STOP THE LA CITY VACANCY TAX
Today at 10:15 AM the LA City Council will be reviewing the updated "Vacant Property Tax" proposal. This measure will add a tax to vacant land and empty housing units. The Council will be voting to place this initiative on the City's 2020 November Ballot.
Join BIA-LAV in testifying against this action!
Take Action
TESTIFY TOMORROW @ 10:15 AM:
Call-In: 1 669 254 5252 and use
Meeting ID: 160 535 8466 and then press #, Press # again when prompted for participant ID.
To Speak: Once admitted into the meeting, press *9 to request to speak

Agenda Item: #45
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CHIEF LEGISLATIVE ANALYST (CLA), BALLOT RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION

CALL & EMAIL COUNCIL:
Council President, Nury Martinez, CD 6:
213 473-7006
Councilmember Gil Cedillo,
CD 1:
213 473-7001
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, CD 2:
213 473-7002
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, CD 3:
213 473-7003
Councilmember David Ryu,
CD 4:
213 473-7004
Councilmember Paul Koretz,
CD 5:
213 473-7005
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, CD 7:
213 473-7007
Councilmember Marqueece Harris Dawson, CD 8:
213 473-7008
Councilmember Curren Price,
CD 9:
213 473-7009
Councilmember Herb Wesson, CD 10:
213 473-7010
Councilmember Mike Bonin, CD 11:
213 473-7011
Councilmember John Lee,
CD 12:
213 473-7012
Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell, CD 13:
213 473-7013
Councilmember Jose Huizar, CD 14:
213 473-7014
Councilmember Joe Buscaino, CD 15:
213 473-7015

TALKING POINTS:
  • I oppose the City including a Vacancy Tax on the November 2020 Ballot.
  • The voice and input of stakeholders have been left out of this policy.
  • There needs to be an exemption for home building projects being built on parcels over a phased time period that could amount to several years.  
  • I request that the time between final map and building permit approvals be exempted.
  • This measure should not be unnecessarily rushed through the legislative process. Because quick drafting can lead to oversights like this one.
  • More time would allow staff to provide more accurate data to help find the best solution.
  • As stated in the LA Times, we need streamlined and incentive-based solutions to solve LA's housing problem -- not a tax.
  • Creating a vacancy tax would create more hurdles to housing production.
  • The City is facing serious financial challenges, including furloughing 15,000 employees. This initiative will cost $12 million dollars to include on the ballot.
  • Now is not the time to move forward with a vacancy tax.