Assembly OKs Bill Making It Easier for Valley to Secede : Breaking Up is Hard to Do
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SACRAMENTO — The bill that could pave the way for San Fernando Valley to become an independent city now goes to the state Senate and, if passed, on to the governor. The bill, if approved, would remove the power of the Los Angeles City Council to veto a secession effort, but many obstacles would remain.
A Complicated Process
* To start the secession process, 20% of the registered voters or 20% of the landowners in a given area must apply to the Local Agency Formation Commission to become an independent city. LAFCO, a quasi-independent agency, rules on incorporations and annexations.
* After an intricate process involving many studies and hearings, LAFCO can call for an election. Only residents inside the affected could vote.
It’s “a simple bill . . . about democracy.”
Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills)
“It’s an issue for her to campaign on.”
Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar)
THE VALLEY AS A CITY
Here is how the San Fernando Valley would stack up if it were a city.
Population (in millions)
NEW YORK: 7.3
LOS ANGELES: 3.5
CHICAGO: 2.8
HOUSTON: 1.6
PHILADELPHIA: 1.6
SF VALLEY: 1.2
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Size (in square miles)
EL PASO: 239
CHICAGO: 228
SF VALLEY: 222
COLUMBUS, Ga.: 218
NEW ORLEANS: 199
AUSTIN, TEX.: 116
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Police (per 1,000 residents)
CHICAGO: 4.1
NEW YORK: 3.8
LOS ANGELES: 2.2
SF VALLEY: 1.1
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