Articles for Elected Officials

Newsom fined $13,000 for failing to report some behested payments on time
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Newsom fined $13,000 for failing to report some behested payments on time

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom agreed to pay a $13,000 fine Friday for failing to report on time over a dozen charitable payments made at his request by notable foundations and businesses, including Microsoft, Amazon and T-Mobile, between 2018 and 2024. On 18 separate occasions, the Fair Political Practices Commission said, Newsom and his 2018 campaign committee failed to make those reports on …

Payments Report Newsom Elected Officials Behested Payments
Will Your Elected Officials in Congress Accept the Results of the Election?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Will Your Elected Officials in Congress Accept the Results of the Election?

Wired  

We are in the final days of a momentous presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. WIRED reached out to every single senator and member of the US Congress asking whether they would accept the results of the election as called by the Associated Press. Additionally, the results indicate if a lawmaker previously declared a commitment "to certifying the …

Results Congress Trump Presidential Election Accept Elected Officials
Endorsement: Yes to fixing L.A. City Hall. These measures will fight corruption and increase trust in government
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Endorsement: Yes to fixing L.A. City Hall. These measures will fight corruption and increase trust in government

LA Times  

Two years after Los Angeles City Hall was rocked by scandal, voters on Nov. 5 have the chance to enact important reforms to curb elected officials’ political power and increase independent ethics oversight. Charter Amendment DD would create a truly independent redistricting commission so that never again can the city’s politicians draw their own lines and, in effect, choose their …

Independent Reform Redistricting Los Angeles Amendment Commission Officials
X’s Grok2AI chatbot escalates problem of deepfakes ahead of US elections
3 months, 2 weeks ago

X’s Grok2AI chatbot escalates problem of deepfakes ahead of US elections

Al Jazeera  

It is up to social media companies to monitor and remove deepfake images in connection with political content. In the weeks prior, filmmakers The Dor Brothers made short clips using Grok-generated deepfake images showing officials including Harris, Trump and former President Barack Obama robbing a grocery store, which circulated on social media. While they did not use Grok AI, as …

Elections Deepfakes Media Social Trump Election Texas
Santa Monica considers homeless ban to prohibit pillows and blankets outdoors
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Santa Monica considers homeless ban to prohibit pillows and blankets outdoors

LA Times  

A sign reading “Santa Monica Is Not Safe” sparked controversy on Third Street Promenade in 2022. Homeless people in Santa Monica may soon be prohibited from sleeping outdoors as the city considers changing its anti-camping ordinance after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the contentious topic. Santa Monica officials were expected to discuss the proposed ordinance along with other …

Supreme Court Court Public Property Homeless Residents Ruling Santa
Expand the L.A. City Council? A citizens commission will explore that and other ideas
6 months ago

Expand the L.A. City Council? A citizens commission will explore that and other ideas

LA Times  

Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian, pictured in 2022, originally wanted expansion of the council to go before voters this year. The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to create a new citizen’s commission to look at expanding the size of the council, reducing the number of council meetings and other potential changes to city operations. Krekorian said the …

City Council Commission Ballot Members City Council Charter
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in line
6 months, 1 week ago

With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in line

Raw Story  

"With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in line" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. “It says something about this battle, this civil war that’s broken out in the Republican Party of …

Candidates Party Democratic Texas Rules Democrats Republican
The key takeaways from the review into Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission
6 months, 3 weeks ago

The key takeaways from the review into Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission

ABC  

Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission will have the ability to publish its reports on public officials retrospectively, even if the person is found not guilty, but questions remain over what the changes will mean for high profile cases. However, shadow attorney general spokesman Tim Nicholls said it was "no clearer" whether reports conducted by the commission into former deputy premier …

Corruption Recommendations Review Report Commission Officials Public
California city council meetings stir up heated debate over calls for Gaza cease-fire
8 months, 3 weeks ago

California city council meetings stir up heated debate over calls for Gaza cease-fire

LA Times  

In the last month, the Irvine City Council has focused on the mundane, everyday decisions that typify local government. In times of crisis, that requires public statements and resolutions that reiterate the values that make Irvine one of California’s greatest cities and affirm that Irvine will always be a champion for peace and understanding.” Public meetings across the state have …

War Local Resolution Jewish Council Palestinian State
Georgia lawmakers advance bills targeting immigrant-friendly policies
9 months ago

Georgia lawmakers advance bills targeting immigrant-friendly policies

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate on Thursday pushed through bills aimed at forcing local governments to help deport immigrants instead of sheltering them, part of a continuing political response to the killing of a nursing student on the University of Georgia campus allegedly by a Venezuelan man. The Senate voted 34-18 for House Bill 301, which would punish cities and …

Law Georgia Immigration Ice Democrats Senate State
The primaries have just begun. But Trump and Biden are already shifting to a November mindset
10 months, 4 weeks ago

The primaries have just begun. But Trump and Biden are already shifting to a November mindset

Associated Press  

Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election. The year will test even the most robust democracies “I say the general election begins tonight,” said Trump-adversary-turned-advocate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was standing at the former president’s side during his New Hampshire victory speech. In a conference call Wednesday, the Biden campaign signaled it was eager to take on Trump, …

Florida General Campaign Trump Election Democratic South Carolina
U.S. opinion has swung toward Israel. A long war could test that
1 year, 2 months ago

U.S. opinion has swung toward Israel. A long war could test that

LA Times  

Bodies lie by the side of a road after Israeli forces secured areas around Re’im, Israel, near Gaza on Tuesday, the fourth day of warfare between Israel and Hamas. The Hamas attack on Israel has accomplished something few other events have achieved in the last decade — creating a wide consensus in America’s otherwise deeply divided political landscape. President Biden …

Support Opinion War Public Opinion Political Congress White House
California governor vetoes bill requiring independent panels to draw local voting districts
1 year, 2 months ago

California governor vetoes bill requiring independent panels to draw local voting districts

Associated Press  

Gavin Newsom has vetoed legislation that would have required dozens of his state’s largest cities, counties and educational districts to use independent commissions to draw voting districts, dealing a setback to “redistricting reform” advocates. He added: “We were hopeful that this was an opportunity for California to show the rest of the nation what it looks like to put gerrymandering …

Local Districts California State Redistricting Los Angeles
Kevin de León says he deserves another chance. Critics say he’s ‘gaslighting’ L.A.
1 year, 2 months ago

Kevin de León says he deserves another chance. Critics say he’s ‘gaslighting’ L.A.

LA Times  

The crowd applauded the moment Kevin de León walked up. “We decided that we were going to show him what 25 Black people yelling sounded like,” said Abdullah, who estimated that on one night, the crowd near De León’s home reached 700. “This community deserves that.” :: Councilmember Kevin de León, standing in the council chamber last month, said he …

Political Black Latino Council Audio Los Angeles
Defence force chief Angus Campbell warns deepfakes and AI will drive era of 'truth decay'
1 year, 3 months ago

Defence force chief Angus Campbell warns deepfakes and AI will drive era of 'truth decay'

ABC  

The defence force chief has warned the world is entering an era of "truth decay" where misinformation will undermine democracy and leave liberal, Western societies like Australia increasingly exposed to enemies. Key points: General Angus Campbell fears public confidence in elected officials will be damaged as AI and deepfake use accelerates He fears Australians will increasingly struggle to separate fact …

General Public Confidence Campbell Era Elected Officials General Campbell Force Chief
Editorial: Why is the ethically challenged L.A. City Council obstructing the Ethics Commission?
1 year, 4 months ago

Editorial: Why is the ethically challenged L.A. City Council obstructing the Ethics Commission?

LA Times  

The scandal-plagued, corruption-prone Los Angeles City Council has struck again. But last Friday, without any public discussion or reason given, the council unanimously rejected a seemingly well-qualified nominee to the Ethics Commission, which is the watchdog over the city’s elected officials. On Tuesday, Council President Paul Krekorian said in a statement that he had reservations about appointing an outspoken advocate …

Political Ethics City Council Commission York City Council
How bad the climate crisis gets is still up to us. We just have to act
1 year, 4 months ago

How bad the climate crisis gets is still up to us. We just have to act

LA Times  

As usual, California was ahead of the game. But the fact that gas-fired power plants still provide much of the state’s on-demand power is “a sober reminder of reality.” Newsom has made climate and clean energy top priorities, likely knowing any future presidential campaign could flourish or fail on his performance. “If we were to look forward to a conversation …

Climate Change Climate Heat Gas Fuel Power California
The ‘Johnny Appleseed of election fraud’ wants to upend voting in America. Why he’s focused on California
1 year, 4 months ago

The ‘Johnny Appleseed of election fraud’ wants to upend voting in America. Why he’s focused on California

LA Times  

Douglas Frank grinned as a high-pitched whine filled the sanctuary of a small Hemet church. “And it’s getting louder, county by county, state by state around the country.” Frank’s demonstration followed a frenetic speech filled with baseless claims about suspicious voting trends and secret algorithms used to steal elections. Life on the road gave rise to a new nickname, Frank …

Fraud Local Voting Trump Election California Election Fraud
Why is Israel’s judicial overhaul so divisive?
1 year, 5 months ago

Why is Israel’s judicial overhaul so divisive?

Associated Press  

JERUSALEM — For seven months, tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the judiciary and weaken the Supreme Court. On Monday, the first piece of that legislative package passed: Lawmakers approved a measure that prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are “unreasonable.” …

Judiciary Power Israel Netanyahu Israeli Plan Parliament
Israel’s governing coalition presses ahead with plan to overhaul courts ahead of expected protests
1 year, 5 months ago

Israel’s governing coalition presses ahead with plan to overhaul courts ahead of expected protests

Associated Press  

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s governing coalition pushed ahead Monday with its contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary, despite growing opposition from within the country’s military and a wave of mass protests expected this week. Reservists, who make up the backbone of the country’s mostly compulsory military, played a key role in prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause …

Military Israel Netanyahu Plan Elected Officials Mass Protests Overhaul
L.A. politicians are joining picket lines. The city attorney wants them to stay away
1 year, 5 months ago

L.A. politicians are joining picket lines. The city attorney wants them to stay away

LA Times  

Members of Unite Here Local 11 hotel workers union and the Writers Guild of America picket outside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. In recent months, an array of federal, state and local politicians — including several members of the City Council — have walked picket lines or offered support not just to Unite Here Local 11, the hotel …

Labor Workers City Los Angeles Los Angeles Officials
Florida Gov. DeSantis picks up backing from 15 South Carolina lawmakers as he makes campaign swing
1 year, 6 months ago

Florida Gov. DeSantis picks up backing from 15 South Carolina lawmakers as he makes campaign swing

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ron DeSantis is rolling out endorsements from 15 South Carolina lawmakers, hoping their support …

Trump South Carolina Endorsements South Republican State Carolina
Florida Gov. DeSantis picks up backing from 15 South Carolina lawmakers as he makes a campaign swing
1 year, 6 months ago

Florida Gov. DeSantis picks up backing from 15 South Carolina lawmakers as he makes a campaign swing

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out endorsements from 15 South Carolina lawmakers on Thursday, hoping their support for his Republican presidential campaign will help him make his case to voters in the first-in-the-South primary state. Earlier this month, state GOP leaders set Feb. 24 as the date of South Carolina’s Republican presidential primary, which still needs approval …

Florida Trump South Carolina Endorsements Republican State Desantis
As Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s power grew, so did his wife’s income
1 year, 6 months ago

As Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s power grew, so did his wife’s income

LA Times  

When California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon steps down from his powerful post at the end of the month, he’ll leave behind a legacy as one of the state’s longest-serving legislative leaders, having helped Democrats secure stronger labor protections for gig workers, launch universal preschool and extend a marquee program to combat climate change during his seven-year tenure. For more than …

Business Assembly Cities Work Power Speaker California