Michelson Center for Public Policy Signs Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 1418

Dear Assemblymember McKinnor:

On behalf of Dr. Gary K. Michelson and the Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP), I am writing to express our strong support for Assembly Bill 1418. AB 1418 will, among other things, prohibit a local government, as specified, from imposing a penalty against a resident, owner, tenant, landlord or other individual as a consequence of contact with a law enforcement agency.

MCPP is a nonprofit advocacy organization that propels legislative change through meaningful collaboration with elected officials, government agencies, and civic leaders. Our aim is to achieve positive outcomes in education and college affordability, equity, medical research, and animal welfare. Over the years our work has also focused on supporting individuals who have been impacted by our criminal justice system and have put forth significant effort to change the trajectory of their lives. This legislation stands to positively impact this very population and their families.

AB 1418 prohibits cities and counties from enacting crime-free housing and nuisance programs designed to force landlords to evict a tenant should they have contact with police or be convicted of a felony. These harmful policies disproportionately affect Black and Latinx communities and conflict with a variety of state and federal laws, including civil rights law. These policies also tend to deny tenants the ability to directly challenge enforcement actions and use overly broad and vague language that make it unclear to the tenant what behavior may lead to their eviction, which raises due process concerns. These policies contribute to our unhoused population and serve as a barrier to re-entry for our formerly incarcerated population, creating an unstable environment for those who desperately need a stable place to call home.

For these reasons, MCPP is pleased to support AB 1418 and appreciates your efforts and leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey L. Baum

Executive Director Michelson Center for Public Policy