Oakland votes to fund libraries, Measure D aims to raise $10 million over 20 years
FILE ART - Library books
OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland voters love their libraries.
Measure D, which imposes a $75 parcel tax to raise about $10 million annually for the city's libraries for the next 20 years, passed on Tuesday with nearly 76 percent of the vote.
Supporters said in their ballot argument that the measure is needed because "our Oakland libraries are in trouble," as years of underfunding and rising costs have forced neighborhood branch libraries to close two days a week and keep limited hours.
On Wednesday morning, City councilman Abel Guillen tweeted a big thank you to those who came out to vote and support the measure.