Increasing Tax Revenue For the past 20 years, SCOPE has fought for new job creation models in Los Angeles. But there’s now a critical need to require everyone to pay…
Continue ReadingGreen Retrofit
Green Retrofit Since it was first built in 1926, the Los Angeles Central Public Library has posed challenges for the city. The massive expanse of concrete and steel didn’t include…
Continue ReadingCreating Neighborhood Leaders
Creating Neighborhood Leaders SCOPE began 20 years ago by trying things a little differently: rather than offering the community solutions to its problems, we’ve asked community members to speak for…
Continue ReadingRePower LA
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…
Continue ReadingMapping 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…
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