LOS ANGELES

PLANNING WATCH - To the surprise of virtually no one, the homeless crisis in California is getting worse, despite – or more likely because of – the programs rolled out by elected officials and the policy wonks who work for them.  

DEEGAN ON LA—-Is there a leg up for several first-time candidates running for city council seats in the June 7 Primary Election? 

THE VIEW FROM HERE - June 7, 2022 may be the only election for Los Angeles Mayor.  Although it is called a primary, the two top vote getters do not necessary face each other in the November 2022 general election.

RantZ and RaveZ - The annual Baker to Las Vegas Law Enforcement relay race was held the first weekend in April. 

TENANTS RIGHTS - The promising new tool in the fight to preserve affordable housing: a coalition of tenant unions. 

UNION AGREEMENT - For two years as the pandemic consumed day-to-day life, supermarket workers literally risked their lives to keep shelves stocked and customers fed.

LA GOVERNMENT - Does the City of LA need to update its Municipal Lobbying Ordinance (MLO)?  The Ethics Commission thinks so, and they’re proposing a number of amendments to the LA Municipal Code.

DEEGAN ON LA - Alex Gruenenfelder Smith is a big-tent, practical, Progressive running for Mayor, staking out room on the left-leaning spectrum for thoughtful reforms; preaching progress through supportable change, not by radically retooling how the city is managed. 

THE VIEW FROM HERE - Whether one believes that the economy is capitalist or socialist, the government’s role should be the same – to protect the Price System. 

EDUCATION WATCH - Poverty has increased in LAUSD post-covid. And in two board districts the late Eli Broad’s plan to transfer half of LAUSD into “charter school seats” is nearly fulfilled.

LA POLITICS - You can always count on Buscaino to take advantage of somebody else’s misery.

ACCORDING TO LIZ - There are seven candidates vying to fill some pretty big boots in the Office of the City Controller when Ron Galperin leaves later this year. 

THE VIEW FROM HERE - This involves the old adage, “figures don’t lie but liars can figure.” 

THE EASTSIDER – Just turn on the TV, or go online, it doesn’t make much difference. 

PLANNING WATCH - In last week’s Planning Watch column I explained why LA’s mayoral candidates are mum on the climate crisis. 

LA MAYORAL RACE - Why does Los Angeles trust Sacramento and Washington more than it trusts itself?

RantZ and RaveZ - The Los Angeles Police Departments COMPSTAT (Crime Statistics) continue to show increases in major crimes as the number of LAPD Officers shrink to lower numbers month after month.  

DEEGAN ON LA—A one and done election on June 7 will guarantee three councilmanic candidates a council seat.

THE VIEW FROM HERE - They all falsely claim that Los Angeles has a housing shortage, when in reality we have tens of thousands more vacant units than homeless people.

CHARITY - As one of the nation’s most comprehensive providers of mental health and support programs for children, youth and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and transgender/gender diverse youth, The Laurel Foundation is thrilled to host its inaugural international online art auction, “The Art Of _,” from May 2 to May 13, 2022. 

PLANNING WATCH -  Even though the local evidence for the climate crisis is overwhelming: a 12 month wildfire season, a megadrought, a water shortage, heat storms, and sea level rise -