Santa Monica Pulse August 2022 - Santa Monica Pulse

Santa Monica Pulse August 2022

Hotel worker union Unite Here Local 11 wants to force Los Angeles hotels to house homeless individuals in unoccupied hotel rooms. Hotel workers and LA residents have spoken out against the idea, citing safety concerns, especially in cases where homeless individuals have serious mental health or addiction issues. The policy will be decided via public referendum in 2024. In the meantime, our latest Santa Monica Pulse asked Santa Monicans if they would support a similar ordinance in their city.

The vast majority — 86 percent — opposed having a similar ordinance in Santa Monica. Just six percent would support it, and another six percent were unsure.

We also asked residents about two rival real estate transfer taxes that will appear on the November ballot — one from Mayor Himmelrich and one from Councilmember Brock. The Mayor’s measure would tax $53 per $1,000 on properties valued at $8 million. Brock’s would charge a more modest transfer tax on certain commercial properties, with the revenue going to support various local priorities.

Almost 35 percent said they would support Councilmember Brock’s proposal. Another 15 percent said they would support Mayor Himmelrich’s tax. However, the majority of respondents were still undecided, with 50 percent saying they’re not sure or don’t support either tax.

With three City Council seats up for election in November, and 13 candidates who have filed nominating papers, we asked respondents which three candidates they would be most likely to vote for. Top responses were Armen Melkonians (23 percent), Councilmember Lana Negrete (18 percent), and Arthur Jeon (nine percent). The majority of respondents (66 percent) said they were still undecided or would not vote for any of the listed candidates.