Which Way, L.A.?
Should East LA Be a City?
Does East LA have the tax base to provide law enforcement, collect trash and manage libraries? Would its 126,000 residents vote for cityhood if they had another chance?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenEast LA is often called "the center of all things Mexican-American," and there've been efforts to incorporate it as a city for 50 years. As part of Los Angeles County, its only elected official is Supervisor Gloria Molina. Today, the Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, took up the matter, but postponed a final decision. Does East LA have the tax base to provide law enforcement, collect trash and manage libraries? Would its 126,000 residents vote for cityhood if they had another chance? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the State of the Union and the Presidential Campaign.
Banner image: C.J. Salgado
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2 storiesShould East LA Be a City?
The last area in Los Angeles County to incorporate was Calabasas, in 1991, bringing the total to 88. Today, the Local Agency Formation Commission met to consider East LA's latest application to become number 89. In 1960, LAFCO said, "No." In 1971, it said, "Yes," but voters turned down the idea. The current bid started in 2007.
Read the story26 minCampaign Rhetoric and the State of the Union Address
President Obama told a joint session of Congress that he inherited an economy in free fall. He said, "The state of the union is getting better," even though partisan differences have thwarted his efforts to make it better still. He used the SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden to call for unity.
Read the story24 min
