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GUEST: Dean Preston, Executive Director of Tenants Together, Larry Gross, Executive Director of the Coalition for Economic Survival

Last month, voters in California soundly rejected Proposition 98 which would have eroded tenant rights under the guise of eminent domain. The proposed amendment that would have, among other things, phased out rent control only garnered 39% of the vote in its defeat. For communities opposed to Prop 98, the election battle provided an opportunity for diverse organizations such as labor unions, homeowner, senior, and disabled rights groups to come together. The defeat of the landlord backed initiative was seen as a definitive moment for the tenant rights movement as it now has its eyes set on the future. With foreclosures hitting California harder than most states, the movement has for the first time in decades has a state-wide rights organization in Tenants Together. Founded in January of this year, the group is publicly supporting Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico’s foreclosure relief bill approved last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The newly reinvigorated tenant rights movement is seeking to develop a future legislative agenda beyond Torrico’s bill to further ensure more protections for renters.

For more information about Tenants Together, visit www.tenantstogether.org. To find out more about the local organization, www.cesinaction.org.