The Thorn West is a state and local news roundup compiled by members of DSA-LA. Our goal is to provide a weekly update on the latest developments in state and local politics, and to track the issues that are most important to our membership.

Issue No. 208 - July 5, 2024

State Politics

• Ten statewide ballot measures will appear on California ballots in November. This number was finalized unusually late, as several ballots were pulled by their sponsors following behind-the-scenes negotiations.

City Politics

• Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn have proposed a 2024 ballot measure that, if passed, would increase the number of seats on the Board of Supervisors from five to nine. It will be taken up at the Tuesday meeting of the Board, along with a second reform motion that would make the position of County CEO an elected one.

• This Tuesday, the City Council was scheduled to take up a motion that would allocate $1 million to contract the services of pro-Israel private security forces, with the stated intention of responding to protests against genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. Following organized pushback, the motion was amended and sent back to committee, as the council heads into a two-week recess.

Housing Justice

• After the Supreme Court stripped protections from people experiencing homelessness last week, seven Los Angeles City Councilmembers immediately introduced an ominous motion requesting an analysis of current homelessness policy.

• Via LA Public Press: a coalition of several mutual aid groups compiled a report that describes the severe shortcomings of the city’s Inside Safe program.

Police Violence and Community Resistance

• Proposition 36 would introduce harsh new penalties for fentanyl use and shoplifting, reversing anti-incarceration measures that were approved by voters in 2014. State democrats led by Governor Newsom announced a “less draconian” alternative measure on Monday, but it was pulled from consideration the next day, confusing many.

Climate Justice

• The Thompson Wildfire forced thousands of evacuations in Northern California’s Butte County, though those evacuees have now been cleared to returned home. Controlling the fire is made more difficult by extreme heat conditions, with temperatures as high as 108 degrees, as an active wildfire season continues.

• Though this year’s budget cut significant funding from climate programs, Proposition 2 would restore $10 billion of funding through a statewide bond measure.