Lindsey Horvath, Sara Sadhwani
This is an opinion piece submitted by a member of the community. Their views do not reflect that of Downey Latino News. Got a rebuttal? Email us on this or any other issue affecting residents of Downey at [email protected].
Los Angeles County’s form of government hasn’t changed since 1912, when our population was just 500,000 and women didn’t have the right to vote. Today, we are home to over 10 million people—one of the most diverse populations in the world. Despite this growth, our governance remains stuck in the past, with just five elected Supervisors representing two million people each. It’s clear this outdated system no longer works. Measure G offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a County government that is more transparent, representative, and accountable to Angelenos.
Transparency is central to Measure G. It requires an open and public budget process, ensuring the County’s budget is developed in full view of the public. No more closed-door decisions—our communities will have clearer oversight of how their tax dollars are spent.
Measure G also establishes an independent Ethics Commission to hold elected officials accountable, especially those who have violated public trust. The commission will oversee campaign finance, lobbying, and County contracts to ensure leadership operates with integrity and transparency. The Ethics Commission would be codified by a vote of the people, so it isn’t subject to the whims of future Supervisors. This ensures lasting ethics oversight, creating a permanent structure to safeguard public trust for generations to come.
At its core, Measure G is about ensuring that our County government can meet our greatest challenges. One of the key reforms it introduces is the creation of an elected County Executive, which is not merely an elected CEO but instead a separation of executive and legislative powers that creates checks and balances. For the first time, the people of Los Angeles will choose who manages the County’s $46 billion budget. Just as cities have mayors and states have governors, LA County will adopt a system of checks and balances, making leadership more accountable to the public. This change is critical to tackling major crises like homelessness and housing.
Another essential reform is the expansion of the Board of Supervisors from five to nine members. Instead of one Supervisor representing two million people, each Supervisor would represent about one million. For communities that have long been underserved, this means a real voice at the table, bringing representation closer to the people. Measure G ensures a more inclusive government, where the public has greater access to their elected officials.
Importantly, Measure G achieves these reforms without adding any cost to taxpayers. The existing County budget will be restructured to support this new system, ensuring no programs or services are sacrificed. For decades, experts have called for these changes—expanding the Board, introducing an elected County Executive, and strengthening ethics oversight. Measure G makes these long-overdue reforms a reality.
This marks the first significant change to Los Angeles County’s government in over a century. Nearly nine in ten voters agree that our government needs reform, and Measure G is the solution we’ve been waiting for. It’s time to build a government that is responsive, transparent, and representative of the people who live here.
Now is our chance to create real transformative change and bring Los Angeles County into the 21st century. Let’s seize this moment and ensure LA County has a government that truly works for everyone. We urge you to support Measure G and help shape a better future for us all.
