‘Free rent’ bill will ultimately harm tenants

As the legislative session heads toward recess, California lawmakers are passing stopgap bills designed to help Californians deal with the hardships caused by the coronavirus-related economic shutdowns. The most troubling measure, Assembly Bill 1436, passed through committee last week — although its fate is uncertain as its far-reaching provisions draw significant pushback.
The bill is designed to help struggling tenants, but threatens to upend the housing market by undermining the ability