Good morning, and welcome to L.A. on the Record, your source for the latest updates on city and county government.
David Zahniser, with valuable contributions from Julia Wick, presents an overview of significant developments regarding Los Angeles’ governance.
The Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission, comprised of 13 volunteers, has recently begun the daunting task of reviewing the city’s governing document, the City Charter. This commission is not just any ordinary group; it is stepping into a spotlight that has been heated by a series of recent scandals, including the controversial 2022 audio leak that revealed damaging conversations among city officials.
From the onset, the commission has faced internal strife, highlighted by a leadership showdown that reflects broader community tensions. The suggested revisions to the Charter encompass both ambitious reforms, such as adopting ranked-choice voting, and more moderate adjustments including the proposal to expand the City Council’s size.
Mayor Karen Bass, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and former Council President Paul Krekorian carefully selected these commissioners, ideally placing them in a role to explore substantial changes stemming from public demand for increased transparency and accountability.
Raphael Sonenshein, a former executive director of the city’s prior Charter Reform Commission, emphasized the weight of this commission’s responsibilities as they navigated through complex issues, stating, “You actually have a bigger responsibility than that.”
The first meeting took place on July 16, where members were tasked with choosing their leadership. Raymond Meza, previously appointed as interim chair, was thought to be a frontrunner for the permanent position. However, the commission was met with a surprising deadlock, as both Meza and Ted Stein, a seasoned real estate developer and former city commissioner, secured equal support from the commissioners, prompting a need for a revote with additional members present.
Meza, who works for Service Employees International Union Local 721, has strong ties to labor and progressive circles. He advocated for ranked-choice voting, viewing it as a mechanism that could elevate voter participation. He also voiced support for increasing the number of City Council members, hinting that quick filling of vacant positions is necessary to enhance governmental efficiency.
Conversely, Stein, having a wealth of experience on various city panels, countered that his history gave him the perspective necessary for steering the commission through their tight timeline. Despite the past scrutiny surrounding his involvement in the airport commission, where he resigned amid grand jury investigations, Stein maintains that he was never formally charged and views any past controversies as unfounded.
As the commission grapples with the question of who should lead them, various stakeholders have expressed concerns over Stein’s inclusion given the implications of his past actions on the commission’s ability to garner public trust. Advocates for reform have lobbied hard against his nomination, argued that it diminishes the credibility of an already beleaguered commission.
Meza’s leadership ultimately prevailed, leading to a 7-5 vote that confirmed him as chair, a decision he characterized as reflective of the need for fresh ideas within L.A.’s political scene.
The commission’s overarching objective is quite ambitious. They must put forth clear recommendations to the City Council by spring 2024, a fast-paced timeline that underscores the urgency of reform amidst calls for accountability from an increasingly frustrated electorate.
In parallel to the Charter review process, multiple proposals are on the table seeking to reshape L.A.’s governance and fiscal landscape. On one front, a group of Los Angeles business leaders has initiated a ballot measure aimed at repealing the gross receipts tax, claiming that such a move would invigorate economic growth and reduce costs for residents. Yet, this initiative has faced immediate pushback, with Mayor Bass and other officials cautioning that it could strip $800 million from the city’s annual budget, leading to cuts in vital services like policing and firefighting.
Amid this tension, another business-backed proposal regarding the tourism minimum wage has progressed, with the City Clerk’s office validating petition signatures necessary for a referendum. The proposed $30-per-hour wage is backed by tourism sectors such as airlines and hotels and is seen as a way to enhance the working conditions for those in low-wage hospitality jobs.
One of the grim concerns detailed by The Times involved the L.A. County Fire Department’s resource allocation during the devastating Eaton fire. Tracking data revealed that only one truck was stationed west of Lake Avenue during a critical juncture of the emergency, exacerbating the tragic outcomes of the incident.
In governance changes, Mayor Bass’s recent nomination of Mary Lee for the Board of Police Commissioners was swiftly withdrawn due to unspecified personal reasons, highlighting ongoing shifts within local law enforcement leadership amid pressing social considerations.
Despite high-profile initiatives like addressing homelessness through programs such as Inside Safe, recent updates indicated stagnation as no new operations have commenced. Instead, the city’s Shine LA initiative continues to focus on cleanup efforts in various neighborhoods across L.A., revealing the complexities of operational execution amid an ongoing homelessness crisis.
Furthermore, there has been turbulence in the Los Angeles County public health sector, with possible massive budget cuts looming. The anticipated reductions tied to federal legislation could disproportionately impact the healthcare delivery system for the city’s most vulnerable residents. Top officials have expressed unprecedented alarm at the potential fallout from these cuts, signaling the looming crisis in public health funding.
As these significant developments unfold, it’s evident that the newly established Charter Reform Commission will need to navigate a maze of controversies, competing interests, and substantial challenges as they aim to instill trust and modernize the governance framework in Los Angeles.
In conclusion, the road ahead for the Charter Reform Commission will require not only good governance practices but a concerted effort to connect with the diverse and often fractious interests of Los Angeles’s residents.
Looking ahead to next week, the City Council will reconvene following its summer hiatus and aims to tackle a multitude of pressing issues, including strategic discussions around planning and infrastructure led by the Charter Reform Commission, and proposals directed at law enforcement transparency in unincorporated areas of the county.
As always, we will keep you updated on these essential governance developments and the progress made by public officials in addressing the challenges facing Los Angeles.
image source from：latimes
