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Councilroom debate over Measure ULA: Romen protests fast-tracking, item 19 sent to housing committee
Summary
Councilmember Romen protested trying to consider changes to Measure ULA at today’s meeting, arguing the voter‑approved transfer tax has funded more than $1 billion for housing and that proposed technical fixes risk undermining production. The Council referred Item 19 to the Housing Committee after procedural debate.
Councilmember Romen raised a formal protest and urged the Los Angeles City Council to send proposed changes to Measure ULA to committee rather than consider them on the council floor. Speaking at the Jan. 27 meeting, Romen said the voter-approved measure ‘‘has raised more than $1,000,000,000 and stabilized thousands of tenants’’ and warned that the proposed transfer-tax exemptions could slow the construction of larger apartment buildings the city needs.
Romen told colleagues she had held months of conversations with housing advocates, nonprofits and business stakeholders but that participants had not agreed on what data to monitor. ‘‘We are harming ourselves,’’ Romen said, arguing that the tax structure ‘‘has delayed production of housing’’ and that local action is needed to protect the measure while addressing unintended consequences. She asked for technical fixes that preserve the core funding and voter intent while addressing burdens on housing production.
Clerk and presiding officers then reviewed Rule 16 and the protest process, explaining that if the Council lacked the votes to consider a newly placed item immediately, the item must be referred to committee. After the procedural exchange the Council’s leadership directed that Item 19 be returned to the Housing Committee for fuller public and committee consideration.
Why it matters: Measure ULA is a voter‑approved local financing mechanism central to the city’s affordable‑housing plans; changes to its structure can affect revenue streams for tenant protections and housing programs as well as development patterns. The referral means advocates and Councilmembers will have a committee process in which to debate technical adjustments and consider evidence and public input before any ordinance language is finalized.
What’s next: Item 19 will be studied in the Housing Committee; Councilmembers and community stakeholders indicated they expect further hearings and data analysis before any ballot or ordinance changes are advanced.
