What the heck is "Contracting Reform"?

“Contracting reform” may not be on your radar right now, but if you want more safe streets, we need your attention for a few. It's not so complicated!

Oakland has rules for awarding contracts for paving and many other services. These are all well-meaning, aiming to assure that the City supports small local businesses, promotes diversity, and avoids corruption.

But they've been added piecemeal over time, with the effect of frustrating their original goals and slowing down the work.

Today, OakDOT and other departments just get a lot less done. Excessive process and requirements cost us both money and time, and the people of Oakland pay more for less.

And often, the smaller firms we want to attract are instead pushed away. In some cases, we end up with only one qualified bidder. Our costs for sidewalks and paving can reach twice the cost and twice the time of nearby jurisdictions!

There are smart reforms available that will make Oakland a safer, fairer, and more beautiful city that delivers for its residents and restores trust in local government, without giving up the positive social benefits we all want.

Attend this teach-in to learn what you need to know to organize and advocate effectively for a more productive approach. Join with other advocates and interested folks for a great conversation about achieving our goals together.

Wednesday, June 25th at 7PM at Temescal Works, 490 43rd Street, in Oakland

Please add this to your calendars!