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. 30 - October 2, 2020

State Politics

• September 30 was the deadline for Governor Newsom to sign or veto much of the legislation passed during the most recent session. Among the bills Newsom vetoed was AB 3216, which would protect California workers in the hospitality industry who lost their jobs during COVID, compelling employers to rehire the workers they fired instead of using the opportunity to hire workers with less seniority at lower salaries. In explaining his veto, Newsom parroted the objections of business interests who insisted the requirements were too onerous. A similar worker-protection bill successfully passed in Los Angeles in April.

• CalMatters provides more details on the bills Newsom signed and the bills he vetoed.

Education

• In September, LA Metro announced they were moving forward on the environmental review public comment period for a proposed widening of the 605/5 freeway. Metro has now backtracked, delaying public comment after criticism. Downey political candidate Alexandria Contreras pointed out that this proposed project would result in the demolition of entire POC neighborhoods.

• Investing in Place has teamed up with ACT-LA and other community organizations to address Metro’s service cuts to bus routes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro cut approximately 20% of bus service due to the impact of the pandemic — a decrease of 1.4 million revenue service hours. They plan to keep those cuts in place until June 30, 2021. Advocates and community members criticize this plan, citing long wait times, overcrowded buses and unreliable service.

Housing Justice

• The Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a plan for the county to purchase eight motels to serve as interim and permanent supportive housing, using funding from a grant from the state’s Project Homekey program, as well as CARES Act funding.

Education

• LAUSD’s Board of Education further discussed how to implement the $25 million defunding of the Los Angeles School Police Department passed this June, and how the money could instead be spent.

• The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a waiver process that will allow some schools to hold in-person classes for students in kindergarten through second grade. The waiver process is intended to give priority to schools serving higher percentages of students from low-income families. In other parts of the state, these waivers have overwhelmingly gone to private schools.

Climate

• An ongoing state investigation into SoCalGas has now revealed details as to how the utility, working with Imprenta Communications Group, leveraged local politicians across the county into advocating more lax emission standards for trucks at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
  

Elections

• Some polling numbers are in on many of California’s ballot measures. Prop 22, a measure financed by Uber and Lyft, and designed to exempt ride-sharing apps from complying with labor protections, is moderately favored to win.

• Check out DSA-LA’s 2020 Voter Guide!

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