LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Proposition 33, a California ballot initiative that would have allowed for the expansion of rent control in California, fell short at the ballot box Tuesday following a fierce disinformation campaign by the California Apartment Association (CAA), Governor Newsom, and many of his campaign consultants. The Proposition 33 campaign issued the following statement from AHF president Michael Weinstein:
“Governor Newsom is the main reason that rent control was killed in California. All the polling showed Yes on 33 ahead prior to his becoming the face of the no campaign. Big Real Estate gave him millions over the years, and they called in their chits.
In addition, the conventional political wisdom is that whoever spends the most on propositions wins. The last campaign combined finance reports for Props 33 and 34 filed by the billionaire corporate landlords topped out at $170,575,031 which is more than three times as much as the pro-tenant side. That $170+ million, financed with exorbitant rents extracted from tenants, was spent lying and bullying AIDS Healthcare Foundation and its supporters.
Housing is and will remain a human rights issue. The result of our loss is that billionaire corporate landlords will pile up more billions while renters will have to choose between paying their rent and buying food or ending up on the sidewalk.
Throughout AHF's 38-year history, we have always fought for what's right. It has never been easy. However, we will never give up the fight to achieve justice for renters.”
