LOS ANGELES

ERODING LOCAL AUTONOMY-As the California State Legislature continues to concoct new bills that remove local control over land use it is probably a good time to remember that cities have police powers that cannot be completely ignored.

BCK FILE--The laid-back South Bay community perhaps best known for beach volleyball and bike rides along The Strand has become an epicenter of activism, thanks to a group of local moms, including Jen Jenkins Dohner who founded Postcards for Progress, a cottage industry of artisan postcards to use to contact not only legislators but also for Get Out the Vote drives throughout the country, run through the Georgia-based group Postcards to Voters.  

CA PRIMARY WATCH--In his year-and-a-half as California’s attorney general, Democrat Xavier Becerra has made a full-time job of fighting the Trump Administration—filing more than 30 lawsuits to defend the environment, immigrants, birth control access and more.

THE GREENAWAY WAY--On May 3, 2018, a communication was released from Los Angeles Community College District regarding the “Option to fill Board Vacancy” in lieu of former Trustee/Board President Sydney Kamlager’s new elective office to the California State Assembly.

MY TURN-According to federal data, California is the fifth largest economy in the world ahead of the United Kingdom and therefore, the fiscal responsibility that is shown by our next state governor is crucial. 

CONNECTING CALIFORNIA-No Californian inspires me more than Austin Beutner. Haven’t heard of this Los Angeles investment banker? Your loss. Because following his example could change your life. 

KEEPING THE ELECTIONS FAIR-We have highlighted in previous blogs the attempt to bypass the legislative and initiative process through the installation of elected Deputy District Attorneys who promise to ignore criminal statutes with which they disagree.

SPORTS POLITICS--In what has to rank among the worst ideas in the history of the National Football League—alongside decisions to cover up concussion research and ignore the issue of violence against women—NFL owners have come up with a new proposal to deal with players who protest police violence and racial inequity during the National Anthem.

THE CITY HALL STALL-As of this writing, the City of Los Angeles still has only issued 147 permits for pre-prop D marijuana dispensaries. This number has not changed in over a week.

ALPERN AT LARGE--For those of us not too busy with our families, jobs, hobbies, Trump-hating, Trump-loving, Stormy Daniels, obsessions with North Korea or NFL kneeling protests, and for those of us not too distracted by the new Avengers or Deadpool movies, we've got these state ballot initiatives to vote for. 

EASTSIDER-There are really only two types of public sector Boards.

PLATKIN ON PLANNING-Despite a few charming corridors, like Los Feliz, Larchmont Village, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard, most of Los Angeles is a site for sore eyes.

GELFAND’S WORLD--This is the hundredth anniversary of something called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

POLITICS--As a liberal Democrat, I join all that wake up each day to see and hear the horrors that Trump and the GOP have accomplished.

GELFAND’S WORLD--It's about to get real.

PERSPECTIVE-Give the senator credit. He keeps trying to peddle his “tax modernization” bill, altering subsequent versions to deal with the opposition or disinterest it has received so far.

ALPERN AT LARGE--A year has passed, and after the one-year anniversary (May 20, 2018) of a sneakily-implemented and harshly-imposed Venice Blvd. reconfiguration that has, at best, had NO significant changes to safety and, at worst, WORSENED safety, on Venice Blvd. and the region the time for Mayor Garcetti, his LADOT "smart guy/guru" Nat Gale, and Councilmember Bonin to listen to their constituents. 

CORRUPTION WATCH-Once again we are faced with a conundrum: and we’re all responsible for it, though at the same time, none of us is. I speak of voting for judges! 

GUEST COMMENTARY--Los Angeles Homeless Authority (LAHSA) is in immediate need of change to improve outcomes, produce transparency, and to address their quality of service and accountability.

DEEGAN ON LA-The “Fairfax Mile” building boom of mega developments continues, from Fairfax and Wilshire north to Fairfax and Beverly, including a major stop at Fairfax and Third.

TO MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-It is time for you to come down from your ivory tower in Sacramento and speak directly to the people. Senator Scott Wiener has signaled his intent to bring back Senate Bill 827 – a recently defeated and misbegotten attempt to up-zone vast portions of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other municipalities.