Culver City Measures B, RE Focus On Rent Control, Property Tax

CULVER CITY, CA — Culver City voters this week will head to their local polling place to cast their ballots, selecting who they want to represent them and deciding whether voters will vote yes or no on Measure B and Measure RE.

RELATED: Vote Centers In Culver City: Where To Vote In Person 2020

Many voters have already cast their ballots via early voting or mail-in voting due to the pandemic. More than 9,155 Culver City voters who have already submitted their ballots as of Oct. 22. According to Los Angeles County, Culver City currently has 29,451 registered voters, so about 31% have voted.

There are also three Culver City Council seats to be filled. The terms expire in four years.

Two Culver City School Board seats are open and there are six candidates vying for the positions.

Here's more information about Measure B and Measure RE:

Measure B

Measure B is a rent control amendment measure that would give voter approval of all interim or permanent rent control.

• A “yes” vote supports requiring voter approval for ordinances to establish rent control, including ordinances establishing rent control after January 1, 2019.
• A “no” vote opposes requiring voter approval for ordinances to establish rent control, including ordinances establishing rent control after January 1, 2019.

RELATED: Culver City's Rent Control Goes Into Effect On Oct. 30

Some locals argue that Measure B could restrict some of the rent control and tenant protections passed by Culver City Council and now in effect as of Oct. 31.

"These are very strong protections, based on what has worked in other communities," said Protect Culver City Renters in a statement to the Culver City Observer. "However, these renter protections are already in danger. Measure B was placed on the November ballot by the curiously named Protect Culver City, a PAC formed in reaction to the passage of the rent freeze. It is funded largely by out-of-town landlord and real estate money. If passed, Measure B will repeal the new rent control ordinance and require any future rent control to be passed by ballot initiative."

Measure RE

Measure RE is a property transfer tax measure.

"The November 2020 election will provide Culver City residents an opportunity to vote on Measure RE: an amendment to the City's real estate transfer tax," according to the city's website. "If approved by voters, Measure RE would establish a marginal tax rate with four brackets, based on sales price or value, for the City's real estate transfer tax."

• A “yes” vote supports authorizing an increase to the established property transfer tax from a flat-rate of 0.45% to 0.45% on amounts of $1,499,999 or less, 1.5% on amounts of $1.5 million - $2,999,999, 3% on amounts of $3 million - $9,999,999, 4% on amounts of $10 million or more, and 0.45% on sales of 100% affordable housing, generating an estimated $6 million per year for essential services including parks, street maintenance, addressing homelessness, youth services, senior services and economic recovery.
• A “no” vote opposes authorizing an increase to the established property transfer tax from a flat-rate of 0.45% to 0.45% on amounts of $1,499,999 or less, 1.5% on amounts of $1.5 million - $2,999,999, 3% on amounts of $3 million - $9,999,999, 4% on amounts of $10 million or more, and 0.45% on sales of 100% affordable housing, generating an estimated $6 million per year for essential services including parks, street maintenance, addressing homelessness, youth services, senior services and economic recovery.

Learn more about Measure B and Measure RE on Culver City's 2020 election website.

Check back with Patch on Election Day for more updates: CA Elections 2020