Category: Los Angeles city council

Los Angeles to Ban Sale, Distribution of Styrofoam Products

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles City Council voted to ban the sale or distribution of Styrofoam products Dec. 6. The ordinance prohibits the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene products—commonly referred to as Styrofoam—for businesses with more than 26 employees beginning in April 2023, and for smaller businesses in April 2024. “Today, the second largest city…


Los Angeles Approves Phase-Out of Oil Drilling, Ban on New Wells

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Friday to phase out oil drilling in the city, approving an ordinance that bans new oil and gas extraction. The council voted 12–0 for the ordinance, which amends the municipal code to make existing extraction activities a nonconforming use in all zones. “We’re sending a clear message to…


Los Angeles Moves to Implement Stricter Policies on Retail Employers

The Los Angeles City Council voted Nov. 22 for a so-called Fair Work Week ordinance, requiring retail employers to provide work schedules to employees at least 14 days in advance and provide at least 10 hours of rest between shifts. The ordinance—which will go through a second vote next week—was proposed by Councilman Curren Price…


Los Angeles Looks to Ban Oil Drilling

LOS ANGELES—The city council voted to move forward Nov. 22 with the process of phasing out oil and gas extraction in Los Angeles, moving the city a step closer to banning oil drilling. Two committees had approved the item before it came before the council, which voted 10–0 to request that the city attorney prepare…


‘Fed Up’ Los Angeles Residents Vote for Moderate Democrat Over Progressive Candidate

“Fed up” residents in Los Angeles’s District 11 opted for a former Republican attorney, Traci Park, to represent the Westside, despite the incoming squad of progressive candidates winning in all other districts—5th, 13th, and 15th—in the Nov. 8 election. Park, who is now a registered Democrat, defeated opponent civil rights attorney Erin Darling on Nov….


Park Declares Victory, Darling Concedes in LA Council District 11 Race

Traci Park declared victory Nov. 17 in the race for the Los Angeles City Council’s 11th District seat, as her opponent, Erin Darling, conceded. The race to replace Councilman Mike Bonin was the only one of the four council races entering Thursday in which there had not yet been a declaration of victory or a…


LA Council District 5: Katy Young Yaroslavsky Set to Win as Sam Yebri Concedes

LOS ANGELES—Katy Young Yaroslavsky, a former political aide, is set to represent the Los Angeles City Council’s 5th District after her opponent, Sam Yebri, conceded Nov. 15. Yaroslavsky will replace termed-out Councilman Paul Koretz. As of Tuesday morning, Yaroslavsky led Yebri by more than 10,000 votes, garnering over 58 percent of the ballots counted so…


LA Council District 15: Tim McOsker Declares Victory

LOS ANGELES—Tim McOsker, an attorney and a veteran of City Hall as a former advisor to Mayor James Hahn, is set to return to Spring Street representing the Los Angeles City Council’s 15th District after declaring victory Nov. 15. McOsker will replace Councilman Joe Buscaino, who has represented the district since 2012 but did not…


LA Council District 13: Soto-Martinez Declares Victory, O’Farrell Concedes

LOS ANGELES—Labor organizer Hugo Soto-Martinez has defeated two-term Councilman Mitch O’Farrell in the race for the Los Angeles City Council’s 13th District seat, with O’Farrell conceding Nov. 15. Soto-Martinez led O’Farrell by nearly 5,000 votes after Tuesday’s vote-counting update, holding more than 55 percent of the vote. He has been ahead since Election Day after…


Los Angeles Supports Electrifying Buildings, Banning Sale of Styrofoam

LOS ANGELES—The city council indicated support Nov. 9 for requiring all new buildings to be fully electrified, with a few exceptions. The council voted for the city attorney to present an ordinance on Jan. 1 requiring the decarbonization of new buildings through electrification, except for accessory dwelling units, commercial kitchens, and cooking facilities. Under the…