A previously unreported conflict of interest with Rent Control Chair Ericka Lesley has forced the Rent Control Board to revote on its endorsement of the Justice for Renters Act.
The redo occurred at the RCB’s June 13 meeting and was described as correcting a procedural error by rescinding its February 8 approval and then re-approving its endorsement with a statement of disclosure and recusal from Chair Lesley.
"Due to my paid consultancy work with the Justice for Renters Act, I’ll recuse myself from this item," said Lesley before leaving the dais.
California law prohibits individuals from voting on matters that involve their personal finances.
"A public official at any level of state or local government shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use the public official’s official position to influence a governmental decision in which the official knows or has reason to know the official has a financial interest," reads the Government Code.
Lesley not only voted for the endorsement in February but also co-presented the arguments for endorsement.
"We know homelessness is on the rise … that’s one of the things that’s on a lot of people’s minds," Lesley said at the time. "As rents increase across the United States, you see more and more people out on the streets. [To] decrease this is something that I think we all need to endorse and get behind."
The Justice for Renters Act serves as California voters’ third chance to expand rent control rules statewide, appealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995 which puts limitations on local regulations. Current rules prevent cities from limiting rents between tenants (allowing the units to hit market rate when a new tenant moves in), and prevents establishing rent control on any unit first occupied after Feb. 1, 1995, in single family homes or condominiums.
The measure would prohibit the state from limiting the rights of cities and counties across California from maintaining, enacting or expanding residential rent control ordinances. Though similar propositions, Prop. 10 in 2018 and Prop. 21 in 2020, have failed public votes, proponents said they feel like they’re "in a better climate now" for Justice for Renters to gain support.
During the repeat endorsement, the Commissioners reiterated their support for the measure citing many of the same reasons identified in February.
"I strongly support the Justice Act," said Boardmember Danny Ivanov. "This would bring rent control back under local control where it belongs. As I mentioned the last time we voted on this item, our city council … has also voted in favor of a resolution to support the just for renters act. But they were not unanimous in their decision."
Council backed the provision last year. Councilmembers Gleam Davis, Lana Negrete, Caroline Torosis and Jesse Zwick all voted in favor. Both Councilmembers Phil Brock and Oscar de la Torre abstained and Councilmember Christine Parra was the only vote against.
matt@smdp.com
