4 ms·

> Underlying _that_ problem is a lack of supply And underlying that problem is Prop 13 - the insane multi billion dollar tax break that Californians bestowed o

by rcpt 6y ago

> Underlying _that_ problem is a lack of supply And underlying that problem is Prop 13 - the insane multi billion dollar tax break that Californians bestowed on all land speculators. Until it's gone nothing will change.

cheriot 6y ago
Prop 13 is fucking horrible. We can't blame it for everything, though. It doesn't stop SF from zoning for more residential units or allowing the existing ones to be subdivided. All of those new units pay full freight.
- rcpt 6y ago
  Zoning laws aren't laws of physics. People make those up to align with what works best for them. Prop 13 strongly incentivizes less housing (because it boosts voters asset values with no downside to homeowners) and more commercial (because cities now rely on sales taxes to stay functional). Until the landowners start to feel some downside from the housing disaster don't expect anything to change.
  - cheriot 6y ago
    Landowners are a minority in the city. The divide is deeper than just property values because 100% BMR units are obstructed the same way.
    - chii 6y ago
      if landowners are a minority of the city, then how do laws pass that benefit them so much at the cost of the majority?
      - rcpt 6y ago
        Look at this year's no on 15 campaign. If you lie, but lie loud enough, even people who are hurt by your tax cut will support it.