The L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to take a position on a couple of state ballot measures that will appear on the November ballot:

Support for Proposition 33

Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis proposed a motion to support Prop 33, which would expand local government authority to enact rent stabilization and rent control policies on residential property.

In Los Angeles County, 54 percent of residents are renters. Around 59 percent of L.A. County renters are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30 percent of their household income on rent.

Many local jurisdictions enact rent stabilization policies to protect tenants from unaffordable rent increases, limiting how much a landlord can raise the rent each year. In Los Angeles County, the ability to limit rent increases under the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance only applies to a portion of the renters who reside in unincorporated neighborhoods.

“We are thrilled the County of Los Angeles has taken a stand to support renters by endorsing Proposition 33,” said Susie Shannon, campaign manager for Yes on 33. “It is significant that the two largest counties in California—Los Angeles and San Francisco Counties–now support Prop 33.”

The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995 restricted the ability of local jurisdictions to enact rent control or rent stabilization policies. Costa-Hawkins prohibits local rent stabilization laws from applying to single-family homes or to any housing built on or after February 1, 1995, and prohibits local laws that would limit what landlords can charge a new renter when first moving in after a vacancy.

Proposition 33 would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and prohibit the State from limiting the right of cities and counties to maintain, enact, or expand residential rent stabilization or rent control ordinances. Passage of the Proposition will allow local jurisdictions the ability to enact or expand rent stabilization and rent control policies to protect tenants by making rent more affordable and predictable.

Oppose Proposition 36

L.A. County Board of Supervisors also voted Tuesday 3-1 to take an official position opposing Proposition 36.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell abstained from the vote, while Supervisor Kathryn Barger voted no.

Prop 36 would change the California criminal code to allow certain drug possession and thefts under $950 to be charged as felonies if a defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions. Prop 36 would roll back the 2014 justice reform efforts of Prop 47, which changed some theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

“This measure isn’t about overturning Proposition 47 in its entirety,” Barger said. “It addresses legal loopholes that repeat offenders exploit to evade consequences.” She emphasized that the reforms proposed in Proposition 36 could be implemented alongside the Board’s commitment to diversion and rehabilitation programs, which aim to decrease recidivism and enhance re-entry services.

The motion states the implementation of Prop 36 could place a significant financial burden on L.A. County and reads that increased incarceration rates, higher court costs, and the enforcement of punitive measures will stretch the county budget.

“Prop 36 risks harming low-income communities, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. Many of these individuals already face systemic challenges in accessing public services, employment opportunities, and affordable housing,” the motion states. “Instead of addressing the root causes of crime, Prop 36 promotes punitive approaches that have been proven ineffective and costly. The Board must stay the course and champion alternatives to incarceration that focus on rehabilitation, restorative justice, and economic opportunity, rather than regressive policies that lead to further incarceration.”

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