Thorn West would like to platform its own interviews with local activists, agitators, etc. Suggestions, and volunteers, welcome as always. Email [email protected]!\
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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. 109 - May 20, 2022
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- California finishes the year with a staggering $97.5 billion budget surplus, driven by stock market gains making the wealthy even wealthier. Surplus spending in California is arbitrarily constrained by a 50-year-old law known as the Gann limit; CalMatters analyzes Governor Gavin Newsom’s draft budget attempts to work around those constraints.
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- After several weeks of hearings, the Los Angeles City Council voted to approve a budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year which includes an $87 million increase for the LAPD. Councilmember Mike Bonin voted against the budget, noting that the city had yet to make the “big pivot” on public safety rhetorically committed to after the George Floyd protests, and was the only no vote.
- City Attorney Mike Feuer has dropped out of the mayor race, endorsing Karen Bass. He is the second candidate featured heavily at mayoral debates — to the exclusion of more progressive candidates — to drop out before primary day.
- This evening, remaining candidates Bass, Gina Viola, and Councilmember Kevin DeLeón will appear at a debate focusing on housing and homelessness, hosted by KCRW. Submit questions here. Billionaire candidate Rick Caruso will not show up.
- Speaking of no-shows, Councilmember Gil Cedillo, whom DSA-LA-endorsed candidate Eunisses Hernandez is challenging for the council seat in CD1, has yet to appear at a debate. On Twitter, @UnrigLA, has noted that Cedillo’s campaign has nevertheless received over $100,000 in matching funds from the city, which requires at least one debate appearance from all recipients. Thread here.
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- L.A. Taco spoke to Eunisses Hernandez this week about how, as a city councilmember, she plans to combat gentrification.
- Relatedly, Knock LA documents the obscene amount of money being poured into Los Angeles elections by the California Apartments Association, or landlord lobby, to defeat progressive candidates. You may have seen the mailers they paid for this week.
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- Los Angeles Metro is also going through their budget process, and inexplicably continuing to increase funding for freeway expansions at the expense of public transportation. Streets For All is encouraging Angelenos to weigh in.
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- Amid worsening drought conditions, Southern California’s Metropolitan Water Board has voted to impose water usage restrictions. In Los Angeles, those restrictions will be implemented on June 1. Meanwhile, the biggest corporate water abusers continue to get a pass.
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