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Plaintiffs Win Voting Rights Suit Against the City of Santa Monica

11/14/2018 8:26 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a historic decision that could radically change the makeup of the City Council, a Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of the Latino plaintiffs in a voting rights lawsuit against the City.

In her tentative decision -- sent by mail on Friday and received by plaintiffs and the defense on Tuesday -- Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos found the City had violated the plaintiffs' rights under the California Voting Rights Act.

She also ruled in favor of the plaintiffs' claim that in 1946 and 1992 the City deliberately discriminated against Latinos by refusing to implement district elections.

City loses voting rights trial in tentative judgment

11/13/2018 11:19 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A judge has ruled against the City of Santa Monica in the California Voting Rights Act lawsuit to determine the future of elections in the city.

California's rent control initiative was crushed in the election

11/12/2018 9:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Don't expect the issue to go away

The defeat of a ballot measure that would have allowed for the expansion of rent control across California has buoyed landlords and left tenants pinning their hopes on the state’s new governor for relief.

California Midterm Results: Funding for Affordable Housing and a Rent Control Defeat

11/12/2018 9:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

More money for subsidized housing and a resounding defeat for rent control and activists: That was the message Californians seemed to send to state and local governments on Election Day. Housing issues were scattered across Tuesday’s ballot, including a pair of bond measures that would raise billions for subsidized affordable housing and a much-debated rent control measure that landlords spent heavily to defeat.

What’s Next for Rent Control?

11/12/2018 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With the defeat of Proposition 10 in California, affordable housing advocates are looking toward the next fight.

On a mixed Election Night for progressives, the fight for rent control in California hit a roadblock when Proposition 10 lost by more than 20 percentage points. Prop 10 would have repealed the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law prohibiting cities from enacting rent control on buildings constructed after 1995 (or earlier in some cities).

TL supporters say it’s a new day in city politics

11/12/2018 8:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica voters may have put limits on how long City Council members can serve, but incumbents won’t have to worry about being ousted until 2032.

Voters approved Measure TL, which will limit City Council members to three four-year terms after 2020, on Nov. 6. Incumbents have long enjoyed security on the Council, but residents signaled that the age of terms lasting upwards of 20 years are over as they voted both to introduce term limits and unseated an incumbent, Pam O’Connor, for only the third time in the Council’s history.

Ocean Park apartments move through Planning Commission

11/12/2018 8:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Planning Commission approved plans for a three-story residential and commercial development in Ocean Park Nov. 7 despite nearby residents expressing concerns that the project would create an untenable amount of traffic on Pico Boulevard.

Term Limits' Landslide Win Sends Strong Message

11/12/2018 8:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

When Santa Monica voters in Tuesday’s election granted overwhelming approval to term limits for the City Council, they were also blasting out a stern warning, says the City Hall watchdog who helped craft Measure TL.

“We’re watching you,” said Mary Marlow, who authored TL with Councilmember Sue Himmelrich, who was elected to a second four-year term Tuesday.

“Voter expectations of what is expected of the council has risen.”

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11/09/2018 10:32 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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California's rent control initiative was crushed in the election

11/09/2018 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Don't expect the issue to go away

The defeat of a ballot measure that would have allowed for the expansion of rent control across California has buoyed landlords and left tenants pinning their hopes on the state’s new governor for relief.

Proposition 10 failed resoundingly with nearly 62% of voters rejecting the initiative as of results tallied Wednesday. The initiative would have repealed the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which bans cities and counties from implementing more aggressive forms of rent control. The result means those prohibitions remain in place.

Supporters of expanding rent control, however, said the campaign pushed tenant concerns to the forefront of the state’s housing debate. They’re also taking solace in a pledge from Democratic Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, who has said that he will try to strike a deal on new rent control policies upon taking office. Newsom opposed Proposition 10, saying that he preferred amending Costa-Hawkins rather than repealing it.