LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council formally adopted a “sanctuary city” ordinance Wednesday, prohibiting city resources or personnel from being used to help federal enforcement of immigration laws. Council members voted 12-0 in favor of the ordinance with an urgency clause, meaning it could go into effect within 10 days of being signed by Mayor Karen Bass. The council previously approved the ordinance in November, but it required a second vote after it was amended. Council members John Lee, Traci Park and Nithya Raman were absent during the vote. There was no discussion on the matter. Elected officials…
Author: Jose Herrera
LOS ANGELES – The City Council Friday confirmed former Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell as the 59th chief of the LAPD, the nation’s third-largest law enforcement agency, despite opposition from some immigrant rights advocates and other activists. In an 11-2 vote, the City Council approved Mayor Karen Bass’ nominee, who will lead the department as it tackles major security issues in the coming years. The region is set to host the Olympics, a Super Bowl, and the World Cup. He will also focus on addressing the LAPD’s recruitment challenges, improving morale, and reducing liability claims related to officer misconduct,…
LOS ANGELES – Poor morale and a perceived “disconnect” between officers and leadership were two key findings of a survey intended to help guide the selection of the next chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Mayor Karen Bass’ office said Tuesday. The Mayor’s Office released a summary of its various efforts to compile opinions on the search, including months of meetings and input from hundreds of LAPD officers and various community and business leaders. Bass’ office said the mayor met with hundreds of LAPD officers, civilian staff, command staff and leadership from divisions in all bureaus. In discussions, the…
LOS ANGELES – Responding to concerns about how some rent- controlled units could be lost as a result of streamlining initiatives for affordable housing, the Los Angeles City Council took steps Tuesday to impose temporary regulations until appropriate land use controls are made. Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez’s motion applies only to a particular area within her First District, and aims to establish a discretionary review process allowing the “demolition, building, use of land, grading and any other applicable permits” of properties containing five or more rent-controlled units or units that have been vacated as a result of the Ellis Act within…
LOS ANGELES – Amid financial concerns due to lower-than-planned revenues and unexpected spending needs, Mayor Karen Bass Monday released a proposed $12.8 billion city budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year — a decrease from this fiscal year’s $242 million spending plan. Significantly, the proposal — described by Bass a “reset” — includes $65 million in cuts to her signature Inside Safe program; an increase of more than $138 million for the Los Angeles Police Department; and a decrease of about $23 million for the L.A. Fire Department. The proposal now goes to the City Council for revisions. The fiscal year…
LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday approved new contracts with three labor groups representing thousands of employees that would result in pay raises totaling 22% over the course of five years, as well as improved benefits. The three-member Personnel, Audits and Hiring Committee voted unanimously in favor of the contracts, which will be considered by the full City Council Wednesday. The contracts spread out wage increases for the next several years, increasing the minimum wage for city workers to $20 per hour, starting this year, with the goal of reaching $25 per hour by 2026.. Matt…
LOS ANGELES – City bus drivers, mechanics and utility workers, who provide service to downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas, have voted overwhelmingly to strike, their union announced Wednesday. Teamsters Local 572 members said they’ve been in negotiations for months with the city of Los Angeles and contractor MV Transportation in efforts to ensure fair wages and improved benefits. MV Transportation workers serve thousands of residents in downtown LA and areas such as Echo Park, Crenshaw, Fairfax, and those traveling through Union Station. The union represents about 360 MV Transportation workers, who drive and maintain the city’s transit fleet, including…
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday prepared for the third allocation of funding for the Inside Safe initiative, while one council member continued to warn of an anticipated budget deficit in the 2024- 25 fiscal year. Council members Tuesday voted 11-0 to note and file a communication from the chief legislative analyst that notified city leaders that a third transfer of $25 million to the Homeless Emergency Account is set to occur within the next two weeks. Council members Monica Rodriguez, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Paul Krekorian and Imelda Padilla were absent during the vote. Last year, the council…
LOS ANGELES – The City Council Friday approved nearly $9 million to fund training that will guide the LAPD’s response to future mass protests — a reaction to what a report said were the department’s flawed actions during the George Floyd protests of 2020. Council members voted 8-3 to approve the money, which is intended to improve the LAPD’s use of less-lethal force and situations involving mass arrests, and to ensure First Amendment rights. The more progressive council members, Nithya Raman, Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez, voted against the matter. Council members Paul Krekorian, Bob Blumenfield, Heather Hutt and Curren…