L.A. County to appoint a new 'mayor'; Conflict arises over the extent of authority associated with this position.
As the Los Angeles County elected chief executive position prepares to emerge, the most influential local government position will gain direct voter accountability, with 13 members now tasked with defining its powers. Known as the "governance reform task force," the group includes former politicians, union leaders, advocates, and business owners who will determine the contours of a new county ethics commission by 2026 and help expand the board to nine by 2032.
Los Angeles County's current CEO, Fesia Davenport, is appointed by the supervisors and has responsibilities that include crafting the county budget and managing department heads. The elected version of the position, likened to the "mayor of L.A. County," has stirred controversy since voters approved the overhaul last November. Some have expressed concerns that the electoral CEO could politicize the role and diminish the supervisors' power.
Among the task force members are Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who initiated the overhaul, and Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who has expressed skepticism toward the elected CEO. The task force will need to address critical questions such as the CEO's hiring and firing powers, veto authority, control over the county purse, and potential term limits.
With opposition from labor groups and some supervisors, the task force members have vowed to tread carefully, addressing concerns about potential abuse of power, such as a situation where an overly aggressive CEO could cause problems. Early discussions will focus on establishing checks and balances to rein in the CEO's powers, should the need arise.
As the task force works to define the elected CEO's role, it will be closely watched by labor organizations and county supervisors. Lisa Gardiner, a politics professor at Pomona College and task force member, believes the group should consider term limits to create balance with the supervisors, who are limited to three four-year terms.
The passage of the measure has siphoned powers away from the supervisors, potentially sparking resistance from some board members who do not want to cede their authorities to the executive branch.
In other news, L.A. city and county officials are embroiled in a dispute over homelessness programs, with the Alliance for Human Rights seeking to place the city's homelessness efforts into receivership. The city counters that it has made significant efforts to address homelessness, and the case is ongoing. Additionally, a coalition of airlines, hotels, and concession companies at Los Angeles International Airport has filed paperwork to force a citywide vote on a new minimum wage ordinance for hotel and airport workers, aiming for a $30 per hour wage by 2028.
- The elected CEO of Los Angeles County, similar to the "mayor of L.A. County," is set to have direct voter accountability, causing controversy about potential politicization of the role and the diminishing of supervisors' power.
- Among the members of the "governance reform task force" are Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger, with Horvath initiating the overhaul and Barger expressing skepticism toward the elected CEO.
- The task force must address critical questions, such as the CEO's hiring and firing powers, veto authority, control over the county purse, and potential term limits to balance the powers of the CEO with the supervisors.
- Labor organizations and county supervisors will closely watch the task force as they define the elected CEO's role, with concerns about potential abuse of power and establishment of checks and balances to rein in the CEO's powers.
- Professor Lisa Gardiner, a member of the task force and a politics professor at Pomona College, suggested considering term limits for the elected CEO to create a balance with the supervisors, who are limited to three four-year terms.
- On a separate note, L.A. city and county officials are in a dispute over homelessness programs, with the Alliance for Human Rights seeking to place the city's homelessness efforts into receivership, and the city arguing it has made significant efforts to address homelessness.
- A coalition of airlines, hotels, and concession companies at Los Angeles International Airport filed paperwork for a citywide vote on a new minimum wage ordinance for hotel and airport workers, aiming for a $30 per hour wage by 2028, amidst increasing immigration concerns and general news issues in California, especially the ongoing wildfires and the performance of the Rams in sports.
