April2019Issue

20 APRIL 2019 • WWW.AAGLA.ORG Member Update THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD IS LOOKING TO RAISE MONEY WITH A PARCEL TAX By Daniel Yukelson, Executive Director The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously to place a proposed parcel tax ballot initiative before voters as soon as June 4, 2019, although the ballot initiative might be delayed until the November 5, 2019 election cycle. The School Board’s decision came on the heels of the teachers’ strike that ended with the School District committing to the hiring of more staff and class size reductions. The proposed parcel tax, if passed, imposes a tax of 16 cents per square foot of building improvements on properties within the School District. The School District estimates that the parcel tax, which would remain in effect for a minimum of 10 years, could raise $500 million a year. This means that for property owners in the School District with 5,000 square foot buildings would pay an additional property tax assessment of $800 per year. Exemptions would be provided for parcels owned by people aged 65 years or older and used as a primary residence, for people on disability or that receive Social Security benefits, depending on their annual income. As a parcel tax, two-thirds of voters would need to approve the ballot measure. Recent School District polling indicated that more than 80 percent of registered voters believe schools need increased funding. But, are voters willing to pay out of their own pockets 16-cents per square foot for it? APARTMENT ASSOCIATION’S TEAMGOES TO WASHINGTON MARCH 5-8 AAGLA Joins NAA’s Advocate Delegation to Lobby Congress The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles again participated in this year’s National Apartment Association Advocate conference on March 5-8, which included sending delegation teams of apartment owners, multifamily professionals and vendors to lobby members of congress on various issues of importance to the multifamily housing industry. AAGLA’s delegation consisted of board members Larry Cannizzaro and Kari Negri, Executive Director Daniel Yukelson, and longtime AAGLA members, Curt Knabe and Malcolm Bennet. The AAGLA delegation met with the offices of 9 congressional members: Lucille Roybal-Allard (Commerce); Julia Brownlee (Ventura); Judy Chu (Pasadena); Paul Cook (Apple Valley); Katie Hill (Antelope Valley); Linda Sanchez (Montebello, Norwalk); Ted Lieu (West Los Angeles Area); Jimmy Gomez (Downtown Los Angeles); and Norma Torres (Ontario, Inland Empire). AAGLA’s delegation discussed and lobbied the congressional representatives on issues of affordable housing and California’s housing crisis, improving and expanding the voluntary Section 8 housing program, extending the National Flood insurance program that is critical to property owners with Federally backed mortgage loans, and the necessity of tying housing development to any upcoming infrastructure legislation. More specific to California, the delegation also discussed the need for providing earthquake retrofitting loans and/or tax credits, and the need for a Federal earthquake insurance program much like the flood insurance program. Executive Director Yukelson stated: “Members of AAGLA are also members of the National Apartment Association. I encourage each of our members to join us next March 2020 for the NAA’s Advocate conference. Attendance at Advocate is always a rewarding and educational experience.”