President's Message
By Todd Brisco

Often I am asked, “Why do we have such horrible legal procedures?” and “Don’t the legislators understand we are just trying to run our businesses?”

The simple answer is no. Most electeds do not invest in rental property. Most do not operate businesses. Their knowledge of local, daily industry is limited at best.

They take their cue on legislation from their staff, their political party, the unions, their relative who had a bad rental experience or organized supporters.

The latter is where you come in.

As an active member of the Apartment Association, California Southern Cities, your voice counts when we lobby for/or against legislation. And, we are lobbying hard because your rental housing business is literally at risk. For example:

• If Senator Ellen Corbett’s bill passes in Sacramento, all 869,000 California landlords (LIKE YOU!) will be effectively faced with statewide rent control.
• If your property was built before 1978, you could be charged $37,500 per violation per day if you did not receive the EPA mandated lead safe training by April 22.
• That the state wants you to install individual water meters for each unit ($200-$3,000 each).
• That there are Assemblymembers who want to take away your right to run credit checks on your managers and criminal checks on your tenants.

Let’s face it, you worked too hard and sacrificed too much to see your business disappear before your very eyes.

Government intrusion into your life is higher now than ever before—with increasing fees, fines, mandates and overregulation. You cannot afford to have government control your rental property, too! Now is the time to prohibit government from trampling your private property rights.

The most important benefit you receive from your membership with AACSC is legislative advocacy at the city, county, state and federal level. Even the good legislators do not always understand the ramifications or impact on you when bills are passed—the electeds need to be educated in order for you to be protected.

A California-trained and well-respected lobbyist plus a team of national advocates provide the foundation. When you add a board of directors who have worked in the trenches and a politically-sensitive professional staff, you have a “pyramid of power” unequalled in the rental housing industry.

But, even with a great lobbying team we need to advocate to people who will listen to our rental housing point of view.

Again, that’s where you come in. We have a very important election on June 8. Help us by electing people who care about housing.

Who can raise your taxes? Only government.

Who can mandate rent control? Only government.

Who can force unit inspections? Only government.

Who can raise water rates? Only government.

Who can fine you? Only government.

Know about the candidates running in your area. Find out how they stand on increasing taxes. Discover if they want to fine landlords or charge for new inspections.

Vote and vote with knowledge.

Remember, all it takes for evil to triumph is for a few good people to do nothing.

PLEASE VOTE!