Housing Maneuvers - Part 1 Pausing the land grab

We noted that the real action County-wide and State-wide in the Fall election is in the propositions and initiatives since the candidate voting is pretty much a given.  B'game will have a real race or two, but outside our little town there is a lot of fait accompli.  But one controversial move that will not be on the ballot is the County land grab for "affordable housing".  The DJ is noting that the Supes, in their wisdom, have decided to "pause" their land grab.

Despite a poll suggesting majority voter support, San Mateo County will not be placing a measure on November ballots allowing the development of low-income housing units without voter approval, in pursuant of Article 34 of the state Constitution.  The measure, initially presented at a special meeting of the board July 22, would have provided authorization for the county and other public agencies to construct or acquire affordable rental housing for low-income residents — up to 1% of total existing housing units — without voter consideration. 

Although Chief Executive Officer Mike Callagy maintained Article 34 “has no place in this county,” he did not ask the Board of Supervisors to consider approving such a measure placement this election cycle.

One has to wonder what other bits and pieces of the state Constitution have no place in San Mateo County?  Perhaps we could get a list?  The usual blather about "racism in homeownership" and "constituent confusion" and wanting to be "collaborative" with local cities and not "usurp their authority" ensued. The reality is the November ballot is already stuffed with pork.  So much so that voters are likely to Just Say No to the whole lot.  Half Moon Bay and Millbrae led the public charge against this land grab.  Here's hoping B'game electeds did so quietly but firmly.

Comments

[Joe]

Elsewhere on the ballot we find this maneuver:

Lawsuit: Opponents of $20 billion regional affordable housing bond say language is biased

A group of ‘concerned taxpayers’ say the wording would unfairly generate support for the housing measure

A group opposing the November ballot item is suing the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority, a regional body that put the the measure on the ballot, arguing that the question’s wording is biased and inaccurate. BAHFA, made up of local officials, has already changed some of the ballot measure’s language in response to the opponents’ concerns.

If approved, the measure would be the first housing bond in the region aimed at helping to preserve and build up to 90,000 affordable homes. The bond would levy an estimated annual tax of $18.98 per $100,000 of assessed value, or about $265 per year for a $1.4 million home or commercial property. The total cost of the bond, including principal and interest, is estimated at $48.3 billion, and would take more than 50 years to pay off. by 2077.

Last Friday, Bezis sent the housing authority a letter seeking a series of changes to language in the ballot question they regard as “prejudicial.” They say that the ballot question includes language about reducing homelessness and converting vacant lots and blighted properties, when the actual ballot measure doesn’t require using the bond money toward these goals.
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48 is a lot of billions for OPH - Other Peoples' Housing.

[Cassandra]

Vote no on anything meaning more money to be spent on anything.

The language is so convoluted you won’t know all the ramifications of your vote.

It’ll sound good, but cost you dearly and just make government bigger.

[Jennifer Pfaff]

High Speed Rail all over again. They've just sent out another press-release:

(How many New CEOs have they had in the past 20 years? I'm running out of fingers on both hands)

"The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Board of Directors has appointed Ian Choudri as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the program. The announcement was made today after the Board met in closed session in Sacramento. Choudri currently works as Senior Vice President for HNTB corporation and brings more than 30 years’ experience in the transportation sector, including working on high-speed rail projects in France and Spain."

[Joe]

These letter writers from Millbrae nail it:

Editor,

Regarding the Aug. 8 Daily Journal article, “County pauses housing measure,” what a laugh. County Executive Mike Callagy asserts the county is not trying to usurp city authority in its placement of low-income housing. Apparently, it’s all a big misunderstanding. Then why didn’t the county place a November ballot measure asking Millbrae citizens to approve the La Quinta hotel-conversion, per Millbraens’ Article 34 voting rights? Instead, the county proposes a ballot measure that is a de factor repeal of Millbrae’s Article 34 voting rights. Neither has the county withdrawn the La Quinta project, as Millbrae has requested. Instead, the county continues to fight Millbrae in court, attempting to void Millbrae’s Article 34 rights that way.

The La Quinta hotel-conversion is a public housing project that quite obviously demands an Article 34 vote. Article 34 is designed to give a local electorate final say on a government-owned housing planned for their city. That’s because a project may impact city land use, a city’s general plan, a city’s tax base, a city’s costs for police/fire and other city services, as well as quality of life impacts based on site location and housing policies.

Through undemocratic, unilateral action, the county has already usurped or is trying to usurp, city authority. There is no misinformation or misunderstanding involved — actions speak louder than words. Don’t believe the county’s gaslighting.

Laura and Ken Smith

Millbrae

[Joe]

Another whoopsie? From the Merc

$20B Bay Area housing bond could be cut from the ballot

With polls showing dwindling support for new taxes, Bay Area Housing Finance Authority to vote tomorrow on whether to pull a regional housing bond measure.

[Spurinna]

Don’t vote for any taxes, bond measures or tolls.

[Joe]

And just like that, the Big Bond is gone! The tea leaves have been read for now:

$20 billion Bay Area housing bond pulled from the November ballot

With polls showing dwindling support for new taxes, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority votes to remove the bond measure and try again another year.

[Cassandra]

See “Cassandra” above.
Ref: Greek mythology.
Called it.

[Spurrina]

Beware Prop 5 that wants to lower threshold to pass to taxes, bonds, etc…

Vote no-

[Tears of joy]

The YIMBY tears over this cancelled bond are the chocolate sprinkles on my sundae this Sunday. These people think everyone else owes them a living and housing. Eff them.

[Joe]

Always remember: A YIMBY is someone who doesn't actually have a backyard of their own. They are just really jealous of yours.

Source: Websters 2024