This November, voters across the Westside of Los Angeles will face a long ballot addressing local labor disputes, municipal tax rates, ethical oversight standards, and education funding. Californians are set to decide on 14 statewide propositions alongside numerous county-wide and city-wide measures spanning Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Culver City. The local decisions range from public safety labor arbitration rules to property tax exemptions for wildfire survivors.
Ballot Measures Addressing County Labor Rules and Ethics Independence
In Los Angeles County, Measure A proposes changes to how labor disputes are handled for public safety employees. Under the current system, when negotiations break down between a union and the county, the county’s last offer is accepted by default. Measure A would replace this default acceptance with a three-member Board of Arbitrators to make final decisions, while simultaneously prohibiting strikes by firefighters, deputy sheriffs, law enforcement supervisors and managers, lifeguards, and certain civilian employees across 14 bargaining units.
The Safer Los Angeles County campaign, initiated by covered labor unions, argues that independent arbitration experts will expedite negotiations and encourage fair treatment. Conversely, accountability advocates have warned that binding arbitration limits public transparency since the actions of arbitrators lack public oversight, according to LAist.
Did You Know? Voters passed Measure G in November 2024 to mandate an independent ethics commission and compliance office by 2026, but the measure unintentionally repealed a 2020 initiative known as Measure J due to what CalMatters called an unfathomable drafting blunder.
Measure E specifically addresses the independence standards and funding for the County Ethics Commission and Office of Ethics Compliance mandated by Measure G. While the commission will be established regardless of Measure E’s outcome, a yes vote would grant the agencies power to investigate misconduct, issue subpoenas, levy fines up to $15,000, and secure a guaranteed minimum annual budget of $14.3 million. Measure E would restore Measure J’s requirement that 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue goes toward incarceration alternatives like mental health treatment.
Citywide Revenue and Tax Measures in Los Angeles and Santa Monica
Voters in the City of Los Angeles are weighing Measure FD, which would impose a half-cent sales tax increase to generate roughly $345 million annually for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Proponents, including the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, point out that the city’s average response time is nearly twice the national standard and argue the funds would allow the department to hire at least 1,000 additional firefighters and paramedics. Opponents, such as the Police Protective League, counter that the measure would push the city’s sales tax to its legal cap, leaving no room for future increases given that combined local and district tax rates sat at 10.25% in October with a state cap of 2% on district taxes.
In Santa Monica, Measure ES proposes an annual parcel tax of $495 per property to generate an estimated $12 million annually for public school education. The tax is designed to replace funding from the Master Facilities Use Agreement set to expire in 2027. Supporters argue the tax is necessary to address unprecedented financial distress and protect funding for teachers, while opponents maintain it unfairly shifts funding responsibility from the city to individual taxpayers.
Santa Monica voters are also considering Proposition TE, which would exempt properties damaged in the Palisades fires that sell for over $5 million from the Measure ULA documentary transfer tax approved by voters in 2022. Supporters argue the tax relief provides common-sense compassion for wildfire survivors forced to sell property to recover financially.
Housing Policies and Eviction Protections on the Santa Monica Ballot
Santa Monica’s local measures feature proposals altering rent control laws and housing policies. Measure GG would amend just-cause eviction rules to give landlords two new grounds to evict tenants from deed-restricted and affordable housing units if the tenant no longer qualifies or fails to provide proof of income upon written request. Opponents argue this places hardworking families at risk if their incomes increase slightly, while supporters maintain it ensures affordable units are reserved for income-qualified tenants.
Additional housing proposals include Measure RR, which would restrict failure-to-pay evictions when a tenant owes less than one month’s fair market rate.
Culver City Youth Voting Initiatives
Culver City voters are also considering Measure YV, which would lower the voting age to 16 for city and school district candidates and ballot measures. Supporters view the measure as an investment in local democracy for youth who already contribute through work and volunteering, while opponents aligned with Vote 16 Culver City express concern that high school social dynamics and peer pressure could influence electoral outcomes.
Measure A Replaces Dispute Process and Prohibits Strikes
What does Measure A do for Los Angeles County labor disputes?
Measure A replaces the county’s default final-offer process with a three-member Board of Arbitrators to resolve impasses. It also prohibits strikes by firefighters, deputy sheriffs, law enforcement supervisors and managers, lifeguards, and certain civilian personnel across 14 bargaining units.
What happens if Measure E fails in Los Angeles County?
The County Ethics Commission and Office of Ethics Compliance will still be established by 2026 under Measure G, but a defeat of Measure E means those agencies will lack the specific independence standards, subpoena powers, investigatory authority, guaranteed $14.3 million annual budget, and the restored 10% funding for incarceration alternatives.
How much revenue would Measure FD generate for the Los Angeles Fire Department?
Measure FD would generate approximately $345 million annually through a half-cent sales tax increase that raises the city’s sales tax rate from 10.25% to 10.75%.
Worth a look