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LA city council members lose 'pocket veto' on new affordable housing in their districts
Los Angeles city council members have been able to single-handedly and quietly block new affordable and supportive housing in the areas they represent by simply withholding a letter that developers need to secure public funding for these projects.
But a new state law is putting an end to this requirement, which critics say has given local lawmakers a "pocket veto" on any new housing that might face opposition from angry neighbors who don't want it in their backyard. Los Angeles council members made the change official on Tuesday by voting to get rid of the need for these letters.