REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION I

The authors of the argument against Proposition I have apparently misunderstood this simple but important measure.

Proposition I authorizes the City to continue to assist the construction and rehabilitation of housing for the City's low-income seniors, families, and disabled persons. This activity was authorized by the voters in 1978 but that authorization is expiring and must be renewed.

Proposition I does not impose any new taxes or fees. Taxes cannot be increased without specific voter approval. Fees collected for other purposes cannot be spent on housing. This measure simply authorizes the continued use of existing sources of housing funds.

Proposition I does not change the way affordable housing units are approved in Santa Monica. This housing must continue to go through the same public review process as any other development in our city.

Proposition I does not mandate any development. It does set an annual ceiling of 1/2 of 1 percent of the existing housing stock for the number of housing units which receive City assistance.

Our population is aging and housing costs are rising. Santa Monica must continue to provide decent, safe, affordable housing to meet the needs of the people who live here.

Without this renewed voter authorization, the City cannot continue to assist with the development of needed housing for seniors, low-income families and disabled individuals.

Vote YES on Proposition I to preserve Santa Monica as a diverse, mixed-income community.

Robert Holbrook
Mayor, City of Santa Monica

Pam O'Connor
Mayor Pro Tempore, City of Santa Monica

Barbara Inatsugu
President, League of Women Voters of Santa Monica

Rosemary Regalbuto
Chair, Commission on Older Americans

Jean McNeil Wyner
President, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
 
 

Return to Election 1998 Main page

Acrobat Reader must be loaded on your computer in order to view PDFs. Click on the Adobe icon to download the free Acrobat Reader.

This page was last modified on 01/23/2008