City Government

Barbara Lee, 2 Other Lawmakers Maneuver to Force Vote on Legislation to Restore Roe

U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Judy Chu (D-CA) filed a “discharge petition” on Wednesday that could force Speaker Kevin McCarthy to hold a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act – a landmark piece of legislation that would restore the protections that were in place under Roe v. Wade.

Published

3 years ago

June 26, 2023

Oakland Post

A discharge petition filed Wednesday could force the GOP-led House to hold a vote on a landmark abortion-rights bill

As the nation approaches the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and with the support of Democratic leadership in the House, this trio of House lawmakers are seeking to employ a seldom-used legislative tactic that could force the GOP-led House to hold a vote on a key piece of legislation that would restore every American’s right to abortion care.

“In every election or poll since the Dobbs decision, the American people have made their support for reproductive rights clear,” said Lee, the co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus.

“My colleagues in Congress now have a choice: either trust your constituents to make the best decisions for themselves about their bodies, health, and lives, or go against the will of the people and continue to restrict a fundamental personal freedom.

“The decision to have an abortion should be between a person and their doctor—NOT politicians. The Pro-Choice Caucus is sending a message to the American people that we will not stop fighting to defend your right to make your own decisions over your bodies.”

“If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle aren’t willing to stand up for the people they represent, then we must,” DeGette, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, said on the House floor Wednesday to announce the trio’s decision to file the petition.

“We may not have the majority in this chamber, but there is no doubt that we have the majority of Americans on our side in this fight. Now is the time to end the devastation that too many Americans have already experienced. Now is the time to let the American public know exactly where every member of this chamber stands.”

“With House Republicans beholden to their extreme MAGA members, they refuse to restore and strengthen Americans’ reproductive rights,” said Chu, the prime sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act. “I am beyond proud to work with House Democratic leadership and the Pro-Choice Caucus to offer the Women’s Health Protection Act in a discharge petition to force accountability for their inaction.

“House Members who do not add their signature are telling Americans that they shouldn’t have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions,” Chu concluded.

Under House rules, if a discharge petition to force a vote on a particular piece of legislation is signed by 218 members of the House, it must immediately be brought before the full House for a vote, regardless of any objections or attempts by GOP leadership to block the legislation from being considered.

In this case, if the petition Lee, DeGette, and Chu filed Wednesday is signed by 218 members of the House, Speaker McCarthy and his allies would be required to immediately hold a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which the House approved twice last year.

The move comes as more than one dozen states across the country have enacted laws banning or extremely limiting women’s right to access abortion services in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last June.

If approved, the Women’s Health Protection Act would restore the protections that were in place under Roe and nullify any state or local government’s restrictions that have been put in place to limit, or outright prohibit, patients’ access to abortion care.

Now that it’s been filed, the discharge petition introduced by Lee, DeGette, and Chu will remain open for members to sign.

At any time, if the discharge petition filed Wednesday garners 218 signatures, the Women’s Health Protection Act will be called up for a vote – despite the GOP’s intent on preventing it from being considered.

From U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee’s media relations office.

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The Marin City Flea Market Is Back

The Marin City Flea Market returns on May 23, offering arts, crafts, vintage items, and collectibles. The market aims to uplift local vendors and celebrate cultural diversity.

Published

7 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Customers shopping in Marin City Flea Market. Photo courtesy of marincityflea.org.

By Godfrey Lee

After a long absence, Marin City will once again hold its flea market. The market will have its grand opening on Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church parking lot on 101 Donahue St. It will be held every fourth Saturday of the month

The market will be free to the public

There will be arts, crafts, vintage, collectibles, and other items on sale at the market. Interested vendors can contact info@marincityflea.org or text (415) 484-2984 for more information.

“The Marin City Flea Market’s mission is to uplift local vendors, celebrate cultural diversity, and provide an accessible community space where creativity, entrepreneurship, and connection can thrive,” says their website, marincityflea.org.

The flea market is sponsored and run by the Rotary Club of Marin City.

For more information, contact info@marincityflea.org. Or text to (415) 484-2984

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Amsterdam News

School District Extends Supt. Dr. Denise Saddler’s Contract for a Second Year

The Oakland Board of Education has extended Superintendent Denise Saddler’s contract through June 2027, promoting her from interim to permanent superintendent with a salary of $367,765.45 per year.

Published

8 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Supt. Dr. Denise Saddler. File photo.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Board of Education voted this week to extend Superintendent Denise Saddler’s contract for another year, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Under the new agreement, Saddler’s job title will become “superintendent”; she will no longer be called “interim.”

Along with the new title, she will receive full superintendent benefits and salary at $367,765.45 per year, according to the employment agreement.

The vote to approve the new contract passed 5-2 at Wednesday night’s board meeting.

Saddler’s original interim contract was for one year. The school board was planning to select a permanent superintendent by the fall but earlier this year decided to delay the search.

The new contract reflects the Board of Education’s “determination that continuity in executive leadership is in the best interests of the district as Oakland Unified continues implementation of its fiscal stabilization strategies, academic priorities, labor relations initiatives, and operational improvements,” the employment agreement reads.

In November, the board approved a $150,000 contract with a consulting firm to carry out that search, but Board President Jennifer Brouhard told KQED last month that the process never got off the ground.

“No work was done, no money has been paid for the work (to) the search firm for the superintendent search,” Brouhard said. “Hopefully, we’ll be resuming that in the early part of the fall.”

Dr. Saddler was born and raised in Oakland, attended local schools, and has dedicated more than 45 years of her career to serving Oakland students and families.

She began her career in 1979 as a teacher of students with disabilities. Over the years, she has served as a teacher, principal, district leader, and teachers’ union president.

While working in OUSD, she has served as principal at Chabot Elementary, area auperintendent, and executive leader for Community Engagement and Educational Transitions. She has also supported schools as a principal coach and substitute principal and taught at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Saddler holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mills College and master’s degrees in special education and in Staff Development and Administration.

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Activism

Mayor Barbara Lee Joins National Public Safety Leaders to Advance Proven Violence Reduction Strategies

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee attends a two-day meeting with other mayors and public safety leaders to discuss violence reduction strategies; Oakland has seen a 39% drop in homicides.

Published

8 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland was one of four cities participating in a public safety convening. Courtesy image.

By Post Staff

Mayor Barbara Lee this week joined Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and public safety leaders from Oakland for a two-day meeting focused on advancing cutting-edge public safety strategies, including focused deterrence and violence reduction.

The meeting brought together civic and public safety leaders from Oakland and Indianapolis to locations in Baltimore and Philadelphia to share lessons learned and identify innovative approaches to crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement.

The participating cities are widely recognized for pioneering community-centered public safety models that prioritize prevention, accountability, and sustained investment in neighborhood-based solutions

Oakland’s delegation included Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) Chief Holly Joshi, Oakland Police Department Assistant Chief Casey Johnson, and Ceasefire Director Annette Jointer.

Oakland’s participation underscores its continued leadership in advancing evidence-based violence reduction strategies and building a public safety system that integrates law enforcement with community intervention and prevention programs.

Oakland continues to see historic reductions in violence, reflecting coordinated efforts across the Department of Violence Prevention, Oakland Police Department, Ceasefire, and community-based partners, including:

Violent crime down 22%
Homicides down 39%
Lowest homicide total in nearly 60 years

These gains reflect sustained investment in focused deterrence strategies, real-time intervention, and expanded community violence interruption programs.

“Public safety is not achieved by any one agency alone—it requires coordination, trust, and a shared commitment to prevention and accountability,” said Lee. “We are proud to stand alongside cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis that are proving what works. We are seeing real progress in reducing violence in our communities, and we remain committed to building on that momentum through strategies that center prevention, intervention, and strong partnerships with residents.”

“Oakland’s progress shows what is possible when cities invest in focused deterrence and wraparound supports that reach people most at risk,” said Joshi. “Our work is grounded in building trust, responding quickly to emerging conflicts, and connecting individuals to services that interrupt cycles of violence. This convening was an opportunity to strengthen that work through shared learning with peers who are advancing similar strategies nationwide.”

Said Johnson, “Effective public safety requires a balanced approach that combines accountability with deep collaboration across agencies and communities.”

“We are seeing meaningful reductions in violent crime because of strong partnerships between law enforcement, DVP, Ceasefire, and community organizations,” said Johnson. “Engaging with peer cities allows us to refine and improve the strategies that are making Oakland safer.”