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Rent Control Proposal to Protect Tenants

Published

13 years ago

July 6, 2013

Oakland Post

Charlotte Woodard

James Vann

By Ken A. Epstein A city council committee last week began a discussion of limiting or eliminating the right of landlords to raise rents to cover the costs of their mortgages and other “debt service” expenses. Under the city’s current rent ordinance, an owner can pass through to tenants up to 95 percent of mortgage costs after a new purchase. The Rent Board’s recommendation is that the increases be limited to 7 percent. An alternate recommendation by the Rent Board was to eliminate debt service increases altogether, similar to other rent controlled cities. “Of the 10 major jurisdictions in California with Rent Stabilization Ordinances, four cities authorize debt service rent increases. Oakland is the only city where there are (almost) no limits … on rent increases based on debt service,” according to a report prepared by city staff for the Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee’s meeting. Affected by the rent ordinance are about 60,000 residential units in Oakland. Rent increases tied to mortgage costs were a big issue during the housing boom and could be again when the housing market recovers. Lining up to speak against the proposal at the CED meeting were small landlords and representatives of landlord organizations. Richard Phillips, a contractor and architect who manages a few apartment buildings, said it was difficult to find funding for seismic retrofitting for apartment buildings, which puts residents’ lives at risk when there is an earthquake. “Debt service and capital improvements have to be relaxed in order to pay back these loans so owners will borrow the money and do the seismic retrofits,” he said. Charlotte Woodard, a small landlord and retired teacher said the City Council should postpone a decision until it does more research. “My property is underwater, and I cannot access a commercial loan,” she said, explaining that she cannot afford to make repairs to her rental property. One of those supporting the rent proposal was James Vann, an architect and co-founder of the Oakland Tenants Union. “What debt service really means is have your tenants buy your building for you,” he said. “And if that building sells again in 5 years, then make the tenants pay for it again.” “In Oakland, capital improvements are paid 100 percent – passed through to tenants. Housing service costs are paid 100 percent by tenants. Why should the cost of buying the building be passed through to tenants,” he said. “If you read the (city) report, there were some rent increases well over 100 percent, one that was 233 percent. And tenants can’t even object to that.” Asking for more information on other rent ordinance proposals, councilmembers tabled the discussion until September.

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OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Published

7 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Oakland Post

Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.