Bass, Raman Trade Blows As Mayoral Race Heats Up: LA Government This Week

LOS ANGELES, CA — The race for Los Angeles mayor intensified this week as a major labor union endorsed City Councilmember Nithya Raman one day after Mayor Karen Bass' campaign attacked her record of missed City Council votes.

Unite Here Local 11, which represents more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona, announced its endorsement of Raman on Tuesday. The union praised her work on housing and labor issues and said she would stand up to corporate interests.

The endorsement came after Bass' campaign launched NoShowNithya.com, a website accusing Raman of missing nearly 3,000 votes during her time on the council. Raman's campaign dismissed the criticism as a "desperate" attack and countered by criticizing Bass' leadership during city emergencies.

The increasingly combative mayoral contest leads this week's roundup of developments at Los Angeles City Hall and across county government.

Bass Questions LAPD Training After Fatal Encounters

Bass is questioning whether Los Angeles police officers are adequately trained to handle people experiencing apparent mental health crises following the release of graphic video from two fatal encounters, The New York Times reported.

Jose Carlos Hoyos-Munoz, 58, died July 15 after detention officers restrained him at a San Fernando Valley jail. Alejandro Luis Garcia, 33, was fatally shot by police July 29 after officers said he was swinging an aluminum baseball bat at pedestrians and vehicles, according to the Times. Both cases remain under investigation.

Bass told the newspaper the cases raised questions for her about whether existing LAPD training is sufficient.

LA Presses FEMA For Wildfire Recovery Funds

Bass also pressed the Federal Emergency Management Agency this week to speed up approval of funding for six disaster-mitigation projects tied to Los Angeles' recovery from the 2025 wildfires.

The projects have been awaiting final FEMA action for more than four months, according to the mayor's office. They include plans for wildfire-related permitting and inspections, home-hardening rebates, upgrades to electrical substations and improvements aimed at reducing flooding.

Reps. Maxine Waters and Brad Sherman separately wrote to FEMA seeking answers about the projects. They said the agency has yet to obligate any of $745 million in potential Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for Los Angeles' recovery.

Bass Seeks $2M To Clean Up Blighted Properties

More than 100 vacant and blighted properties could be targeted for cleanup under a $2 million funding request Bass sent to the City Council this week.

Bass had included the money in her proposed 2026-27 budget, but it was removed during council budget deliberations. She is now asking council members to restore it so the city can clean and secure properties identified as priority nuisances by the Department of Building and Safety.

The push follows changes approved earlier this year that shortened deadlines for property owners to begin and finish nuisance-abatement work and expanded the city's authority to recover cleanup costs.

More From Local Government This Week

Metro G Line Project Hits New Construction Milestones In SFV

Metro says the San Fernando Valley busway project remains on track for completion in late 2027, with major bridge and station work underway.

LA County Warns Property Owners About Fake Tax Relief Scheme

The scam claims the purported federal program can offer tax relief.

County Looks To Crack Down On Scams Targeting Wildfire Victims

County officials are aiming to protect Eaton and Palisades fire survivors from contractor scams and other fraud.

LA County Supervisor Hahn Calls On Newsom To Stop Catalina Deer Eradication

A coalition opposed to the eradication plan has filed a lawsuit challenging it, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Bass Urges Newsom To Sign Bills Prompted By Boyle Heights Fire

Both measures have passed the state Legislature and are awaiting action by Newsom.

County Approves $12.5M Settlement Over Fatal Shooting In East LA

David Ordaz, 34, was fatally shot in full view of his relatives, who said he was in the midst of a mental health crisis at the time.

Hollywood Unions Back Trump Call For Federal Production Incentive

"Production is the lifeblood of our industry and the communities that support it," SAG-AFTRA officials said.

LA County Avoids 2 Challenges To Suit Vs. Roblox Over Child Exploitation Claims

The county is claiming Roblox exposed children to sexual content, exploitation and online predators.

LA County Rolls Out New Way To Speak At Public Meetings

The new system lets residents register for agenda items and get a text when it's nearly their turn to speak.

Community School Park Opens In LA's Boyle Heights Neighborhood

The Malabar Street Elementary School park is the 12th site in the program and the first Community School Park in East Los Angeles.

Photographer Sues City, LAPD Officers Over Injuries At Street Protest

The lawsuit also alleges assault and battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.