Mayor Eric Garcetti is on his way out as mayor of LA. He convinced voters to approve a tax increase AND a bond issue to raise enough money to take care of the homeless crises and how did it turn out?
Homelessness increased by 16%. Needless to say, the voters are not happy. And where did all of that money go? Someone’s pockets perhaps? A news conference was called today, to announce the recall. They will begin gathering signatures immediately and once they turn them in, a recall election will be called.
CBS Los Angeles reported:
A press conference was held by Alexandra Datig, the leader of the recall effort, on the steps of City Hall announcing the filing of a formal notice of intention with the city clerk and calling for Garcetti to step down over “failed leadership” on the homeless issue.
“Because of Eric Garcetti’s failed leadership, becoming homeless in Los Angeles has become a death sentence, for some. We ask that you accept your failure and that you step down,” said Datig.
She cited a reported 75 percent increase in homelessness citywide over the last year, and for every 133 people housed, 155 more become homeless, according to Datig.
In order to have the effort certified, the group will need to collect nearly 315,000 signatures from registered Los Angeles voters.
Garcetti has repeatedly promised to end homelessness throughout his tenure — and repeatedly fallen short, despite local taxpayers voting for more taxes and bonds to devote to the purpose. As the Los Angeles Times recently noted: “During his first mayoral campaign in 2013, he vowed to end chronic homelessness. Once in office, Garcetti said he would find housing for the city’s homeless veterans, first by 2015 and then 2016, before scrapping a timeline altogether.” He has promised to end street homelessness by the time the city hosts the Summer Olympics in 2028, but faces skepticism.
Last month, a local count revealed that the number of homeless in L.A. had risen 12%, to nearly 59,000, in a year. The city has also seen an outbreak of flea-borne typhus — even in city hall — and some downtown areas have suffered rat infestations. At least one expert has warned that the city could see an outbreak of bubonic plague as a result — a public health threat that last appeared in the city in the 1920s.