CalRHA Policy Update (December 2024)

In a significant victory for California rental housing providers, Proposition 33 has failed, marking the third defeat for Michael Weinstein of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who previously backed similar rent control expansion initiatives, Propositions 10 and 21. This year, Proposition 34 adds another challenge for Proposition 33 proponents by limiting future funding for political activities, such as financing rent control ballot initiatives. If the current vote count holds, it would represent another victory for California housing providers. However, the margin on Proposition 34 has recently tightened to just 50.8% in favor.

Overall, at this time, just 6 of the 10 initiatives are currently passing, including $10 billion bonds for school construction and climate change, and Proposition 36, which is the tough on crime ballot initiatives that increases charges and sentences for certain drug and theft crimes.

Initiative Outcomes

• Proposition 2: Authorizes Bonds for Public School and Community College Facilities — Yes 58.2% / No 41.8%
• Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage — Yes 62.4% / No 37.6%
• Proposition 4: Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands from Climate Risks — Yes 59.3% / No 40.7%
• Proposition 5: Authorizes Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Public Infrastructure with 55% Voter Approval — Yes 44.5% / No 55.5%
• Proposition 6: Eliminates Constitutional Provision Allowing Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Person — Yes 46.4% / No 53.6%
• Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage — Yes 48.9% / No 51.1%
• Proposition 33: Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property — Yes 39.5% / No 60.5%
• Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues by Certain Health Care Providers — Yes 50.8% / No 49.2%
• Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal Health Care Services — Yes 67.6% / No 32.4%
• Proposition 36: Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes — Yes 68.8% / No 31.2%

Legislative Races
Votes continue to be counted, but if the results hold, there would be a Republican pick-up in the State Senate, bringing the Democrat / Republican split to 30-10, after Senator Alvarado-Gil changed from Democrat to Republican earlier this year.

If results hold in the State Assembly with an increase of two Republicans, the split in the Assembly would be 60-19. Republican and former Assembly Member, Vince Fong, is now in the U.S. Congress and
Governor Newsom is expected to call a special election to fill this seat, Assembly District 32. Regardless, Democrats
still have a solid supermajority in both houses. Most incumbents were reelected, and four Assembly Members ran for and were elected to the California Senate.

Furthermore, at least three additional Senate districts will be represented by women, up to 21, and 38 of the 80 Assemblymembers will be women. Those numbers could grow to 60 of the 120 seats represented by women, once all
ballots are counted.

Close Senate Races

• In Senate District 37, Republican Choi leads with 50.9% of the vote over Democrat incumbent Josh Newman. The split is 224,427 votes to 216,922. This may be a Republican Party pick-up.
• In Senate District 35, Moderate Democrat Laura Richardson is leading over Democrat Michelle Chambers with 50.5% of the vote.

Legislative Update
In response to Trump winning the Presidential election, Governor Newsom called a special session to protect California values. The plan is for a $100 to $150 million appropriation to the Attorney General for potential
federal litigation.