Friday, February 23, 2018

Statewide Rent Control Dead (for Now)

SacBee:
California lawmakers killed a bill Thursday (late Jan '18) that likely would have expanded rent control laws in cities and counties, setting the stage for a protracted statewide battle over how to rein in the state’s soaring housing costs.
Democratic Assemblyman Richard Bloom’s Assembly Bill 1506 died in the Assembly’s housing committee.
The 3-2 vote set off protests in the committee room, with angry tenants chanting, “Housing is a human right,” and “Repeal Costa-Hawkins.”
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I cannot even begin to estimate the disruption statewide rent control efforts would generate.  

CA Assembly Bill 1506 (legislative text/etc)

Costa-Hawkins Act explainer (Curbed LA)



Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article194245939.html#storylink=cpy

109 comments:

LBD said...

Yes, Government is our friend.

Lawyerliz said...

I thought the rent control thing had been shown ineffective many many times, one in colonial times, even. Remember gas lines??

Lawyerliz said...

Control of the cost of any commodity, actually.

LBD said...

Kali has so many housing problems. Blocks of people living in old campers parked on public streets. Not broke but can't afford housing. One guy lost his permanent rented spot in a residential drive way that included and electrical extension cord. What a way to live, next the pot puffers will add to their problem.

Lawyerliz said...

What you could is get some blocks of infill property. Install electric. Have a fair number of flush toilets and rent spaces big enough for a medium trailer for a song. One of the denizens can be paid to clean the toilets. Period. You can do anything with your spot you want: a tent a sleeping bag a camper,a blanket and unbrella.

Lawyerliz said...

You could build them under the damned freeways.

Rob Dawg said...

An apartment building burned overnight. 45 units. 300 people. Ouch.

LBD said...

I doubt building codes would allow that. City governments cure seems to be move along making it appear they are not permanent. The homeless street people live under the freeways. Nothing seems to work and they act like the problem should just disappear.

Rob Dawg said...

Half the US and 2/3rds of the world fails to understand that there are some problems that cannot be legislated away.

Lawyerliz said...

If they huddle under over passes, you ought to make them quasi habitable. And then leave them alone

LBD said...

Good Morning!

LL, Here is an example of how government helps.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-23/la-has-criminalized-poverty-making-it-illegal-sleep-cars-and-rvs

Running them out of town, they lose their jobs and in come the illegals who will live dozens in one house. Which I assume is illegal but the law ignores.

Lawyerliz said...

The way to produce lower costs is to build more housing. Exempt area from square footage requirements. At least make it legal to have tv's and cars to sleep in under over passes and install flush toilets and water fountains. Places with no garage requirements. SRO places. You Cali guys can figure it out. Hey, let them sleep in the trains that have no passengers. They can may a dollar for the privilege.

Lawyerliz said...

Rvs.

Lawyerliz said...

In 1794, George Washington nationalized the pennsylvania militia, presumanly well ordered and went with 13000 men to enforce the Whiskey taxes. The protesters faded away.

LBD said...

Some Kali cities have robots roaming the streets and side walks to make the homeless move along and not permanently camp on public side walks. Some are placing boulders under and around overpasses. They are spending money but not trying to solve problems. Kali has learned the key to profits from problems, fix the problem funds go away. Rewards for failure works. IMO

Lawyerliz said...

I am sure you are right

TJandTheBear said...

The lack of "affordable housing" is entirely a result of those government programs intended to address it.

Kill Fannie, Freddie & FHA and limit VA to PMI waivers -- no government guaranteed mortgages whatsoever. Outlaw DP assistance programs. Finally, kill the MID entirely. Oh, and yes, remove any and all forms of rent control. It'd end the RE ponzi for sure and the property tax cow that comes with it, but both ownership & rental costs would return to sane levels in short order.

p.s.: Same exact issues with higher education.

Lawyerliz said...

Good Morning, all.

Lawyerliz said...

In Florida, they are supposed to assess at full value. Then you get homestead deductions. They never, ever do. I'd burn my house down rather than sell at the assessed value.
Are Fannie and Freddie still guaranting loans? Fewer loans. If I were a bank, I'd never make a loan for 4% or less. Too dangerous.

Rob Dawg said...

Won’t hit 60 until late morning. Won’t hit 70 until a week from tomorrow. Let’s not talk about the weather for a bit unless of course the storm Thursday starts the debris flow in Montecito again. God morning from the chilled but not frozen Gold Coast.

LBD said...

Good morning!

Sunshine and back to plowing the drive! Officially double the snow for 3 months running and a new record.

Government policies in conjunction with the banksters have been the leader of inflation. J&J6PK are generally the losers as they don't know how to deal with money and play the look at me and my stuff game.

Lawyerliz said...

B of A did a quasi good thing in putting the heat on gun manufacturers. Credit where credit is due.

LBD said...

Once again it looks like the advancement in safety will be side tracked. :(

Lawyerliz said...

Which advance?

LBD said...

Banning guns won't do much of anything as the insane are not dumb. They will find another tool maybe a even more advanced and deadlier one. IMO

TJandTheBear said...

B of A did a quasi good thing in putting the heat on gun manufacturers.

Really? On what basis?

Lawyerliz said...

No argument I make will be good enough for you.
Argument is futile. One half of the country could shoot the other half with Aks, and that would not change your mind.

Lawyerliz said...

ARs.

LBD said...

Good Morning!

Bach to CR after a week of a cold. I am ready for spring weather.

Lawyerliz said...

CR?

LBD said...

Cardiac rehab.

Lawyerliz said...

Oh, dear, hope you get better.

Lawyerliz said...

The Supremes zapped Trump on immigration.

LBD said...

I'm doing great.

Not really they tried to skip the loaded lib courts and went straight to the SCOTUS. At least that's what I read.

dilbert dogbert said...

Yes, Liz I remember gas lines. My wife waited in one for a hour or so so we could drive down to Morro Bay to visit her parents. On the way south in Coyote, there was an open gas station with no lines. No closed stations all the way down 101. We just went out of town to get gas after that. On another trip we took the sail boat to a race and on driving through Manteca there was an open gas station with a guy in a gorilla suit waving people in. Also in the same era we took a family vacation to Canada. No problem getting gas as long as you were not in a metro area. Obviously rationing was applied to the metros and not to the outback. Reasonable.

dilbert dogbert said...

The cartoon is funny but there needs to be added one where your insurance company says: "We are here to help you."
In our future Liberian paradise the firemen/police will pull up and leave after noticing your medallion has expired. Winning!

TJandTheBear said...

No argument I make will be good enough for you.

You haven't made one yet, just statements exhibiting a pre-existing bias. Did you jump up and down about anyone "putting the heat" on Boeing after 9/11?

Make a logical argument and maybe you can change minds, but so far you don't have any.

sm_landlord said...

Just dropping this here for the collection:

http://smdp.com/council-to-consider-future-of-big-blue-bus-amid-ridership-decline/164609

> Ridership in 2016 alone declined by nearly 20 percent, following a 12 percent decline in 2015. The report said the BBB showed modest growth up to 4 percent this fiscal year, “a positive trend that indicates we may have reached bottom.”

> There are several reasons fewer people are boarding the bus. Across Southern California, more people are driving their own cars. In fact, despite improvements in public transportation, the share of households without vehicles fell 30 percent, according to new numbers from the Southern California Association of Governments. The share of households with less than one care per adult fell 14 percent.

> Overall, BBB staff admits the current model is “not sustainable.”

...Lots more fun factoids in the article.

Lawyerliz said...

I'd like to hate the insurance companies, but they have always done right by and my family. They actually over paid us with policy limits after Andrew. The inside fixtures were much nicer. We paid off the car, etc, etc. I hear the latest hurricane victims are not doing so well. Have the rounds of increases started in Cali.
By the way there was immigrant prohibition in the early 1800s, but it was against France.

Lawyerliz said...

That doctor that just disappeared. . . Wallet and neglected dog found. Like a mystery story.

TJandTheBear said...

He seemed "not like himself." His father felt uncomfortable after last talking with him, too, noting a "tone" that left him "concerned about Tim."

High-ranking CDC official vanishing? That alone should give anyone pause. Thank heaven the parents got his dog after only a couple days.

Lawyerliz said...

He left his cell phone behind. I'd be checking out all his electronic stuff.
Also, he left his cell phone behind!!! We are all joined at the hip with our phones.

Lawyerliz said...

I checked the mainstream media blogs and found nothing.

LBD said...

Good morning!

I don't like Insurance or Banksters but some time you need to dance with the devil. Just don't make a life of it.

Lunch out and play time!

sm_landlord said...

Was that snow on the Topa Topas this morning?

Cinco-X said...

How's things? It's a blustery day in the mood 40s...

sm_landlord said...

Things are good out here, if a bit chilly. The overnight low was 40 at the beach, probably colder inland. Some rain yesterday, but sunny now.

Today looks like another catch-up day - errands, little fixes, etc.

Lawyerliz said...

Cloudy here. Gas at about 2.43.

Lawyerliz said...

I lieed, lieed higher than that

Lawyerliz said...

Haha lied.

LBD said...

Nice day in the high 40's maybe even a high in the 60's Saturday!

Lawyerliz said...

Good Morning, all.

Lawyerliz said...

Nature and Nature's laws lay his in night,
God said, Let New to be! And all was light.
POPE

Lawyerliz said...

Dicks stopped selling weapons of war.

Cinco-X said...

I usually don't get gassy until after dinner

LBD said...

Good Morning!

Dick's sporting goods is afraid of loosing their bigger clientele. I don't take that as social responsibility as they should have never sold them to begin with if they truly thought that way.

Off to exercise!

LBD said...

Forgot, are they selling them out, wholesaling them or destroying them.

Lawyerliz said...

Dunno, would be interesting to find out. Good point.

LBD said...

My guess they sell them and they end up with other retail gun dealers. The cost of the inventory needs to be recouped. To destroy and dispose off is to costly. Other gun dealers will pick up the sales void they created. I think they see a customer revolt and wanted to earn customer loyalty instead of their protest. End result is a PR move and won't cut the amount of these guns sold. IMO

Lawyerliz said...

Well, when the stock is used up, you will see those on the street less often. Maybe they'll send them back to the manufacturers. And yeah it's pretty. Good or I think.

LBD said...

Legal supply will meet demand, channel will change. I don't see sales going down but up as the idea of not being able to buy one later.

Firemane said...

Some gun stats: (approx. annual deaths in US)

20,000 - suicide
10,000 - homicide
1,000 -- criminals killed by police
50 ----- police killed by criminals
250 ---- justifiable homi. (citizen kill criminals)
1,300 -- children (< 18) killed - all causes)
600 ---- accidental gun deaths
75 ----- accidental gun deaths under age 15

Most numbers are CDC, with some FBI counts thrown in.

The #1 benefit of fewer guns is fewer suicides. And for those who argue, "they'll just use another method", I've seen two numbers regarding suicide attempts -- the low is 12 failed attempts per suicide, and the other is 25, (which I suspect is probably just non-gun suicides ... but the thing I read didn't include that detail).

In any case, gun suicides are almost 100% effective, while other methods fail WAAAAY more often than they succeed. Having personal family experience with a survivor of (non-gun) suicide, (2 attempts many years apart), because a gun was not used, this person went on to live a generally happy and productive life.

In places where gun restrictions have been significantly increased (Canada and Australia), overall suicide rates have plunged along with homicide rates.

Also, states with the highest per capita gun ownership rates also have a statistically significant increase in suicide rates compared to those with the lowest rates. It really is as simple as - if you get depressed, and a gun is HANDY, the speed with which you can snuff out your own life is a critical variable in whether it happens.

Personally, (and without any data to back up this position), I think the American Macho BS surrounding guns is a core issue. A huge percentage of our 'entertainment' relies on macho good guys shooting it out with macho bad guys. I don't think any major shift is going to happen unless the message "If you're a gun owner, then you're a pu**y" somehow gains traction.



Cinco-X said...

I'd bet they looked at sales, saw they weren't very good, and saw the PR of discontinuing then gave them as a win-win... Probably sell their remaining stock to Walmart. Overall sales might go up...

Lawyerliz said...

Excellent idea, and true.

LBD said...

Nice to tighten gun sale requirements to the insane but there is a lot more to the problem then the gun.

Have fun, Road trip tomorrow!

TJandTheBear said...

1) Rifles of all kinds account for fewer deaths than knives. There are over 15 million ARs in private hands and yet no more than a few dozen are ever involved in homicides.

On a statistical basis AR-15's are one of the safest products out there, and their owners among the best behaved.

2) Private possession of infantry-level "weapons of War" is exactly the intent of the 2nd Amendment. Not hunting, not personal defense... defense against a tyrannical government. The revolution couldn't have happened if the colonists didn't possess arms equivalent to the British foot soldier. Back then it was muskets, these days that would be an M-4 (not an AR-15).

The FIRST AMENDMENT only exists by virtue of the protection afforded by the SECOND AMENDMENT. Otherwise the government simply points a gun at you and says STFU. It's happened so many times in history it's patently ridiculous to think it can't happen again. Then again, perhaps FREEDOM & LIBERTY are a lost concept among a fat, complacent population 242 years after the revolution.

Since when does it make sense to strip the rights of 330 million citizens based upon the actions of a handful? It's flat out hypocritical if you're not applying that same logic to anything else that kills more people than AR-15's and that's pretty much everything.

TJandTheBear said...

Just downloaded 2016 FBI murder stats:

Handguns - 7,105
Knives / Cutting Instruments - 1,604
Other Weapons (clubs, etc.) - 1,806
Hands, fists, feet, etc. - 656

Rifles - 374

Lawyerliz said...

As if we could defend ourselves against the US army

LBD said...

Good Morning!

I hope we don't have to.

Firemane said...

Even if the intent of the 2nd may have been for individuals to protect themselves from the government, (which I think is NOT accurate ... but intended for STATE governments the ability to protect themselves from FEDERAL government). But, even if that was the intent ... that ship sailed a long time ago.

Individuals protecting against the Feds today?

You get Ruby Ridge
You get WACO

The Delta between military and civilian weapons is orders of magnitude beyond what existed in 1776. And the Constitution also was supposed to prevent a standing army, but did so in such a minimalist fashion that that idea was dead long before Lincoln was born.

As for rifles. Yes, they are small potatoes statistically. But, sometimes making small peripheral changes create behavioral changes that go far beyond the initial item, (like lowering crime rates by going after toll jumpers in subways). I would recommend reading the book "Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell.

Part of GOOD governance is trying to figure out the LEAST intrusive laws that achieve the desired goals, (improved safety, lower crime rates, lower death rates by guns, lower suicide rates, fewer mass shootings, etc., etc., etc.).

Guns are still legal in Australia, but after strengthening gun laws back in the 90s after a mass shooting, and implementing a major gun buy back program, they haven't had a mass shooting since. They also saw a massive drop in suicide rates.

I really don't want to take away rifles and shot guns from hunters. But, the AR-15 is a HORRIBLE gun for hunting, (and illegal for that purpose in several states). I don't want to even take away the option for a handgun for self-defense, (though I know that you're vastly more likely to die by a gun you own than not).

Perhaps legislation could focus on ammunition ... incentivize production and sale of 'safety rounds' (the kinds that don't punch through walls), which still allows self-protection, hunting, target shooting, while lowering risk of accidental discharges going through walls and hitting bystanders.

There's nothing wrong with taking something that we know is deadly, (like automobiles), and allowing incremental steps to reduce fatalities, (like mandatory seatbelts and air bags), while conceding that these changes won't save everyone.

TJandTheBear said...

As if we could defend ourselves against the US army

Individually or in small groups, certainly not. Nor could the colonists against the British Empire, upon which the sun never set.

The Delta between military and civilian weapons is orders of magnitude beyond what existed in 1776.

That's not the point. Tyranny isn't about killing a country, it's about controlling it, and to control it you have to have individual boots on the ground everywhere. That's simply not possible in a country wherein a significant portion of the citizens are armed enough to take on those boots. It's often said there are more hunters in Minnesota each year than there are soldiers in the US Army. Has anyone ever truly conquered Afghanistan?

but intended for STATE governments the ability to protect themselves from FEDERAL government

The 2nd amendment says "the right of the people", not "the right of the states" (or "the right of the militia"). It also states "to keep and bear arms" and "arms" (short for armaments) is definitively a military term.

The Bill of Rights is about individual rights, not States Rights. The 10th simply allows that anything not clearly identified as federal (in the Constitution) or individual (as defined in the preceding amendments) is left to the states.

Cinco-X said...

The rights of the richest 1% appear to supercede the rights of the other 327 million

Cinco-X said...

Outlaw hands!!!

Cinco-X said...

It's a shame you have to explain that to a lawyer

TJandTheBear said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TJandTheBear said...

Keep in mind that the revolution that created the USofA was started by a minority. Just like with the Vichy in WWII France, most people will willingly subject themselves AND disarm those other citizens that would die for them.

The Nazis confiscated guns as a prelude to the holocaust.

Did you know that modern gun laws originated from the KKK's efforts to limit African American's ability to defend themselves?

p.s.: Corrected to remove ethnic description in more generally acceptable term.

Lawyerliz said...

Any of you guys have any danger from Kali mudslides?

Lawyerliz said...

The miltia reference mean nothing?

It's bad to require a few hours training before purchase? You have to be trained to drive a car, or be a doctor or nurse or a hairdresser.

Lawyerliz said...

Good nite all.

LBD said...

Good Morning!

Fun day out at the big city. (35K population) Habachi lunch was fun and good, shopping at a real super market and not WalMart.

Beginning to think a gun safety course might be some help to over see young gun buyers mentality.

LBD said...

Kali slip and slide. Maybe they evacuated before waiting for the authorities to tell them.

Lawyerliz said...

That would require good sense.

The in unemployment claims rate is lower and lower.

LBD said...

It still means nothing. ;)

sm_landlord said...

On Topic:

Just saw this statistic from SM:
"Before rent control there were 33,000 SM rentals… now there are 26,000."

Lawyerliz said...

C

Lawyerliz said...

Fighting with malware.
Daughter's town made national news, for storm she's halfway up a hill, so I don't the house will flood,but wind might get it. She's been staying with friends for 2 days.

Lawyerliz said...

Where is rob?

LBD said...

Government always knows better. Ending up with less then helping. Kind of like $15 hr wage demand.

sm_landlord said...

Tales from the Great Sewer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT-Hnv34BCY&feature=youtu.be

LBD said...

Oh how it has changed since I left. Too many people ruin everything. :(

Cinco-X said...

Guy some serious rain here today. By no mudslides, though I'm sure it's mud season at outsiders place

TJandTheBear said...

The miltia reference mean nothing?

Of course not. It's the very reason for people keeping and bearing arms, that being the ability to form militias to fight tyranny (i.e., "maintenance of a free state"). The original revolutionaries were militia and the Minutemen drawn from their ranks.

Revolutions can start with one man, but they must be fought by organized groups (i.e., "well-regulated militias").

Again, "militia" is a distinctly militaristic term, thereby yet reinforcing the fact that the second amendment's "arms" are by necessity weapons of war.

TJandTheBear said...

You could build them under the damned freeways.

While still in LA one of the bigger dog rescue groups we worked with kept their dogs in a kennel built under the 10 freeway. Was actually a fairly nice space, albeit in the roughest part of town. Volunteers weren't worried, though, as nobody screws with people with german shepherds. :-)

LBD said...

Good Morning!

Just watched a video of Japans homeless. City council provides some wooden box shelters and others make their own but have to relocate every two months making their life a bit more stable. LA is helping by passing a law making it illegal to sleep in your car, trailer or motor home. Great way to help LA, make that problem disappear. Not!

Lawyerliz said...

Where is Rob?

LBD said...

That would make a great bumper sticker. :)

Lawyerliz said...

But, where is Rob?

LBD said...

Busy I hope.

A lot could be learned about how to deal with the homeless from the Japanese but we can't go back 50 years and control importing poverty.

Lawyerliz said...

Yolo hoop. Dawgster!!!🥁🔔🔔😉

Cinco-X said...

Morning all... Our bomb-cyclone was a dud out where I live...

LBD said...

God Morning!

Clouds,fog and wind today, March is here!

The stock casino is rocking and rolling!

Time to start getting the motor home ready! Probably some short trips this summer and maybe a long one this winter.

Lawyerliz said...

Come visit me, oh LBD

Lawyerliz said...

And, where I'd dawg?

Lawyerliz said...

Is . Beginner to worry.

LBD said...

Do we need to start checking milk cartons? It has been a while since he has been sighted. Maybe he went to the dark side. Rob is out walking his Dawg?

EngineerJim said...

>Do we need to start checking milk cartons? It has been a while since he has been sighted.

He was seen on Reddit HCN 14 Hrs ago.

Lawyerliz said...

We are abandoned.

Rob Dawg said...

New post and honestly there was a Corelogic post that gotten eaten in between. Minor family stuff a resolved health scare and the new washer dryer as well.

LBD said...

Hope all is well, No problem we seem to fade away with out parental supervision.