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. 127 - September 23, 2022
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- With the election in six weeks, debates have picked up again. Candidates for mayor and sheriff met this week. @UnrigLA maintains a calendar of upcoming events, including a debate in the CD13 race in which DSA-LA–endorsed candidate Hugo Soto-Martinez is running.
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- In response to the overdose death of a student, the lifesaving overdose-reversal medication naloxone (Narcan) will be made available at all LAUSD K–12 schools.
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- Governor Newsom has signed AB 2097, blockbuster legislation that restricts the off-street parking requirements municipalities can impose on new developments that are near transit corridors. Advocates anticipate the bill enabling denser housing and lower rent, while removing some of the incentives from owning a car. Newsom’s signing statement here.
- After years of delays, Metro surprisingly announced that the official opening of the K Line will be October 7. The light rail line will initially service seven stations throughout several Los Angeles communities, including Leimert Park and Baldwin Hills, as well as the city of Inglewood. In recognition of the accomplishment, Metro will suspend all fares across the transit system October 7-9.
- Los Angeles City Council is in the process of approving a new vendor contract for bus shelters, for the first time in 20 years. Next City looks at how Los Angeles, which is failing to provide shade for bus riders compared with other cities, can improve.
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- The previously unhoused tenants of the LA Grand Hotel, which is “demobilizing” as a Project Roomkey site, have released a statement and a list of demands, which include an end to evictions until all tenants have been provided with and accepted permanent housing.
- L.A. Taco reports on United to House LA, or ULA, the November city ballot measure that would institute a “mansion tax” on all property sales over $5 million and use the money to fund a variety of potentially transformative housing programs intended to combat houselessness. More here.
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- Proposition 22, which exempts rideshare apps from some labor laws, has yet to go into effect. In the meantime, a study conducted in partnership with Rideshare Workers United shows that under Prop 22’s payment plan drivers would make a median wage of $6.20 an hour.
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Police Violence and Community Resistance
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- Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken over the investigation opened by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department into two prominent critics of the department.
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- Governor Newsom signed 40 climate-related measures into law on Friday. The legislation includes a mandate that the state achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 as well as a 3,200-foot setback requirement between new oil wells and homes, schools, and other locations. Other provisions include expedited solar permitting, record-keeping requirements for EV charging station reliability, and a ban on enhanced oil recovery using carbon sequestration.
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