Group texts show Downey City Council routinely violates California’s open meeting laws
By most accounts, Downey City Council is a sinking ship: Mayor Blanca Pacheco has faced allegations of corruption by her own Council...
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Political Life
- Apr 12, 2022
- 5 min
Other than Robert and Cristina Garcia, who else is running for the 42nd Congressional District?
Without an incumbent on the ballot, the race to represent California’s newly drawn 42nd Congressional District is one of the most...
693 views
Political Life
- Feb 10, 2022
- 4 min
Texts show El Monte Council Member Morales, a USC diversity officer, harassing senior citizen
El Monte City Council Member Dr. Maria Morales was elected in 2018 as a member of “Team El Monte,” a political action committee headlined...
5,115 views
Political Life
- Dec 14, 2021
- 4 min
Records reveal El Monte paying City Attorney 2.29 million in 2021
Political Life has been covering developments in El Monte, California for well over a year. Notably, we interviewed the former City Clerk...
791 views
Political Life
- Nov 16, 2021
- 4 min
As Downey's Blanca Pacheco draws scrutiny over El Monte contract, texts add intrigue
Downey City Council Member Blanca Pacheco, who usually escapes criticism at Council meetings in light of the controversies surrounding...
1,230 views
Political Life
- Nov 5, 2021
- 2 min
Alleging assault by Downey's Mayor, noted City critic files $120,000 claim
Armando Herman is the most notable and the longest-running critic at Downey City Council. He speaks at every meeting, at every...
1,604 views
Political Life
- Oct 9, 2021
- 3 min
Following protests of Hilda Solis, El Monte's City Manager, Attorney push to punish protestors
El Monte has become the latest L.A. County City to limit engagement between residents and members of local government. At the October...
897 views
Political Life
- Sep 10, 2021
- 2 min
Cudahy, Downey, Whittier Council Members attend anti-Newsom Larry Elder event
Larry Elder, the leading Republican candidate to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom in the recall election, stopped in Downey on...
537 views
Political Life
- Sep 7, 2021
- 2 min
Whittier community rallies against Newsom recall, plans Larry Elder protest in Downey
On Labor Day 2021, community members from Whittier and the surrounding South/East Cities rallied against the recall of Governor Gavin...
472 views
Political Life
- Sep 7, 2021
- 4 min
Downey pays out $10,000 to settle lawsuit involving Council Member Alvarez
Political Life has obtained a copy of a $10,000 settlement agreement in a lawsuit involving Downey Council Member Catherine Alvarez and...
1,633 views
Political Life
- Aug 24, 2021
- 3 min
“Smells like the Bell scandal”: As water rates increase, Central Basin raises Manager’s salary
Consumers across the Southeast L.A. region have been voicing opposition to rising water rates. Now, Political Life has learned that...
696 views
Political Life
- Aug 10, 2021
- 3 min
El Monte’s newest Council Member caught deleting public records
Martin Herrera is El Monte’s newest Council Member. His recent Facebook posts show that he has attended almost all City events in the...
1,092 views
Political Life
- Jul 25, 2021
- 3 min
Downey Mayor plans to push Council vote on DA Gascón
In the closing minutes of the heated Downey City Council Meeting on July 13th, Downey City Mayor Claudia Frometa disclosed her intent to...
592 views
Political Life
- Jun 10, 2021
- 2 min
Court rejects bid from Water Board majority to stop official from using letterhead
An L.A. Superior Court Judge has tossed a request to restrain Water Director Leticia Vasquez-Wilson from using the letterhead of the...
317 views
Political Life
- Jun 8, 2021
- 1 min
Lakewood City Council boosts its monthly pay to more than average apartment in City
The Lakewood City Council is set to boost its monthly pay to $1,731.00. The amount represents more than the average 1-bedroom apartment...
281 views
Political Life
- May 27, 2021
- 2 min
Activists protest Downey Mayor’s support of Israel
During the May 25h, 2021 meeting of the Downey City Council, around two dozen pro-Palestine protesters rallied in opposition to Mayor...
202 views
Political Life
- May 23, 2021
- 2 min
In response to water contamination, constituents protest Santa Fe Springs official
On Saturday May 22nd, 2021, a group of water activists protested outside the Downey home of Santa Fe Springs Public Works Director Neo...
334 views
Political Life
- Apr 23, 2021
- 4 min
Downey Mayor orders City Manager to take belongings from the homeless
In recent comments at City Council, Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa has mentioned being concerned about "transient activity in the evening...
2,149 views
Political Life
- Apr 13, 2021
- 2 min
Pico Rivera and Bell mobile home parks battle rent hikes
The struggle for the right to housing in Southeast Los Angeles is now taking the form of alliances between residents of different mobile...
325 views
Political Life
- Mar 21, 2021
- 3 min
Downey City memo proves PFAS contamination, as Coca-Cola continues to export City water
For decades, Downey’s City Council has prided itself on the quality of Downey’s groundwater. Yet, in 2011, resident Andrew Davis...
2,702 views
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