Commentary
In Los Angeles County and San Francisco, government reform is on the ballot
In November voters in Los Angeles and San Francisco will decide whether to overhaul the structure of their local government.
Los Angeles County
Commentary
Los Angeles County needs better representation, but adding more politicians is a tough sell
Los Angeles voters will get a chance to boost representation and accountability on the Board of Supervisors this fall, but convincing voters to increase the number of politicians that serve them has long been a tough sell.
Commentary
Los Angeles County supervisors look to rare reforms that would dilute their power
Three of Los Angeles County's five supervisors are supporting a major overhaul of county governance that would almost double the board's size and establish an elected county executive, which would arguably become California’s second-most powerful office.
Commentary
Homelessness slowed down in Los Angeles. It’s little cause for celebration
Los Angeles County recorded a small decline in its homeless population for the first time in years, and made progress in reducing encampments. It's too early to say if Mayor Karen Bass has successfully turned the corner, especially with other forces at play.
Commentary
Where can Californians turn when their water is brown? LA County saga shows the way
A Los Angeles County resident argues that clean tap water should be a right, no matter what neighborhood you live in. After years living with brown water, her community helped force a takeover of the local district.
Commentary
No matter what district attorney candidates say, Los Angeles is much safer than it used to be
The rhetoric around public safety in the Los Angeles district attorney race overstates the scope of the office, crime realities and priorities for many voters. Yet at least one candidate thinks it will determine who wins.
Commentary
LA quality of life is at a record low, survey shows. Why political leaders shouldn’t ignore that
Some local officials may simply ignore the results of UCLA's annual quality-of-life survey of Los Angeles, which reported the lowest score in its nine years. The better response would be to dig deeper into the results because there is policy guidance within the data.
Commentary
New battlegrounds emerge in California’s endless housing conflict
California's perpetual political war over housing, pitting the state against local communities, has two new battlegrounds: one on the San Francisco Peninsula, the other in Southern California.
Commentary
Assessing the path to office for each contender seeking Los Angeles district attorney
A large field of candidates is taking on unpopular incumbent George Gascón in the race for Los Angeles district attorney, but only four challengers are worth taking seriously. Next week's primary will determine whether Gascón cruises to re-election or faces an uphill battle.
Commentary
The strange dynamics of the L.A. district attorney race almost make George Gascón look brilliant
Despite dismal approval ratings, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has the advantage of facing a big field in his re-election bid and few formidable foes. Some candidates are so unsuitable for the office it almost makes Gascón look brilliant by comparison.