Engage on Min Wage - THIS Friday @ Oak Metro Chamber - 8:30-10 AM

Ready to engage on minimum wage? Then we look forward to seeing you this Friday morning at Inside Oakland, as always the 4^th Friday of the month from 8:30-10 in the Board Room at the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

To inform our discussion of one of the hottest policy issues of the day, we will be joined by leaders from two of Oakland’s most dynamic sectors – non-profits and restaurants.

Michael LeBlanc

CJ Hirschfield

Well-recognized Oakland non-profit leader CJ Hirschfield of Fairyland and widely-acclaimed restaurant entrepreneur Michael LeBlanc of Pican will talk about what the various minimum wage proposals out there would mean to them. City staff and the City’s economic consultant will be on hand to listen and answer questions. We have outstanding invitations to an economist, additional local businesses, and our local electeds. I will be there to delve into the Oakland Chamber’s survey and work to date on the issue. Most importantly, you all will be there to listen, learn, share your perspectives, and engage on what this issue could mean for you and your business, employees, and community.

Our goal is to continue forging a coalition for a regional, sustainable, and transparent minimum wage policy that continues fueling Oakland’s economic progress for all.

To get us in the right mindset for a vibrant discussion this Friday, check out the following quick bullets:

·         This CNN article talks about how the State of Washington, which has had one of the highest minimum wages in the country at $9.32/hour, and San Francisco, have some of the hottest job markets. Cause or effect? An important question for us to explore.

·         Meanwhile, in the airport town of Sea-Tac in the State of Washington, the airport (run by the Port of Seattle, much like OAK is overseen by the Port of Oakland) has claimed federal pre-emption and gotten excluded from the recently voter-approved $15/hour minimum wage increase. Here’s the story.

·         A few days ago Swiss voters rejected what would have amounted to a US$17.50/hour nationwide minimum wage, voting 76% against. Learn more at this link.

·         The leading national non-profit group Independent Sector has called for members to embrace a living wage while ensuring exemptions for seasonal, part-time, and youth employees, and also increases in private giving as well as state and federal reimbursements to non-profit service providers so that the can pay higher wages without compromising needed services. Press release here. Is that the right approach for Oakland? For our region?

The Chamber and other agencies have produced much more information to date about this issue. If you have not already received this information and would any of it in advance, please e-mail Isaac Kos-Read, Public Policy Consultant.

Thank you again for your engagement on and interest in this important issue…and we look forward to seeing you bright and early this Friday morning!

Protecting Oakland Businesses & Residences, Public & Private Perspectives

INSIDE OAKLAND
Protecting Oakland Businesses & Residences – Public & Private Perspectives

Come hear the latest about Oakland’s new comprehensive public safety plan and get some perspective from private sector leaders involved in public safety.

Register Today-http://bit.ly/1r1eKfA


Speakers Include:


Interim City Administrator

Fred Blackwell- As Interim City Administrator, Fred Blackwell is responsible for the day-to-day operations of City agencies and departments.

 

Interim Chief Sean Whent

Interim Chief Sean Whent-   Interim Chief Whent manages and oversees the planning, development implementation of all law enforcement and crime prevention for the City.    

Amy Roither-Quintero

Amy Roither- Amy Roither-Quintero, MBA, is the Director of Business Development for Detect All Security & Fire, an Oakland-based company that provides security and fire alarm, video surveillance, and access control services throughout the Bay Area.
  

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board Room
475 14th St., Suite 100

Date: March 28th, 2014 Time: 8:30am-10am

SPONSORS

 

 

Inside Oakland panel discusses future of Measure Y

This year is a big one for public safety in Oakland. Measure Y, the Violence Prevention & Public Safety Act, which was overwhelmingly passed in 2004, expires at the end of the year. Unless renewed, the city’s already resource-constrained police, fire, and social services budgets face further cuts.

Funding for Measure Y comes from a $97.62 parcel tax and 8.5 percent surcharge on commercial parking lots. Around $19 million is generated annually, with $4 million going to fire prevention, a particularly important issue given the severe drought we are facing. 60 percent of the remaining, or about $9 million, goes to hiring at least 63 Problem Solving Officers for the Oakland Police Department.

The remaining 40 percent, or about $5 million, goes to violence prevention and intervention programs that are targeting the hottest crime spots in the city with research-tested policies that are yielding tangible results.

At the Inside Oakland event on Jan. 24, a panel of representatives from the city of Oakland, Oakland Police Department, a local nonprofit organization, and a small business owner and blogger discussed the benefits of Measure Y, how it has been improved over time, and what further enhancements are needed.

Panelists Included:

Anne Marks, Executive Director of Youth ALIVE!- Click here to see her presentation

 





   

  

 

Len Raphael, CPA 

Sara Bedford, Interim Director, City of Oakland Human Services- Click here to see presentation

 

Interim Assistant Chief Paul Figueroa, OPD

“This is an ethical approach to addressing violent crime – and it’s working,” explained  Paul Figueroa, who as an officer in the 90s was involved in drug busts that contributed to around 30,000 arrests annually in Oakland. He noted that last year the number of arrests was around 8,000 while overall violent crime is down.

Yet the fate of Measure Y is unclear. The city administrator’s office has engaged a consultant to look at polling, conduct outreach and education around the measure, and determine what can and should be taken to the voters in November. This review and evaluation will take place over the next six months.

The Chamber plans to be front and center in helping foster a constructive dialogue around this vital issue for Oakland. Please keep on the lookout for future events, and check out the presentations from the Inside Oakland event on the Chamber’s website, www.oaklandchamber.com.