CSSA Continues Fight Against Self Storage Price Controls

With the SB709 (California self-storage price control bill) hearing scheduled for Tues., May 6, the California Self Storage Association (CSSA), together with SSA, has been busily working to defeat it or minimize its effects.

According to an email sent out by the CSSA, the association is making progress, but needs the continued support of self-storage operators and CSSA members. The CSSA has created a coalition to thwart the “most consequential attack on our industry,” and it’s collecting funds to support the fight.

So far, the CSSA’s and SSA’s initiatives against SB709 include:

• The CSSA joined a CA Business Round Table (CBRT) and CA Business Properties Association (CBPA), both of which consist of individuals who have led similar efforts and are helping spearhead the fight against this initiative.
• The CSSA organized a coalition of industry leaders, lobbyists, and consultants that conducts “legislative drill” meetings several times throughout each week to coordinate efforts to defeat the Bill as written.
• With financial support from the REITs, the SSA has expanded the role of their long-time Sacramento lobbying firm and has engaged additional lobbying firms to help in the effort.

Each of these teams are working alongside several of the REITs lobbying firms, all providing key support in this collective industry effort. The first hearing of the Bill is scheduled for Tues., May 6, by the CA State Senate Judiciary Committee. The CSSA has met with Senator Umberg (Chair
of the Senate Judiciary Committee), the Consumer Federation (sponsor of the Bill), Senator Menjivar’s office (author of the Bill), and will be meeting with each of them again this week, including Senator Menjivar and other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The CSSA also has additional initiates planned. “We continue to build a wide coalition of social, ethnic, business, environmental, and others that support our opposition to the Bill,” an email from the CSSA stated. “We are conducting focus group research and surveys to strengthen our
arguments, and to garner support from consumers throughout the state.”

To join the Stop SB 709 coalition, click this link: Stop SB 709 Coalition. To make a donation to help support the fight, visit www.californiaselfstorage.org/products/industry-issues-advocacy-campaign.

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