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.
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We're looking for writers and researchers who would be interested in providing news coverage of the San Gabriel Valley or Gateway Cities area, particularly stakeholders in those areas. Write us at [email protected]!
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Issue No. 59 - May 14, 2021
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- Following unexpected projections of a $75 billion budget surplus, Governor Gavin Newsom has expanded the pool of those eligible for the $600 “Golden State Stimulus” payment to include two-thirds of Californians. However, if you have already received this payment you may not be eligible to receive it again. A little more information on eligibility here.
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- A motion related to the creation of a Los Angeles public bank has passed through the City Council’s Economic Development and Jobs Committee, and will advance to the full council. This recent thread by Councilmember Nithya Raman breaks down what a public bank could do for the city, and where the city is in the process of implementing one. Those interested in supporting the creation of an LA public bank can endorse here and send a letter to the city council here.
- The Los Angeles City Council will resume in-person meetings on June 15. All attendees of the upcoming in-person meetings must be vaccinated.
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- Governor Newsom has pledged $12 billion, over two years, to provide housing for Californians experiencing homelessness, including $7 billion to expand Project Homekey. The previous funding level was $1 billion a year.
- The ruling from Judge David Carter that would require the city to offer temporary shelter to every resident of Skid Row — in order to enable subsequent encampment sweeps — has been stayed on appeal, until June 15.
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- McDonald’s workers in Los Angeles (and 14 other cities across the country) will strike on May 19, calling for the company to raise wages to a minimum of $15 an hour. Relatedly, a bill to establish a fast-food industry council is currently circulating in the California State Legislature. The council would set industry-wide minimum standards on wages and working conditions.
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Climate and Environmental Justice
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- The proliferation of warehouses and fulfillment centers in the Inland Empire has led to some of the worst air quality in the country. Last Friday, the South Coast Air Quality Management District passed regulations that will require large warehouses to curb their diesel emissions or pay into a fund. A student project at the University of Redlands mapped the pollution related to the logistics industry to demonstrate that it disproportionately impacts low-income communities, despite those communities doing less online shopping.
- Governor Newsom has expanded the April 21 drought emergency to 41 counties. He is also asking for a record budget increase of $5.1 billion over four years for water projects, and an additional $1 billion in relief for the massive amount of debt Californians face on water bills.
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- Neighborhood Council elections are still ongoing, with many DSA candidates still in the running! Regions 10, 11 and 12 — encompassing South LA, West LA and the Harbor region — have their election deadlines coming up in the next few weeks. Anyone who lives or works in those neighborhoods is eligible to vote. Find info on your NC’s election timeline here. Find DSA candidates here.
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