Growth is something everyone can aspire to, and that's no different for America's most successful new companies. Inc., a magazine which publishes weekly content about small businesses and startups in the United States, recently released their annual report outlining the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned companies in the nation.

Read More: https://patch.com/california/santamonica/here-are-fastest-growing-companies-santa-monica

No brand in California politics has ever had the staying power of Proposition 13, the 1978 tax cut that served as a primal scream from angry voters and became a symbol of their reluctance to pay more money for more government services.

But four decades later, it is critics of the landmark ballot measure who are angry. Their demand to downsize Proposition 13 by excluding most commercial property from the law’s strict tax limits is all but certain to win a spot on the November 2020 ballot, an epic campaign clash that could alter California’s political landscape for years to come.

Read More: https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=d4da0a84-acbe-4a63-8434-8dab83902381

AB 1482: Would cap rent increases in California at 7% plus inflation, up to a maximum of 10% a year, on all rental housing that’s at least 10 years old, including single-family homes if the owner owns more than 10 rentals.

Rental Affordability Act: This proposed 2020 state ballot initiative seeks to narrow limits on local rent control laws contained in the Costa-Hawkins Act. It would allow cities and counties to impose rent control on all housing more than 15 years old, including single-family homes if the landlord owns three or more rentals. Rent increases on vacant units could be restricted to 15% over the next three years.

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2019/08/18/tenant-protection-proposals-and-ordinances-in-southern-california/

Rent control panic is gripping landlords throughout Southern California, prompting them to jack up their rents preemptively in case some type of tenant protection kicks in.

Read More:  https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2019/08/18/fallout-from-states-rent-control-debate-more-rent-hikes/

The cost of renting in Los Angeles and Orange counties rose at the fastest pace in 14 years, according to the Consumer Price Index.

L.A.-O.C. rents rose at a 5.8% annual rate last month — same as June and the highest for a July since 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A year ago, rent CPI was up at a 4.7% pace. The CPI tracks rental costs by polling consumers vs. other rent measurements that come from surveying landlords.

Read More: https://www.ocregister.com/2019/08/19/rent-costs-in-los-angeles-orange-counties-at-5-8-biggest-rise-since-2005/

The City elevates its ongoing efforts to keep low- and moderate-income residents housed in light of the regional increase in homelessness.

The City of Santa Monica has launched a new toolkit focused on connecting people to the many City services and programs that have helped maintain the community’s commitment to affordability, especially as thousands across the region feel the strain of housing costs.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/the-city-of-santa-monica-releases-practical-toolkit-about-affordability

A California Appeals Court last week declined a petition from two major online rental platforms requesting that the court rehear a case challenging Santa Monica's homesharing law.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Friday lets stand the City's strict 2015 Home-Sharing Ordinance it upheld in March after a U.S. District Court dismissed the lawsuit filed by Airbnb and HomeAway.com.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/August-2019/08_20_2019_California_Appeals_Court_Lets_Stand_Santa_Monicas_Homesharing_Law.html

A showdown has been brewing between Santa Monica City officials and the organizer of a meals program that has been serving food to more than 100 homeless people every Sunday at Reed Park.

The group -- Family Food.US -- emerged after the Westside Vineyard Church last summer was pressured by neighboring residents to move its meals program indoors ("Westside Church to Stop Sunday Lunches for Homeless at Reed Park," May 2, 2018).

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/August-2019/08_19_2019_City_at_Loggerheads_with_Meals_Program_at_Reed_Park.html

The Experiment started last fall with some boldly painted Adirondack chairs and lawn games designed to invite shoppers to linger on the northernmost block of the Third Street Promenade.

Last week, The Experiment spread through the rest of the pedestrian-only shopping district, scattering colorful seating, play structures and art installations in front of stores and restaurants.

The City Council directed staff on Tuesday to find ways to deter Santa Monica landlords from illegally renting rent control units that have been removed from the market.

The motion by Councilmember Kevin McKeown, which was approved unanimously without discussion, did not indicate if the practice is widespread.

"As a City of mostly renters, Santa Monicans are threatened by many things," McKeown said, noting that notable among them is the 1985 Ellis Act that allows California rent control landlords to get out of the rental business.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/August-2019/08_16_2019_Council_Directs_Staff_to_Tighten_Reoccupancy_Law.html