Horvath takes on gouging to protect wildfire victims
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath (D-Western and San Fernando Valley areas, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Sherman Oaks) yesterday saw the full Board of Supervisors approve her motion to extend housing price-gouging protections for wildfire victims through March 29.
The motion comes as officials continue to investigate nearly 1,900 ongoing price-gouging cases tied to last year’s wildfires.
“Wildfire survivors remain displaced and in temporary housing one year after last year’s devastating wildfires,” said Horvath. “The need to protect our communities from price gouging remains, and so does LA County’s commitment to continuing these essential protections. Fire survivors deserve to rebuild without facing unlawful, excessive increases on rent, building materials, and more related to our recovery efforts.
The motion follows a Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) report that further demonstrates the need to continue these safeguards. The report details ongoing complaints, active investigations, enforcement outcomes, and sustained rental pressures — reinforcing that price gouging remains a present and documented concern.
Anyone who suspects price gouging is occurring is urged to report it to the DCBA at dcba.lacounty.gov/pricegouging or (800) 593-8222.
Santa Monica adds 30 acres to beach dunes
The city of Santa Monica and The Bay Foundation (TBF) yesterday launched an expansion of their dune restoration project, the Santa Monica Beach Dunes, that will see nearly 30 additional acres of beach along local shorelines returned to a natural, wild state.
The action marks Phase III of a robust resilience plan that will see dunes built along the entirety of Santa Monica Beach. The Santa Monica Beach Dunes provide natural defenses against impending sea-level rise, enhance wildlife habitat and beautify the developed coastline.
Santa Monica’s beach is more than an iconic destination, it’s a critical piece of our climate resilience,” said Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis. “As a city at the forefront of sustainability, Santa Monica is investing in nature-based solutions that strengthen our first line of defense against sea level rise and coastal flooding while preserving public access, recreation and the beauty people love. These dune restoration projects show that climate leadership can go hand in hand with environmental stewardship, coastal protection and a vibrant, world-class shoreline.”
This new installation will stretch from the Santa Monica Pier to the sands along the Venice border. TBF established its first dune restoration site in 2016 in partnership with the city of Santa Monica, covering approximately three acres near the city’s Annenberg Community Beach House, followed by an additional five acres in 2024.
The new project will nearly double the area of dunes in active restoration at local beaches, covering nearly 20% of the sand. (For dune maps showcasing areas north and south of the Pier, click here.)
The California Coastal Commission permitted Phase III work in late 2024. The Santa Monica Beach Dunes initiative is funded through the Santa Monica Bay Coastal Habitat Restoration Program, approved by the California Legislature and managed by the State Coastal Conservancy. Approximately $3.5 million will be invested to support the establishment, maintenance, and monitoring of restored dunes.
To learn more about the Santa Monica Beach Dunes, visit The Bay Foundation’s website or santamonica.gov.
Schiavo announces ambitious legislative package
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch) yesterday announced she has introduced her 2026 legislative package, introducing and coauthoring a slate of bills focused on lowering costs, protecting consumers, strengthening public safety, supporting children and families, and addressing housing and public health challenges facing communities across her district.
Building on her continued work to put money back in people’s pockets, improve access to health care and child care, and ensure communities are safe and healthy places to live and work, Assemblywoman Schiavo’s legislative package includes multiple bills taking aim at barriers impacting working families, small businesses, patients, and ratepayers.
“Families across our community are working hard, and can still barely keep up with rising costs, whether it’s housing, health care, utilities, or child care,” said Schiavo. “This legislative package is about making sure our state is working for people, not against them — lowering costs, protecting people from scams and exploitation, improving access to care, supporting survivors, and ensuring our communities are safe and healthy places to live.”
The bills include the packages relating to healthcare, utilities, consumerhousing, veterans affairs, childcare, human trafficking, Environmental health and public safety.
To look at the individual bills, click here. These bills will be heard in policy committees in the coming months, with opportunities for stakeholders and the public to provide input. Individuals and organizations can submit position letters here.
Gomez attends Trump’s State of the Union address
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Downtown LA, Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock) yesterday did not join many fellow progressive federal lawmakers in boycotting President Trump’s State of the Union address, saying that showing up was his form of protest.
“I went to the State of the Union tonight because when an administration tries to erase you and your community and tell you that you don’t belong, the most powerful thing you can do is show up,” said Gomez. “Tonight, the President told a story that does not match what families are living. He cherry-picked economic indicators and statistics that ignore the very real pocketbook pain people are feeling. He claimed costs are down while families are paying more at the grocery store. He claimed his agenda helps working families while billionaires benefit the most.
“Those kinds of lies are meant to make people doubt what they see and feel every day. But you can’t gaslight people about their own lives. And you don’t get to erase the communities who keep this country running. I’m the son of immigrants who worked hard and contributed to this country. Families like mine built this nation.
“We’re still here. And we’re not going anywhere.”
