Horvath, Barger motion creating Recovery Authority gets Supes thumbs up
Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Kathryn Barger yesterday saw their motion to establish a Disaster Recovery Rebuild Authority for the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains and Altadena receive unanimous approval from their colleagues.
The board action builds on Horvath’s work in convening the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery to bring together experts and community voices. The Commission recommended establishing a unified rebuilding authority to coordinate recovery, reduce costs, and support communities in rebuilding safer and more resiliently.
“A Rebuilding Authority is essential to recover at the scale the 2025 wildfire disasters demand,” said Horvath. “I convened the Blue Ribbon Commission to help define what a recovery system should look like, and today’s action advances that vision—creating a coordinated approach to rebuilding homes and public infrastructure, from roads and water systems to undergrounding utilities. This Authority will help families return home faster while ensuring we rebuild safer, more resilient communities that are better prepared for the future.”
“Our wildfire survivors deserve focused support and follow-through,” said Barger. “As the County takes on more than $2 billion in infrastructure repairs in Altadena, we need a dedicated team whose only job is to move this work forward. This motion starts that process within our Department of Public Works.”
The motion directs County leadership to return with a framework for standing up the Disaster Recovery Rebuild Authority, including a launch plan, staffing and resource needs, and a comprehensive financial strategy.
It also advances continued development of an infrastructure master plan for fire-impacted areas, strengthens disaster recovery coordination within the Chief Executive Office, and bolsters permitting capacity to keep rebuilding moving efficiently in the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains.
Barger, Supes approve temp housing strategy for displaced fire residents
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger yesterday saw the full board of supervisors unanimously approve her motion to evaluate additional temporary housing options for residents displaced by the Eaton Fire.
Following the Eaton Fire, state and county actions expanded access to temporary housing options, including recreational vehicles, manufactured homes, and mobile homes on private property, during the rebuilding process. However, some survivors cannot immediately place their temporary mobile units on their parcels due to site constraints, safety concerns, or limited access and have received parking tickets.
“Families who lost their homes are doing everything they can to stay close to their neighborhoods and their support systems while they rebuild,” said Barger. “We have a responsibility to find compassionate, practical solutions that meet survivors where they are and eliminate additional burdens and this motion will deliver that.”
Barger’s motion directs the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works—working in coordination with the Departments of Regional Planning, Public Health, and Fire, and in consultation with the Los Angeles County Sheriff and County Counsel—to report back to the Board within 21 days with more temporary housing options that could be supported, including potential placement of mobile homes and recreational vehicles within certain public rights-of-way in the Altadena area.
The resulting report will outline eligibility criteria, establish time limits, and identify safe placement standards and other safeguards to prevent unintended long-term habitation or impacts on public access and infrastructure.
Bryan Resolution condemns Trump’s racist social media post
Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan (D-Culver City, Palms, Baldwin Hills) on Monday, saw the California State Assembly Democrats vote unanimously to pass a resolution condemning President Trump’s racist social media post.
After days of silence, some Assembly Republicans belatedly followed Democrats in denouncing their president. But many Assembly GOP members refused to cast a vote on Monday — choosing evasion over accountability and antiracism.
“For over 400 years, Black Americans have been the subject of dehumanization and state-sanctioned violence,” said Bryan, Vice Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “What President Trump has done is not new. It’s a reminder that racism and anti-Blackness are alive and well in his Administration, even on the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.”
The resolution rejects the use of racist tropes against Black Americans, condemns white supremacist messaging and reaffirms California’s commitment to racial equity, dignity, and standing with those targeted by hate.
“The Assembly declares that during Black History Month, and every month, California will not tolerate racist dehumanization from the highest office in the nation, and will continue to stand with Black communities against hate and white supremacist ideology,” House Resolution 84 reads.
It also calls on President Trump to issue a public apology to former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and to Black Americans nationwide.
Friedman rebukes Vance’s Armenian Genocide Denial
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) yesterday issued a strong rebuke to Vice President JD Vance’s decision to publish, and then delete, a social media post recognizing the Armenian genocide.
The social media brouhaha occurred after the Vice President attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial.
“Absolutely cowardly behavior from Vice President JD Vance. You don’t get to lay a wreath at the Armenian Genocide memorial and then delete your post mentioning the genocide in order to appease Erdoğan. Your actions are an insult to the memories of the victims,” Friedman Tweeted in response.
Friedman, who represents Glendale’s large Armenian-American population, has been a leading voice against the Trump Administration’s persistent denial of the Armenian Genocide. In April 2025, she called out President Trump’s refusal to call the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians a genocide. The federal lawmaker has also attended local Armenian genocide commemorations and supported legislation to recognize the genocide.
