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.

Issue No. 143 - February 3, 2023

Housing Rights

• Los Angeles Public Press, a brand-new news outlet serving Los Angeles, begins with a progress check on Inside Safe (the mayor’s homelessness initiative) and its implementation in CD11: more focused on displacing encampments than transitioning people from interim shelter to permanent housing.

• Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez released a statement announcing his plan to take down the fence around Echo Park Lake, in keeping with a promise he campaigned on.

Police Violence and Community Resistance

• With the support of Mayor Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Police Commission unanimously approved Police Commissioner Michel Moore for a second term. At a Black Lives Matter Los Angeles press conference, community leaders denounced Moore’s performance as the head of a violent police department, as well as Bass’ decision to rehire him despite opposition. The LA Times editorial board criticized Bass’ behind-closed-doors handling of the process. On Twitter, @UnrigLA laid out the options for Los Angeles City Council, which could veto the appointment with a 10-vote majority, but — short of that — can also hold a hearing related to Moore’s appointment.

• Knock LA covers a weekend of protests in Los Angeles, a collective response to numerous recent police killings that have drawn widespread outrage.

Transportation

• Streets For All has platformed the first debate for candidates in CD6, where a special election on April 4 will determine who steps into the seat vacated by Nury Martinez’s resignation. Video of the debate, which focuses on topics related to mobility, can be found here.

Environmental Justice

• On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially approved an ordinance, unanimously passed in September, to prohibit new oil and gas wells and phase out current drilling in unincorporated areas. 

• California failed to meet a federal deadline to sign onto a plan allocating water from the Colorado River to the seven states that draw on it. Drought conditions are forcing states to cut back, but California has yet to budge from a proposed 9% reduction, far short of the 15% – 30% cuts that are necessary.

• Curbed has positive reporting on the success of a program to create a system of “green alleys” in South Los Angeles. These newly remodeled alleyways can help LA retain more of its groundwater, among other benefits.