That’s now happening \u2014 the Board of Supervisors recently approved an ordinance<\/a> to create it, and officials are getting into the nuts and bolts of how it would work.<\/p>\n The seven-member commission\u2019s job will be enforcing ethics laws, conducting investigations and levying penalties for violations. Three of the members will be appointed by elected officials, with the rest coming from a public application process.<\/p>\n There are concerns about the body’s independence, however, and a Governance Reform Task Force<\/a> set up to guide Measure G\u2019s implementation has recommended permanently safeguarding its autonomy by enshrining it into the county charter.<\/p>\n What about state ballot measures?<\/p>\n California voters will decide 14 ballot measures in the November general election, covering issues on the environment, housing and more. Get up to speed on the details in our guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n That needs voter approval \u2014 hence, the new measure on the books in November, which would add the ethics commission, compliance office and governing procedures to the charter. <\/p>\n While the official ballot language hasn\u2019t been made public yet, it\u2019s expected to mirror the ordinance<\/a> that directed its creation.<\/p>\n The board is also using this opportunity to correct a mistake. Back in 2025, after voters approved Measure G, county officials discovered an \u201cadministrative error<\/a>.\u201d The structure inadvertently put a different measure, Measure J, on the chopping block<\/a>, which mandates funding for community investment and alternatives to incarceration. So the board is adding additional language<\/a> that would lock the county into spending money on those issues.<\/p>\n This ballot measure is still pending approval from the Board of Supervisors. That\u2019s expected to come later this month<\/a>. <\/p>\n The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n (<\/p>\n Samanta Helou Hernandez<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n LAist<\/p>\n )<\/p>\n One year since federal defunding \u2013 we\u2019re still here<\/p>\n \n One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, but supporters like you returned that message with a loud reply: we will not be silenced and we\u2019re not going anywhere. Make a new monthly gift or increase your existing monthly membership and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.\n <\/p>\n Binding arbitration in LA County labor disputes <\/p>\n This is a charter amendment that would require binding arbitration<\/a> in certain labor disputes between the county and public safety organizations, if passed.<\/p>\n It would cover unions representing firefighters, deputy sheriffs, sworn law enforcement supervisors and lifeguards, among other employees.<\/p>\n Currently, when disputes can\u2019t be resolved, the county can implement its best and final offer, even if the union disagrees with it. This creates a \u201cchallenging dynamic,\u201d according to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath\u2019s motion<\/a> for the measure, because public safety employees have important roles and can\u2019t strike under California law.<\/p>\n That power imbalance is what this measure aims to equalize.<\/p>\n Under the terms<\/a>, a three-member arbiter panel would decide disputes about working conditions \u2014 such as wages and working hours \u2014 that the county and union haven\u2019t been able to settle. Each party would be able to appoint one arbitrator, and the third would be picked by both parties. The county and union would be required to share the costs.<\/p>\n This measure would need a simple majority to pass.<\/p>\n City of LA ballot measures The L.A. Fire Department\u2019s labor union, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, sponsored this initiative<\/a>, which was approved by the L.A. City Council last month<\/a>. It proposes a half-cent sales tax to fund the LAFD.<\/p>\n This would raise the city\u2019s sales tax to 10.25%. If approved by voters, it\u2019s expected to raise $345 million in its first year. That money would be spent on things like hiring new firefighters, building stations and brush clearance.<\/p>\n United Firefighters says it\u2019s needed because the department is too small to appropriately serve 4 million residents.<\/p>\n \u201cDue to decades of underinvestment, the LAFD currently operates with the same number of firefighters as in the 1960s, six fewer stations and five times the call load,\u201d the union previously said in a statement.<\/p>\n The measure would require a simple majority to pass. If approved, the tax would be in effect until repealed.<\/p>\n A Los Angeles City Council meeting April 2, 2025.<\/p>\n (<\/p>\n Samanta Helou Hernandez<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n LAist<\/p>\n )<\/p>\n Reforming the LA city charter<\/p>\n Charter reform has been a big talking point in L.A. ever since the 2022 leaked-tapes scandal at City Hall \u2014 and now, we\u2019re seeing the outcomes.<\/p>\n While the City Council controversially opted to forgo a slate of major changes on this year\u2019s ballot, including ones on LAPD oversight and expanding the City Council, we still have six ballot measures<\/a> proposing reforms.<\/p>\n The language of these measures is still being finalized, according to Josu\u00e9 Marcus, a spokesperson at the City Clerk\u2019s Office. Here\u2019s a peek at what they include<\/a>:<\/p>\n Modifying ethics and campaign finance rulesDoubling the Recreation and Parks Department\u2019s budget percentage over timeMoving the city of L.A. to a two-year budget cycle instead of one-yearRemoving a restriction that prohibits the city from taking part in commercial activitiesChanging contracting rules about accepting the lowest biddersRequiring a capital infrastructure plan<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784125570_621_.jpeg\")
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\nFunding the city of LA\u2019s fire department<\/p>\n![\"Various](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784125571_632_.jpeg\")
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