November 9, 2016 -- After failing to follow its own law for years, Santa Monica City officials are banking on a sales-tax infusion from two successful measures on the November 8 ballot meant to, in part, provide more affordable housing.

Santa Monica voters Tuesday approved a half-cent sales tax (bringing it to 10.5 percent) via Measure GSH, which breezed to victory with 63 percent of the “yes” vote.

Voters also passed Measure GS, which advises splitting the $16 million a year raised by GSH equally between local schools and affordable housing, although GS is non binding. It won 70 percent of the vote.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_09_2016_Santa_Monica_Hoping_Election_Cleared_Way_for_Affordable_Housing.html

 Santa Monica does have a no-smoking law for all multi-unit apartments and condos:

Read More: http://smdp.com/clearing-the-air-in-santa-monicas-apartments-and-condos/158602

As is usually the case, the candidates backed by Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) were the winners in the Rent Control Board election.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_09_2016_Santa_Monica_Council_Incumbents_Sweep_LV_Loses_Big.html

and

http://smdp.com/early-results-favor-council-incumbents/158612

The City Planning Commission next Wednesday will delve into an analysis that finds that 3.22 million square feet of new floor space could be built downtown through 2030 without exceeding the City’s goal of creating no net increases in peak evening rush-hour trips.

A 2012 study by RCLCO Real Estate Advisors found downtown Santa Monica had the potential to add as many as 2,500 new residential units, 200,000 square feet more of regional retail space, 58,000 square feet of local retail/office space and 1,500 hotel rooms.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_08_2016_Santa_Monica_Set_to_Tackle_Downtown_Community_Plan_Again.html

Transparency Project

DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS ARE DECIDED BY A SIMPLE equalitarian equation: one person, one vote. The most votes win, whether for a candidate or a measure. But the price of one vote? Now that’s a very different equation, as the 2016 Santa Monica election makes clear. One vote can be pricey indeed. 

Read More on page 6: http://backissues.smdp.com/110716.pdf

The Consumer Protection Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office and the Rent Control Agency will host a free forum on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. The event will be held Dec. 6, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Thelma Terry Center in Virginia Avenue Park, located at 2200 Virginia Avenue in Santa Monica. 

Read More on page 5: http://backissues.smdp.com/110716.pdf

By Daniel Barrera and Elena Burdick, students from the USC School of Social Work

IS THE CURRENT HOUSING POLICING IN CALIFORNIA really having an effect upon society? 

Read More on page 6: http://backissues.smdp.com/110516.pdf

November 4, 2016 -- If you want to be elected to the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, make sure you’re an incumbent or win the endorsement from Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR). If you can do both -- even better.

Challenging the SMRR slate is Elaine Golden-Gealer, a Realtor and landlord who heads Action Apartment Association, ...

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_04_2016_Santa_Monica_Rent_Board_Campaign_Includes_Unusual_Features.html

November 4, 2016 -- The Lookout sent questions to the four candidates running for Santa Monica Rent Control Board. Three responded. Here are the questions and unedited answers.

Why should residents vote for you?

Elaine Golden-Gealer, challenger

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_04_2016_Santa_Monica_Rent_Board_Candidates_Share_Opinions.html

THE TRANSPARENCY PROJECT OFFERS this summary of candidate and PAC contributions affecting the 2016 Santa Monica election.

Read More: http://smdp.com/the-transparency-project-offers-summary-of-candidate-and-pac-contributions/158539