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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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Issue No. 74 - August 27, 2021
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- California will begin to pay out Golden State Stimulus II payments to eligible Californians starting today. Recipients of the first round of payments may be eligible for an additional payment. File your state taxes by October 15 to qualify.
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- Prop 22 has been found unconstitutional in a Superior Court. The 2020 ballot measure classified drivers for Uber and Lyft as “independent contractors” ineligible for certain employee protections. The ruling is explained here. The measure will remain law while the decision is appealed.
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Housing and Gentrification
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- This week the California State Assembly passed SB9, which will allow for up to four housing units on single-family lots, and SB10, which will allow 10-unit buildings on single-family lots. YIMBY proponents of these bills claim the move to end single-family zoning in California will allow for more affordable housing opportunities. Opponents of the bills, such as housing advocacy group Housing Is A Human Right, argue that the policies will only enrich developers while creating negative impacts on working-class communities, especially those of color. LA City Council voted to voice opposition to both bills last week.
- The Supreme Court has overturned the Biden Administration’s federal eviction moratorium, putting millions at risk of losing their homes. The ruling does not affect similarly intentioned local moratoriums, including those put in place by California and Los Angeles. This week the Los Angeles eviction moratorium was upheld on appeal, following a legal challenge from landlord groups.
- Tenants of Hillside Villa, alongside activist groups including Chinatown Community for Equitable Development, held a rally outside the house of Councilmember Paul Krekorian, demanding that he agendize a motion for the city to purchase the apartment building and maintain it as affordable housing. A city motion to initiate the process was passed by City Council several months ago but there has been no followup.
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- Heat-related deaths are considered 100% preventable, and yet farmworkers, firefighters, construction workers, and others required to work in hot environments continue to die. LAist examines the state’s failure to address this issue.
- On the heels of acknowledging that their equipment might have sparked the Dixie Fire, PG&E has announced that they are planning to rip out 10,000 miles of overhead power lines in high fire-risk areas and bury them underground. Writing in Grist questions whether this goal is actually attainable.
- The LA Times analyzes a variety of proposed state legislation meant to confront rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
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- In-person learning is resuming across the state, despite outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools. At a board meeting on Thursday, Pasadena Unified School District became only the second district in the state to mandate either vaccinations or weekly testing not only for staff, but also for students over the age of 12.
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