Los Angeles News & Updates from EKA – July 6, 2026
EKA Spotlight
EKA was proud to support Nike’s companywide “Just Do It” Day at Will Rogers State Beach by providing strategic permitting and regulatory coordination that helped bring the event to life. Working in close partnership with Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors, EKA successfully managed the special-event permitting process, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and keeping the project on schedule. By anticipating challenges, coordinating with agency partners, and streamlining the approval process, EKA enabled Nike to focus on delivering an inspiring experience for its employees. The result was a seamless and memorable event that celebrated teamwork, community, and the spirit of “Just Do It.”
Key Updates
Noncitizen voting, police oversight measures fail to make Nov. 3 ballot in L.A.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously postponed a Nov. 3 ballot measure that would have allowed noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and DACA recipients, to vote in city and school board elections after Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez withdrew his proposal, citing concerns raised by African American community leaders and fellow council members about voter protections and the potential misuse of voter data by ICE. The council also voted 8-6 to delay a separate measure that would have granted council members direct policymaking authority over the LAPD following a threatened lawsuit from the police union, which argued the city failed to fulfill its legal obligation to meet and confer. Both measures, along with previously shelved proposals to expand the City Council from 15 to 25 members and implement ranked-choice voting, will be sent to committee for possible consideration in a future election, bringing the year-long Charter Reform Commission process to an anticlimactic close.
LA County Voters Narrowly Pass Measure ER for Health Care
Following the June 2 primary and the extended ballot count, LA County voters narrowly passed Measure ER, a half-cent sales tax increase that will generate an estimated $1 billion annually over five years to support health care and other services, a major budget development layered on top of the $50.3 billion FY 2026-27 county budget adopted June 22. The measure raises the county sales tax from 9.75% to 10.25%, effective October 1, 2026, and running through October 1, 2031, and is intended to mitigate the impact of H.R. 1 (President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”), which cuts Medicaid and is projected to leave millions more Americans uninsured. Measure ER edged out a win with 50.64% of the vote, after trailing badly on election night and closing the gap as later mail ballots were tallied.
What's Happening in LA
LA County Adopts $50.3 Billion Final FY 2026-27 Budget as Barger Warns of Fiscal Pressures
Water from Boyle Heights warehouse fire carries foam into L.A. River, sparks testing
How the plan to expand the L.A. City Council got shelved once again
In a no-man’s-land for law enforcement, hundreds of disabled veterans are moving in
Wildfire rebuilding boosts L.A. County job growth in May
Downtown L.A. World Trade Center to become affordable apartments
LA delays $30 ‘Olympic wage’ until after games as hotel owners warn of layoffs, economic fallout
Spotlight Item
Santa Monica Council adopts $908.8 M Budget, sets stage for World Cup, Olympics
The Santa Monica City Council adopted a $908.8 million citywide budget for fiscal year 2026-27 at its June 23 meeting, a spending plan officials say positions the city for a structurally balanced future while preparing for an unprecedented run of major events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympic Games. The budget covers all city funds net of reimbursements and transfers, includes 2,287.6 full-time equivalent positions, and features a capital improvement program totaling $110.4 million in the coming fiscal year. The General Fund, which covers core city services, is budgeted at $525.2 million in operating expenditures. The budget takes effect July 1. Councilmembers also discussed a potential parcel tax measure to support the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, with staff warning that if the measure does not pass or qualify for the ballot, the city would face difficult decisions on continuing current service levels. The city also carries a $47 million obligation to repay its housing trust fund, which is budgeted to occur as additional funds become available.
What We're Reading
Three takeaways from Andrés Chait’s appointment as LAUSD superintendent
Port of Long Beach Approves $58 Million For Clean Technology
$37M project underway at Long Beach Airport ahead of 2028 Olympics
Trump administration takes aim at California Coastal Commission, sparking alarm
More Than $1 Billion Budget Approved to Power Port of The Future
California’s historic housing bill is here. See which neighborhoods are getting upzoned
LAUSD to cut thousands of jobs, but saves Black student achievement program in budget plan

