POLITICO • 25th January 2024

LA Times layoffs show platforms need to pay for news, bill author says

The author of a proposal that would require Meta, Google and other large platforms to pay journalists is hoping the mass layoffs at the Los Angeles Times this week will spur momentum for the legislation.

POLITICO • 17th January 2024

Youth tackle football ban dead after Newsom vows veto

The debate over the American institution touched a nerve, opening Democrats to accusations of overreach during an election year, even as proponents said it was essential to protect children from serious brain injury.

POLITICO • 17th January 2024

Gavin Newsom chooses parental ‘freedom’ over banning youth football

Gov. Gavin Newsom saved California Democrats from themselves Tuesday night by killing their proposal to ban youth tackle football just as it threatened to become a national GOP talking point about government overreach in an election year.

POLITICO • 16th January 2024

Newsom vows veto for California youth tackle football ban

Gov. Gavin Newsom extinguished an effort to ban youth tackle football in California on Tuesday, vowing to veto a measure that was gaining support among Democrats but emerging as a new front in the culture wars.

POLITICO • 7th October 2023

Newsom vetoes a proposed ban on caste discrimination in California

In his veto message, Newsom said the bill is unnecessary because caste discrimination is already prohibited under existing civil rights protections that “shall be liberally construed.”

POLITICO Pro • 14th September 2023

California data broker bill goes to Newsom

California lawmakers have passed a bill that would give people more control over personal data collected by data brokers, sending the measure to the governor’s desk.

POLITICO • 8th September 2023

Elon Musk’s X sues California over content moderation law

Elon Musk’s X Corp. is asking a federal court to overturn a California law that attempts to control toxic online discourse by requiring social media platforms to disclose their content moderation policies.

Los Angeles Daily News • 8th February 2023

LA moves forward with hydrogen fuel for Playa del Rey power plant — but not without controversy

The Los Angeles City Council adopted an ordinance Wednesday that moves forward on a controversial plan to shift the Scattergood Generating Station, a power plant in Playa del Rey, to be powered by green hydrogen instead of natural gas.

Los Angeles Daily News • 7th February 2023

LA city lobbyists need to be clear that they are lobbyists, say reform-minded council members

In a step toward reforming Los Angeles’ lobbying ordinance for the first time in decades, the City Council’s ad hoc committee on governance reform recommended approval of an ethics commission report that would place stricter rules on people or organizations looking to impact city policy.

Los Angeles Daily News • 31st January 2023

LA City Council backs relocation help for tenants if rent rises 10 percent

The Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to an ordinance requiring landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants who move out following rent increases of more than 10%.

Hey SoCal • 27th January 2023

LA Council OKs 1-month grace period for tenants behind on rent

The Los Angeles City Council tentatively voted Friday to provide tenants who are behind on their rent with a one-month grace period prior to their landlord beginning eviction proceedings, adding to an ordinance adopted last week implementing universal just-cause rules for evictions.

Los Angeles Daily News • 11th January 2023

Kevin de León tells LA city council it should not punish a censured member

Embattled City Councilmember Kevin de León addressed his colleagues in the Los Angeles City Council chamber on Wednesday, Jan. 11, for the first time since a 2021 recording of his participation in a racist conversation was leaked in October.

Los Angeles Daily News • 23rd December 2022

Translation at LA City Council committee meetings still lacking, members say

A majority of Los Angeles residents speak a language other than English at home, yet translation services are not automatically made available at the City Council’s committee meetings.

Hey SoCal • 21st December 2022

Karen Bass launches program seeking to alter LA's approach to encampments

In what her office described as a “fundamental change” to Los Angeles’ approach to addressing encampments on city streets, Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive Wednesday launching a program that seeks to proactively bring unhoused residents indoors and prevent encampments from returning.

Hey SoCal • 16th December 2022

Mayor Bass signs EO to streamline affordable housing projects

Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive Friday expediting the approval and permitting process for fully affordable housing projects in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Daily News • 14th December 2022

Kevin de León casts shadow over LA City Council as Winter recess begins

The Los Angeles City Council began its winter recess this week after two tumultuous meetings, with all signs pointing to continued uncertainty in the chamber when it reconvenes during the second week of January over the presence of Kevin de León.

Patch • 13th December 2022

LA Council Meeting Devolves Into Chaos As Kevin de León Attends

Tuesday's council meeting devolved into chaos when de León walked into the chamber in the middle of a vote, slipping in quietly as he did last Friday.

Los Angeles Daily News • 12th December 2022

Mayor Karen Bass declares state of emergency on homelessness

Karen Bass, in her first official act as mayor of Los Angeles, declared a state of emergency on homelessness today in an effort to underscore the severity of the housing crisis in the nation’s second largest city.

Hey SoCal • 9th December 2022

De León attends LA council meeting, leaves after protests erupt

Embattled City Councilman Kevin de León attended Friday’s council meeting, but his appearance was brief as protesters immediately shouted for him to leave, and he was no longer present after a recess of around 45 minutes.

Hey SoCal • 8th December 2022

LA City Council committee hears feedback on de León censure

The Los Angeles City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform heard feedback over an item on potential consequences of censure for council members during its first meeting Thursday.