Forces corporate landlords to revise ballot initiative disinformation and rewrite summary opposition voters will see in November

A superior court judge in Sacramento has ruled the California Apartment Association (CAA) must revise four of its six lies about Proposition 33, the rent control ballot initiative it is opposing this November, and rewrite part of its 50-word summary due to blatant falsehoods and disinformation (Case No. 24CV015584).

Proposition 33, sponsored by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and now endorsed by more than 100 elected and formerly elected officials in California as well as more than 70 labor, senior, veteran, healthcare, and tenant groups, is just 23 words: “The state may not limit the right of any city, county, or city and county to maintain, enact or expand residential rent control.”

However, this has not stopped CAA and the greedy corporate landlords it represents from mischaracterizing Prop 33 and spreading false claims about the ballot initiative.

“The California Apartment Association can't win in a fair fight. It is only by scaring voters with lies that CAA has any chance of stopping the momentum behind Prop 33,” said Susie Shannon, campaign director for Yes on 33. “Everyone knows that the rent is too damn high. All Prop 33 does is restore the power of localities to expand rent control. We are glad that the court stepped in to stop the lies.”

The court found that four of CAA's voter guide statements were “false or misleading.”

1. Would overturn 100 state housing laws: FALSE 2. Would strip the Attorney General of the ability to enforce housing laws: FALSE 3. Eliminates the strongest statewide rent control in the nation: FALSE 4. Repeals renter protections: FALSE

In addition, the court found CAA's 50-word summary in opposition to Prop 33 was misleading.

Ged Kenslea, AHF Senior Communications Director 323.791.5526 c ged.kenslea@ahf.org