California Apartment Association

In the video above, San Mateo City Councilwoman Maureen Freschet expresses concerns about the financial impacts of Measure Q, calling it “dangerous legislation” that would create a rent commission with unlimited regulatory and financial power.

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Two members of the San Mateo City Council have signed the primary ballot argument against bringing rent control to the city.

Councilwomen Maureen Freschet and Diane Papan are among the rent control opponents listed on the argument against the San Mateo Community Preservation and Fair Rent Charter Amendment. The charter amendment will appear on the ballot as Measure Q.

“Don’t be fooled into believing that Measure Q will solve the housing crisis or that there will be no cost to the city and taxpayers,” the against argument says. ‘Measure Q will drive up rents and make housing unaffordable. The unlimited power given to this unaccountable commission is dangerous and will have unintended consequences, damaging to our city and all residents.”

The city’s website includes a copy of the ballot measure, as well as the primary for and against arguments.

To qualify the charter amendment for the ballot, tenant advocates in San Mateo needed to turn in 7,119 valid signatures. They submitted more than 11,000.

The measure calls for rent control based on the consumer price index.

“Measure Q would mandate privately‐funded subsidies to residents with high‐paying jobs who could afford market‐rate rents, while making housing even more scarce and expensive for struggling families in need of affordable housing,” says the argument opposing the measure.

Other Bay Area cities where rent control measures have qualified for the November election include Richmond, Alameda, Mountain View and Burlingame, where the entire City Council submitted an against argument.

Related content:

• Who’s weighing in on San Mateo rent control debate? (Daily Journal, Aug. 23)