Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee has endorsed Measure EE, a ballot initiative that could increase compensation for city councilmembers by as much as $108,000 each and expand the mayor's authority over city government, according to an Oakland Report analysis. The measure would eliminate the current 5% cap on salary increases and shift additional powers to the mayor's office, the analysis found. Lee's office did not respond to a request for comment.
The proposal arrives as Oakland confronts a structural budget deficit, a homelessness crisis that has doubled since 2015, and an illegal dumping epidemic, according to city records. Measure EE would also grant the mayor authority over most city departments and veto power over legislation and individual budget items, according to the measure's text. The full package would add an estimated $2 million to $2.6 million in first-year costs, according to city estimates.
Voters will decide on Measure EE in the upcoming election. The measure's first-year costs are estimated at $2 million to $2.6 million, according to city officials. Even getting the proposal onto the ballot required Mayor Lee's intervention when she broke a 4–4 council deadlock in June, according to city records.
Background: Oakland's Fiscal and Social Challenges
Oakland's homeless population rose from 2,191 in 2015 to 4,410 in 2026, according to city records and Alameda County's point-in-time count. City crews hauled away 1,701 tons of illegally dumped material in August and September, a 46% increase over the same period last year, according to a city report. The city has a structural budget deficit, according to officials.
Voters rejected a parcel tax in June that would have raised about $34 million annually; without it, officials anticipated freezing vacant positions and closing roughly 190 homeless shelter beds. The additional costs from Measure EE would come on top of the city's existing budget deficit.
The proposal comes as Oakland continues to deal with a public corruption scandal and fiscal challenges. Former Mayor Sheng Thao is on trial for an alleged pay-to-play corruption scheme; she and three others have pleaded not guilty, according to court records. Prosecutors allege Thao promised favorable treatment for businesses controlled by David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, in exchange for political mailers and a promise of $300,000 paid to her partner, Andre Jones.
Details of Measure EE: Pay Raises and Power Shift
Councilmembers currently earn a base salary of $114,243; with benefits, annual compensation is about $148,500, according to Oakland Report. Measure EE would scrap the existing 5% cap on salary increases every two years; starting in 2027, the Public Ethics Commission would set compensation using comparisons with full-time councilmembers and county supervisors in California jurisdictions it selects. The measure sets no specific salary and no dollar ceiling, according to the ballot question.
City Auditor Michael Houston projects additional salary and benefit costs of $36,000 to $108,000 per member, with the council's combined first-year increase reaching as much as $867,000. The measure would grant the mayor authority over most city departments and veto power over legislation and individual budget items; overriding a veto would require six council votes. The full package would add an estimated $2 million to $2.6 million in first-year costs, according to city estimates.
The ballot question discloses the proposed change in salary-setting rules, according to the measure's text. Supporters argue that paying councilmembers for full-time work would make elected office more accessible to people without personal wealth or outside income, according to the ballot argument. The Yes on EE campaign's website, frequently asked questions, and supporting ballot arguments did not mention the projected raises, instead emphasizing accountability and making council service a full-time job, according to Oakland Report.
Corruption Scandal and Supporters' Arguments
Former Mayor Sheng Thao is on trial for an alleged pay-to-play corruption scheme; she and three others have pleaded not guilty, according to court records. Prosecutors allege Thao promised favorable treatment for businesses controlled by David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, in exchange for political mailers and a promise of $300,000 paid to her partner, Andre Jones.
Supporters argue that paying councilmembers for full-time work would make elected office more accessible to people without personal wealth or outside income, according to the ballot argument. The Yes on EE campaign's website, frequently asked questions, and supporting ballot arguments did not mention the projected raises, instead emphasizing accountability and making council service a full-time job, according to Oakland Report.
The ballot question discloses the proposed change in salary-setting rules, according to the measure's text. The proposal comes as Oakland continues to deal with a public corruption scandal and fiscal challenges.
Reference:
- California’s worst-run city could give councilmembers $108K raises. https://nypost.com/2026/10/26/us-news/oakland-mayor-wants-to-give-city-councilmembers-108k-pay-raises/
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