Recent Action: Update on Landlord Slate Election Violations

In general, activists’ response led to deeper discussion of the issues but we need ALL members to respond to these action requests if we are to impact policy and decisions!

Four Berkeley Fair Campaign Committee members – appointed by TUFF Slate endorsers from the City Council – voted for a slap on the wrist. A dozen citizens made public comment asking for a real investigation and meaningful penalties. The commission also got four letters from BTU members, but voted 4-3 to approve the settlement agreement with low fines and no formal investigation of the faux tenant slate, and no investigation of the nearly $50,000 they accepted from landlords and property management firms. At least our public pressure led to them taking out the part of the agreement that said Rent Board Commissioner Judy Hunt and the other candidates didn’t do it on purpose! It would have been shameful to make such a declaration when there was no investigation or hearing.

There is still an ongoing investigation of the violations at the state level.

Berkeley Daily Planet:
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2013-05-17/article/41082?headline=The-Berkeley-Fair-Campaign-Practices-Commission-Hears-TUFF-Charges–By-Dave-Blake

Contra Costa Times (link doesn’t work on phones, only computers):
http://www.contracostatimes.com/west-county-times/ci_23269400/berkeley-landlord-group-fined-violating-election-laws

Berkeleyside:
http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/05/20/landlord-backed-group-fined-for-campaign-violations/