Might 21, 2025
Lee pushed for investments within the metropolis and promised to spend taxpayer {dollars} extra successfully with a dedication to transparency and accountability.
Whereas being sworn in as Oakland, California’s 52nd and first Black girl mayor, Barbara Lee promised to get her hometown “again heading in the right direction,” Politico reviews.
After the previous congresswoman misplaced her Senate major marketing campaign and witnessed the downfall of her predecessor, Lee is supporting efforts to sort out rising points within the metropolis, like crime and price range issues. Lee guarantees to convey hope again.
“We’re getting into a brand new period for Oakland. I do know this metropolis faces severe challenges—price range deficits, public security, housing, and homelessness—however I additionally know who we’re: a metropolis of dreamers, doers, and fighters. We punch above our weight, and we present up for one another,” Lee, 78, wrote on X.
“As Mayor, I’m dedicated to rebuilding belief, restoring companies, and delivering actual outcomes for our neighborhoods—from cleaner streets to safer communities to extra inexpensive properties.”
Admitting that it’s “not going to be simple,” the historymaker — often known as the primary Black girl to symbolize within the State Meeting, State Senate, Congress, and now the primary Black girl to function Mayor of Oakland — is up towards an estimated $87 million spending hole, on the point of chapter, on prime of a rising subject of homelessness and rising prices of housing. Political marketing consultant Jason Overman mentioned the price range concern stands out as the most important impediment for Lee. “She’s going to be inheriting all of it however will nonetheless be anticipated to wave the magic wand she’s perceived to have constructed over the previous few a long time in Congress,” he mentioned.
“This existential of a price range disaster has a humorous manner of shortening political honeymoons.”
Nonetheless, Lee revealed a plan throughout her swearing-in ceremony as an alternative of pointing the blame at previous management. She pushed for investments within the metropolis and promised to spend taxpayer {dollars} extra successfully with a dedication to transparency and accountability.
“I wish to reinstill hope, you had been clear about wanting a authorities which you can belief to unravel our fiscal challenges, security, housing and homelessness challenges,” she mentioned.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon known as Lee “a champion for human rights, the forgotten, for peace and democracy,” in line with KTVU. Lee supported these thoughts by highlighting what she needs to do inside the first 100 days of her tenure. Her crew will usher in folks “from all walks of life” to determine higher ways in which Metropolis Corridor can serve the town’s capability and “usher in a brand new period of prosperity and progress.”
Supporters on social media seemingly think about the brand new mayor, sending her effectively needs and hope for a greater lay of the land. “Mayor Lee, I’ve all the time admired your conviction & clear-eyed imaginative and prescient for what is required to enhance our society,” @funkybatdraws wrote. “As a former constituent of your District, I pray you could be an efficient agent for constructive change in Oakland. It’s a beautiful metropolis, however it wants some onerous medication!”
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