A broad and growing coalition of Redwood City leaders, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, local housing providers, public safety organizations and community groups is rapidly coming together in opposition to Measure E, the sweeping rent-control and eviction initiative on the November ballot.

This coalition continues to grow following the City Council’s 6-0 vote on July 27 to oppose Measure E.

That coalition demonstrated its commitment to protecting the city’s finances and housing with the submission of the official ballot arguments against Measure E, which will appear in the voter information guide distributed to Redwood City voters.

The primary argument was authored by Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos and Councilmember Isabella Chu and signed by a diverse group of community leaders and organizations representing a cross-section of Redwood City including the chamber of commerce and St. Francis Center.

Among those joining the opposition to Measure E are the Chamber San Mateo County, local nonprofit leaders, small business owners, mom-and-pop housing providers, several city council members, and the organizations representing Redwood City’s police officers and firefighters.

Together, these groups warn that Measure E could impose significant new costs on the city, reduce housing choices and create unintended consequences for residents, housing providers and local businesses.

The coalition reflects the growing recognition that Measure E is not simply a question about rent increases. The 46-page initiative would create a complex new city-administered regulatory system and completely rewrite the city’s already strong renter protection laws.

The official argument also raises concerns about the potential financial consequences for Redwood City. A supplemental economic and fiscal analysis prepared for the city estimated that implementing the measure could cost between $5 million and $11.1 million annually and require as many as 18 new full-time employees.

Those costs could place additional pressure on city finances and potentially affect funding for essential services, including public safety and other community priorities, thus raising concerns for the organizations representing the city’s police officers and firefighters to oppose Measure E.

CAA, along with the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR), is leading the effort to educate the city’s voters about the measure’s consequences and urging a no vote on Measure E. Donations to this effort can be made here.

CAA members who want to learn more about Measure E and connect with this broad and growing coalition can contact Rhovy Lyn Antonio at rantonio@caanet.org.