Last month, Supervisors Barger (SD 5) and Mitchell (SD 2) toured Amity Foundation’s Amistad de Los Angeles facility, a long-term residential treatment center helping men overcome substance abuse and rebuild their lives. With comprehensive services—mental health care, employment support, and housing resources—Amistad empowers participants to break cycles of incarceration and addiction, creating brighter futures for themselves and their families.
A special thank you to our client, Amity, and their students for hosting such an inspiring and
California lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 79, a landmark housing bill authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, which allows denser, taller apartment buildings near train and subway stations in eight major metro areas—regardless of local zoning rules. The goal is to address the state’s housing crisis and boost public transit use by encouraging development near transportation hubs. The 13 amendments that were tacked onto the bill narrowed its scope, added labor and affordability requirements, and gave some flexibility to cities already planning transit-oriented housing. Critics worry about seven-story buildings in low-rise areas and question whether the bill will result in significant new construction due to economic and logistical challenges. Despite its narrow passage, supporters call SB 79 the most significant housing reform California has passed, though experts caution its impact will be gradual and limited, especially amid high construction costs and market constraints.
Los Angeles’ “Olympic Wage” for hotel and airport workers jumped to $22.50 an hour this week and will rise annually to $30 by July 2028 after a business-backed referendum effort again failed due to an insufficient number of valid signatures. The L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, funded by major airlines and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, submitted over 140,000 signatures but fell short of the 93,000 needed after thousands of signers withdrew under a union-led outreach campaign. The Alliance has accused unions of misconduct and asked the District Attorney to investigate while hinting at future ballot initiatives, as unions such as UNITE HERE Local 11 celebrate a milestone for roughly 37,000 workers but acknowledge $22.50 is still well below a living wage in Los Angeles County.
LA County votes $30M rent relief for families hit by fires, ICE raids
Veteran politician to challenge Kenneth Mejia for L.A. city controller
LA County challenges federal mandate on food assistance data collection
LA County considers reviving COVID-era eviction policy to aid immigrant renters, fire victims
LA City Council endorses Proposition 50
Crime on LA Metro Increases After a Pause on Tap-To-Exit Program
L.A. City Council approves moving Olympic diving to Pasadena venue
California lawmakers have withdrawn a bill that aimed to scale back Los Angeles’ voter-approved “mansion tax” (Measure ULA), just days after introducing it. The bill would have capped the tax rate for newer commercial and apartment buildings and offered exemptions for homes rebuilt after natural disasters. Lawmakers cited a lack of time for needed amendments but plan to reintroduce the bill in January. Mayor Karen Bass supported delaying the legislation to allow for technical fixes. While housing advocates say the tax deters development, supporters argue it’s vital for funding affordable housing and tenant aid. Meanwhile, opponents of Measure ULA are still pursuing a 2026 statewide ballot initiative to repeal the tax entirely.
Santa Monica Council Approves Controversial Building Code Changes Despite Safety Concerns
SB79 heads to Newsom. Bill allows for denser housing around transit hubs
Amid budget crunch, Long Beach Health Department ends programs, cuts jobs
California Lawmakers pass sweeping charter school anti-fraud bill
Duplexes are now banned in post-fire Palisades. Here’s why they’re still allowed in Altadena
Norwalk tried to ban homeless shelters. It’s giving up after Newsom’s lawsuit