The Oakland Tribune June 4th, 2009

By Kelly Rayburn

About that election …

Ballots for Oakland’s July mail-only election will be sent to city voters June 22 — and information on four ballot measures voters will consider is posted on the city’s Web site, www.oaklandnet.com.

If all the measures passed, it could generate $7 million to $8 million, according to city estimates.

Voters will decide on whether to add a 3 percent surcharge to the city’s Hotel Tax; whether to tax marijuana clubs $18 per $1,000 in gross receipts; and whether to amend the city’s Real Property Transfer Tax ordinance to ensure transfers of real estate through corporate mergers or acquisitions are taxable.

The measure that would have the biggest impact on the budget, however, is a proposed change to Measure OO, the ballot measure approved in November to dramatically increase the amount of money set aside specifically for youth programs.

If approved, the change to Measure OO, which was put on the ballot through a compromise between council members and the coalition that supported the November measure, would redirect as much as $3.7 million from youth programs to other services such as libraries, senior services and public safety, officials say. Even more would be saved in future years.

Ballots must be received by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters by 8 p.m. July 21. They can be mailed or dropped off at the registrar’s office at 1225 Fallon St. in Oakland.

(Article online at: Link)

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Pot, hotels, youth programs, tax code part of summer vote in Oakland

http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_12675934?IADID