Progress in the First Quarter of 2023
As we close the first quarter of 2023, the newly constituted City Council has already made major accomplishments on issues of long-term importance for our city, including actions to address homelessness, housing, public safety and the environment.
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Risking Life and Limb to Bring You Power and Light
Over the last weeks, Los Angeles saw its heaviest rainfall in over 40 years. Extreme rain and wind toppled trees and power lines, cutting off electricity to thousands of Angelenos. The Los Angeles Department of Water and power swung into action immediately, raising the incident status to Level 3, the highest state of alert, comparable to a major earthquake or terrorist attack. Although many customers were without power for days, LADWP crews worked around the clock in the wind and the rain. As of this writing, the lights are back on in most of the city, but at least one LADWP crew member remains in intensive care after sustaining serious injuries while repairing damaged power lines in the East San Fernando Valley. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these unsung heroes who risk their lives high overhead and in flooded vaults below our streets to turn our lights back on when natural disaster strikes.
Lift Blockade of Artsakh
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Council President Paul Krekorian have sent the following letter to President Biden regarding the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia and Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh.
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Looking Ahead to 2023
We have come to the end of a year like no other in our city’s history. As we begin a new year with renewed hope, it is important to reflect on the incredible challenges and also the important accomplishments of 2022.
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Statement on Becoming Council President
(Councilmember Paul Krekorian issued the following statement following his unanimous election as City Council President on October 18, 2022.)
I am honored and humbled by the trust my fellow Councilmembers have placed in me at this time of crisis and challenge.
The Council Presidency is a position of collaboration, not command. I will see that the power of the Council Presidency is reduced, not enlarged. The era of unilateral decision making and consolidating power ends today.
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Statement on the Election of Curren Price as Council President Pro Tem
On October 25, 2022, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously elected Curren Price (CD 9) to serve as the Council's President Pro Tempore.
"I’m delighted that at this very difficult time, when the City so desperately needs to bring communities together, Curren Price was willing to step up and take on this leadership role," said Council President Paul Krekorian.
"From having talked to the people of his district, I know that Curren Price has enjoyed years of respect and admiration for his ability to bring communities together. He represents a district that is predominantly Latino, and he has been able to bring people together across racial divisions. I hope and I know that he'll bring that same kind of leadership to the entire City of Los Angeles," said Krekorian.
Statement on the Resignation of Councilmember Nury Martinez
Our city’s healing from this injury caused by those who violated our trust can only begin when they take responsibility for their actions. Nury Martinez has done the right thing and resigned from the City Council. Councilmembers Cedillo and De León must now do the same.
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A Call For Three Councilmembers To Be Censured and Resign
On Tuesday October 11, along with Councilmembers Mike Bonin, Mitch O’Farrell, Curren Price and Nithya Raman, I introduced the following resolution to censure Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo and Kevin De León, and to demand their immediate resignation.
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Councilmember Krekorian's Response to Azerbaijan's Assault on Armenia
This week, Azerbaijan yet again attacked its Armenian neighbors, shelling civilians and infrastructure within Armenia’s borders. Over 100 more Armenians are dead in this latest round of Azeri aggression. And yet again, the American government has had no meaningful response, leaving Azerbaijan’s pattern of unprovoked aggression and violent land grabs unchecked.
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Back to School 2022!
The beginning of each new school year is a time of excitement and new opportunities for families throughout Los Angeles. This year, in particular, is a time of great new beginnings. It is the first time since 2019 that LAUSD is welcoming students back to school for a full year of in-person learning. And, of course, this school year begins with a new Superintendent of Schools, Alberto Carvalho, taking the reins.
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Mid-Summer Review
I hope you have enjoyed the pleasures of summer with family and friends — vacations, barbecues picnics and outdoor events such as our NoHo Summer Nights free concert series in North Hollywood Park. Summer also brings renewed awareness of the effects of global climate change — not just extreme heat but the persistent drought conditions that are now the norm throughout the Western United States.
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Celebrating Our Independence
As we approach the 4th of July we have every reason to celebrate. This holiday weekend may present us with a day off and an occasion for barbecues and professional fireworks displays, but it is also the 246th anniversary of a great experiment in self-government.
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City Budget Recovers from COVID
The Council recently voted to adopt the City’s $11.8 billion budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. I’m happy to report that the City and our budget have bounced back with a very strong recovery since the COVID pandemic devastated our finances.
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Thinking Globally and Acting Locally to Save the Earth
Last month, the latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that unless the nations of the Earth drastically reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels, we will pass a point where worsening floods, drought, wildfires and ecosystem collapse are unavoidable.
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RAMP — Big Opportunities for Small Business
One of my most important priorities has always been to foster the growth of small business. An important step in doing so has been to use the City’s own purchasing power to create local economic benefit.
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