Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily

LA Elections Meet Big Outside Money and Big Transit Stakes — May 18, 2026

8 min · 18. maj 2026
episode LA Elections Meet Big Outside Money and Big Transit Stakes — May 18, 2026 cover

Beskrivelse

LA’s reform agenda is colliding with money and implementation: outside groups are reshaping city races while major rail and bus projects test whether the region can actually deliver better mobility. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Step Back — When we hear that $14 million is pouring into “independent expenditures” in LA elections, what does that actually mean in practice — who can spend that money, what coordination is banned, and how much transparency do voters really get before casting a ballot? BACKGROUND SOURCES * 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION CONTRIBUTION TOTALS EXCEED $8.6 MILLION - Ethics Commission [http://ethics.lacity.org/news/2026-primary-election-contribution-totals-exceed-8-6-million/] — Nancy Jackson * $19M and counting in LA races. Campaigns for LA mayor and city attorney lead the fundraising | LAist [https://laist.com/news/politics/voter-guides/campaigns-for-la-mayor-cd-11-councilmember-and-city-attorney-are-bringing-in-the-most-money] — LAist * EXPENDITURE CEILING LIFTED IN CD 11 RACE - Ethics Commission [https://ethics.lacity.gov/news/expenditure-ceiling-lifted-in-cd-11-race/] — Nancy Jackson * EXPENDITURE CEILING LIFTED IN CD 1 RACE - Ethics Commission [https://ethics.lacity.gov/news/expenditure-ceiling-lifted-in-cd-1-race/] — Nancy Jackson * Contributor Guide - 2026 Elections - Ethics Commission [https://ethics.lacity.gov/publications/contributor-guide-2026-elections/] — Lacity 2. LA Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Section 1 Opens [https://www.railway.supply/la-metro-purple-d-line-extension-section-1-opens/] — Railway Supply LA Metro D Line Section 1 Opens on Wilshire - Railway Supply Share # LA Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Section 1 Opens Author: Batrak Oleksandr— Editor-in-Chief at Railway Supply 16.05.2026 LA Metro Purple (D) Line Extension Section 1 has opened on the Wilshire Corridor. Skanska and its joint venture partners marked the start of new underground rail service. Construction lasted more than ten… 3. Metrolink is in Trouble, and the North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT line needs support against NIMBY’s! [https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/1tg8d8t/metrolink_is_in_trouble_and_the_north_hollywood/] — r/LosAngeles (167 pts, 38 comments) Show up or write into the Metro Budget Committee Meeting on May 21st, or show up at or write in for the Metro Board Meeting on May 28th to support Metrolink service in SoCal! Show up at or comment via phone for the Burbank City Council Meeting on Wednesday 5/20 to protect the Burbank portions of the North Hollywood to Pasadena BRT! Protect the strengthening of mass public transit across LA… 4. A guide to voter guides in LA County [https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/comments/1te31rn/a_guide_to_voter_guides_in_la_county/] — LA Public Press It’s election season, Los Angeles! We know that filling out your ballot can be daunting — like a pop quiz you forgot about. Are all of those blank bubbles continuing to stare back at you? Fortunately, voting is an open book affair. And *LA Public Press* has created a cheat sheet. Daily TopFive for Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Feedback? Email la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

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episode Measure ULA’s Ballot Fix Meets L.A.’s Housing Reality — June 22, 2026 cover

Measure ULA’s Ballot Fix Meets L.A.’s Housing Reality — June 22, 2026

Measure ULA reform moved toward Los Angeles’ November ballot after a 9-5 Council vote to draft apartment-sale exemptions, sharpening the stakes for housing production, homelessness funding and whether City Hall can fix policies without gutting their purpose. IN THIS EPISODE 1. City attempts to amend ‘mansion tax’ | Los Angeles Times - newspaper - Read this story on Magzter.com [https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/Los-Angeles-Times/CITY-ATTEMPTS-TO-AMEND-MANSION-TAX] — - By ANDREW KHOURI Abridged Program Guidelines for Measure ULA Funding Programs Drafted by Area Experts Throughout ULA Coalition June 2023 Full copies of guidelines available in appendix For general inquiries please contact: ●Joe Donlin, (jdonlin@saje.net); or ●Jackson Loop (jloop@scanph.org) INTRODUCTION Drafted by homeless service providers, affordable housing nonprofits, labor unions, and renters’ rights groups,… 2. LAUSD Voter Guide [https://info.ccsa.org/lausd-voter-guide] — CCSA [![ccsa](https://info.ccsa.org/hubfs/CCSA_March2026/images/ccsa.svg "ccsa")](https://www.ccsa.org) # LAUSD Voter Guide 2026 Jump to: * District 2 ([map](https://4.files.edl.io/bf30/05/28/25/180111-f722d947-c06d-4928-85f7-5f1047b84b68.pdf)): [Rocío Rivas](#rocio-rivas) | [Raquel Zamora](#raquel-zamora) * District 4… 3. Homelessness | City Attorney [https://cityattorney.lacity.gov/homelessness] — Los Angeles City Attorney On her first day in office, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto joined Mayor Karen Bass as she declared a local **emergency on homelessness**. The City Attorney’s Office provided the legal framework for this declaration, which cuts red tape, facilitates additional resources, and streamlines efforts to bring people inside. The following week, Mayor Bass signed an executive directive… 4. Los Angeles ADU Permits: Requirements, Costs & Timeline - ADU West Coast [https://aduwestcoast.com/adu-permits-los-angeles-requirements-costs-timeline] — ADU West Coast [![ADU West Coast](https://aduwestcoast.com/wp-content/uploads/ADU-Logo-2.jpg)](https://aduwestcoast.com/) Select Page # Los Angeles ADU Permits: Requirements, Costs & Timeline by [Cameron Meredith](https://aduwestcoast.com/author/cmeredith/ "Posts by Cameron Meredith") | Aug 22, 2025 | [Blog](https://aduwestcoast.com/category/blog/) | [0… Daily TopFive for Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-la-daily-fix/id1895649590] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3yLZ4pkQq99iMI5WLo3HUg]. Feedback? Email la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

22. juni 20268 min
episode Inside Safe, LAPD Staffing, and L.A.’s Reform Scorecard — June 21, 2026 cover

Inside Safe, LAPD Staffing, and L.A.’s Reform Scorecard — June 21, 2026

Los Angeles Inside Safe claims more than 70 people brought indoors from encampments, while LAPD staffing math and California housing reform debates sharpen the same question: which City Hall fixes are actually producing measurable results? IN THIS EPISODE 1. Step Back — Every few months we hear LAPD is short hundreds of officers, but what is that staffing number actually supposed to buy Angelenos — faster 911 response, more cases solved, more visible patrols — and how would we know if adding officers is actually working? BACKGROUND SOURCES * L.A. Mayor Shifts Police Strategy as Staffing Hits 25-Year Low [https://www.governing.com/workforce/l-a-mayor-shifts-police-strategy-as-staffing-hits-25-year-low] — Governing * LAPD chief flags officer staffing risks for 2028 Olympics [https://www.police1.com/lapd/were-going-in-the-wrong-direction-lapd-chief-flags-staffing-risks-for-2028-olympics] — Police1 * Policy Brief: Understanding Trends in Law Enforcement Staffing - Public Policy Institute of California [https://www.ppic.org/publication/policy-brief-understanding-trends-in-law-enforcement-staffing/] — Ppic * City Council just gave LAPD the green light to hire more officers. How will LA pay for it? | LA Local [https://thelalocal.org/los-angeles-county/city-council-just-gave-lapd-the-green-light-to-hire-more-officers-how-will-la-pay-for-it/] — LAist * City Council just gave LAPD the green light to hire more officers. How will LA pay for it? | LAist [https://laist.com/news/politics/city-council-just-gave-lapd-the-green-light-to-hire-more-officers-how-will-la-pay-for-it] — LAist * LA’s program that diverts mental health crisis calls away from police to expand | LAist [https://laist.com/news/health/la-program-that-diverts-mental-health-crisis-calls-away-from-police-to-expand] — LAist * Organizational Assessment of the Los Angeles Police Department | RAND [https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3827-1.html] — RAND 2. The Promise and Limits of California’s Housing Reform [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIaLQAboUD4] — USC Price # The Promise and Limits of California’s Housing Reform ## USC Price 18500 subscribers 4 likes ### Description 209 views Posted: 19 Nov 2025 California’s recent wave of pro-housing legislation has opened the door for more development on single-family lots and urban infill sites, but how much progress have we really made? Shane Phillips (UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies) joins… 3. Mayor Bass’ Inside Safe Program Continues Addressing Homelessness with Urgency, Helping Restore Communities and Keep Angelenos Safe | Mayor Karen Bass [https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-inside-safe-program-continues-addressing-homelessness-urgency-helping-restore] — City of Los Angeles ![Home](/sites/g/files/wph2066/themes/site/logo.svg) ![Before and After An Inside Safe Operation ](/sites/g/files/wph2066/files/styles/xlarge_hero_image_1920x665_384_133_/public/2025-10/IS%20Banner%2010.19.png.webp?itok=Ty2C3WQ0) # Mayor Bass’ Inside Safe Program Continues Addressing Homelessness with Urgency, Helping Restore Communities and Keep Angelenos Safe [***En… Daily TopFive for Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-la-daily-fix/id1895649590] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3yLZ4pkQq99iMI5WLo3HUg]. Feedback? Email la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

I går7 min
episode LA’s Reform Test: Faster Permits, Rent Aid, More Homes — June 19, 2026 cover

LA’s Reform Test: Faster Permits, Rent Aid, More Homes — June 19, 2026

Los Angeles County’s SmallBiz Permit Express, Measure ULA tenant-aid delays, and Abundant Housing LA’s agenda all point at one reform test: whether L.A. can turn promises into faster permits, real checks, and enough homes. IN THIS EPISODE 1. [PDF] SmallBiz FAQ_Final - Department of Economic Opportunity [https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SmallBiz-FAQ_Final.pdf] Frequently Asked Questions PERMIT EXPRESS LA County SmallBiz LA County SmallBiz Permit Express is designed to support qualifying small businesses by providing expedited services for permits, entitlements, licenses, and inspections in Unincorporated LA County. This program aims to simplify and streamline the application process, making it easier and faster to obtain the necessary approvals needed… 2. Step Back — If L.A. has already set aside huge money for tenant aid, what actually has to happen before that money reaches renters or landlords — and who, specifically, is on the hook when the pipeline jams? BACKGROUND SOURCES * City attorney has left $177M tenant aid contract unsigned for months. LA leaders want to know why | LAist [https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-city-attorney-hydee-feldstein-soto-united-to-house-la-tenant-aid-contract] — LAist * Why is $177M in LA tenant aid being held up? City officials disagree on the reason | LAist [https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-city-council-tenant-aid-contracts-hydee-feldstein-soto-lafla-dispute] — LAist * LA Council to Review Delayed Contracts for Tenant Aid Services - MyNewsLA.com [https://mynewsla.com/government/2026/06/17/la-council-committee-to-weigh-in-on-delayed-contracts-for-tenant-aid-services-4/] — Contributing Editor * LACAHSA Board Approves $11.4M for Emergency Rental [https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/17/3207380/0/en/LACAHSA-Board-Approves-11-4M-for-Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Funding-Bringing-Total-Measure-A-Prevention-Investments-to-29-5M-in-2025.html] — Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency * LA County launches $2.1-million eviction diversion pilot program - ABC7 Los Angeles [https://abc7.com/post/la-county-launches-21-million-eviction-diversion-pilot-program/18986406/] — Abc7 * Statement on City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto's Delays in Finalizing Stay Housed LA Contracts - LAFLA: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles [https://lafla.org/stories-events/statement-on-city-attorney-hydee-feldstein-sotos-delays-in-finalizing-stay-housed-la-contracts/] — laflacom 3. Policy Agenda - Abundant Housing LA [https://abundanthousingla.org/policyagenda] — Abundant Housing LA [![Abundant Housing LA](https://abundanthousingla.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ahla-logo.jpg)](https://abundanthousingla.org/) Select Page # A PRO-HOUSING POLICY AGENDA FOR LA # The Time to Fix Housing is Now **For decades, we haven’t built enough homes to meet our needs. This has caused home prices and rents to skyrocket, creating financial pressure on households and putting homeownership… Daily TopFive for Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-la-daily-fix/id1895649590] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3yLZ4pkQq99iMI5WLo3HUg]. Feedback? Email la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

19. juni 20267 min
episode City Hall Puts Measure ULA Back on the Reform Track — June 18, 2026 cover

City Hall Puts Measure ULA Back on the Reform Track — June 18, 2026

Los Angeles City Council voted 9-5 to pursue a Measure ULA ballot change exempting new multifamily and mixed-use projects for 10 years, escalating the fight over whether the mansion tax is slowing housing production. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Council to Loosen Measure ULA as Housing Debate Intensify | La City Council | westsidecurrent.com [https://www.westsidecurrent.com/la_city_council/measure-ula-changes-move-forward-at-city-hall/article_7d74f538-8817-4ed1-9453-7e6eae57df46.html] — Westside Current # Council to Loosen Measure ULA as Housing Debate Intensify | La City Council | westsidecurrent.com Author: Current Staff Published: 2026-06-18T02:23:00+00:00 Source: westsidecurrent.com (westsidecurrent.com) Language: en ## Story Council to Loosen Measure ULA as Housing Debate Intensify | La City Council | westsidecurrent.com You have permission to edit this article. Edit Share This Photo… 2. Step Back — If City Hall now wants to loosen Measure ULA to stop scaring off housing deals, how much can the Council actually change on its own — and when does a voter-approved tax have to go back to voters? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Why LA might tweak its “mansion tax” - CalMatters [https://calmatters.org/housing/2026/01/measure-ula-raman-howard-jarvis-ballot/] — Ben Christopher * Council Report re ULA Exemptions - Final [https://cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2025/25-0006-S86_misc_CA_1-16-26.pdf] — Athena Chenoweth * In about-face, LA council votes to pursue a ballot measure for ‘mansion tax’ reforms | LAist [https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/mansion-tax-housing-ballot-measure-city-council-vote-november] — LAist * Ballot measure puts LA's mansion tax on the chopping block [https://calmatters.org/housing/2026/04/proposition-realty-mansion-tax-jarvis/] — Ben Christopher * With Ballot Threat Looming, “Mend It, Don’t End It” Coalition Urges Reforms for Measure ULA - California Community Foundation [https://www.calfund.org/news-and-events/with-ballot-threat-looming-mend-it-dont-end-it-coalition-urges-reforms-for-measure-ula/] — Calfund 3. [PDF] ordinance no. - City Clerk - City of Los Angeles [https://cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2016/16-1468_ord_draft_12-05-2019.pdf] ORDINANCE NO. An ordinance amending Sections 12.03, 12.22 and 12.33, and repealing portions of Section 12.24, of Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code for the purpose of regulating Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units in accordance with State law. THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section. 1. The following definitions are added to Section… 4. DELIVERING RESULTS IN 2024 - Mayor Karen Bass [https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/delivering-results-2024-comprehensive-homelessness-strategy-nearly-doubles-permanent-housing] — Los Angeles Mayor's Office ![INSIDE SAFE](/sites/g/files/wph2066/files/styles/xlarge_hero_image_1920x665_384_133_/public/2024-12/IMG_1967web.jpg.webp?itok=3C5CXYKe) # DELIVERING RESULTS IN 2024: Comprehensive Homelessness Strategy Nearly Doubles Permanent Housing Move-Ins Since Mayor Bass Took Office, Thousands More People Moved Inside Than In 2022 [***En… 5. [PDF] Organizational Assessment of the Los Angeles Police Department [https://lapdonlinestrgeacc.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/lapdonlinemedia/RRA3827-1_PageProofMay30-697a900769814.pdf] — RAND Corporation Research Report Organizational Assessment of the Los Angeles Police Department Richard H. Donohue, Samuel Peterson, Bob Harrison, Shawn L. Hill, Danielle Sobol, Alejandro Roa Contreras RAND Justice Policy Program PR-A3827-1 June 2025 Prepared for the Los Angeles Police Foundation and the Los Angeles Police Department RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research… Daily TopFive for Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-la-daily-fix/id1895649590] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3yLZ4pkQq99iMI5WLo3HUg]. Feedback? Email la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

18. juni 202614 min
episode ULA’s Next Thresholds, and a Small-Biz Credit Workaround — June 17, 2026 cover

ULA’s Next Thresholds, and a Small-Biz Credit Workaround — June 17, 2026

Los Angeles Measure ULA thresholds are set to rise after June 30, as the city’s billion-dollar housing tax remains under scrutiny for tradeoffs; meanwhile, KAFLA and Jewish Free Loan Association offer immigrant-owned small businesses an SBA workaround. IN THIS EPISODE 1. A loan program seeks to help immigrant businesses shut out by the Trump administration| LA Local [https://thelalocal.org/neighborhoods/koreatown/sba-loans-immigrants-alternatives-koreatown/] — LA Local A loan program seeks to help immigrant businesses shut out by the Trump administration| LA Local The federal government under the Trump administration restricts SBA loans to immigrant business owners, shutting off an important resource to neighborhoods like Koreatown. (Brian Feinzimer/ For The LA Local) Credit: Brian Feinzimer | Jan 12th, 2026 The Trump administration’s decision to restrict a… 2. Step Back — Once Measure ULA money hits the city’s bank account, who actually decides where it goes — City Hall, housing departments, or the ULA oversight structure — and what safeguards keep it from turning into another slow, politically steered pot of money? BACKGROUND SOURCES * L.A.’s ‘Mansion Tax’ Reaches $1B in Revenue in Under Three Years – Commercial Observer [https://commercialobserver.com/2026/01/measure-ula-revenue-billion/] — Nick Trombola January 12, 2026 3:25 pm * L.A. Approves $425M Measure ULA Expenditure Plan – Commercial Observer [https://commercialobserver.com/2025/07/la-ula-expenditure-approval-fy-25/] — Nick Trombola July 3, 2025 12:52 pm * Funding Programs – LAHD [https://housing.lacity.gov/partners/funding-programs] — Lacity * Measure ULA supporters point to progress amid review of tax [https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/california/politics/2026/03/27/measure-ula-ad-hoc-committee-review] — Spectrumlocalnews * Measure to overturn LA’s ‘mansion tax’ heads to ballot. Here’s what voters should know for November | LAist [https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-mansion-tax-measure-ula-november-ballot-measure-overturn-howard-jarvis] — LAist 3. Real Property Transfer Tax and Measure ULA FAQ | Los Angeles Office of Finance [https://finance.lacity.gov/faq/measure-ula] — Los Angeles Office of Finance ![Home](/sites/g/files/wph1721/files/2021-03/finance_logo_20210304_2.svg) ![City of Los Angeles Downtown Skyline with a color gradient overlay.](/sites/g/files/wph1721/files/styles/medium_hero_image_40_9_320x72_/public/2025-10/City%20of%20Los%20Angeles%20Downtown%20Skyline.png.webp?itok=Qg3VkWCo) # Real Property Transfer Tax and Measure ULA FAQ Sales Price Calculate tax Tax Due **Note**:… 4. The Unintended Consequences of Measure ULA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBhJDy8fRQI] # The Unintended Consequences of Measure ULA ## UCLA Lewis Center 403 subscribers 4 likes ### Description 324 views Posted: 29 Apr 2025 Professor Michael Manville shares his recent research on whether Measure ULA has reduced higher-end real estate transactions in Los Angeles. Since Measure ULA was enacted, the odds of a Los Angeles property selling at a price above its tax threshold have fallen… 5. [PDF] Program Guidelines from ULA Coalition - United to House LA [https://unitedtohousela.com/app/uploads/2023/05/ULA-Coalition-Program-Guidelines.pdf] — United to House LA Abridged Program Guidelines for Measure ULA Funding Programs Drafted by Area Experts Throughout ULA Coalition June 2023 Full copies of guidelines available in appendix For general inquiries please contact: ●Joe Donlin, (jdonlin@saje.net); or ●Jackson Loop (jloop@scanph.org) INTRODUCTION Drafted by homeless service providers, affordable housing nonprofits, labor unions, and renters’ rights groups,… Daily TopFive for Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Los Angeles Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-la-daily-fix/id1895649590] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3yLZ4pkQq99iMI5WLo3HUg]. Feedback? Email la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [la-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

17. juni 202615 min