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CalMatters: California lawmakers going big on pro-development bills — not so much on renter protection
June 11, 2025—After the election last fall, leadership across the state looked around to figure out what happened.
What they learned is that everyday workers, families, seniors are hurting and stressed over CA’s affordability crisis, rent being top amongst the breakdown.
With that in mind Speaker Rivas called the Legislature to order with a speech that included: “Housing affordability is the civil rights crisis of our time.”
So why are renter’s rights bills facing one of the toughest challenges in a largely Democratic statehouse? CalMatters’ Housing Reporter Ben Christopher spoke with Michelle Pariset, our Director of Legislative Affairs to understand more about what is happening behind closed doors in the statehouse.
“Every member of the Legislature and anyone who runs for office in the state of California understands the power of the apartment association and the association of Realtors,” said Michelle Pariset, director of legislative affairs with the nonprofit Public Advocates.
Pariset, with Public Advocates, called voting for legislation to boost more private housing production “a way to essentially do nothing and pretend like you’re helping.”