The City of Oakland is facing a $58 million budget deficit.  If we aren’t able to close the gap in Oakland’s budget, we may see here in Oakland the trend happening around the country of budgets being balanced on the backs of our communities - cuts across the board to important services that our children, elders and broader communities rely on.

Join Causa Justa :: Just Cause, our allies in the Oakland Rising coalition and numerous other community and labor organizations, as we call on the Oakland City Council to pass a fair and equitable budget that prioritizes services that keep our communities healthy and safe!

1. Rally for a Fair Budget

Date : Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Location: In front of Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

Time: 5PM

Please wear your CJJC T-shirt if you have one!

2. Stay after the rally and speak in the city council meeting!

Date : Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Location: Inside Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

Time: 5:30PM

3. Send a letter or make a call to your city council representative

Contact information for city council members at the bottom.

Sample letter:

As an Oakland resident I am deeply concerned about the $58 million budget deficit affecting Oakland and the impacts that it is having on my family, friends and myself. I'm standing with Oakland residents, community organizations and labor organizations United for a Fair and Equitable Budget.

When passing a budget for Oakland, I'm calling on you to:

•    Collect before you cut:  Collect revenue already mandated by the city, before cutting quality-of-life services.

•    Quality of life services are core services:  City services like libraries, senior and community centers, youth programs and parks are the basis for a good quality of life for all Oaklanders. These services must hold highest priority in the budget in order to advance a proactive and holistic approach to public safety and violence prevention.

•    Shared responsibility and contributions. Everyone living, working, and doing business in Oakland--including banks and corporations-- must contribute to alleviate the budget deficit and ensure the preservation of our services, jobs, and city programs.

•    Prioritize progressive revenue generation:  Measures bringing money into the city should minimize the pain and burden on our most vulnerable communities including low income, immigrant and communities of color.

As an Oakland resident I understand the challenges in fixing Oakland's budget problem. And I'm calling on you to pass a budget that puts the children, seniors and families of Oakland first.

Oakland United for a Fair Budget!

Oakland City Council members:

•    District 1 – Jane Brunner 510 238-6910, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    District 2 –  Patricia Kernighan 510 238-7002, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    District 3 – Nancy Nadel 510 238-7003, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    District 4 –  Libby Schaaf 510 238-7004, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    District 5 – Ignacio De La Fuente 510 238-7005, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    District 6 – Desley Brooks 510 238-7006, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    District 7 – Larry Reid 510 238-7007, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

•    At Large  – Rebecca Kaplan 510 238-7008, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it