Opponents of Measure SMS argue that there was no public debate before the School Board placed the bond on the ballot in July and that there is no fixed list of projects it will fund. They think the bond should instead be placed on the 2020 ballot.

"People are printing their own fliers and walking them around," said Tricia Crane, who heads Northeast Neighbors, one of the groups opposing the bond.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/November-2018/11_02_2018_Opponents_of_School_Bond_Mount_Last_Ditch_Effort.html

On November 6th four statewide ballot initiatives (or propositions) about housing will be put to voters. Potentially the most significant (Proposition 10) would allow local authorities to impose new rent controls.

But economists almost unanimously view rent controls as harmful and self-defeating.

Read More: https://www.economist.com/united-states/2018/11/03/rent-control-is-a-hot-button-issue-in-california-again

See Video at: http://www.smdp.com/council-candidates-solutions-for-climate-change/170384

As election day approaches, one topic will be beneath a magnifying glass — the city’s ongoing homeless epidemic. While some candidates have radically different views on how to solve the crises, one advocacy organization seeks to discuss their approach to the problem.

The Santa Monica Homelessness Steering Committee will hold its first “Coffee, Conversation and Change” event this Friday, an initiative meant to spark conversation to demystify homelessness and its accompanying challenges and stereotypes.

“This is the first of a series of coffee chats where during brief meetings we cover different topics associated with homelessness,” Tara Barauskas, Executive Director of the Community Corporation of Santa Monica said. “The idea is community members can come together, learn and voice their concerns and opinions.”

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/homelessness-advocacy-group-seeks-to-educate-the-community-detractors-and-all/170438

The County’s Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 30 to declare a state of shelter emergency in unincorporated areas of the County so homeless services providers in those localities can apply for $81 million in state Homelessness Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funding.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/new-program-provides-county-wide-funding-to-fight-homelessness/170436

October 31, 2018 -- The campaign for a local school bond has raised nearly $250,000, thanks to major contributions from companies outside Santa Monica and local PTAs, according to the latest campaign finance disclosure statements.

To date, $169,550 in cash contributions has come from 44 entities from outside Santa Monica, while the remaining $66,585 has come from 22 local contributors.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/October%20-%202018/10_31_2018_School_Bond_Campaign_Contributions_Near_250000.html

Mary Marlow

If you believe that we the people should be empowered to choose a new generation of leaders, vote Yes on Measure TL.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/tl-response/170407

See Video at: http://www.smdp.com/city-council-candidates-discuss-pension-liabilities/170380

Santa Monica City Council Candidates share their vision of how to address the increasing rates of crime and homelessness. The Squirm Night Candidate forum was held on Tuesday, October 16 at the MLK Auditorium.

See video: https://www.smdp.com/council-candidates-share-their-solutions-for-crime-and-homelessness/170354

In the past two years, the City of Santa Monica launched two new teams with local nonprofit The People Concern and L.A. County Department of Health Services. The Homeless Multidisciplinary Street Team (HMST) takes traditional medical and behavioral health services out of the office and to the streets, serving a group of individuals identified by City officials as the highest utilizers of local emergency services. The C3 Team (City + County + Community) outreaches to homeless individuals in the Downtown Santa Monica area and adjacent parks. Recognizing that every person experiencing homelessness has a unique story, outreach teams specialize care plans for each individual and coordinate with regional partners to get people into housing.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/reaching-out-to-help-the-homeless