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Heralding Freedom of the Press and the Public's Right to Know
John Jackson (not his real name), was one of 27 former homeless individuals who jangled keys to newly-acquired apartments through The LA County Pathway home program.
27 formerly Homeless Pathway Home participants move from encampments to apartments
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LOS ANGELES (MNS) --- Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell led a “Welcome Home” celebration for 27 formerly homeless individuals who successfully transitioned from encampments to apartments, thanks to LA County’s Pathway Home program.
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After years living in tents or RVs in unincorporated Lennox, Walnut Park and Firestone Park, and in the City of Hawthorne, all 27 people recently moved into a new apartment complex called The Dalton, thanks in part to a newly expanded effort to increase the affordable housing stock countywide through master leasing.
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“We are using every tool in our toolbox to support the transition of people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing,” Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said. “We get the best outcomes when we collaborate and coordinate with County departments, cities, and our nonprofit and healthcare partners. Master leasing, combined with our successful Pathway Home effort, are game changers when it comes to getting people to come into homes more quickly.”
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Pathway Home is a full-circle solution designed to improve flow within the homeless services system by bringing people off the streets directly into immediately available interim housing accompanied by a suite of supportive services and, ultimately, into safe, permanent homes. It is a critical component of LA County’s comprehensive response to the local emergency on homelessness adopted by the Board of Supervisors in early 2023.
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“Pathway Home is an all-hands-on-deck effort to connect with our unsheltered neighbors on their journey to long-term housing stability,” said Cheri Todoroff, executive director of the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative, which oversees the Pathway Home program. “Thanks to the master leasing program, we’ve ended homelessness for 27 people at The Dalton. Now, we are working on bringing even more units online that will end homelessness for hundreds more individuals this year.”
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L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net, LA County’s largest local managed care programs, provided funding through the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program that enabled the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to master lease The Dalton. By master leasing entire buildings, LAHSA can secure apartments on the private rental market and lease them directly to people experiencing homelessness, including those with tenant-based rental subsidies who struggle to lease up with traditional landlords.
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“L.A. Care recognizes that health care is more than a plastic ID card in your wallet, which is why we are proud to invest in housing that permanently ends someone’s homeless experience,” said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. “This collaborative effort with the County is an important step to ensuring that unhoused people have a place to make a home, and that will mean an opportunity for a healthier life.”
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“Our joint collaboration at the state, County and local level is demonstrating tangible results that are altering the lives of California’s most vulnerable residents,” said Martha Santana-Chin, Medi-Cal and Medicare president, Health Net. “We strive to transform the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time, and this is what we’re doing together with the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative and L.A. Care Health Plan.”
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“LAHSA could not be prouder of its master leasing partnership with the County and the managed health care plans,” said Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO of LAHSA. “This partnership paves the way to increase our rehousing system’s efficiency by creating more options for our unhoused neighbors. Master leasing is a critical program for ending homelessness in LA County, and we look forward to working together to scale the program to meet our community’s housing needs.”
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LA County partnered with the nonprofit service providers PATH and St. Joseph Center to assist Pathway Home clients during their stays in interim and permanent housing, respectively. At the Dalton, St. Joseph Center will provide case management and connections to crucial supportive services, such as health care, benefits enrollment, life skills training and more.
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“St. Joseph Center is excited to continue our partnership with Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s office as we welcome our unhoused neighbors home by way of the Pathway Home initiative,” said St. Joseph Center interim CEO LaTonya Smith. “This is a significant milestone for our community, and we are proud to provide the services needed to keep people safe, healthy and housed.”
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During the Welcome Home celebration, Supervisor Mitchell provided housewarming presents and L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net hosted a luncheon for the Pathway Home participants who are new tenants at The Dalton.
Los Angeles first US city to outlaw digital discrimination
Under a new ordinance, Internet providers can’t provide better service to wealthier neighborhoods. A 2022 investigation found that households in LA's poorest neighborhoods paid high prices for slow service.
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LOS ANGELES (MNS)—The Los Angeles City Council last week passed a motion banning “digital discrim- ination,” barring internet service providers (ISPs) to inequitably deploy high-speed internet connections or disproportionately withhold the best deals for their services from racially or socio-economically marginalized neighborhoods.
The legislation, authored by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, expanded the types of discrimina- tion the city could investigate to include digital discrimination. Members of the public will be able to submit complaints alleging digital discrimination, which the city’s Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department will investigate. The department will be required to collect demographic information about the people making complaints and report on any trends.
The Bureau of Street Lighting is also tasked with delivering a report on what work the city has done to close the digital divide.
“It’s so important for everyone to have broadband access for full participation in modern society and no one should be charged more based on their neighborhood,” Harris-Dawson wrote in a statement to supporters. “This is a big win and we’ll keep pushing equity on all fronts forward!
“There have been multiple studies showing the impact of industry pricing practices that worsen the digital divide by exacerbating the challenge of affordability,” the legislation reads. “Studies demonstrate that providers systematically offer worse service—slower, delivered over older technology—to low-income communities at the same price that they offered fast, reliable service to higher income communities,” Harris-Dawson said.
A 2022 investigation by The Markup revealed that ISPs in 38 US cities, including AT&T in Los Angeles, were offering high-speed broadband connections for the same price as sluggish ones to different households in the same city. In almost every case, lower-income, less White, and historically redlined neighborhoods tended to disproportionately get offered the worst deals.
AT&T was found to be 21 percentage points more likely to offer slow service to households in LA’s poorest neighborhoods than the company was in the city’s richest areas. An AT&T spokesperson called our analysis “fundamentally flawed.”
A report released around the same time by the California Community Foundation found Charter Communi- cations, LA's dominant cable provider, engaging in similar conduct.
“People who live in higher poverty neighborhoods are not only routinely offered slower service at higher prices, but are offered contracts with worse terms and conditions. For example, Charter’s…promotional offers – guaranteeing a period of time before prices will increase—are for two years in wealthy communities, but for just one year in high-poverty communities,” the report read.
Charter insisted the California Community Foundation’s report was “intentionally misleading.”
To close the digital divide and ensure equitable access to the fast, reliable, and affordable internet necessary to access education and health care and to fully participate in the City’s economic opportunities and civic life, we must address the disparate outcomes of provider decisions (regardless of whether providers intended those outcomes.) Tackling digital discrimination is not the only action needed to ensure digital equity, but it is a necessary action.
Since Los Angeles has never codified exactly what “digital discrimination” means, the legislation asked city officials to strongly consider using the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) definition of the term.
Last November, the FCC approved rules prohibiting digital discrimination at the national level—defining it as “Policies or practices, not justified by genuine issues of technical or economic feasibility, that (1) differentially impact consumers’ access to broadband internet access service based on their income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin or (2) are intended to have such differential impact.”
A crucial element of the FCC’s definition of digital discrimination is that it allows for finding actions to be discriminatory even if the intent behind them wasn’t explicitly to treat different groups inequitably. Instead, all that would be necessary is showing that a decision made by an ISP caused the groups to be impacted differently.
Digital Equity LA, a coalition of 70 nonprofit organizations, urged the city to incorporate the FCC’s standard into its enforcement process.
“To close the digital divide and ensure equitable access to the fast, reliable, and affordable internet necessary to access education and health care and to fully participate in the City’s economic opportunities and civic life, we must address the disparate outcomes of provider decisions (regardless of whether providers intended those outcomes). Tackling digital discrimination is not the only action needed to ensure digital equity, but it is a necessary action,” the coalition wrote in a letter to that council the cited digital divide investigations by the California Community Foundation and The Markup.
While the Los Angeles legislation passed without a dissenting vote, it wasn’t without controversy. In a letter to the city council in mid-January, the Central City Association of Los Angeles–an advocacy group represent- ing businesses and professional associations, including AT&T and Charter—urged the city to focus its digital inclusion efforts elsewhere.
“Instead of duplicating the FCC’s system, we believe that city resources would be more prudently used by focusing on the areas that the FCC advised in their best practices for states and localities, such as digital education, affordability programs and device availability,” wrote Central City Association President and CEO Nella McOsker.
As the Institute For Local Self-Reliance noted, with the passage of this legislation Los Angeles became the first city in the United States to tackle digital discrimination locally.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom coupled state resources with the City of Los Angeles to make sure the repair is being expedited to get the freeway back up and running as fast as possible, said Mayor Karen Bass."
Fire-damaged 10 freeway set to re-open
LOS ANGELES—Leveraging an all-of-government approach with emergency crews working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the Los Angeles 10 Freeway is expected to reopen to traffic on Nov. 21.
While repairs are expected to remain ongoing for months, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has determined all five lanes of traffic in both directions can safely reopen to passenger and commercial truck vehicles by next week.
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"This is what happens when we work with urgency. This is what happens when we come together. I want to make sure that there are no barriers to completely finishing the repair and that when the freeway opens up it will be completely safe,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “City departments will continue to respond with urgency to the impacts of the traffic closure during the ongoing construction. We will not let up. I want to thank Governor Newsom for joining forces with me to make sure the repair is being expedited to get the freeway back up and running as fast as possible."
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The announcement comes far ahead of schedule and was made possible because of the around-the-clock efforts of crews and engineers on and off-site, better-than-expected structural testing results, expedited debris removal, and close coordination between state, local, and federal government officials to safely expedite repairs of a major freeway that is a critical backbone to the American and global economy.
As repairs continue over the coming months, the public should expect some temporary closures on occasional weekends and overnight, along with intermittent lane closures.
Newsom also highlighted he has instructed Caltrans and CAL FIRE to conduct a thorough examination and assessment of all Airspace and Telecommunications Licensing Program (Airspace) sites throughout the state. Airspace sites are state-owned properties located within freeway rights-of-way that can be safely leased for secondary uses.
The governor's directive instructs Caltrans and CAL FIRE to conduct a comprehensive review of the Airspace program and produce an inventory of all Airspace sites that identifies property types, locations, potential concerns, proximity to sensitive structures, tenancy status, site use types, and inspection status, among other details.
Additionally, Caltrans and CAL FIRE have been instructed to prioritize inspections of high-risk Airspace sites across California and recommend necessary programmatic, inspection, enforcement, and/or statutory changes to prevent future incidents similar to the I-10 Freeway fire.
The state is taking an urgent all-of-government approach to fix the 10 Freeway, a major artery in Los Angeles, with traffic estimated at upwards of 300,000 vehicles daily.
The 10 Freeway fire began on an Airspace site rented by Apex Development, Inc (Apex). Two months prior to the fire, Caltrans sued Apex, seeking to remove the company from the leased property for failing to pay its rent and subletting the property without authorization. A hearing is set for early 2024 in that lawsuit. Apex was responsible for maintaining the fenced-off site while they continued to assert rights under the lease.
CAL FIRE’s investigation into the fire—suspected to be arson—remains ongoing and members of the public are encouraged to provide any leads or tips, which can be sent anonymously to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or arsonbomb@fire.ca.gov.
The 10 Freeway is a major artery that serves hundreds of thousands of Angelinos daily. After testing sam- ples and assessing damage from the site, state transportation officials determined the damage could be repaired without demolishing and rebuilding the 450-foot span of the freeway, which could have taken upwards of 6 months.
Union crews continue to work around the clock to shore up the support pillars damaged in the fire. While I-10 is closed to all vehicles, Caltrans workers are seizing this traffic-free opportunity to carry out a wide-ranging “swarm” maintenance operation – sweeping, repairing bridge railings and broken concrete, painting over graffiti, cleaning drains and culverts, removing litter, weeds, and overgrown vegetation, and sealing broken access doors.
Last weekend, Gov. Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County to support the state’s response. The proclamation facilitates clean-up and repair work and directs Caltrans to formally request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, which the state secured.
Los Angeles County adopts racial equity strategic plan
Comprehensive plan addresses racism, creates roadmap for more equitability, inclusivity
LOS ANGELES (MNS)—The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously adopted a groundbreaking Countywide Racial Equity Strategic Plan with five strategic goals intended to measurably improve the lives of residents and communities throughout Los Angeles County.
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The Board, acting on a motion by Supervisors Mitchell and Solis, declared its commitment to fostering meaningful and lasting change through the adoption of the Countywide Racial Equity Strategic Plan. Developed by the Chief Executive Office’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, it outlines dozens of strategic goals and initiatives aimed to address structural racism.
Co-created with residents, community-based organizations, civic leaders, philanthropic organizations, academic partners, and public/private agencies, the plan presents a 10-year roadmap to foster a more equitable and inclusive County where all residents are healthy, experience justice, and thrive.
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The creation of the Countywide Racial Equity Strategic Plan was a directive of the Board when a motion was unanimously adopted on July 21, 2020 to establish an Anti-Racist County Policy Agenda, declaring racism a matter of public health in the County. Moreover, ARDI was established and is charged with developing the underlying policy platform, and implementing the plan in collaboration with department staff and leadership.
The County identified five strategic goals to be achieved through multiple initiatives over the next decade:
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Increase Attainment of Postsecondary Credentials with Significant Labor Market Value
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Reduce Adult First-Time Felony Convictions
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Increase Stable Full-Time Employment Among Individual Adults
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Increase the Percentage of Families with Incomes Above 250% Federal Poverty Level
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Reduce Infant Mortality
In addition to providing a new vision for achieving equity in Los Angeles County, the strategic plan outlines several historical factors that helped exacerbate racial disparities and inequity across the County. The plan reveals significant racial gaps in high school graduation, in year round full-time employment, and much larger gaps in college enrollment, college graduation, family incomes, and homeownership rates.
"With our first ever Racial Equity Strategic Plan, Los Angeles County has actionable steps for moving with clear direction and accountability towards achieving racial equity and justice," said Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. "I want to thank Dr. Scorza for leading the creation of this historic plan and the Board of Supervisors for approving my motion to establish a shared commitment across all County departments in owning our piece in making this plan a reality. It is the only way we can do the hard and necessary work of addressing long-standing injustices and creating meaningful change that can be seen and felt in the lives of our residents."
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"As the elected governing body of Los Angeles County, we must take a strong stance against racism to send a message that we will neither comply with nor enable policies that exacerbate historic injustices," said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. "To that end, I am proud that we have a vehicle such as ARDI to espouse the values of anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion."
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"Los Angeles County is one of the most diverse counties in one of the most diverse countries in the world. That is our strength, but as long as racial gaps persist, we aren’t living up to our potential. This Countywide Racial Equity Strategic Plan deploys many of our best tools in our mission of creating a more just County for all of our communities," said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn.
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"Building a more equitable, just Los Angeles County requires intentional steps that lift up every one of our marginalized communities," said Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. "I am proud to support the Racial Equity Strategic Plan and, importantly, to be part of realizing the change the plan envisions."
"At its heart, this is about the County being introspective," said Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. "We need to consistently examine our practices so that our County departments can best serve some of the most challenged residents who live in disadvantaged communities—including rural areas. Adopting this plan will help ensure we are all rowing in the same direction and truly making a difference for some of our most vulnerable constituents."
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"With the adoption of the Countywide Racial Equity Strategic Plan, we are demonstrating that LA County values diversity, is inclusive, and advances equity so that all residents can thrive," said Fesia Davenport, CEO of Los Angeles County. "This plan will add fuel to our collective drive to advance justice and create a brighter tomorrow."
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"The Countywide Racial Equity Strategic Plan represents a commitment and roadmap for change that over the next decade will aim to improve life outcomes for all of LA County’s residents," said Dr. D'Artagnan Scorza, executive director of Racial Equity for Los Angeles County and the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative. "The County is continuing to set an example of how government can be a force for good, ignite progress, and create a future where every resident's potential knows no bounds."
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Protests ignite from cop beating
death
Beating death of Tyre Nichols sparked national protests. Screenshot
MEMPHIS (AP)—The video is filled with violent moments showing the officers, who are also Black, chasing and pummeling Tyre Nichols and leaving him on the pavement propped against a squad car as they fist-bumped and celebrated their actions.
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The footage emerged one day after the officers were charged with murder in Nichols’ death. The chilling images of another Black man dying at the hands of police provoked tough questions about the US' policing culture and raised the specter of renewed protests less than three years after a wave of demonstrations wracked the country.
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The recordings shows police savagely beating the 29-year-old FedEx worker for three minutes while screaming profanities at him throughout the attack. The Nichols family legal team has likened the assault to the infamous 1991 police beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King.
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After the first officer roughly pulls Nichols out of a car, Nichols can be heard saying, “I didn't do anything,” as a group of officers begins to wrestle him to the ground.
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“Get on the ground!," one officer yells, as another is heard yelling “Tase him! Tase him!”
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Nichols calmly replied soon after being wrestled to the pavement, “OK, I’m on the ground”. Moments later, as the officers continue to yell, Nichols says, “Man, I am on the ground.”
An officer yells, “Put your hands behind your back before I break your (expletive).” Moments later, an officer yells, “(Expletive), put your hands behind your back before I break them.”
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“You guys are really doing a lot right now,” Nichols says loudly to the officers. “I’m just trying to go home.”
“Stop, I’m not doing anything,” he yells moment later.
The camera is briefly obscured, and then Nichols can be seen running as an officer fires a Taser at him. The officers then start chasing Nichols.
Other officers are called and a search ensues before Nichols is caught at another intersection. The officers beat him again, this time using a baton, kicking and punching him.
Security camera footage shows three officers surrounding Nichols as he lies in the street cornered between police cars, with a fourth officer nearby.
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Two officers hold Nichols to the ground as he moves about, and then the third appears to kick him in the head. Nichols slumps more fully onto the pavement with all three officers surrounding him. The same officer kicks him again.
The fourth officer then walks over, unfurls a baton and holds it up at shoulder level as two officers hold Nichols upright, as if he were sitting.
“I’m going to baton the f--- out you,” one officer can be heard saying. His body camera shows him raise his baton while at least one other officer holds Nichols. The officer strikes Nichols on the back with the baton. He strikes him again, and then a third time.
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The other officers then appear to hoist Nichols to his feet, with him flopping like a doll, barely able to stay upright despite the bracing arms.
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An officer then punches him in the face, as the officer with the baton continues to menace him. Nichols stumbles and turns, still held up by two officers. The officer who punched him then walks around to Nichols’ front and punches him three more times. Then Nichols collapses.
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Two officers can then be seen atop Nichols on the ground, with a third nearby, for about 40 seconds. Three more officers then run up and one can be seen kicking Nichols on the ground.
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At one point, as Nichols is slumped up against a car and none of the officers are rendering aid, the body camera footage shows a first-person view of one of them reaching down and tying his shoe.
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It takes more than 20 minutes after Nichols is beaten and on the pavement before any sort of medical attention is provided to him, even though two fire department officers arrived on the scene with medical equipment within 10 minutes.
Cities across the country braced for large demonstrations. Nichols’ relatives urged supporters to protest peacefully. Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis described the officers' actions as “heinous, reckless and inhumane,” and said that her department has been unable to substantiate the reckless driving allegation that prompted the stop.
She told The Associated Press in an interview that there is no video of the traffic stop that shows Nichols recklessly driving. During the initial stop, the video shows the officers were “already ramped up, at about a 10”, she said. The officers were “aggressive, loud, using profane language and probably scared Mr Nichols from the very beginning.”
“I don’t want us burning up our city, tearing up the streets, because that’s not what my son stood for,” she said yesterday. “If you guys are here for me and Tyre, then you will protest peacefully.”
Speaking at the White House, US President Joe Biden said today that he was “very concerned” about the prospect of violence and called for protests to remain peaceful.
Biden said he spoke with Nichols' mother earlier in the day and told her that he was going to be “making a case” to Congress to pass the George Floyd Act “to get this under control.” The legislation, which has been stalled, is meant to tackle police misconduct and excessive force and boost federal and state accountability efforts.
Court records showed that all five former officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith — were taken into custody.
The officers each face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. Four of the five officers had posted bond and been released from custody by this morning, according to court and jail records.
Second-degree murder is punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison under Tennessee law.
Patrick Yoes, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, condemned the alleged actions of the Memphis officers.
“The event as described to us does not constitute legitimate police work or a traffic stop gone wrong. This is a criminal assault under the pretext of law," Yoes said in a statement.
Rallies and demonstrations were planned tonight in Memphis, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Portland, Oregon and Washington.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, said he and other mayors across the country had been briefed by the White House in advance of the video’s release, which he said would “trigger pain and sadness in many of us. It will make us angry.”
Romanucci and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who also represents Nichols' family, called on the police chief to disband the department’s so-called scorpion unit focused on street crime.
Davis said other officers are still being investigated for violating department policy. In addition, she said “a complete and independent review” will be conducted of the department’s specialized units, without providing further details.
As state and federal investigations continue, Davis promised the police department’s “full and complete cooperation."
Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. (right) and Samuel S. Perry, stand before a rendering of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in Atlanta, GA in 1965. Perry, who served as mayor of Woodmere, Ohio, fueled Jan Perry's political ambitions.
New era for Black women aspiring to political office
Congressional hopeful Jan Perry’s roots advocating civil and voting rights reveal
a potential force on Capitol Hill
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By DANIELLA MASTERSON, Contributing Writer
Jan Perry has a time-honored photograph of her father standing next to the GOAT of GOATS—Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., father of the iconic champion of the civil rights movement, and the pastor of the pivotal Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Although Samuel S. Perry is deceased, his quest for change and helping others achieve the American Dream showed her that government can be a powerful force for improving people’s lives. He was elected mayor of their hometown in Woodmere, Ohio in 1965.
Her mother later became mayor of the same town east of Cleveland.
"One morning I woke up, I drew back the curtains, and there was a cross burning on the yard," recalled Perry of her childhood years when her family integrated into a neighborhood. "My mother had that cross until 2018. My parents were extraordinary people."
Perry grew up hearing about voting registration, desegregation, Jim Crow, and registering people to vote.
"Cleveland was a hub of African Americans Democrats in the Midwest. We had regular visits from many political luminaries," Perry recalled.
Perry will face State Sen. Sydney Kamlager in the race for the state’s 37th Congressional District vacated by Rep. Karen Bass who is running for mayor of Los Angeles. A record number of Black women are running for office in 2022. But the race for the 37th district will be a tight high-profile competition between two battle-ready Black women.
Black women are the most represented among women of color in political office, and their numbers are rising, according to a study by the National Review of Black Politics 2021. This growth demonstrates increased opportunities to influence policy and political engagement of underrepresented constituencies.
But running against a candidate who has the same ethnic status and party affiliation means Perry will have to work harder to rise above the rhetoric.
"It’s a different hour for Black women," said Perry. "How do you make your voice stand out from another (Black) woman's voice? And then you have some people who make remarks like, 'Oh well, you're both Black women, and you're both Democrats. Either one of you will be fine,'" she added sarcastically.
Perry is currently the executive director of two nonprofit organizations that deliver much-needed social and financial services. Coincidentally, both women are USC alumnae.
Recently elected to the state senate, Kamlager worked her way up the ladder by serving as the district director for Holly Mitchell when Mitchell was an assemblywoman and later a senator. Mitchell is currently serving as Los Angeles County Supervisor for the Second District. Kamlager has been endorsed by Bass, Mitchell, Sen. Alex Padilla, and several deep-pocket unions.
Perry is endorsed by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, and retired Rep. Diane Watson among others, but her distinction is she brings more than 30 years of experience and a proven track record as an elected official and community servant.
One of the key questions voters must decide in this race is which candidate can build allies in Washington fast enough to affect change.
"The Honorable Jan Perry has worked and still works for the community," said Barbara Calhoun, a member of the Compton Community College Board of Trustees. "Her passion is for the people, making sure their needs are met, whether it is housing, jobs, health care, homelessness, mental health issues, food insecurities, coming out of foster care with no job or place to go but to the streets, prostitution, human trafficking, adoption and making sure all children are safe with their foster parents," added Calhoun.
As the second vice president of the New Frontier Democratic Club, Faye Geyen has supported and worked with Perry who is also an active member. The NFDC was founded by African American leaders in Los Angeles in 1960 to provide their community with a political vehicle for involvement. Over the years it has evolved into a fundraising and get-out-the-vote advocate for Black candidates.
Geyen said they had supported Kamlager in her last bid for office. However, they are endorsing Perry for the seat in Congress.
"Jan gets things done, period," said Geyen. "When Jan says she’s going to do something, she does it. I am supporting her because she’s going to ask the people what they want, and she will listen to them."
Perry has campaigned that she will address the gridlock and inaction in Congress on health care, climate change, and voting rights. Perry was quoted saying, "I will go to Washington to be a fierce advocate for working families, ensure they receive a fair return on their hard-earned tax dollars, and to swiftly and humanely get unhoused people off of the street and into housing with services."
Oddly, if elected Perry would be stepping into some of the political fights her parents fought during the 1960s— securing voting rights, rising inequality, combating police brutality and domestic terrorism by White suprema- cists. Perhaps Perry’s parents’ greatest legacy wasn’t what they left for their daughters; but what they left in them.
"My mother always took us to vote," said Perry. "She wanted us to see how important it was; how precious it was. I remember holding on to the back of my mother’s skirt while she took a pen and marked the ballot with
an X in one of those old wooden voting booths."
For more information on Jan Perry, visit www.janperry.com
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Daniella Masterson is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles.
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Skirball Cultural Center Debates
Bass, Caruso spar over crime, homelessness, other issues
LOS ANGELES (CNS)—The two candidates for mayor of Los Angeles agree that the city
is in crisis, and during a debate at the Skir- ball Cultural Center, shared their approaches to dealing homelessness and crime heading to Election Day in November.
Rep. Karen Bass (left), and businessman Rick Caruso.
Rep. Karen Bass and developer Rick Caruso made their pitches to be the person to fix those problems during the first televised debate on Wednesday night, Sept. 21 ahead of the November election.
Homelessness was the top issue discussed, with both candidates acknowledging the gravity of the homeless- ness crisis in Los Angeles but differing on how to approach it. The latest point-in-time homeless numbers
released this month showed a 1.7 percent increase in the number of unhoused people in Los Angeles since 2020, bringing the total to 41,980.
Caruso said the premise of his plan to address homelessness would be to get people into shelters, noting his goal to build 30,000 new shelter beds in his first year in office.
"We've got to meet people where they are," Caruso said.
Bass said while getting people off the streets is important, "shelters are not the answer."
"What we have done for too long is we have put people in shelters," Bass said. "Now the shelters have become so dangerous, people don't even want to be in the shelters and are choosing to be outside on the street."
Bass called for a more comprehensive approach, prioritizing services, addressing the root cause of homeless- ness and creating permanent housing.
Caruso said he believed shelters ultimately are a better and more efficient way to provide services to unhoused people. He said he supported clearing encampments "at a certain point and time" because of potential crime
and impact to surrounding neighborhoods. He said encampments were "unfair to the community."
Bass responded that "at the end of the day, you can't criminalize poverty."
"If you have them in jail, they'd be there for three days and then right back out on the street," Bass said.
Both candidates said they would support extending Los Angeles' pandemic-era eviction moratorium, though the City Council has signaled potentially adjusting the moratorium after the housing department recommended
ending it by Dec. 31.
Bass said she would extend it while offering support to mom-and-pop landlords, while Caruso would make changes to it, implying that some people were using the moratorium to cheat their way out of paying rent.
Bass and Caruso also both were in favor of loosening regulations for more affordable housing to be built.
Caruso, entered Wednesday's debate trailing Bass by double digits in a recent poll conducted in August by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, described himself as an outsider and attempted to paint Bass,
a House member since 2011 after being an assemblywoman from 2004-2010, as part of the establishment.
Caruso was appointed in 1985 by then-Mayor Tom Bradley to the commission overseeing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. He has also served on the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission.
Caruso, a billionaire, said he would not take money from special interest groups or Super PACs, to which Bass responded that Caruso was simply spending his wealth on his campaign. Caruso has spent more than $40 million of his own money on his campaign.
"I think that's a different way of going about democracy and an example of a structural problem within our democracy," Bass said.
Bass criticized Caruso—who registered as a Democrat in January after previously being a Republican and having "no party preference"—for flipping parties. Caruso said he has always been socially liberal and left the
Republican Party in 2019 because it didn't reflect his values, noting his support for Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Gov. Jerry Brown.
"I liked the Democratic Party of 10 years ago and I like the Democratic Party of today," Bass said. "Because the Democratic Party of today is more diverse—more diverse politically and diverse in every single way."
Caruso, in perhaps an acknowledgement of most major Democrats endorsing Bass, responded: "It doesn't seem to be accepting me."
The candidates also traded digs at each over controversies involving USC and a recent burglary at Bass' home in which two of her guns were stolen.
When asked to describe the biggest difference between themselves and their opponents, Bass pointed to her history as a "lifelong, pro-choice Democrat," a dig at Caruso for previously donating to anti-abortion politicians.
The mayor of Los Angeles does not have jurisdiction over reproductive rights, though Bass said the issue was important in the mayoral election because it was a "question of values." Caruso responded by stating he was pro-choice and always has been.
Caruso said that to him, Los Angeles has always been "the place where big dreams come true." But now, when he walks around the city, he believes crime is dampening dreams, and that people are scared and worried.
"They're also heartbroken," Caruso said. "They feel like they haven't been heard around the community. I want to change that."
Luna criticizes Villanueva's record in LA County Sheriff debate
Former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna (left) and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
LOS ANGELES (CNS)—Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and challenger Robert Luna traded barbs during their heated televised debate for sheriff at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Villanueva called Luna a puppet candidate for the Board of Supervisors. Luna said Villanueva was wrong to
investigate his enemies, and criticized the sheriff for not doing enough to address alleged deputy gangs in his department and defying subpoenas from the civilian oversight commission.
Villanueva defended his record from criticism by Luna, the former Long Beach Police Department chief, during the debate Sept. 21. The election for Los Angeles County Sheriff is less than two months away in November.
Since taking office in 2018, Villanueva has drawn criticism for ignoring and dismissing alleged deputy gangs in the sheriff's department, defying subpoenas from the civilian oversight commission and most recently signing off on a search by deputies at the home of Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.
Luna painted himself as a sheriff who would collaborate with other elected officials. He began criticizing Villanueva from the start of the debate for having what he described as an "us vs. them" mentality. Villanueva has repeatedly clashed with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, who collectively endorsed Luna.
"Part of governing is not agreeing with people," Luna said. "It's the way you handle it. I work with people. I don't work for people. That's the contrast between myself and my opponent."
Villanueva accused Luna of being a "puppet" for the Board of Supervisors, which is in charge of the sheriff's budget.
"When you're working with people, that doesn't mean you're a puppet," Luna said. "When you are consistently putting down the people who manage your budget, you're not serving our residents to the best of your ability."
Villanueva defended the search of Kuehl's home in connection with a corruption investigation by claiming his office alerted the FBI and state Attorney General's office and that "the authority of the sheriff is to investigate crime, period."
But Luna said Villanueva was wrong to "investigate your political opponents or enemies," claiming that it has led to the erosion of public trust in the sheriff.
"You can't do this," Luna said.
Villanueva responded by claiming Luna wouldn't touch corruption "with a 10-foot pole because his job as puppet is to look the other way."
Luna rejected that statement, and added that no jury would believe Villanueva during a trial because he "con- sistently gets up in front of a camera and demeans the five" supervisors.
Villanueva also defended his work on eradicating alleged deputy gangs within the department, claiming that he has taken "all the action we could legally" without violating the rights of his employees.
Villanueva challenged Luna to "name a single deputy gang member."
Luna responded: "He doesn't acknowledge they exist. You can't fix a problem you don't know exists.''
Luna said deputy gangs have been one of the top issues he's heard about on the campaign trail. He believed there needed to be federal and state intervention to address the problem. He criticized VIllanueva for defying a
subpoena to testify in front of a civilian oversight commission regarding deputy gangs.
"We have got to show the public that they can trust us and right now, they do not," Luna said.
The most recent poll conducted in August by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies had Luna slightly ahead of Villanueva. Luna served as chief of the Long Beach Police Department from 2014-2021, capping off a 36-year career at the department.
Villanueva, who promised to reform the department in his first campaign, has seen his political base shift during his tenure. He has complained about efforts to "defund" law enforcement, claiming he lacks resources as sheriff.
The two differed over whether they would work with Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón. Villanueva has been critical of Gascón's progressive policies, calling him a "second public defender."
"And that is jeopardizing the safety of every man and woman here in Los Angeles County," Villanueva said.
Villanueva claimed that Gascón wasn't filing cases and that he wasn't going to "play pretend that we're going to work together and have this wonderful relationship."
Luna used the rift as another example of what he described as the sheriff's failures to be collaborative. He said the sheriff had a responsibility to work with those that he didn't get along with.
"This nonsense has got to stop," Luna said. "We've got to start acting like adults and work with people for the benefit of the residents of this county."
Jan Perry: 37th District Congress
Charging Big Horn endorses Jan Perry to represent the 37th Congressional District. Hands down.
There never was any question that Perry has the political moxie, wisdom, and the most experience of any candidate in the race to handle a critical Democratic seat in Congress—notably in face of rogue Republicans in both houses, who have demonstrated that the welfare of a “United” America is not their objective.
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We believe Jan Perry has the temperament and force of char-
acter to continue the leadership shown by her previous two predecessors in Congress for Democratic principles that will benefit a multiplicity of needs in diverse neighborhoods ranging from the very affluent to the economically depressed—from the City of Los Angeles, including South LA, Crenshaw, Bald- win Hills, View Park, Ladera Heights, Miracle Mile, Pico-Robert- ertson, Century City, Cheviot Hills, West Los Angeles, Mar Vista, and Culver City.
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Jan Perry is no political neophyte. She served three terms in the Los Angeles City Council from 2001-2013 as the 9th
Jan Perry
District councilperson representing Downtown, Little Tokyo, and South LA. She oversaw projects that dramatically re-shaped the Downtown area, and she ushered the development of nearly 6,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in her district.
A key aspect of her work as an elected official included extensive analysis of proposed budgets and financial statements. Perry’s leadership over 12 years brought in $15 billion in private investment, $25 million in new tax revenue for the City of Los Angeles, and 90,000 full-time jobs.
She has served Los Angeles for more than 30 years, fueled with a passion for affordable housing, continuum of care for homeless people, urban wetlands development, county parks restoration, and infrastructure.
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Perry is the executive director of a nonprofit organization that has distributed a quarter of a billion dollars of non-perishable goods at the forefront of Los Angeles’ response to the homeless crisis since 1985. The organization also serves as a leading consultant on homeless programs and policy, supporting entities like the LA Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), as well as state and local government.
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Perry concurrently heads a nonprofit organization that promotes infrastructure development, where she recently led formation of critical union alliances (IBEW, Teamsters). These alliances were essential in developing a $300 million southern California port infrastructure initiative to leverage renewable energy sources.
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Additionally, a regional distribution strategy emerged for trans-loading/goods movement, reducing traffic and emissions while increasing the number of jobs.
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In 2019 Jan Perry was appointed by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to serve as general manager of the Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD), leading an agency of 180 employees. EWDD provides a broad range of programs offering assistance to businesses, job seekers and disconnected youth. All of EWDD’s programs are designed to help build local business and strengthen the workforce.
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Jan Perry has unique talents in government relations: public-private partnerships; design, funding, legislation, development, and realization of major economic, environmental, and community programs; human and social services; and initiatives for renewable energy, habitat development, natural resources, and environmental stewardship.
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The 37th Congressional District needs Jan Perry. Vote “Yes” for Jan Perry on Nov. 3.