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. 218 - October 25, 2024

City Politics

• Last week, Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive directive setting in motion the development of a long term capital infrastructure plan, which could streamline the city’s ability to maintain its streets, sidewalks, and other facilities. Maintenance responsibilities are currently scattered across multiple siloed-off city departments, which are unable to plan effectively beyond the current fiscal year. More from Torched.

• Many polling stations in Los Angeles are now open; find one near you.

• DSA-LA’s voter guide provides insight on elections across the county. Read, and share – even many non-socialists appreciate a voter guide around Election Day.

Housing Rights

• A district court judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Veteran affairs to develop 750 temporary housing units for unhoused veterans on land it had been leasing to UCLA for use as a baseball stadium parking lot.

• CalMatters debunks many of the myths that landlord lobbyists have spread about Proposition 33, which would allow municipalities to institute rent-control.

• Also in CalMatters, a deep dive on Measure A, the county ballot measure which would institute a half-cent sales tax, and use the funds to pay for housing programs.

• In the city of Burbank, real estate interests are spending hundred of thousands of dollars to oppose two candidates for city council whom DSA-LA has endorsed, incumbent Konstantine Anthony, and Mike Van Gorder.

Police Violence and Community Resistance

• LA Public Press provides details on Proposition 36, the statewide measure that rolls back ten years of criminal justice reform as a response to propaganda about a statewide increase in crime. Prop 36 appears likely to pass.

Labor

• 2,400 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente went on strike this week, after negotiations stalled. The workers, represented by The National Union of Healthcare Workers, are demanding manageable workloads and a resolution of persistent staffing shortages.

• The governing body of the L.A. teachers union voted Wednesday to support a congressional effort to block the sale of $20 billion in U.S. weaponry to Israel.

Local Media

• Several members of The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board resigned in protest after the newspaper’s owner, billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, blocked the paper from endorsing Kamala Harris in the presidential election. The LA Times guild has platformed an open letter from staff here.