L.A. City and L.A. County Measures on November Ballot
City of Los Angeles November ballot measures include funding for the L.A. Fire Department, finance rules for LAUSD Board of Education, and tax exemption for Palisades fire properties.
Los Angeles County has two charter amendments on the ballot regarding good faith negotiation obligations for public safety employees and a measure regarding the Office of Ethics Compliance and the Ethics Compliance Officer.
L.A. City Fire Department Funding (half-cent sales tax measure)
o Key Details
Raises the city's sales tax rate by 0.5% (from 9.75% to 10.25%), generates approximately $345 million annually until repealed by voters, and restricts revenue be spent on LAFD core functions: hiring and maintaining firefighters, paramedics, civilian support staff; replacing, upgrading, constructing new fire stations and emergency facilities; purchasing essential vehicles and lifesaving equipment (fire engines, ambulances, aircraft), and expanding wildfire readiness, emergency communications, and brush clearance programs
o Core Argument
The fire department's workforce and infrastructure have remained essentially flat for decades while the city's population and call volumes have surged. Proponents contend dedicated funding is needed to lower emergency response times and build necessary stations.
o Supporters and Proponents
Fund LA Fire Now campaign led by the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) union along with local firefighters; L.A. City Council 14–0 vote
o Opponents and Critics
Taxpayer defense groups such as Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argue that LA's sales tax burden is already too high, sales tax increases disproportionately affect low-income residents, and essential city services like fire protection should be fully funded out of the general budget rather than through add-on sales taxes
LA City Charter Amendment - LAUSD SC (campaign finance)
o Key Details
LAUSD Board elections are aligned with L.A. City campaign rules. However, LAUSD candidates are not eligible for the public matching funds program, although there are no restrictions related to city contributions from developers or contractors.
The charter amendment allows the L.A. City Council to update/adjust future campaign finance regulations by ordinance rather than charter amendment.
The measure includes specific definitions and standards regarding payments, independent campaign expenditures, and direct campaign contributions.
o Supporters and Proponents
The Los Angeles City Council's Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Opponents and Critics
City politicians have undue control over an independent school board. Election rules should continue to require direct voter approval.
Excluding the city's public matching funds program keeps some candidates at a disadvantage compared to heavily funded campaigns.
Fails to address massive independent funding spent by outside political action committees, charter school groups, and labor unions.
LA City Proposition TE: Property Transfer Tax Exemption for Disaster Victims
o Key Details
Grant a targeted, five-year exemption from the city's real estate transfer tax for property owners forced to rebuild or transfer real estate as a direct result of declared natural disasters; specifically tailored for recovery from January 2025 fire disaster
o Supporters and Proponents
L.A. City Council--authored by Council Member Traci Park (representing the Pacific Palisades area) and supported by a 13–1 majority vote.
Local homeowner associations, wildfire victim recovery groups, and disaster relief advocates supporting tax relief for residents rebuilding or transferring impacted property after catastrophic loss.
o Opponents and Critics
Housing advocates and organizations aligned with the United to House LA coalition caution against exemptions to funds dedicated to affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
LA County Measure A - Charter Amendment Negotiations Public Safety Employee Disputes
o Key Details
Formally prohibits strikes by nonadministrative civilian employees in the fire, sheriffs, and medical examiner departments, district attorney investigators, medical examiners, and lifeguards. Includes good-faith negotiations and impartial binding arbitration system.
o Supporters and Proponents
Provides a structured, neutral three-member arbitration process to resolve impasses over pay, benefits, working conditions
Reinforces no-strike provisions for essential first responders to protect uninterrupted emergency services
Ensures fair representation and balanced negotiation power for both administrative and civilian public safety personnel
o Opponents and Critics
Removes final decision-making authority over county budget allocations for public safety salaries from elected supervisors to an unelected arbitrator
Could lead to settlements that increase operational costs and reduce funding
L.A. County Measure E Charter Amendment County Governance, Ethics Compliance & Community Investment
o Summary
Enhances the independence, appointment procedures, and structure of the County of L.A. Ethics Commission, the Office of Ethics Compliance, and the Ethics Compliance Officer; guarantees the uninterrupted allocation of funds toward community investments and alternatives to incarceration
o Supporters and Proponents
Protections for the Ethics Commission and Office of Ethics Compliance to investigate corruption and enforce ethics rules free from political interference or board oversight.
Guarantees community-based services, youth programs, alternatives to incarceration.
Fulfills the governance mandates approved by voters in Measure G and creates searchable public portals for lobbying activities and government spending.
o Opponents and Critics
Having elected officials participate in appointments risks compromising complete oversight independence.
Administrative friction and legal delays in establishing the commission raise concerns about government efficiency and rollout costs.
Next month the election focus will be on the candidates at the state and local level. Stay tuned!
By Debra Shrout