Page 15 - AAGLA-MAY 2022

Executive Director’s Message
Continued from page 12
State of California, which seeks compensatory damages for the statewide eviction moratorium.
• Finally, on April 18, 2022, we finally heard from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding our Federal lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles seeking to overturn the City’s moratoriums on evictions and rent increases. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided, without explanation, not to hear our case, so this matter is now closed. We are hopeful; however, that other cases seeking to overturn eviction moratoria that have worked their way through appellate courts, in particular the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in a Minnesota landlord matter, and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in a New York landlord matter, will ultimately be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court and a ruling that will have positive impacts for us here in California will be rendered.
Nearly every day I get calls from both members and non- members who suggest that we file a lawsuit for this and for that, and against this jurisdiction and that jurisdiction. Well, I boastfully tell them, “We have filed lawsuits, in fact 5 of them, and when we prevail, we will go after other jurisdictions. I then suggest, “If you agree litigation is the appropriate strategy, how about a contribution to our Legal Fund? We can really use the financial
support because we are ‘shelling-out’ hundreds of thousands of dollars every year pursuing lawsuits.”
Yet, 99.9% of the time, I get the same answer...crickets...silence. As my mother used to say, “Everyone wants to be a macher (Yiddish for “Big Shot”), but when it comes right down to writing a check, when it is their money versus our money, I get silence. In fact, only about 23% of members make the voluntary $80 in contributions we ask for when it comes to renewing their membership – I make my full contribution, just so you know. Fortunately, we have some extremely generous members that give more than their share. There are always those generous people who willingly and anonymously give in the nick of time.
We sincerely hope you will consider supporting the “cause” by making your voluntary, annual contributions to our PACs and Legal Fund with your renewal, and also consider contributing additional funds throughout the year. Your generosity is needed to help us win
our ongoing fight for survival in this rental housing business. Please, GIVE TODAY! I promise you your funds will go to a good cause...protecting YOU and YOUR investments!
I look forward to providing our members with further updates on the progress of our multi-front litigation. We will continue to fight each of these legal matters out to the bitter end!
So, back to my starting point. If I don’t say this enough, I do thank and appreciate you for being a member of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles. We could not and would not exist without the continued support of our members. You, our members, are truly our greatest asset. Always know, we are available and standing by to help you in any way possible. But, please, do stay engaged and involved in our advocacy efforts.
We have a challenging year ahead of us with lots of crazy new ideas coming out of the “minds” (if that what you want to call them) of our elected officials, such as eliminating tenant screening, more taxes on properties, continued extensions of moratoriums on evictions, and so much more. We can and will prevail against government intervention and overregulation...we can and will with your help. Give generously and be active in the cause to preserve our rights.
APARTMENT AGE • MAY 2022 15