Toward Fixing, Not Fleeing, L.A. : Measure would replace council veto power with a citywide vote

Breaking up the city of Los Angeles in the name of greater local control has surface appeal and has already sparked several secession movements, most visibly in the San Fernando Valley. We think a split could have disastrous effects on Southern California. Nevertheless, the current proposal at least is more fair than earlier versions, since it gives more say to a larger group of Angelenos.

On Wednesday, the Local Government Committee approved a proposal by Senate leader Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) that would change current law, replacing the City Council’s veto power over secession drives with a citywide vote instead. A failed legislative effort last year would have permitted only residents in seceding areas to vote, a provision that rightly provoked fierce City Council opposition. Earlier this week, the council agreed to a citywide vote, but otherwise took no position on secession bills.

Lockyer’s legislation, similar to an Assembly bill with bipartisan support, also calls for state studies on the effects of a breakup--from how airport and port revenues would be divided to who would be responsible for police and fire services.

Such a study will demonstrate how monumental a task dividing Los Angeles would be and may reveal to dissatisfied residents that they get a lot more for their money right now than they realize.

Fixing Los Angeles, not fleeing it, is the answer. True, sheer size makes Los Angeles tough to manage. But it also encompasses the variety that makes Los Angeles a unique and exciting city of the world.