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. 211 - August 2, 2024

City Politics

• BIG:LEAP was a guaranteed basic income program that provided $1,000 a month to 3,200 Los Angeles families with incomes below the federal poverty program. One year after the program’s close, a study reports “overwhelmingly positive” results.

• A motion to spend $2 million subsidizing private security for faith-based institutions has been withdrawn. The motion, which was originally presented as a means of suppressing protest of illegal settlements in the West Bank, drew widespread public opposition.

• A motion to spend $2 million subsidizing private security for faith-based institutions has been withdrawn. The motion, which was originally presented as a means of suppressing protest of the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, drew widespread public opposition.

Health Care

• A sharp increase of COVID infections in Los Angeles, driven by new, rapidly mutating variants, shows no sign of subsiding.

Housing Rights

• In San Francisco, the “very aggressive” sweeps that were promised by Mayor Breed as a result of the Grants Pass Ore ruling have begun. In Los Angeles County, there has been a different reaction from officials; the Board of Supervisors just unanimously passed a motion containing a resolution to “affirm Los Angeles County’s Care First approach to encampment resolution.”

• Per California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019, every August 1 a maximum rent increase for most apartments is calculated, based on inflation. LAist explains this year’s calculations. In Los Angeles, the Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits rent increases on many apartments even further.

• A continuing audit of the city’s Inside Safe program, conducted by the city controller’s office, has revealed that one of the program sites was not providing any fresh food to residents, and was primarily serving instant noodles.

• San Francisco became the first city in the nation to pass an ordinance banning Real Page, the price fixing software that landlords use to maintain higher rent.

Police Violence and Community Resistance

• [Content warning: police violence] An LAPD officer was filmed punching a man in the face. Bodycam footage released later in the week revealed that officers had escalated what began as a parking violation. More via @sahrasulaiman on X.

• Mayor Bass’ veto of a police reform measure will stand. Bass, and others, opposed the reform measure for not being comprehensive enough. A motion to challenge the veto this week failed 9–5.

Climate Justice

• The Park Fire has burned 400,000 acres in Northern California, becoming the fourth largest wildfire in state history.