But he’s not chastising Google bus protesters or tech firms and their employees who aren’t giving back to San Francisco.
Instead, he is laying blame on real estate interests for the spike in housing prices.
“Part of the tech backlash occurring in SF right now is due to evictions by real estate speculators. Please help stop evictions in SF by having your company sign on to the below letter for Senator Leno,” wrote Conway in an email to members of sf.citi, his tech lobbying group, to push support for state Sen. Mark Leno’s bill.
Using his name recognition and influence, Conway is trying to get tech firms to back an Ellis Act reform bill in Sacramento and, perhaps, shift the conversation.
He has already enlisted a handful of such firms in this pursuit.
On Tuesday, Leno’s legislation passed a Senate committee.
Senate Bill 1439 would close a loophole in the Ellis Act that currently allows people to buy rent-controlled buildings in order to begin eviction proceedings immediately. The bill would apply only to The City.