Commission to investigate whether Berkeley mayor violated election law
By not reimbursing the expenses borne by his campaign manager in a timely fashion, Jesse Arreguín may have violated the law 18 times.
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Berkeley Property Owners Association
Recent Stories
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Did property owners group violate election laws? Hearing has been set
Berkeley's watchdog campaign committee will hold a hearing to see if a property owners group violated election filing laws in 2016.
Fight involving Measures DD and U1 is costliest in election
The political action committee for the Berkeley Property Owners Association has steered more than $892,540 in donations to defeat Measure U1 and promote Measure DD, two competing measures that would raise the business tax on rental units.
State watchdog agency investigates $790,540 donated to Yes on Measure DD campaign
The Fair Political Practices Commission has launched an investigation into whether the supporters of Yes on Measure DD may have violated the financial disclosure requirements of the Political Reform Act.
Op-ed: There is a lot wrong with Measure U1
There is a lot wrong with Measure U1. The tax rate imposed is many times higher than that imposed on virtually all other businesses and that charged in other cities. A 3% tax on gross receipts is the equivalent of a 5% to 17% on income, depending on the degree to which the property is mortgaged. Even a die-hard believer in progressive taxes should likely find a combined federal, state and local tax rate over 70% to be a bit excessive.
As election nears, contributions and complaints mount
An independent expenditure group backed by one of Berkeley’s largest unions has poured $8,112 into Jesse Arreguín’s mayoral campaign, spending the funds on a website and literature that promote his views.
Real-estate interests spend big to defeat rental tax spike
Real-estate groups have spent more than $786,000 in the last few months to defeat a measure that would almost double the business tax landlords pay in Berkeley (Measure U1) and to support an alternative measure with a lower tax (Measure DD). The funds were spent on campaign literature, signature collection, campaign consultants and for professional services from lawyers and others.
Courts weigh in on two of Berkeley’s ballot measures
City Councilman and mayoral candidate Laurie Capitelli has filed a lawsuit challenging wording in a ballot measure argument that links him to business interests.
Landlord group sues Berkeley over rental tax initiative
The litigation comes as the Berkeley Property Owners Association is pushing for its own competing tax initiative, Measure DD.
City Council to focus on creation of more housing
In the past five years, the population of Berkeley has grown 5.5%, but its housing supply has only increased 1.2%.
Suit against zoning board’s Tregub resolved after apology
The president of the Berkeley Property Owners Alliance has dropped a libel lawsuit against Igor Tregub, a former candidate for the Rent Stabilization Board and a current Zoning Adjustments Board commissioner, ending three years of controversy.
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Short-term rentals are squeezing out Berkeley renters
This is the first story in a Berkeleyside series on housing. Read the second story on rental rate increases here.
