Mayoral debate: What Barbara Lee, Loren Taylor said about Oakland's top issues

OAKLAND, Calif. - Two candidates for Oakland mayor, former Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Councilmember Loren Taylor, participated in a debate Tuesday night hosted by KTVU anchor Dave Clark. 

For the most part, it was a cordial discussion, though there were a few moments of pushback and sharp remarks. Both candidates emphasized that their leadership, ideas, and relationships are key to addressing Oakland’s ongoing crisis.

Taylor introduced himself as an engineer, a father, and husband, who is ready to bring fresh ideas to serious problems.

"We have to be honest with ourselves. Oakland is broken. We have a lot of things that need to be fixed and need to be fixed immediately. If we don't respond with urgency, we could lose more residents, lose more businesses, lose more revenues, driving us closer to bankruptcy," Taylor said in his opening statement.

Lee said her experience and leadership will unite the city.

"After 27 years in Congress focused on Oakland, the world and the country knows what, who Oakland is and what Oakland needs. And I want to be able to use that to help with economic development, to create good paying jobs and to make sure that all of our neighborhoods not only survive, but thrive," Lee said in her opening statement.

Clark asked each candidate to present solutions to problems including homelessness, dwindling small businesses, declining education and the massive budget deficit. 

Clark asked each candidate to present solutions to problems including homelessness, dwindling small businesses, declining education and the massive budget deficit. The significant budget deficit is down to $89 million as of March 4.

Oakland's budget deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year was approaching $130 million, KTVU reported earlier this year.

In light of the budget deficit, the city has approved cuts within Oakland's arts, culture, police and fire sectors.

In January, the city closed several fire stations temporarily.

A city ordinance could redirect funds to avert some of those closures, KTVU reported last week.

Oakland residents will vote for the city's next mayor on April 15 in a special election following the November recall of former mayor Sheng Thao. 

Here's what each candidate had to say about the city's budget.

Loren Taylor on Oakland's budget

Loren Taylor, a former city councilmember, said the first thing necessary to address Oakland's budget is an independent audit.

"That gives us confidence of what's happening and what's not. We have been gaslit for too long in this city around our budget" he said. 

He emphasized the city did not accumulate the deficit overnight.

"It was a series of decisions that were made, decisions that were influenced in the process," Taylor said. "The root cause of our financial struggles: corruption, mismanagement, self-dealing, not centering Oaklanders at the center of decisions that are being made."

The second step, Loren said, would be an analysis of the largest costs affecting the city budget, including employee pensions.

"We have a significant pension obligation. We're paying more than $130 million in interest each year on our pension that we have to restructure," Taylor said. "We're paying at a 7% interest. If we take that down to a 5% interest rate, we can save more than $20 million that we free up for our city."

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‘Can’t cut our way out of this'

Why you should care:

Taylor said the solution to Oakland's budget should involve all city stakeholders – down to vendors and city contractors.

"Everyone [needs] to be a part of the solution," he said. 

Taylor emphasized more revenue will bring more opportunity to Oakland – which will allow everyone to benefit. 

"We have to increase efficiencies. Focus on those gaps where we are wasting redundant effort and not having our eyes on the ball," the candidate said.

He also said cuts are not the answer. 

"We have to recognize that when we're reducing costs, we can't cut our way out of this. 

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Barbara Lee on Oakland's Budget

The former Congresswoman's plan to address the city's budget deficit includes an audit, a focus on bringing in revenue and a deeper look at the city's spending. 

"In order to get that, come out of this hole that we're in, we have to raise revenue and of course, cut expenditures," Lee said. 

Lee said the city needs a financial audit, like Taylor said, but also a forensic audit.

"We need an audit that's going to tell the taxpayers in this city where the waste, fraud and abuse is in our city," she said.

The candidate also intends to look at the efficiencies of city departments, and see "where there's fluff and where there's waste." 

"We need to capture that, and we need to make sure that we reinvest that in our budget," she said. 

Raising Revenue

Dig deeper:

Raising revenue is another key aspect of Lee's plan to tackle Oakland's budget. 

The candidate said that during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland "failed to raise and collect revenues," including revenue from code enforcement, fines – and even parking tickets.

"I think only maybe 11% of that revenue has been brought into the city. And so we have to have a balanced approach. For me, everything is on the table," she said.

Cutting jobs in the city is a last resort, she said.

"Jobs mean services to the city. The city needs good quality services for its residents," Lee said. "And so jobs and people who are employed by the city must do that. But we also have to have efficiencies in these departments."

Former Mayor Sheng Thao 

The biggest moment of tension and the loudest burst of applause came when Taylor addressed former mayor Sheng Thao.

"Oaklanders have to be centered. That's my commitment. That's why there's resistance against my campaign. And why my opponent has been recruited by some of those same backers of Sheng Thao to run," he said, as many in the crowd clapped. 

"I am proud of the support that I have from supporters of the recall of Sheng Thao and opponents of the recall of Sheng Thao," Lee said in response. 

Coliseum Deal 

Both candidates expressed that, as mayor, they would have never linked the city’s budget to the Coliseum deal. The congresswoman shared a cautiously optimistic view, hoping the venue could be developed into a thriving economic hub. 

"What I want to see done is what, labor and business and the community, have laid out. And that's economic development. It's housing. It's a plan for the surrounding areas in East Oakland. I know for a fact that people will come to Oakland if, in fact, they feel safe, but also if we have, what the neighborhood and the corridor up Hegenberger Road would place there for tourists," said Lee. 

Taylor envisions it as a second downtown, with the potential to create jobs, generate revenue, and boost tourism.

"East Oakland has incredible potential that we have been sleeping on when it. When it comes to the Coliseum deal, I do believe that it is a transformational opportunity. 20 additional city blocks that can be created," said Taylor.

Voter Reaction 

Voters reflected on the standout moments of the debate.

"The energy that Loren Taylor, of course, has brought is just exceptional, and you see that vibrancy that he's here to make a commitment from today moving forward," Edward Escobar, a Taylor supporter, said.

"We need somebody ready to hit the ground running, not connected to the previous regimes that have destroyed the economics of this city," said Doug Blacksher, a Lee supporter. 

Lisa Mabry is an undecided voter. 

"I know that they're going to bring sort of different sensibilities to the role and the position, but I don't know. I'm still undecided. I believe in both of them, but I need to see a little bit more before I make that final decision," she said. 

The special election will take place April 15th. 

To watch the Oakland mayoral debate in its entirety, click here, or watch on-demand on FOX Local. 

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