In the News
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Oakland declares racism a public health crisis
June 08, 2022
San Francisco Chronicle
The Oakland City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to declare racism a public health crisis.
The vote sets aside $350,000 to fund two new positions in the city Department of Race and Equity…
It was also cosponsored by Council Members Sheng Thao, Loren Taylor and Treva Reid — all of whom are running for mayor.
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Council proposal would increase taxes on large Oakland businesses
May 26, 2022
KALW News
Mayoral candidate and current Council President Pro Tem Sheng Thao brought the groups together on the proposal. The City Council is expected to pass the proposal. If passed and then approved by voters, it would bring in about 22 million dollars for the city's General Fund.
The money would help pay for parks, libraries, fire stations, and needed city workers.
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Oakland City Council to consider tax hike for larger businesses
May 25, 2022
CBS News
Large Oakland businesses will pay more in taxes under a proposal going before the City Council Thursday.
A coalition of elected officials, business leaders and labor struck a compromise that will have businesses paying about $10,000 more in taxes on average if they have Oakland-based gross receipts of $50 million or more. Voters in November will need to approve of the measure if it passes the council.
Council President Pro Tem Sheng Thao, who is running for mayor, brought the groups together on the proposal, which would raise about $22 million for the city's General Fund.
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Oakland council passes resolution to make city pro-choice sanctuary
May 17, 2022
CBS News
"This is a right to our democracy," said City Council President Pro Tempore Sheng Thao, the chief sponsor of the resolution and an Oakland mayoral candidate, at a news conference Tuesday morning in front of City Hall.
"More women will die" if abortion is illegal, she said.
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Oakland becomes ‘Right-To-Choose Sanctuary City’
May 17, 2022
KRON 4
Oakland declared itself a “Right-To-Choose Sanctuary City” for women seeking access to abortion healthcare Tuesday.
The City Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution introduced by Oakland City Council President Pro-Tem Sheng Thao…
“This is a personal story for me. I have been able to use the resources of Planned Parenthood,” Thao said.
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City Council will declare Oakland a pro-choice sanctuary city
May 17, 2022
Oaklandside
Oakland city leaders plan to declare Oakland a sanctuary city for abortion, in response to reports that the U.S. Supreme Court could soon overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that protects abortion access for women…
“We know that just because something is made illegal, that doesn’t mean that there are less abortions that are being had. But statistics and history have shown that if abortion is illegal, that would mean that women will die,” said City Councilmember Sheng Thao during a news conference Tuesday morning. “Today we’re going to declare the city of Oakland a sanctuary city, signaling to the rest of the nation that if you are in need of health-care access, you can come to Oakland, and you will be given that right.”
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Legislation introduced to make Oakland sanctuary city for abortion
May 06, 2022
KRON 4
Oakland City Council President Pro Tem Sheng Thao introduced emergency legislation that would make Oakland a sanctuary city for abortion, she announced Friday. The legislation is in response to a leaked draft opinion obtained by Politico Monday that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
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Oakland City Council passes resolution calling on state to eliminate debt to prevent school closures
February 15, 2022
KRON 4
The Oakland City Council has unanimously passed a resolution calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and State Legislature to eliminate the school district’s debt to prevent school closures.
The resolution was introduced by Council President Pro Tempore Sheng Thao, Council President Nikki Fortuno Bas, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, and Councilmember Carroll Fife.
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Oakland city leaders ask California to eliminate OUSD's debt to prevent closures
February 04, 2022
KTVU
The heated debate on whether to close a number of Oakland school buildings is now getting the attention of city leaders.
Specifically, Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, Council President Nikki Bas, Councilmember Carroll Fife and President Pro Tempore Sheng Thao are introducing a resolution to aid Oakland schools.
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Oakland city leaders ask governor, lawmakers to help save schools
February 03, 2022
KRON 4
In response to possible school closures and mergers in Oakland, city leaders are asking the governor and state lawmakers to bail out the school district.
OUSD revealed a plan last month impacting 16 schools to help balance their budget.
Oakland City Council President Pro Tem Sheng Thao, along with three other city leaders, are not only asking for OUSD’s debt to be eliminated but also for funding mechanisms based on attendance to be changed.