4 22-0382 Subject: Emerald New Deal Healing And Reparations Fund
From: Councilmembers Taylor, Reid And Gallo
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution On The City Council's Own Motion Submitting To The Voters At The November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election An Amendment To The Oakland City Charter To Add Article XVII To: (1) Establish The "Emerald New Deal Fund" For Cannabis Business Tax Revenue To Be Used For Services And Programs To Address Racially Inequitable Impacts Of The War On Drugs On Individuals, Families, And Communities In The City Of Oakland; And (2) Reestablish The Cannabis Regulatory Commission, As The "End-Harm Cannabis Regulatory Commission," With Revised Membership And Responsibilities, Including To Advise The Council On Expenditure Of The Emerald New Deal Fund; And Directing The City Clerk To Take All Actions Necessary Under Law To Submit This Item To The Voters At The November 8, 2022 General Election
I urge my Councilmembers to vote YES to move END forward to the November ballot. Oakland deserves to vote to address the harms caused by the War on Drugs. Let’s END HARM!
The time for healing is now! Put the Emerald New Deal on the November ballot so we can start to fund programs we know bring healing and justice to our communities.
My name is Lisa Castellanos, and I currently work in Oakland District 2. I also lived in Oakland as a constituent of District 2 for almost 10 years. I believe that the Emerald New Deal Healing and Reparations Fund is the smartest, most timely and cost efficient proposal for addressing many of the generational harms caused by the war on drugs. Right-ing the destructive impact of the racially biased public policy such as the war on drugs - initially directly on Oakland's Black families but ultimately on all of Oakland communities - requires bold accountability and real financial investment over time. END holds the promise of COMMITTED, CONSISTENT funding for the ongoing investment in services and programs that will restore the dignity, health and hope that impacted families and will make it possible for ALL Oaklander's to thrive. In addition, the re-establishment of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission as the "End-Harm Cannabis Regulatory Commission" with added responsibilities to advice the Council on how the funds are spent is vital to centering the role of the commission as one whose aim is to end harm as an ongoing commitment to Oakland communities, specifically our multi-generational impacted communities as well as ALL Oaklander's. Now is the time for a fund like END to restore and heal the harm that the war on drug imposed on all of Oakland, especially as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. I urge the Council to vote YES to move END to the November 2022 ballot.
According to Staff, the Emerald New Deal funds would duplicate spending on other external programs already funded by the city. For example END would fund additional workforce development, services for the homeless, mental health, housing, business support, physical health, and educational programs. The City currently currently funds external organizations for these same purposes through the Department of Violence Prevention ( $11.7 million), Homelessness (“tens of millions”), Workforce Development Division of EWDD ($6.8 million). The END funds, if they are "reparations," should be paid only to people directly affected by the War on Drugs, not "places that were most impacted," and to all victims whether black, brown, indigenous or white. Reducing the END's cost and the coincidental burden on the General Fund described in Staff's memo, would allow the City Council to spend more money on services normally provided by municipal government but not in Oakland, like full staffing for OPD, fixing our streets, removing illegally dumped trash, and other services that benefit all Oakland residents and businesses.
I incorporate by this reference my previous comments
Vote YES to place emerald new deal on the ballot. The city needs a consistent source of investment in righting the wrongs of the war on drugs. A couple thousand here and there to different groups does not meet the need. END is a solid start. It makes sure this investment stays no matter who’s in charge of the budget. I’ll be shocked if this isn’t a unanimous vote yes on Monday. We're talking about $8 million...1% of budget. People over politics!!
Please place Emerald New Deal on the ballot! This ordinance was developed with community members every step of the way over the last few years. There are two ways to get on the ballot: gathering upwards of 20,000 signatures or getting a City Councilmember to sponsor it. These folks knocked on my door in the fall and said they’d been trying to meet with all of you Councilmembers. Well finally Gallo, Taylor, and Reid stepped up. Now we need the rest of you to step up and vote yes to place this on the ballot so Oaklanders can vote to support the communities harmed by the War on Drugs! Place END on the ballot!! Councilmembers, please use something else as collateral in your political fighting --- not this policy to support the community most impacted by the war on drugs. VOTE YES TO PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT!
My name is Maria Torres, I work in Oakland with a group of amazing young people and I also lived in Oakland for 12 years. I was first a constituent of District 3, living on Adeline St, known at one point as the street with the most murders in West Oakland. I later moved to District 1 and saw the stark difference in care, resources and beauty between the Districts. The reality is that even with a change in leadership and promises to the impacted communities, the only difference in twelve years has been gentrification. The outpouring of homelessness, trash and crime in Oakland's flatlands continue to worsen, the wage gap and economic opportunity continue to grow, leaving our black and latinx communities vulnerable. Today, before the city council is a policy that promises to provide institutional support to the groups impacted by the War on Drugs and exacerbated by the realities of our society. I urge the council to vote YES to move END to the ballot, our communities continue to cry out for support and you can reach out with this first step in reparations. Thank you.
I urge my Councilmembers to vote YES to move END forward to the November ballot. Oakland deserves to vote to address the harms caused by the War on Drugs. Let’s END HARM!
Hola mi nombe Angeles Martinez, soy de la comunidad latina y vivo en la calle highland en Oakland. Estoy aqui para que apoyen el nuevo pacto esmeralda, para que llegue a la boleta de votacion en noviembre. En mi comunidad es dificil hablar sobre el canabis, porque a sido etiquetado como una droga, y nos han criminalizado por tenerla. Ahor que lleva tiempo siendo legal, queremos restaurar las propiedades de sanacion tradicionales del canabis. END HARM nos puede ayudar a sanar. Pongan en END Harm en la boleta y dejen que la gente vote.
Vote YES to place the Emerald New Deal on the November ballot. Stop the petty politicking and do what's right for the community of Oakland. This movement is bigger than all of us.
The Emerald New Deal was born in Sobrante park– it a response to decades of pain and suffering from the racist war on drugs that has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown people in Oakland. This measure is a testament to People Power– the community has been behind every step of this movement, from writing the ordinance to door knocking to sharing their stories.
END is a common-sense piece of legislation that begins to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs through a comprehensive, community-driven approach to equity and institutions.
Will you fight for racial justice or will you give up on Oakland? It’s time to END HARM now.
I am an Oakland resident living in the Adam's Point neighborhood. I am concerned about the damage done to Black and Brown communities in Oakland by criminalizing its residents during the War on Drugs. The Emerald New Deal could repair some of the harm done during the drug war by reinvesting in these communities with Cannabis Business Tax Revenue. This revenue could be used to invest in reentry programs for the formerly incarcerated, community-based mental health services, affordable housing, and employment developent and training. I urge you to make reparations by supporting the Emerald New Deal fund. Thank you.
I support END and urge the city council to vote to put it on the ballot and let the people decide. While folks are still facing the implications and damage caused by the war on drugs, it is imperative that we work towards restoring and giving back to our community by supporting this initiative.
I urge my Councilmembers to vote YES to move END forward to the November ballot. Oakland deserves to vote to address the harms caused by the War on Drugs. Let’s END HARM!
I support the Emerald New Deal. Please put it on the ballot so we can vote on it! Thanks in advance
Put the Emerald New Deal on the ballot. Thank you.
The time for healing is now! Put the Emerald New Deal on the November ballot so we can start to fund programs we know bring healing and justice to our communities.
My name is Lisa Castellanos, and I currently work in Oakland District 2. I also lived in Oakland as a constituent of District 2 for almost 10 years. I believe that the Emerald New Deal Healing and Reparations Fund is the smartest, most timely and cost efficient proposal for addressing many of the generational harms caused by the war on drugs. Right-ing the destructive impact of the racially biased public policy such as the war on drugs - initially directly on Oakland's Black families but ultimately on all of Oakland communities - requires bold accountability and real financial investment over time. END holds the promise of COMMITTED, CONSISTENT funding for the ongoing investment in services and programs that will restore the dignity, health and hope that impacted families and will make it possible for ALL Oaklander's to thrive. In addition, the re-establishment of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission as the "End-Harm Cannabis Regulatory Commission" with added responsibilities to advice the Council on how the funds are spent is vital to centering the role of the commission as one whose aim is to end harm as an ongoing commitment to Oakland communities, specifically our multi-generational impacted communities as well as ALL Oaklander's. Now is the time for a fund like END to restore and heal the harm that the war on drug imposed on all of Oakland, especially as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. I urge the Council to vote YES to move END to the November 2022 ballot.
Put the Emerald New Deal on the ballot. Let Oakland voters decide!
According to Staff, the Emerald New Deal funds would duplicate spending on other external programs already funded by the city. For example END would fund additional workforce development, services for the homeless, mental health, housing, business support, physical health, and educational programs. The City currently currently funds external organizations for these same purposes through the Department of Violence Prevention ( $11.7 million), Homelessness (“tens of millions”), Workforce Development Division of EWDD ($6.8 million). The END funds, if they are "reparations," should be paid only to people directly affected by the War on Drugs, not "places that were most impacted," and to all victims whether black, brown, indigenous or white. Reducing the END's cost and the coincidental burden on the General Fund described in Staff's memo, would allow the City Council to spend more money on services normally provided by municipal government but not in Oakland, like full staffing for OPD, fixing our streets, removing illegally dumped trash, and other services that benefit all Oakland residents and businesses.
I incorporate by this reference my previous comments
Vote YES to place emerald new deal on the ballot. The city needs a consistent source of investment in righting the wrongs of the war on drugs. A couple thousand here and there to different groups does not meet the need. END is a solid start. It makes sure this investment stays no matter who’s in charge of the budget. I’ll be shocked if this isn’t a unanimous vote yes on Monday. We're talking about $8 million...1% of budget. People over politics!!
Please place Emerald New Deal on the ballot! This ordinance was developed with community members every step of the way over the last few years. There are two ways to get on the ballot: gathering upwards of 20,000 signatures or getting a City Councilmember to sponsor it. These folks knocked on my door in the fall and said they’d been trying to meet with all of you Councilmembers. Well finally Gallo, Taylor, and Reid stepped up. Now we need the rest of you to step up and vote yes to place this on the ballot so Oaklanders can vote to support the communities harmed by the War on Drugs! Place END on the ballot!! Councilmembers, please use something else as collateral in your political fighting --- not this policy to support the community most impacted by the war on drugs. VOTE YES TO PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT!
It’s time for this to be resolved
My name is Maria Torres, I work in Oakland with a group of amazing young people and I also lived in Oakland for 12 years. I was first a constituent of District 3, living on Adeline St, known at one point as the street with the most murders in West Oakland. I later moved to District 1 and saw the stark difference in care, resources and beauty between the Districts. The reality is that even with a change in leadership and promises to the impacted communities, the only difference in twelve years has been gentrification. The outpouring of homelessness, trash and crime in Oakland's flatlands continue to worsen, the wage gap and economic opportunity continue to grow, leaving our black and latinx communities vulnerable. Today, before the city council is a policy that promises to provide institutional support to the groups impacted by the War on Drugs and exacerbated by the realities of our society. I urge the council to vote YES to move END to the ballot, our communities continue to cry out for support and you can reach out with this first step in reparations. Thank you.
I urge my Councilmembers to vote YES to move END forward to the November ballot. Oakland deserves to vote to address the harms caused by the War on Drugs. Let’s END HARM!
Put the Emerald New Deal on the ballot! Let the voters choose how the money get's spent
Hola mi nombe Angeles Martinez, soy de la comunidad latina y vivo en la calle highland en Oakland. Estoy aqui para que apoyen el nuevo pacto esmeralda, para que llegue a la boleta de votacion en noviembre. En mi comunidad es dificil hablar sobre el canabis, porque a sido etiquetado como una droga, y nos han criminalizado por tenerla. Ahor que lleva tiempo siendo legal, queremos restaurar las propiedades de sanacion tradicionales del canabis. END HARM nos puede ayudar a sanar. Pongan en END Harm en la boleta y dejen que la gente vote.
Vote YES to place the Emerald New Deal on the November ballot. Stop the petty politicking and do what's right for the community of Oakland. This movement is bigger than all of us.
The Emerald New Deal was born in Sobrante park– it a response to decades of pain and suffering from the racist war on drugs that has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown people in Oakland. This measure is a testament to People Power– the community has been behind every step of this movement, from writing the ordinance to door knocking to sharing their stories.
END is a common-sense piece of legislation that begins to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs through a comprehensive, community-driven approach to equity and institutions.
Will you fight for racial justice or will you give up on Oakland? It’s time to END HARM now.
Put the Emerald New Deal on the Ballot in November. Let the Oakland voters decide.
I am an Oakland resident living in the Adam's Point neighborhood. I am concerned about the damage done to Black and Brown communities in Oakland by criminalizing its residents during the War on Drugs. The Emerald New Deal could repair some of the harm done during the drug war by reinvesting in these communities with Cannabis Business Tax Revenue. This revenue could be used to invest in reentry programs for the formerly incarcerated, community-based mental health services, affordable housing, and employment developent and training. I urge you to make reparations by supporting the Emerald New Deal fund. Thank you.
I support END and urge the city council to vote to put it on the ballot and let the people decide. While folks are still facing the implications and damage caused by the war on drugs, it is imperative that we work towards restoring and giving back to our community by supporting this initiative.
Put the Emerald new deal on the November ballot so people can decide, it’ll be a great thing for our community.
So ready to see this issue on the ballot this November, let the people choose