In the closing comments of the mayoral debate, Councilmember Nithya Raman emphasized her criticism of Mayor Karen Bass, portraying her as an absentee leader. Raman stressed that Los Angeles cannot withstand another four years of alleged incompetence.
Bass countered by highlighting her extensive public service career, work on the city’s homelessness crisis, and her opposition to the Trump administration. She questioned the efficacy of Raman’s decisions, suggesting that handing over the city to someone opposing critical policies could destabilize the city, especially as the city prepares for an upcoming major sporting event.
“Do we really want to turn our city over to someone who has repeatedly voted to not remove encampments from in front of schools?” Bass asked.
Addressing Problem Properties
Telemundo 52 news anchor Alejandra Ortiz queried the candidates about how they would manage problematic properties, referencing a recent fire that devastated a historic Black church in South Los Angeles. Raman criticized the city’s sluggishness, emphasizing her commitment to enhancing communication between relevant departments to expedite results.
Bass proposed allocating funds to clear nuisance properties but expressed disappointment when the City Council removed the budget allocation.
Preserving Film Industry Jobs
The decline of film and entertainment jobs was another topic of discussion. Bass mentioned appointing a film czar to streamline filming permits and reduce fees. Raman, affected by the industry’s decline personally, promised to push for uncapped tax credits to retain local productions.
Immigration Advocacy and Policy
The candidates faced questions about their stance on immigration issues. Bass defended her budget choices, claiming resources were secured externally for Represent LA, a program supporting undocumented residents. Raman criticized the mayor’s handling of ICE actions in the city, vowing to ensure LAPD does not share data with ICE.
Mansion Tax Debate
Both candidates addressed the impacts of Measure ULA, a mansion tax affecting apartment development. Raman, initially supportive, suggested reforms, while Bass focused on prioritizing affordable housing development.
Palisades Fire Response
Bass apologized for being absent during the Palisades fire and assured improved city preparedness. Raman criticized the city’s failure to deploy resources promptly, expressing doubts about current readiness for potential disasters.
Support for Fire Department Funding
Both candidates backed a tax hike to fund fire department improvements despite acknowledging financial burdens on residents.
Bass encouraged voters to support the initiative, whereas Raman emphasized the need for more firefighters and updated infrastructure.
License Plate Readers
Raman expressed skepticism regarding mass surveillance technologies like automatic license plate readers. Bass supported their usage, but opposed renewing contracts with companies failing to safeguard data privacy.
Drug Dealing and Homelessness
Bass emphasized separating drug dealing from homelessness, advocating for more addiction treatment beds. Raman suggested a comprehensive approach, cooperating with LAPD and addressing shelter availability.
Officer-Involved Shootings
With rising incidents of police shootings, Bass proposed an external policy review. Raman criticized the LAPD’s lack of transparency under Bass’s leadership.
ICE Critique
Raman reinforced her criticisms towards ICE, labeling the agency’s actions during raids as racist. Bass defended her response to immigration challenges.
Anti-Camping Zone Law
Raman opposed appealing the anti-camping zone law, citing insufficient child protections. Bass supported the law with caution, critiquing Raman’s voting record.
LAPD Chief Selection
Raman refrained from committing to replacing LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, whereas Bass insisted replacing him prematurely could destabilize preparations for upcoming events.
Criticism of Inside Safe Initiative
Raman criticized Bass’s Inside Safe homelessness initiative, labeling it ineffective. Bass defended the program, highlighting collaborative efforts in funding allocations.
Homelessness: A Central Issue
Homelessness remained central in their campaigns. Bass reiterated her commitment to battling the crisis, whereas Raman criticized the perceived stagnation under Bass and vowed significant reductions.
Voting Decisions
Bass underscored potential risks in electing Raman, emphasizing her voting record against police officers and encampment removals.
Debate Overview
The latest debate revealed pressing challenges each candidate aimed to address, from homelessness to public safety policy.