Elected Officials Urge Latino Voters to Support Measure G

LaCo Governance

Elected Officials Urge Latino Voters to Support Measure G

Eds: Constance Farrell, communications director for Horvath's office, can be reached at [email protected].

By JOSE HERRERA

City News Service

PANORAMA CITY (CNS) - A coalition of elected officials is urging Latino voters today to support Measure G, a proposal to expand the county Board of Supervisors from five to nine members, which they say will bring greater representation for residents.

In addition to expanding the board, Measure G would also create an independent ethics commission, and make the county CEO an elected position, among other changes.

``Measure G is bringing long overdue countywide reform to Los Angeles County,'' Board of Supervisors chair Lindsey Horvath told City News Service. ``It is reforming a county governance structure, which hasn't changed since 1912 when there were more cows than people in Los Angeles.

``... We are making sure that we have a government that is responsive to 21st Century needs,'' she added.

Currently, 10 million people in the county are represented by five people on the board. Horvath described that as ``absurd,'' saying residents deserve to have their government brought closer to them.

``Each of these districts is represented by a supervisor who is not only their social safety net, but also functions as their mayor for a lot of the municipal services,'' Horvath told CNS.

According to the supervisor, by expanding the board, the goal is to diversify the decision-making process and ensure the county leadership reflects the population.

During a morning news conference at Plaza Del Valle in Panorama City on Thursday, Latino elected officials joined Horvath to voice their support for Measure G.

L.A. City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla, who represents Sixth District, encompassing neighborhoods such as Van Nuys, Panorama City, and other East SFV communities, said Measure G is an opportunity to expand representation of those areas that have been ``historically underrepresented.'' She also said it will increase accountability.

``For the Latino community, especially here in the valley, Measure G is our chance to create a government that listens to and acts in our best interests,'' State Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, D-Arleta, said. ``It's time for real change.''

San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez and Burbank Vice Mayor Nikki Perez also joined the chorus advocating for Measure G.

``...We can all agree on one thing, smaller districts make each individual person's voice so much louder,'' Perez said. ``This brings power back to the people.''

If voters approve Measure G, the changes will be rolled out over time, starting in 2026 with the creation of the ethics commission, then in 2028 the election of a county CEO.

The expansion of the board would follow the 2030 U.S. Census and a process to redraw supervisor districts, according to county officials. Voters would be expected to elect new supervisors starting in 2032.

The Board of Supervisors has already moved forward with the creation of an ethics commission, but passage of Measure G would codify its existence in the county Charter.

While the proposal has garnered support from various groups and elected officials, there have been some concerns expressed, including the additional costs anticipated with an expansion of the board. Horvath has insisted that the changes in Measure G would not create any additional costs to taxpayers or cuts to services or programs.

During discussions of the ballot measure, county Supervisor Kathryn Barger also questioned the idea of making the CEO an elected position, saying such an action would politicize the job, which oversees the operations of the county.

Copyright 2024, City News Service, Inc.

CNS-10-11-2024 07:42