Momentum Grows to Save the Renters Rebate

Thursday, November 20, 2008
Paul Hogarth
BeyondChron.org

Building on their rally last month to protest the Governor gutting the renters tax rebate, a San Francisco coalition of senior, disabled and tenant activists held a larger protest yesterday - as part of its Statewide Day of Action. But they were not alone. San Diego, a city not known for its political activism, also had a protest that attracted three television stations and the major city newspaper - coordinated by a disability rights advocate who had never before run a press conference. In rural Fresno County, a group of seniors who heard about the coordinated protests staged an impromptu rally in the town of Selma. And at the Los Angeles event, activists secured the support of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass - who will play a central role in upcoming budget negotiations with Arnold Schwarzenegger. While many state legislators are sympathetic that low-income tenants have lost a $347.50-a-year rebate in tough economic times, progress in Sacramento will depend on the leadership playing an active role. With Bass' support, saving the renters rebate got a major boost.

The Senior Citizens Property Tax Assistance program has been in effect for decades. Under the program, renters who earn less than $44,000 and are senior, blind or disabled receive a once-a-year payment of up to $347.50. Renters have to apply for the rebate each year, and last year 467,000 California households received it. In late September, after the legislature passed a state budget with devastating cuts for poor people, Arnold Schwarzenegger added insult to injury - by killing it with his line-item veto power. Applicants received letters in October, informing them the program had terminated.

For low-income renters who got this notice, it has been devastating. "My income is $946-a-month and my rent is $800-a-month," said Kim Meadows, a disabled SRO tenant who lives in San Francisco's Mission District. "I was counting on spending my rent rebate to treat my room with bedbugs - because my landlord refuses to do it. I was also planning to visit my family in San Bernardino, who I haven't seen since 2004. I had to miss my aunt's funeral. Without this check, I can't even afford a Greyhound ticket."

"When the state robs from the poor," said San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, "the impact on our City is terrible. It means more people have to be treated at SF General Hospital. It means more people go to the SF Food Bank. It puts a drain on our local treasury." This week, Mayor Gavin Newsom has proposed devastating mid-year cuts to deal with the City's budget deficit - mostly on social programs that help the poor.

It's not like seniors and disabled tenants haven't already suffered from this year's budget. To accommodate Republicans in the legislature who adamantly refuse to support any tax increase whatsoever (and can hold the entire budget hostage because of the two-thirds vote requirement), the Democratic majority agreed to deny cost-of-living adjustments for SSI and SSDI recipients. "That means people won't be getting $200-a-year from their checks," explained Brian Basinger of the AIDS Housing Alliance of San Francisco.

San Francisco's rally - which I attended - had a large and diverse crowd, and our soon-to-be Assemblyman Tom Ammiano gave a strong speech in solidarity. But as a freshman Democrat in Sacramento, Ammiano won't have much power - as budget negotiations are a "leadership issue." Which is why the Los Angeles press conference was so important. After securing support from senior groups like AARP and California Alliance of Retired Americans - along with the Golden State Manufactured Homeowners League - activists received the following statement from Assembly Speaker Karen Bass:

"The Renters and Homeowners Assistance Program is designed to assist seniors, the disabled and low-income citizens; all of whom are among the most vulnerable. The Governor's decision to eliminate funding has left individuals on limited fixed incomes with difficult choices. What do you eliminate from a budget that barely allows for food, medicine and shelter?"

Of course, support from the "leadership" in Sacramento during tough budget times won't be enough to restore the renters' tax credit. Which is why a statewide effort that includes more than the usual suspects will be crucial. In San Diego, Connie Soucy - a disability rights advocate of Access to Independence - organized her first press conference, and 3 television stations and the San Diego Union-Tribune covered the event. She had help from Disability Rights California and the Affordable Housing Coalition, bringing a powerful message to a city that isn't known for its political activism.

Finally, a "Statewide Day of Action" to restore the Renters Rebate even prompted some activists to start their own events. In Selma, California - a town in Fresno County - a group of senior activists who heard about the protests going on in major cities decided to take it upon themselves. At 2:00 p.m., they held an impromptu rally - proving that this issue can bring Californians together to demand that Arnold do the right thing.

 

 

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