Oakland Pastors Praying for Proposed Parcel Tax

Some East Bay pastors say a parcel tax could be the miracle they're looking for in getting 80 laid-off Oakland cops back on the job. However, the proposal is facing an uphill climb.

Bishop J.E. Watkins of Pastors of Oakland says he's in the miracle business, and he believes that's what it may take for 80 police officers to get their jobs back at OPD.

"It's going to be tough, but these are tough times and we're going to have to dig deep," said Watkins. Click to Listen

Watkins is referring to a $360 parcel tax that appears headed for the November ballot. It's linked to an agreement to have police pay 9 percent into their pension.

Mayor Ron Dellums knows this proposal is less than palatable.

"The worst time in the world to talk about raising revenue for a city is when its residents are struggling valiantly every single day," said Dellums.

The rank and file of the Police Officer's Association has yet to approve the deal, and council member Ignacio De La Fuente has already said he'll campaign against a parcel tax.