RePower LA Three years ago, the city vowed to end its dependency on coal —a major air and water pollutant that results in severe asthma and even cancer—but cleaner energy…
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Mapping Mondays: African American Voters in Los Angeles
African Americans in LA supported last November’s Proposition 30 by a huge majority. Four out of five Black voters voted Yes on Prop 30 according to exit polls. This map,…
Continue ReadingInspiring and Educating Voters
In 2008, a historic number of LA’s residents participated in the presidential election, yet only 15 percent of registered voters turned out at local polls five months later. Across the…
Continue ReadingDoes a Sales Tax Increase in LA Stand a Chance?
On October 31st, the LA City Council discussed options for raising new revenue to address the city’s ongoing budget deficit. Despite years of budget cuts to city services, next year’s…
Continue ReadingNovember Elections: What's at Stake for Local Revenue?
With so much collective attention on the Presidential race and the long list of 11 statewide propositions on next month’s ballot, it’s easy to overlook the many local measures also…
Continue ReadingHow Do LA Voters Feel About Taxes?
On August 21st, the Los Angeles City Council convened a Revenue Day to discuss ways to generate, enhance or improve collection of city revenue. The city’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)…
Continue ReadingWhy Do Cities Go Bankrupt?
In recent months, there have been many stories in the news about California cities facing the threat of bankruptcy. What’s going on? Is Los Angeles in any danger of joining…
Continue ReadingLA’s Budget Falls Short
July 1st marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in the City of LA. With next year’s budget approved and the threat of layoffs averted, at least for now, the…
Continue ReadingTwenty Years Later: Reflections on the Civil Unrest
The twentieth anniversary of the civil unrest has prompted thought and reflection on our city, our neighborhoods and our home. There’s been a lot written about what’s changed since April…
Continue ReadingDo Tax Cuts Create Jobs?
As the economy struggles to recover, a local debate is brewing: do tax cuts create jobs? If so, how many, and at what cost? Two recent studies commissioned by the…
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