Vote No on Measure ES

10/20/2026 12:46 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Consider SMMUSD’s own numbers. The district just released the unaudited financial report for 2025-26. In June, SMMUSD projected it would finish the fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2026, roughly $3.7 million in the red. Instead, it ran a $6 million surplus. Its unrestricted general fund balance came in about $9.85 million higher than expected, at a record $68.6 million. The district took in about $6.1 million more revenue than projected, including about $1.3 million more than expected from the Measure R parcel tax.

Vote No on Measure ES

10/20/2026 12:46 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Consider SMMUSD’s own numbers. The district just released the unaudited financial report for 2025-26. In June, SMMUSD projected it would finish the fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2026, roughly $3.7 million in the red. Instead, it ran a $6 million surplus. Its unrestricted general fund balance came in about $9.85 million higher than expected, at a record $68.6 million. The district took in about $6.1 million more revenue than projected, including about $1.3 million more than expected from the Measure R parcel tax.

SM.a.r.t. Column: Santa Monica Just Made It Easier to Sell the Public’s Land

10/20/2026 12:39 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s City Council has found a remarkably efficient way to dispose of public property: eliminate some of the rules that made selling it difficult.

Los Angeles opens permit fee waivers and refund process for Palisades Fire rebuilds

10/19/2026 1:10 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Property owners rebuilding after the January 2025 wildfires can claim exemptions and reimbursements.

The ordinance waives a wide array of municipal permitting and clearance fees up to 110% of a damaged or destroyed structure’s original footprint. Relief applies directly to individuals who owned the affected property at the time of the fires, provided the parcel is not sold before a final Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

SM.a.r.t. Column: Santa Monica Just Made It Easier to Sell the Public’s Land

10/16/2026 2:51 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s City Council has found a remarkably efficient way to dispose of public property: eliminate some of the rules that made selling it difficult. On March 10, buried in Ordinance 2849, an innocuous-sounding overhaul of City purchasing procedures, the Council lowered the threshold for approving certain sales of City-owned real estate from five votes to four. It also removed specific requirements for public notice, findings of public purpose, and competitive sale procedures. What previously required broader political agreement and a defined public process can now potentially be accomplished by a bare Council majority.

Ballot Error Misleads Voters, Measure GG Opponent Says

10/16/2026 2:41 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But while arguments opposing Measure GG are included on the City Clerk's website, as well as on the sample ballot, the ballot itself says there is "no opposition" and only lists the names of supporters.

Mathew Millen, one of the opponents listed in the ballot arguments, believes the omission on the ballot itself will discourage voters from casting "No" votes.

Resident accuses Torosis and Chi of clearing the way for city land deals;

10/12/2026 12:05 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

sale rules dropped, airport limits weaker than voters were told.

In a letter to the Santa Monica Observer, resident Harriet Epstein wrote that Torosis and Chi "are setting up a mechanism for Santa Monica to sell off its valuable land holdings without any residents' knowledge or participation." She named Bergamot Station, several parking garages, and the airport, and said a longstanding rule on public hearings and comment for land sales had been replaced by an arrangement that could move property and debt out of public view. She said the change was placed on the consent calendar and urged voters not to re-elect Torosis.

Curious City 10/09/26: Oelsen, Brock, Negrete

10/12/2026 12:00 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Charles Andrews

City Settlement Extends Protections for Deed Restricted Units

10/12/2026 11:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Two Santa Monica property owners who failed to show deed-restricted affordable housing units were occupied by income-qualified tenants reached settlement agreements with the City, the City Attorney's office announced Wednesday.

Ballot Measure Raises Eviction Concerns

10/12/2026 11:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"Measure GG is a deceptive campaign to evict tenants not now subject to eviction just because they currently earn more income than the income category that they qualified for without offering the tenant a unit that meets their current income," said Mathew Millen, a leader of Progressive Landlords of Santa Monica.