In a significant move following a clerical error that unintentionally rescinded Measure J, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to restore the measure, which was originally passed by voters in 2020.
Measure J aimed to redirect at least 10 percent of the county’s unrestricted revenue toward community programs that combat racial injustice, focusing on care-first investments in areas such as job training, housing services, youth development, and business development.
According to the Board, the error occurred when voters approved Measure G, a separate ballot initiative intended to reform county government, which inadvertently altered the municipal code that contained Measure J’s provisions.
Supervisor Janice Hahn emphasized the importance of restoring Measure J, stating, “In 2020 the voters spoke loud and clear: they approved Measure J because they believed we needed to focus on care-first investments in our communities. Since then, this Board has done exactly that by establishing the Care-First Community Investment policy.”
During this week’s Board meeting, Hahn reiterated the necessity of codifying Measure J’s intent to protect the progress made in community investments. She pointed out, “One technical error should not invalidate the clear will of the voters.”
Although the current situation presents some confusion over Measure J, the recent county budget already aligns with the measure’s standards, and there is confidence among the supervisors that future budgets will also reflect its goals—even if Measure J is not technically in force.
To address the implications of the clerical error, the Board has directed county staff and legal counsel to explore various avenues to amend the county code to bring it back in line with the voters’ intent.
These potential solutions include:
1. Investigating possible legal actions, including declaratory relief.
2. Assessing whether changes to state law could rectify the error without the need for a new ballot measure.
3. Reviewing the circumstances surrounding the error to improve the processes for updating the County Charter accurately and promptly in the future.
4. Drafting an ordinance to ensure Measure J’s implementation continues.
5. Creating a proposed Charter Amendment that would permanently incorporate Measure J into the county’s governance framework, targeting placement on the 2026 ballot.
As a response to the Board’s directive, the Executive Officer, in consultation with County Counsel, will take steps to update the publicly available County Charter to reflect Measure J as passed by the voters on November 3, 2020.
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath expressed the need for accountability, stating, “Measures J and G were both passed by voters after a powerful groundswell of community advocacy—and their will must be honored. Even if Measure G had never happened, the harm from the bureaucratic failure to properly include Measure J in the County Charter is unacceptable and must be addressed without delay.”
The Board’s prompt action to restore Measure J showcases its commitment to upholding community-focused policies and addressing the core issues of racial injustice that motivated voters in 2020. As the county moves forward, attention will be closely watched for the coming amendments and the potential reestablishment of crucial funding for community initiatives.
image source from:la