More than 400 people attended the event ahead of the Nov. 3 election, which was moderated by longtime broadcast news anchor and reporter Phil Shuman and hosted by the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.
Homelessness Strategy and County Control
Opening the debate on homelessness, Mayor Karen Bass, who was elected in 2022, argued that the city must take complete control of the homelessness system to bypass the county and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). According to Bass, while the city moves individuals off the streets, LAHSA and the county control interim-to-permanent housing transitions and services, creating a dysfunctional system. She stated that city control would enable direct contracts with federally qualified health clinics to tackle drug and mental health challenges. Challenging the current administration, Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who has represented the 4th District since 2020, said Angelenos are fed up with spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually without visible street results. Raman stated that within her first six months in office, she would audit every dollar, track performance, and create a Bureau of Homelessness Oversight to manage funds and expand street medicine teams citywide.
Public Safety and Police Department Budget Clashes
On the topic of public safety and the Los Angeles Police Department, Raman proposed gathering crime data to guide resource deployment, reforming police hiring, and expanding recruit classes while growing unarmed crisis response teams for non-violent and mental health calls. Bass pushed back strongly, accusing Raman of hypocrisy for voting against a budget package that provided salary raises for police officers and funded class expansions, while simultaneously requesting the city’s CIRCLE unarmed response program for her district. Raman defended her vote, explaining that the contract offered salary raises the city could not afford and risked bankrupting Los Angeles, emphasizing that her objection was strictly about fiscal management rather than the value of police or city workers.
Economic Development, Film Production, and Small Businesses
Addressing the local economy, Bass highlighted her creation of a film czar to provide concierge services and reduced filming prices, alongside a plan to streamline development by establishing a centralized development services authority to replace the current 12-department process. Raman criticized Bass for failing to support small businesses and restaurateurs, arguing that City Hall has not created a supportive environment. In response, Bass questioned Raman’s record, noting that Raman has served on the City Council for six years without introducing entertainment industry motions, and alleged that Raman has missed thousands of votes due to absences. Raman defended her attendance record, explaining that her absences stem from external board appointments assigned by the current and previous mayors, which occasionally conflict with council days.
Zoning, State Law SB 79, and 2028 Olympic Preparations
Moderator Phil Shuman also directed questions toward Senate Bill 79, a state law permitting larger multi-family buildings near major transit corridors and single-family neighborhoods. Bass and the L.A. City Council opposed the legislation, with Bass asserting that the city has already rezoned to accommodate half a million units and prefers community agreements over mandates from Sacramento. Raman agreed that the city should handle its own housing development, but argued that Los Angeles has failed to zone adequately for its severe housing shortage, which she said pushes working families out daily. Both candidates emphasized their love for Los Angeles and the importance of keeping the city prosperous as the 2028 Olympic Games approach. Bass pointed to her first-term experience addressing surging crime and failing housing policies, while Raman argued that the city currently feels rudderless and in urgent need of leadership.
