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LAFD Chief Reg 4 Program Needs to be Overhauled

July 13, 2020
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fire systems

Building safety, most especially maintaining fire protection equipment, is an integral part of managing commercial properties. However, personnel in the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) that oversees the Chief Regulation #4 Program – which regulates fire life and safety – is scarce. Moreover, the program as a whole is vastly in need of an update. Without …

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BOMA/GLA Opposes Proposition 15, California’s Split Roll Initiative

July 6, 2020
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Split Roll tax

The best way to describe what is going on with Split Roll was given by previous California Governor Jerry Brown: “Messing with Prop 13 is a big, fat loser.” Despite this, Prop 13 protections for commercial property owners will be challenged this November. Officially known as Prop 15, Split Roll is …

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LA City Rejects Vacancy Tax for Now, But Will Consider it for 2022

June 24, 2020
Posted in ,
vacancy tax city hall

Fortunately, during Wednesday’s Special Meeting, the Los Angeles City Council moved to stall consideration of their vacancy tax. Originally, the motion called for placing the vacancy tax on the November 2020 ballot. However, Councilmember Mike Bonin, the main advocate behind the tax, admitted that there …

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SB 939 Defeated!

June 19, 2020
Posted in , ,
SB 939 leases

The California State Senate Judiciary Committee is considering SB 939 (Wiener) this Friday. In short, this bill allows commercial tenants to walk away from current leases. In addition, the bill also provides 12 months to repay the unpaid rent that accrued during the statewide shelter-in-place order. Certainly, this clearly abrogates …

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Vacancy Taxes are Ineffective and Harmful

June 17, 2020
Posted in ,
vacancy tax

The Los Angeles City Council has studied the feasibility of vacancy taxes to reduce empty properties. In effect, this tax would create punishments and taxes despite many owners who are genuinely attempting to sell their space. Though, as seen in other cities, a fee with the intent to punish property owners will have a host of other effects that will undermine the ability for property owners to do business.

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Idaho Court Case May Worsen the Homelessness Crisis

June 15, 2020
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Boise homelessness

Homelessness in Los Angeles has become a humanitarian crisis – over 60,000 Angelenos don’t have secure housing. Such a situation demands swift action by our public officials. However, despite impressive action by the Los Angeles City Council, a recent Supreme Court decision can prove detrimental in our efforts to promote wellness and public safety. Martin v. City of Boise …

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Parcel Taxes Are Death by 1000 Papercuts

June 8, 2020
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In a last minute effort, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) added a parcel tax to the Board of Supervisors that was voted on after only a few months of life. With minimal public input, the ballot measure failed.
Along with other parcel taxes, this would have cost building owners thousands a year.

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Can Tenants Avoid Lease Payments?

April 29, 2020
Posted in , ,

Under the current local and state emergency orders, building owners are working closely with tenants to maintain the status quo of a clean and habitable space and continuation of lease payments. However, some tenants may claim “force majeure”, “frustration of purpose”, or “impossibility”, causing them to seek rent deferral or abatement.

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Policymaker Spotlight: Miguel Santiago

April 27, 2020
Posted in

BOMA Greater Los Angeles would like to introduce its members to a leading California State Assemblymember, Miguel Santiago. First elected in 2014 to the 53rd District, Santiago represents the key interests of neighborhoods like Boyle Heights, Downtown, Koreatown, and Pico Union on issues like eradicating homelessness, building affordable housing, prioritizing community college, and increasing care services.

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Who Must Provide Lactation Accommodations?

April 22, 2020
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lactation room

Controversial yet widely supported by legislators, new laws regarding lactation accommodations in California have been brought to the State Legislature over the past few years.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the positions of BOMA Greater Los Angeles. For media inquiries and questions about BOMA/GLA's policy positions, please email [email protected]. You can also find additional information about our policy positions on our website.