Overview

• Barbara Lee was sworn in as Oakland’s 52nd mayor on May 20, marking a leadership transition after the recall and federal indictment of Sheng Thao.
• Lee unveiled a 10-point, 100-day agenda focused on budget stabilization, increasing the police force to 700 officers, and addressing homelessness through job training and financial assistance.
• Oakland faces a $54 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year, with long-term structural challenges driven by pension costs, insurance premiums, and reliance on one-time funds.
• The new mayor emphasized transparency and community engagement, committing to post detailed action plans online and involve diverse working groups in decision-making.
• Lee, a former congresswoman with 27 years of legislative experience, highlighted her intent to bring federal investment and public-private partnerships to revitalize Oakland’s economy.