Santa Monica · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Monica public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Zoning and Development Policy Commentary
Santa Monica’s City Council is moving on big density and zoning changes to comply with state housing mandates like SB 79, and a local architect says that’s happening before residents get a real say. If neighborhood control matters to you, this is a fight over who actually decides what gets built.
City Council Election Endorsement
A longtime Santa Monica resident and youth volunteer is running for City Council, pointing to his upbringing in rent-controlled housing and local schools. It adds another name to the race, so if you care about housing and schools, this candidate is worth watching.
Local Election Coverage
Santa Monica’s local election races are being broken down into a quick guide so residents can actually figure out who to vote for. If you live here and plan to cast a ballot, this is the shortcut you need before Election Day.
City Council Election Campaign Finance
Money is pouring into Santa Monica’s City Council race, with Doug Trussler topping the field thanks to a $225K self-funded campaign while Lana Negrete leads in actual donor support. The winners will help set city policy for years, so the cash race matters beyond Election Day.
City Council Meeting Summary
Santa Monica Next used an automated reporter to recap the Oct. 27 City Council meeting, including direct quotes from the recording. If you want a quick, quote-backed look at what the council actually did, this is the item to check.
City Council Election Candidates
An opinion column runs down Santa Monica’s November ballot — City Council, Rent Control Board, and more — praising some candidates’ empathy and calling out SMC trustees for dodging accountability. Think of it as a biased but useful cheat sheet for figuring out who’s actually showing up.
local politics / SMRR endorsement dispute
A Santa Monica councilmember who pays SMRR dues is publicly blasting the renters’ group for giving her an “F” and questioning her integrity, saying it demands loyalty over independent thinking. It’s a local political fight over who really speaks for renters—and it could shape endorsements and election messaging.
Parcel Tax Ballot Measure
Santa Monica voters will decide whether to approve a parcel tax this election. The measure would add a property tax based on each parcel, with the money going to whatever local services the ballot language specifies. The source also compares it with similar measures in nearby cities.