Published Ballot Guides

Measure A. Homelessness Services and Affordable Housing Ordinance.

By: Josh Garland.

Measure A proposes increasing the 2017 Measure H homelessness services sales tax from 0.25% to 0.50%. The additional revenue would support homelessness services in LA County and the LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA), funding mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and tenant protections. Portions of the revenue received by LACAHSA will be allocated to affordable housing construction and improving the efficiency of affordable housing production.

According to the Los Angeles County Office of County Counsel, 35.75% of the tax revenue would go to LACAHSA while 61.25% would be allocated to Los Angeles County and 3% to the Los Angeles County Development Authority. The Office of County Counsel estimated that this measure would generate approximately one billion dollars in annual revenue. Supporters of the measure, including local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, advocate for increasing resources into existing homelessness services and funding more affordable housing to reduce homelessness. Supporters argue that, because Measure H will expire in 2027, eliminating revenue for existing homelessness services without implementing a replacement will exacerbate the homelessness problem.

Opponents of the proposition, such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, argue that increasing sales tax is the wrong method to fight homelessness as it will put an increased burden on the public. Additionally, opponents have been skeptical of Measure H’s impact on reducing homelessness, citing a study conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority in 2022 that found a decline in homelessnesss of less than 1% year over year.

Measure DD. Independent Redistricting Commission for the City of Los Angeles.

By: Max Serna.

In Los Angeles, redistricting—the process of redrawing City Council district boundaries—is managed by the City Council and mayor. Every ten years following the decennial Census, new lines are drawn to reflect population shifts. Critics have long raised concerns about ‘gerrymandering,’ a term to describe the manipulation of district boundaries by political officers to secure electoral advantages. Measure DD seeks to address these concerns by amending the Los Angeles City Charter to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission, similar to that introduced at the state level in California in 2010 .

This commission would consist of appointed community members tasked with redrawing the district boundaries based on established criteria. The fiscal impact includes increased costs for creating and staffing the commission; the exact costs remain unspecified. A "Yes" vote would transfer redistricting authority from the City Council to this independent body. A "No" vote keeps redistricting in the hands of the City Council. Proponents such as the League of Women Voters and Common Cause argue that this change will reduce gerrymandering and strengthen public trust in the electoral system. Opponents, including some City Council members and local labor groups, argue that the measure could increase costs and question whether the commission can remain free of political influence. Critics also express concern that the new process might introduce new biases into the redistricting process.

Measure FF. Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions: Peace Officers.

By: Max Serna.

Measure FF proposes amendments to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Plan, allowing qualifying first responders who work for the Department of General Services and the Los Angeles Airport Police to be considered for pension benefits similar to those of active fire and police officers. The exact funding requirement will depend on the number of qualifying individuals. The measure is predicted to have an estimated one-time cost of $109,500,000, with an estimated annual cost of $6.3 million. Proponents, including law enforcement unions Mayor Karen Bass, argue that all peace officers should have access to equal retirement benefits. Offering competitive retirement benefits can enhance job satisfaction, attract new recruits, and improve retention rates among existing officers, ultimately benefiting public safety in Los Angeles. Critics argue that the expansion of pension benefits could strain the city’s budget, diverting funds from other essential services such as education or infrastructure. Increasing the number of officers in the pension system adds to long-term pension liabilities, which could burden future city budgets if not managed properly. Voting “Yes” approves of bettering pensions for LA Airport Police and Department of General Services personnel. Voting “No” maintains their exclusion from current benefit plans. 

Measure HH. City Governance, Appointments, and Elections.

By: Cecilia Choy.

Measure HH makes changes to systems of governance and accountability in the City of Los Angeles. Key changes include requiring city council commission appointees to file financial disclosures and expanding subpoena power to the city attorney. Currently, only mayors, controllers, City Council, and several other offices have subpoena powers. Measure HH also affords the City Controller the ability to audit city contractors and introduces a new method for evaluating the financial impact of citizen initiatives. The measure also mandates the Board of Harbor Commissioners increase representation by requiring a member from the cities of San Pedro and Wilmington.