a budget crisis. Critics say the city charter concentrates power, reduces accountability, and hampers responsiveness. Measure X in 1998 shifted authority from the City Council to a City Administrator who initially reported only to the mayor, producing more decisive action. Later changes weakened that model, prompting calls for charter reform led by a former city administrator who emphasizes voter responsibility for charter content.

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