California Attorney General to investigate LA council redistricting discussed in secret recordings - POLITICO

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While their racist statements person drawn fierce condemnations, the speech besides illuminated the zero-sum authorities of redistricting. The assembly members and Herrera speech astir undercutting different subordinate by putting her territory “in a blender” and diluting the powerfulness of renters. They besides sermon distributing “assets” similar an airdrome to “Latino districts,” and stress however they tin “massage to make districts” that payment themselves.

Unlike successful the process for drafting California’s legislature and authorities Legislature seats, which is overseen by an autarkic panel, maps of Los Angeles City Council districts are shaped and approved by sitting members, enabling manipulation and abuses of power.

Those supporting Bonta’s probe see acting Los Angeles City Council President Mitch O’Farrell, who was elevated to the station aft Martinez forfeited the presidency amid outrage implicit the recording.

“Redistricting is ever controversial. There’s ever authorities involved, but ne'er person I heard of an lawsuit wherever determination was a closed-door gathering with a fewer assembly members deciding amongst themselves connected however redistricting should go,” O’Farrell said successful a quality conference.

The expanding fallout from the recordings has included calls for Los Angeles to follow an autarkic redistricting panel. State Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) said earlier this week helium mightiness tally authorities to bash so.

“We should person a non-partisan process successful cities similar LA to make just districts autarkic of self-serving politicians, and I americium exploring legislative options on those lines,” Allen said in a Tuesday tweet.

Democratic elected officials continued to property Martinez, de Léon and Cedillo to resign connected Wednesday. Sen. Dianne Feinstein urged them to measurement aside, joining Sen. Alex Padilla — a longtime state of Martinez — President Joe Biden, and a agelong database of California officials.

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