Most renters know securing housing isn’t as simple as finding the perfect place.

California’s renters must save up thousands of dollars to provide security deposits that can legally be as much as two months’ rent, or three months’ for furnished units.

Add in the requirement that renters put up the first month’s rent before they can move in and low-income families are most likely to give up hope of finding a home.

The state Assembly on May 22 passed a proposal that could change that.

Assembly Bill 12 would limit security deposits to one month’s rent, regardless of whether a unit is furnished or not. If the bill passes and gets Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, California could become the 12th state to limit security deposits.

“Security deposits present barriers for people to move into apartments, which can lead them to stay in apartments (and) in homes that are too small, crowded or even unsafe,” said Matt Haney, the Democratic Assemblymember from San Francisco who authored the bill. “In other cases, people take on debt or financial burden that leaves them unable to afford other necessities.”

Haney said the bill has attracted widespread support in the Assembly, including from lawmakers who are landlords as well as labor organizations representing teachers, nurses and grocery store workers.

Assemblymember Diane Dixon, a Republican from Newport Beach, was among the Nos in the 53-14 vote. She cited concern about the bill’s potential to reduce the housing supply.

“The more we over-regulate people’s ability to offer a successful product, the scarcer it will become,” she said in a statement. “Landlords charge security deposits to cover potential damages and any unused funds are returned to the renter.”

Like a downpayment

Haney said the issue caught his attention when a janitor in his district described living with his wife and three children in a one-bedroom apartment.

“He wanted to move into a larger unit so his kids didn’t have to sleep in the same room as him and his wife,” Haney said. “He said he could afford the rent, but he couldn’t afford the deposit and first month’s rent to move in. Unfortunately that’s not an uncommon situation.”

In California, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,538 and for a three-bedroom home is $3,795 according to Zillow. For a $3,000-a-month unfurnished unit, a landlord can charge as much as $9,000 for a security deposit and the first month’s rent.

“People are being asked to pay the equivalent of the down payment of a home in many parts of the country just to move in,” Haney said. “It’s really untenable.”

Tina Rosales, housing attorney and policy advocate with the Western Center on Law & Poverty, said the bill could help fight homelessness.

She came across a San Francisco apartment that called for $10,000 up front, including a security deposit, first month’s rent and fees.

“That’s a lot of money for anybody,” she said, “but especially for low-wage workers, and particularly for Black, Latin and indigenous households. No one can afford market rate housing, plus first, last and two months of security deposits, on top of other excessive fees landlords are permitted to charge.”

Alternatives to security deposits

Debra Carlton, spokesperson for the California Apartment Association, said the landlord group is disappointed that Haney did not consider alternatives.

“The vote on the bill came earlier than we thought, and we had hoped that he would work with us to find perhaps a different solution, but obviously that didn’t happen,” she said.

Carlton said security deposits are important because they allow landlords to pay to repair damage to units. And, should an eviction be necessary, deposits help landlords cover those costs. The average court eviction can take as long as six months and cost an average of $10,000, the association said.

Carlton suggested tenants participate in insurance or bond programs, which could help cover potential damages, like security deposits.

“People are being asked to pay the equivalent of the down payment of a home in many parts of the country just to move in.”
— Matt Haney, Democratic Assemblymember from San Francisco

She added that the bill could force landlords to increase rents and become stricter when vetting tenants, ultimately making it harder for tenants to find housing.

Haney said his staff met with the California Apartment Association and he is open to talking with them, but he believes the limits are necessary.

He said he would consider amending the bill to exempt homeowners who rent out a single room or a guest house.

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Wayne was called home unexpectedly on May 8, 2023. Wayne was born on June 8th, 1936, in Colburn, Colo., to Prairie and Zella King. When he was 16 he moved with his father and two brothers to Orleans, where according to Wayne they all lived in a tent on the old mill property that they worked at.

It was there in Orleans that Wayne met the two women who gave him the greatest joys in his life. He met Marilyn, who gave him his oldest daughter, Marla. He met and married Elsie, who gave him Kristen, Wayne II and Charla.

In 1958 Wayne was drafted at age 22 into the U. S. Army. Right about now most folks are thinking, “But wait, Wayne was a Navy man, what gives?” Well as he told it the story goes like this:  “Me and Billy Horn and Joe Horn and Dick Wolf all got drafted at the same time, so we all went to town together to the recruiting office. They were getting ready to send us to Fort Ord, he (the recruiter) says ‘you’ve only got one option, you can defer and join another branch, either way you’re leaving today’. My brother-in-law Ran Beck always said, ‘go in the Navy’, so that’s what I did, ‘cause that Navy’s where it’s at”.

Wayne was sent to bootcamp in San Diego. He was then stationed there after finishing bootcamp, and was assigned to the USS Oklahoma City. From there he was deployed to shore patrol in the Saigon River area of Vietnam. After San Diego Wayne was also stationed in Bremerton, Wash. During his time in the Navy Wayne was sent to “Nookie Pookie” school as he called it and became a certified nuclear welder. He was assigned to the “Floating White House” where he met and shook hands with President Kennedy. Wayne was able to go to seven continents, see thirteen countries, and became a “Double Shellback” (meaning he crossed the international date line twice while on board a Navy vessel).

After leaving the Navy, Wayne, and Elsie along their three kids moved back to Orleans, where Wayne held many jobs and hobbies. He started King Trucking and drove logging trucks to the mill and timber trucks from the mill. He went into business with his younger brother Bert, and after his divorce he owned the Ishi Pishi club, a one-of-its-kind bar in Orleans. Wayne eventually moved from Orleans to the coast, near the mill in Arcata where he stayed for a few years before he settled in the Hoopa Valley. He remained there in the Valley for over 25 years, until he moved home to Orleans two years ago.

He spent many Memorial Days cooking hundreds of pancakes for the annual VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) pancake breakfast in Willow Creek. He was active with VFW in both Hoopa and Willow Creek until his passing. When Wayne “retired” from trucking he started to carve some of the most beautiful abalone and antler earrings and hair sticks. You’d be hard pressed to walk through Hoopa, Orleans or Willow Creek and not see at least a couple pairs of his earrings hanging from a lobe or two.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Prairie King and Zella Morris, his son Wayne II, brothers Orval and William (Bert) King, brother-in-law Ran Beck, sister-in-law Barbara Pearson and her husband Bill Pearson, loved ones Elsie King Gillespie and Marilyn Attebery.

Wayne is survived by his daughters Marla Hillman (Randy) and Kristen and Charla King. His Grandchildren; Bambi Maxwell (Vinny), Leaf Chook (Annelia), and Ike Hillman, Harold “Sonny” (Tawnia) and Kristofer (Mariah) Mitchell, Wayne III (Rena), Eric, Ruby, Vanessa, Chloe, and Violet King, Sereena and Travis King. Great-Grandchildren; Tishannik Bowen, Carter and Marilyn Maxwell, Ishikiihara and Vuunsip’ Hillman, Bessie, Grant “Son Son”, Keech, and Thadeus Hillman, Javon and Jaliya Mitchell, Kristofer “KJ” Jr and Davonte “Hanky” Mitchell, BellaAnn, Wayne IV, Kion and Lovayah King. Wayne is survived by his brothers Delbert “Bert” and Gary King and Sisters Helen Beck and Evelyn King. He has far too many nieces and nephews to list but he loved each and every one of them.

Wayne is also survived by his honorary family — Kadoo Henry, Lacie Lewis (Justin), beloved “grandson” Brady Brink, Lindsay McCovey and Uriah Cheng, WU-Ti McCovey and Tee-tom, Neveah, Sregon Stone and Sregon Barney McCovey.

Wayne’s family is currently planning a celebration of his extraordinary life and will make announcements once a date and time are settled on. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to or volunteering with the Willow Creek VFW or your local hall in Wayne’s honor.

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At 2 a.m. on May 17, 2023, the world lost a wonderful, talented soul. David Jager (68) died in his sleep at his home in Eureka.

David was born in Eureka in 1955. He was the fifth child of Frank and Fredia Jager. He attended St. Bernard’s school and graduated with the class of 1973. Shortly after high school and encouraged by his good friend, Father Tom Devereaux, he entered St. Mary’s Catholic seminary in Kentucky and began his studies to become a priest. After two years he returned home convinced that the priesthood was not his calling. Once back in Eureka he attended College of the Redwoods and briefly Humboldt State University. During this time he obtained his EMT certification and became a member of the Eureka Volunteer fire department.

In the late 1970s he earned his commercial truck driver’s license and began his career as a long-haul truck driver. He traveled all over the United States and had many stories to tell about the various cities he visited and adventures of driving in New York City. Dave was a certified scuba diver and enjoyed his many trips to the Gulf Coast and Florida, where during down time from driving truck he could dive in the warm waters.

During his early teen years David was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 54. He completed several 50-mile summer hikes with the troop in the Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains.

In his youth David was an accomplished rock climber and mountaineer. He completed numerous climbs in Yosemite, the Trinity Alps, the Sierra, and the Cascade mountains of Oregon. When he was home his practice ground for climbing was old Patrick’s Point State Park (Now Sue-Meg State Park). He and his brother pioneered many of the climbing routes still used today. His climb of the Grand Teton in Wyoming was a proud moment in his climbing career.

David had Native American roots. He was a tribal member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi. His ancestry on his mother’s side was the Bird Clan of the Degraff-Navarre families.

In his retirement he operated a lawn care business to keep active until his health failed. He was a caring person and donated to many charities both on the local level and nationally.

His brothers and sisters would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt — especially Robert, who cared for David in his final days.

David was a lifelong bachelor and was predeceased by his father, mother, and his younger brother Paul.

He is survived by his sisters and brothers: Dora Kaliamos, Patty Roberts, Dot Wentworth; Frank, Michael and Adam Jager.

A memorial service will be held later this summer.

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Marla Kay Smoker passed away on March 7, 2023 in Eureka.

She was born on January 24, 1944 to Percy and Wiletha Munsell in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The family eventually moved to Redding, where Marla was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, of which she was very proud. She graduated from Enterprise High School Class of 1962. She continued living in Redding while working for AAA Insurance for several years.

In 2002 she met George Smoker. She knew the day they met they were meant to be together forever. They were married on April 16, 2004 during Kool April Nights in Redding. The ceremony took place on the drive up to the second story of the Convention Center. Marla wrote their vows and their friend Gene Davenport performed the ceremony. Marla felt that Gene was taking too long and finally asked when he would say “You may now kiss the bride.”

Marla moved to Eureka with George. They owned and operated Redwood Coffee Service for 7.5 years and made many friends during that time. They belonged to Redwood Vintage Rods and traveled to many car shows and rod runs. So much fun and close friendships were made. They also enjoyed camping whether by roughing it or going in their camp trailer. Marla’s pride and joy was their vegetable garden and her beautiful flowers. She definitely had a green thumb. She also made the best applesauce from their apple tree (with George’s help).

Marla was a special person with a heart of gold and great personality. She was loved by many and will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. She was preceded in death by her parents Percy and Wiletha Munsell and her brother Forrest (Bo) Munsell. She is survived by her loving husband George Smoker of Eureka, her daughter Laura Stevens of Redding and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Her many friends and family will miss her deeply. RIP Marla, until we meet again.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 between 12 and 3 p.m. at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, 4328 Campton Road, Eureka, CA 95503.

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Catch up quick with the LoCO’s local newscast! Press play above and check below for today’s pressing poll question.

ADDITIONAL READING:

• Missing Woman Who Prompted Nationwide Scare Found Safe in Eureka, Police Say; Allegedly Abusive Boyfriend Arrested on Outstanding Warrant
• Sheriff’s Office Seeks Public’s Help Locating Missing Loleta Woman
• Denied by Supes and a Judge, Enviro Groups Continue Fight Against Remote SoHum Weed Farm With Appeals Court Filing

Press release from the office of Rep. Jared Huffman:

Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement on his plan to vote against H.R. 3746, the legislative agreement to suspend the debt ceiling for 18 months in return for a host of Democratic spending and policy concessions. Specifically, the bill cuts non-defense spending while increasing defense spending; adds unnecessary hurdles for vulnerable Americans to receive vital food and financial assistance; significantly and permanently undermines NEPA, one of our most critical environmental laws; and flouts the opposition of climate activists and environmental justice groups by legislatively greenlighting the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has a climate impact equivalent to building 26 new coal-fired power plants.

Rep. Jared Huffman

“Agreeing to a one-sided negotiation under threat of default has produced a bad deal and a terrible precedent. While Republicans’ egregious hostage-taking accomplished very little debt or deficit reduction, the temporary social service cuts they demanded fall unconscionably on vulnerable Americans who are struggling just to have food to eat. And those who characterize the environmental rollbacks in this ‘deal’ as merely procedural reforms are being disingenuous. These are permanent, substantive reductions in environmental protection that Republicans and the fossil fuel industry have been seeking for many years. Taken together with the abominable approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, this deal is a major step backward from the climate and environmental justice wins we delivered in the last Congress. And since Democrats got nothing on the permitting reform item we actually need (electrical transmission), Republicans will use that as leverage to demand even more environmental rollbacks in the months ahead.”

“Finally, once you normalize extreme hostage taking like this, there’s no going back. MAGA Republicans succeeded in holding America hostage under threat of default in order to extract unrelated demands, and they now have a template. Today’s deal is going to pass, but since it consists entirely of odious concessions to Republicans, it should pass with GOP votes. I will not be voting for what I view as a lousy deal and a terrible precedent.”

Among other things, the bill limits the types of projects subject to NEPA review, allows polluters to conduct their own environmental reviews, and codifies various provisions of the Trump administration’s 2020 NEPA regulations. The bill also approves the disastrous Mountain Valley Pipeline despite several permitting hurdles it still must go through.

Click here for a fact sheet on these provisions (Division C, Title III, Sections 321-324).

Earlier this month, Rep. Huffman joined a letter signed by 83 House Democrats to President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) urging them to oppose inclusion of environmental rollbacks in any must-pass legislation.

In addition to these dirty energy provisions, this bill would:

• take away Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) away from hundreds of thousands of older adults and families;

• take back approximately $30 billion of unspent COVID-19 aid that would otherwise be used for rental assistance, broadband, small business assistance, and more;

• rescind $20 billion of the $80 billion that the Inflation Reduction Act allocated to the IRS to pursue rich tax evaders and provide improved customer service; and

• end the student loan payment pause, requiring borrowers to begin repayment 60 days after June 30.

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Workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and are enrolling in a college class, be warned: Your chance to get as much as $2,500 will likely be gone by June 15.

The Golden State Education and Training Grant Program was created in 2021 to help workers laid off because of the economic consequences of COVID. But now the college grant program is itself slated to be cut due to California’s current fiscal malaise.Seeking ways to plug the state’s estimated $31.5 billion budget hole, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed in May to completely scupper the relief grant program in the 2023-24 budget year, which starts July 1. That would return an estimated $480 million to the state — nearly all of the $500 million lawmakers and Newsom allotted for the program.And while the Legislature hasn’t officially formulated its budget response to Newsom, which is due by June 15, the budget committee in the Assembly and a key subcommittee in the Senate have approved Newsom’s plan to sunset the program. About 6,000 people have used the program so far; the Legislative Analyst’s Office, a nonpartisan advisor to the Legislature, suggested getting rid of it at the end of the year.

Officials with the agency overseeing the relief grant said individuals who currently qualify for the aid can still apply, but the timeline is tight.

Eligible workers must submit the application for the grant by June 15, said Shelveen Ratnam, a spokesperson for the California Student Aid Commission, said in an email Tuesday afternoon. If workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic aren’t currently in a college program, they must be enrolled by June 30 to take advantage of the grant, Ratnam added.The aggressive timeline applies to colleges as well — they, too, must verify a student’s enrollment by June 30.After June 30, the commission “will disburse awards to the grantees that have met all the eligible criteria,” Ratnam wrote.

Unlike typical financial aid applications, applying for the relief grant takes less than 20 minutes. But workers seeking the money must satisfy several requirements, including that they:

• lost their jobs “due to” the pandemic;
• weren’t enrolled in a higher-education program when they were laid off;
• currently earn less than $42,800 a year as single wage-earners without kids or more if their families are larger;
• make less than what they did before the pandemic;
• are enrolled at a community college, California State University or University of California academic program, plus a few other eligible training institutions.

The grant program was rolled out to great fanfare with plans of reaching 190,000 people, but so far few individuals have received aid. As of early May, the student aid commission awarded roughly 3,500 students with grants in 2022-23 and 2,600 through a pilot in 2021-22. That amounted to $24 million in grants.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office wrote in February that the relief grant was basically a solution in search of a problem. While many of the employees laid off during the pandemic worked in service and recreation-related jobs and lacked a college degree, this program came too late.

Now, “because the labor market has been very favorable for people looking for jobs, displaced workers are more likely to have the option to find other jobs rather than returning to school.”Plus, students in California are able to enroll in community college for free if their incomes are low enough — the target group of this grant — the analyst’s office wrote. State and federal financial aid can also lead to more education dollars for workers going back to school, the analyst’s report added. Still, those grants are only available for four or six years — and some workers may have used up their financial aid benefits.

Nonetheless, the analyst’s office pushed to “discontinue the Golden State Education and Training Grant program at the end of the current year and remove any remaining funding at that time.”

Other than the training grant, Newsom and lawmakers are signaling that California’s budget for public higher education will grow. The UC and Cal State systems are each expecting more than $200 million in state support for their core academic missions — increases of 5% from the previous year. Newsom and lawmakers also want to commit another $227 million for a new financial aid program mostly aimed at students from middle-class families, among other commitments, such as affordable student housing.

What’s being proposed is a “solid budget,” said Kevin McCarty, a Democratic Assemblymember from Sacramento, at a budget hearing last week. It’s “not perfect, but an A- to continue on our priorities.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.