I am surprised that rent increases aren't banned everywhere, and that things like Prop 13 haven't been voted in elsewhere outside of California. Because the fundamental proposition of "I reap handsome benefits, but some unnamed future newcomers to my country/state/city will have it tough" appears to be quite irresistible.
Other states don't have California's direct democracy proposition process that allows any bill to get a vote, provided you have enough signatures. There are some terrible laws that get on the ballot in California, and some get passed.
California at this time also had a famously conservative governor (Reagan) who would be in support of the proposition. Governments aren't usually in favor of passing laws that would slash its own budget and lead to massive cuts in jobs and services.
