Proponents of Proposition 33, the ballot initiative to remove California’s rent control ban, are feeling confident just weeks ahead of what is shaping up to be one of the most highly-contested measures on the November ballot.
The Yes on 33 campaign, which is funded almost completely by Los Angeles-based nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said in a Monday press conference that it is encouraged despite facing significant opposition from the California Apartment Association.
Driving the news: Proposition 33 reads as follows: “The state may not limit the right of any city, county, or city and county to maintain, enact or expand residential rent control.”
- It would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which passed in 1995 and exempted single-family homes and rental units built after 1995 from local rent control laws.
State of play: Polling conducted by the Yes on 33 campaign found 52.6% of likely voters in favor of the initiative, with 45.6% opposed.
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation founder Michael Weinstein acknowledged that there is general skepticism about polling done by campaigns, but he pointed to a Public Policy Institute of California survey from a few weeks ago that showed Proposition 33 support at 51%.
- A poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies last week found support for Proposition 33 at 46%, showing that the measure is poised to be one of the closest initiatives on the ballot in November.
What they’re saying: “We’re very encouraged by this,” Weinstein said about the polling. “Despite the avalanche, the bombardment of advertising, we have advanced.”
- Former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who works as a political consultant and is supporting the Yes on 33 campaign, said enacting rent control is very personal for him.
- “When I was in the Legislature, I represented one of the poorest districts in California,” Nunez said. “The issues to fight against poverty have always been near and dear to my heart, so I’m very excited about this.”
By the numbers: The California Secretary of State’s Office reported that Proposition 33 has had $43.8 million contributed in support.
- The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has contributed $43.1 million of that total.
- Weinstein said around $9 million was spent last year as part of the ballot qualification effort, leaving the campaign with around $35 million this year for messaging.
- On the other hand, the opposition to Proposition 33 has raised $118 million.
- The California Apartment Association has been the main backer of the opposition campaign with $83.7 million. The California Association of Realtors has given $19 million in opposition and the National Association of Realtors has given $5 million, among other groups.
- According to real estate news publication The Real Deal, California Apartment Association CEO Tom Bannon said the opposition campaign needs to spend around $150 million for its best shot at defeating the initiative, but is only likely to end up with around $125 million use.
Flashback: This is the third attempt by Weinstein and his organization to give local governments the ability to enact rent control.
- California voters shot down the two previous attempts in 2018 and 2020.
Go deeper: Along with Proposition 33, Weinstein is invested in Proposition 34, which is essentially targeted at pushing him out of statewide politics.
- Proposition 34 would require healthcare providers participating in federal 340B drug discount programs to spend at least 98 percent of their net revenue earned in California on health care services provided directly to patients.
- It would only apply to organizations that have spent over $100 million on purposes other than direct patient care over the last decade.
- According to a report from Politico last year, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the only organization that meets the criteria of Proposition 34.
- The California Apartment Association has contributed $44.6 million in support of Proposition 34. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has $7.56 million to oppose it.
