West Hollywood’s City Council Adopts Several Resolutions In Support Of Multiple Statewide And Countywide Initiatives

Press release from the City of West Hollywood:

September 24, 2020

City Of West Hollywood’s City Council Adopts Several Resolutions In Support Of Multiple Statewide And Countywide Initiatives On The General Election Ballot For The Nov. 3 Election

The City Council of the City of West Hollywood, at its regular meeting on Monday, September 21, 2020, approved the adoption of a series of Resolutions in support of multiple statewide and countywide initiatives appearing on the November 3, 2020 General Election ballot. The series of Resolutions, in sum, express support for Proposition 14; Proposition 15; Proposition 16; Proposition 17; Proposition 18; Proposition 19; Proposition 21; and Los Angeles County Measure J.

Proposition 14, if approved by voters, would authorize the state to sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bonds. Proceeds from the sale of bonds would be awarded to grantees such as educational and research institutions and would be used to fund innovative research using stem cells to develop new treatments for diseases such Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, autoimmune diseases, HIV, and others. Proposition 14 sets aside at least $1.5 billion for research and development of treatments for diseases affecting the brain and central nervous system. For many West Hollywood residents, who are hopeful for new treatments for HIV, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, passage of Proposition 14 would be beneficial.

Proposition 15 is an initiated constitutional amendment which seeks to change how commercial and industrial properties’ tax assessments are calculated by using the market value of the property and not the original purchase price of the property. Proposition 15 would increase property tax revenues on eligible commercial properties by $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion, annually. Educational programs and local governments such as counties and cities will see increased revenues that can be used to fund new programs and /or augment funding for existing programs.

Proposition 16 would repeal Proposition 209 of 1996, which amended the California Constitution by adding Section 31 to Article 1 of the California Constitution to prohibit consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin for admission to higher education institutions, public employment and consideration and award of government contracts. By repealing Section 31 of Article 1, affirmative action guidelines will be based on standing federal laws and regulations that define the parameters of affirmative action. Thus, if approved, higher education institutions and governmental agencies could consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin in public education, public employment, and public contracting to the extent allowed under federal and state law. The City of West Hollywood values diversity and has been a strong advocate to end discrimination in all aspects of society.

Proposition 17 restores the voting rights of convicted felons serving on state parole. It amends sections 2 and 4 of Article II of the California Constitution by adding subsection b to Section 2: “An elector disqualified from voting while serving a state or federal prison term, as described in Section 4, shall have their right to vote restored upon the completion of their prison term” and amends Section 4 to read, “The Legislature shall prohibit improper practices that affect elections and shall provide for the disqualification of electors while mentally incompetent or serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.” The City has endeavored to increase civic engagement and participation in the democratic process. This proposition restores the voting rights of individuals who have paid their debts to society and who are now on parole. Restoring the ability to participate in the electoral process of individuals who have served out their sentences is part of the rehabilitation process and reintegration into their communities.

Proposition 18 would amend Section 2 of Article II by adding Subsection b to read: “A United States citizen who is 17 years of age, is a resident in this State, and will be at least 18 years of age at the time of the next general election may vote in any primary or special election that occurs before the next general election in which the citizen would be eligible to vote if at least 18 years of age.” This proposition seeks to increase participation in the democratic process by making it easier for younger citizens who would be 18 years of age at the time of an election to participate in the electoral process and vote.

Proposition 19 would eliminate the parent-to-child and grandparent-to-grandchild exemption in cases where the child or grandchild does not use the inherited property as their principal residence. Beginning on February 16, 2023, the taxable value of an inherited principal residential property would be adjusted each year at a rate equal to the change in the California House Price Index. Proposition 19 would create the California Fire Response Fund (CFRF) and County Revenue Protection Fund (CRPF). Considering the LAO’s take on the potential positive fiscal impact, which would generate additional tax revenues due to new taxing rules for inherited properties and the flexibility the proposition would afford to seniors and disabled individuals, the City Council decided to adopt a resolution in support of Proposition 19.

Proposition 21, also known as the Rent Affordability Act (RAA), would allow local governments to enact rent control ordinances on properties that was first occupied over 15 years ago. Proposition 21 would replace the Costa-Hawkins Act of 1995, the state law that limited local governments’ authority to adopt ordinances that regulated rents of certain properties that were occupied after February 1, 1995. Proposition 21 allows rent increases in rent-controlled properties of up to 15 percent over three years at start of new tenancy (above any increase allowed by local ordinance). Unlike Proposition 10 of 2018, which sought to repeal Costa Hawkins, the RAA seeks to amend a portion of the Costa Hawkins law by exempting from new rent control ordinances homes owned by landlords who only own up to two homes, and in accordance with California law, the RAA provides that rent-control policies may not violate landlords’ right to a fair financial return on their property. In March 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 20-5259 in support of the RAA, now known as Proposition 21.

Measure J asks voters whether the County’s charter should be amended to require that no less than 10% of the county's general fund be appropriated to community programs and alternatives to incarceration. The City supports legislation that puts emphasis on rehabilitation and successful reintroduction into society of incarcerated individuals.

California voters, in the upcoming November 3, 2020 General Election, will be asked to approve or reject 12 statewide initiatives. In addition, Los Angeles County voters will be asked to approve or reject one County-specific measure, Measure J.

City of West Hollywood voters will additionally:

• Vote to fill two (2) West Hollywood City Council seats for four-year terms; a list of qualified candidates is available at www.weho.org/elections; and
• Vote on Measure E will be on the ballot as a yes or no vote: “To maintain West Hollywood services and prepare for and recover from public health emergencies, address homelessness, help retain local businesses/jobs, support senior and health-related services, keep public areas clean and safe, repair potholes/streets, maintain community safety, and provide other City services, shall a measure be adopted establishing a ¾ cent sales tax providing approximately eleven million dollars annually until ended by voters, requiring public disclosure of spending, independent financial audits and all funds being used locally?”

As part of the City of West Hollywood’s continuous efforts to increase voter participation, the City reminds community members that each vote counts and your voice matters in the upcoming General Municipal Election in November. The deadline to register for the General Municipal Election is Monday, October 19, 2020. The City of West Hollywood encourages community members to check voter registration status at lavote.net/vrstatus. For more information about voting and resources for voters please visit www.weho.org/elections.

The City of West Hollywood remains in a declared local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. While Los Angeles County is allowing for a phased reopening of some businesses and activities, coronavirus transmission and COVID-19 disease remain a serious risk. West Hollywood City Hall is currently closed to in-person transactions, but City Hall services remain accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via the City’s website at www.weho.org. City of West Hollywood coronavirus information is available at www.weho.org/coronavirus.

For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s Resolutions in support of statewide and countywide initiatives, please contact Hernán Molina, the City of West Hollywood’s Governmental Affairs Liaison, at (323) 848-6364 or hmolina@weho.org.

For additional information about the upcoming General Municipal Election, please call the City of West Hollywood’s City Clerk’s Office at (323) 848-6409 or visit the City’s Elections page at www.weho.org/elections. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

For up-to-date news and events, follow the City of West Hollywood on social media @WeHoCity, sign up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.

This press release was produced by the City of West Hollywood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.