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Follow the Money – Local Ballot Measures

09/12/2016 8:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Guest Author [Mary Marlow, a member of the Santa Monica Transparency Project] on September 12, 2016

Five ballot measures qualified for inclusion in the November 8, 2016 Santa Monica election. Money and political endorsements now gravitate to both sides of each measure as local elected officials, prominent residents, members of advocacy groups, political organizations and specifically targeted political action committees (PACs) – which have no limits on financial contributions – all battle to sway public opinion and garner votes. In this article and a follow-on next week, here is the field of play:

pinion

OpEd: SMa.r.t. on The Soul of Wilshire Boulevard

09/09/2016 12:45 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

I was surprised to read an article recently that stated Wilshire Boulevard was in desperate need of height and density.

Santa Monica Sued by Airbnb

09/07/2016 10:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 7, 2016 -- Nearly 15 months after imposing some of the nation’s toughest limits on booming short-term vacation rentals, City of Santa Monica officials were served Tuesday with litigation by Airbnb alleging multiple violations of federal law.

DANCE TO DEVELOPMENT By Charles Andrews

09/07/2016 7:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

We are already jammed, we have so much in the pipeline, we have limited resources (especially water), our traffic is rapidly grinding to a standstill, we have a light rail now so those who work or play in Santa Monica don’t have to live here. And yet the chorus rises up from throats paid to sing — We need more!

Repeat Santa Monica Council Candidates Struggle for Victory

09/06/2016 10:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 6, 2016 -- Of the six challengers seeking a seat on the Santa Monica City Council this fall, three have run before. The large number of repeat candidates is not unusual in this city, although the success rate is not high.

In the past two decades, 20 candidates who were not elected incumbents have sought council seats after losing in a previous election--several doing it more than once. Just five have won.

Santa Monica Quaker House Expansion Could Be Controversial

09/06/2016 10:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 9, 2016 -- Plans to add childcare and early education to the activities taking place at a religious facility located in a residential neighborhood on 1440 Harvard Street have sparked at least one neighbor into creative protest.

Politics is like a knife in the back [Bill Bauer]

09/05/2016 9:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

You find out who your friends really are when you decide to run of office. Ask Phil Brock.

He ran for City Council in 2014 and lost by a few hundred votes. He competed against Kevin McKeown, Terry O’Day and Sue Himmelrich, and Pam O’Connor. O’Connor nudged Brock into fifth place and out of the running thanks to last minute support from deep-pocketed developers who mounted a “do or die” campaign blitz.

SMa.r.t. OpEd: A Sense of Place

09/03/2016 10:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Throughout Southern California, residents are using voter initiatives to push back against the trend to overbuild in their communities.

Affordable Housing Bills Passed

09/03/2016 9:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The California State Assembly passed two affordable housing bills Wednesday authored by Assembly member Richard Bloom, which will help remove barriers to the creation of affordable housing.These two bills, AB 2501 and AB 2299, were both passed with bipartisan support ...

Former Mayor Opposes Santa Monica College Bond Measure

09/01/2016 1:08 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 1, 2016 -- Opponents of Measure V, the $395 million Santa Monica College (SMC) bond measure that would fund facilities improvements, picked up a major name for their campaign -- former Mayor Bob Holbrook.

The bond debt would be paid off through a property tax -- $8.56 per month for the average Santa Monica homeowner and $1.59 per month for the average renter, SMC officials say.