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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. 87 - November 26, 2021
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- Redistricting maps for both city council and the Los Angeles Unified School Board were passed unanimously by council. A final attempt to amend the map to return USC and Exposition Park to District 9 failed 11–3 despite overwhelming public comment in support. The maps were not otherwise discussed by council, and will receive final approval by ordinance on December 1.
- The story of how and why USC was moved from District 9 to District 10 in Los Angeles’ last redistricting cycle is told in The Sellout, a podcast about former Councilmember Jose Huizar, who was indicted for corruption in 2020.
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- With 10 members of city council solidly behind the inhumane revisions to 41.18, fringe mayoral candidate and councilmember Joe Buscaino has resorted to taking increasingly extreme positions on houselessness to distinguish himself from the crowd. On Tuesday, Buscaino’s proposed measure to essentially move the entire unhoused population of Los Angeles into “FEMA-like” camps went before council. By a vote of 11–2, the bill was sent to the Poverty and Homelessness Committee for further review, from where it will likely not return. The Buscaino campaign has now said it will gather the necessarry 65,000 signatures to put the measure directly onto the ballot in 2022.
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- The Games Agreement, a blueprint agreement between Los Angeles and the organizers of the 2028 Olympics, has been released to the public. This Monday it is scheduled to be discussed by the Ad Hoc Olympics and Paralympics Committee, chaired by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. NOlympicsLA has more.
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Police Violence and Community Resistance
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- City departments turn in their budget requests for the next fiscal year every November. The LAPD has requested a budget increase of 12%, or $213 million, which the Police Commission approved on Tuesday. Stop LAPD Spying Coalition breaks down the numbers.
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