The Winners and Losers on the State and NorCal Ballots

SAN FRANCISCO—Some votes are still being counted, including the big prize of the Oval Office, but some decisions at the state and local level have been decided. One of the most-watched state ballot initiatives was Proposition 21, which was defeated.

“For the second time in as many election cycles, the people of California have spoken loud and clear and defeated short-sighted rent control ballot measures,” said the National Multifamily Housing Council. “Proposition 21’s rejection is a victory for hardworking Californians who deserve real housing solutions that increase supply and bring costs down, and a signal that voters recognize that rent control is not a sound solution for housing affordability. These challenges will only be solved by collaboration, not by politically charged statewide ballot initiatives. Lawmakers, community leaders and the housing industry need to work together to make housing affordability a genuine priority, especially at a time when home is our safe haven.”

As of late yesterday, Proposition 15 was losing with about 75% of the vote. Prop 15 would amend the California constitution to allow commercial and industrial properties to be taxed at market value rather than the purchase price. The proposition revises a portion of 1978′s Prop 13, which requires all California residential and commercial properties to be taxed at the purchase price with an annual increase of 2% or inflation, whichever is lower. Prop 15 requires commercial properties to be taxed at market value.

San Francisco Ballot Initiatives:

Proposition A: A $487.5 million bond measure which would go to homelessness, mental health, parks and infrastructure projects looks to be headed for victory. It needed a two-thirds super-majority to pass.

Proposition B: This amendment to break the public works department into two agencies seems to be in the win column with a simple majority required.

Proposition C: This amendment needing a simple majority would allow those without US citizenship to serve on a variety of advisory boards including housing. The yes camp appears to be winning on this proposition.

Proposition F: This complete overhaul of San Francisco’s business tax structure would phase out the payroll tax, and increase gross receipts/business tax rates plus the number of exempt small companies.  This proposition acquired the votes to pass in a simple majority.

Proposition H: This measure would streamline the permitting processes for new businesses and allow existing restaurants/retailers to change business models and storefronts. This measure was victorious with a simple majority needed.

Proposition I: This measure to increase the transfer tax on property sales valued at $10 million or more purported that the funds would go toward affordable housing. With a simple majority required, the measure appears to have passed.

Proposition K: This measure would allow the construction or restoration of 10,000 units of affordable housing but provided no funding with its passage. It needed a simple majority and looks to be headed toward adoption.

Proposition L: This measure would tax companies with top-level executives earning significantly more than individual workforces. With a simple majority required, this measure seems to be in the win column.

Measure Z in Alameda: An initiative to toss a 1973 law that banned multifamily buildings in much of Alameda and thus allow more density was voted down by city voters.