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One of a handful of amendments on the ballot this year that would change Los Angeles' City Charter, Charter Amendment EE aims to increase local government accountability.
Supporters say it’ll keep politicians honest. Critics say it has no real teeth.
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Wondering how we got here? Here's the backstory to this race:
What’s at stake
This amendment would usher in piecemeal changes to the way voters hold Los Angeles City Hall accountable.
Amendment EE would reduce the number of times each week that the City Council meets — from the current three to just one. This is in line with what other major California cities, like San Diego and Sacramento, are doing.
This charter amendment would also:
- Increase penalties for violating campaign finance rules
- Bar ethics commissioners from running for local office for five years following their terms
- Increase the number of signatures required for ballot referendums
- Safeguard independent oversight of L.A. City’s fire and police departments
Your guide to LA's charter amendments
Los Angeles residents are voting on six amendments to the city charter in the Nov. 3 election. LAist is helping you make sense of these complex policy changes.
Why it matters
In recent years, City Hall has been beset by corruption and scandal. Former City Councilmember Jose Huizar was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in a racketeering and tax evasion conspiracy. Former City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas has been fighting his conviction on corruption charges for trading political support for familial advantages. And former City Councilmember Mitch Englander served more than a year in prison for obstruction of justice.
Then, the 2022 leaked audio recordings of three different City Council members having a problematic conversation about redistricting that included racist and derogatory remarks about constituents.
So, it’s no surprise that some came to believe City Hall needed an overhaul.
Official title on the ballot: Amendment EE: City Ethics, Elections and Governance. Charter Amendment.
Language you will see:Shall the City Charter be amended to: increase the authority of the Police Department Inspector General and Fire Department Independent Assessor; prohibit Ethics Commissioners from running for certain elected offices for five years; increase penalties for campaign finance violations; require City Council to meet at least weekly rather than the currently required three days per week; increase referendum petition signature requirements; and make other changes regarding ethics, elections and governance?
What your vote means
- A "yes" vote means: You support City Council reducing their number of weekly meetings and are in favor of amending the city charter to bolster government adherence to ethical standards.
- A "no" vote means: You want City Council to maintain their current meeting cadence and don’t believe the outlined changes to accountability practices are what’s needed.
Understanding Amendment EE
After those audio recordings were leaked four years ago, there were widespread calls for more transparency as City Hall struggled to regain public trust. So Mayor Karen Bass and the L.A. City Council launched the Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission, with the intention of recommending potential changes to the city charter that would bolster accountability within City Hall.
Amendment EE is one of the products of this commission.
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Voters will decide whether to increase property taxes to fund the city Fire Department's needs, including upgrading aging infrastructure. -
The L.A. Community College District board oversees nine colleges that serve nearly 200,000 students. -
Here's a look at key Los Angeles and Orange County state senate races on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Drilling down on the changes mentioned earlier, this amendment details the increase of campaign finance violation fees from $2,000 to $15,000, and safeguards investigations by the LAPD’s Inspector General and the LAFD’s Independent Assessor from interference by department commissions.
Amendment EE would also make it harder to get referendums (voters’ attempts to overturn government laws) on the ballot. Currently, the number of signatures required to introduce a referendum is 10% of the total votes cast in the prior mayoral election. Under Amendment EE, this number would increase to 15%.
What supporters say
- Amendment EE is a step in the right direction when it comes to increasing government accountability and transparency. Reducing the number of city council meetings each week is a modernization tool that opens up more face-time with constituents.
- Noteable supporters include the people who got this on the ballot to begin with: Diego Andrades, commissioner of the Charter Reform Commission and multiple city council members.
What opponents say
- This is a toothless, watered-down approach to reform that mostly serves as a Trojan Horse for what city council members really want — fewer weekly meetings.
- Notable opposition: There’s only one person listed on the ballot in opposition to the amendment: District 7 City Council Member Monica Rodriguez. She opposes the measure because she says fewer council meetings mean more opportunity for “important decisions to be shaped outside the public eye.”
Potential financial impact
Most of the proposed charter changes will have limited financial impact. However, the reduction in city council meetings may lead to limited savings for the General Fund.
Follow the money
Further reading
- Your guide to L.A. City Charter Amendment EE (L.A. Times)
- Access the full text of L.A. Charter Reform Commission Report here
- Explore Amendment EE further here
LAist reporter Frank Stolze contributed to this story.
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