A no vote on Prop 33?
Dick Selzer’s column recommending a no vote on Prop 33 is imminently rational – rational if you accept the premise that investors owning houses for rent is a good thing for all of us. I do not.
34% of American households rent their home. Median household wealth among renters is $10,410, and $396,500 among homeowners, $73,500 if you exclude home equity. 34.8% of housing units in America are rentals. For profit businesses own 45% of total rentals.
Public policy reflects our values. Currently the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995 prohibits cities and counties from enacting rent control laws. What this law values is real estate as an investment vehicle to accumulate wealth, an opportunity available to few of us. By passing Proposition 33 we will be saying we value persons regardless of their wealth. Proposition 33 moves us one step closer to making affordable housing a human right.
To be sure real estate will be less attractive to investors. They will slowly sell their holdings to individuals and families who will actually live in the home, and move their wealth elsewhere. This will have the effect of stabilizing housing prices, and maybe lowering them as supply increases. The claim that developers will build fewer houses is likely accurate, for a while at least. Eventually new business models will emerge in response to new State policies moving us to the value that affordable housing is a human right.
Proposition 33 really is about what we value as a community of citizens; individual wealth for a few, or housing is a human right for all.
—Jeffrey J Olson, Clearlake Oaks
Another reader for Hess in District 1 BOS race
In these complex and fast-moving times, it takes skills to navigate the dense forest of laws, statutes, and ordinances that affect local communities. It takes skills to find consensus among differing factions of public comment. It takes skills to plan, and adopt coherent steps to reach the goals of that plan. It takes skills to ensure follow-through and accountability within the governmental organization. I believe that John Hess has the skills to do all this as District One Supervisor.
John Hess has 20 years of experience in public service working with people to create bi-partisan relationships at the federal, state and local levels. He has served for 8 years on our local Planning Commission and knows Lake County well. His goals are our goals: to invest in housing, roads and jobs.
As a small businessman, he knows the pressures of doing business in today’s economy. But he is also aware of the pleasure of doing business in a rural community where a customer is also a friend or neighbor.
John Hess values highly the bounty that Mother Nature has given us – our beautiful lake, our diverse array of native animals, birds, and plants. He vows to protect them and promote tourism that would enhance, and not desecrate them.
Lake County is on an upward trend. We need skilled leaders to continue, and even energize more, that projection. I believe that John Hess has skills that would greatly benefit District One and Lake County. Please join me in voting for John Hess.
—Carolynn Jarrett, Clearlake
Hispanic Heritate Month celebrates and appreciates Latinx community
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of celebration, reflection, and appreciation for Latinos’ immense contributions.
For generations, immigrants, including Latinos, have come to our country in search of new and greater opportunities. Latinos are a substantial and growing demographic that strengthen and enrich our nation and economy.
Millions of Latinos serve vital roles in our communities as leaders in business, government, science, education, our winemaking community, our culinary community, our military and more. Without them, our economy wouldn’t be as strong and resilient as it is today. Latinos make up over one-third of immigrants in California, contributing to the over $380 billion in spending power that California’s immigrants provide to our economy.
Our region knows well that Latino agricultural workers play an essential role in ensuring our nation’s food security and economy. They are the backbone of our agriculture community, bringing generations of farming traditions to better our crops and performing crucial tasks that put food on our tables. Their dedication and resilience are commendable as they work tirelessly to feed our nation and bolster our exports. That’s why I continue to support comprehensive immigration reform.
Latinos continue to leave an indelible mark on American culture, politics, and the arts, too.
From the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate and Sonoma native, Ada Limón, to the first Latino justice on the California Supreme Court and UC Davis professor, Cruz Reynoso, our state has been the home to iconic and trailblazing Latinos. Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to pay homage to Latino artists, professors, politicians, and entrepreneurs working tirelessly to advance social justice, equality, and freedom.
Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month is not only an opportunity to celebrate but also an opportunity to foster understanding, promote inclusion, and appreciate the vast contributions of Latinos.
Through Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond, we celebrate Latinos from throughout our region, our country, and our history.
—Submitted by Congressman Mike Thompson
