California’s Los Angeles County has long struggled with issues of homelessness, poverty and crime. Despite a state budget of over $20 billion devoted to addressing the crisis, the problem persists, with nearly 200,000 people now homeless. Governor Gavin Newsom often blames local governments for not doing enough to tackle the issue.
The county and city officials have been at odds for decades, even suing each other in the past. In recent years, tensions have escalated over homelessness funding and responsibilities. Last week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to create its own department to deal with homelessness, despite pleas from Mayor Karen Bass and pressure from federal Judge David O. Carter.
The issue is complex, with both county and city officials playing key roles in addressing homelessness. However, their competing interests often lead to infighting, rather than cooperation. A statewide reconfiguration of responsibilities could help alleviate tensions, but such a move seems unlikely in the short term.
As California continues to grapple with its most pressing social issues, the rivalry between county and city officials will likely persist, with little resolution in sight.
Source: https://smdp.com/opinion/la-feud-is-a-prime-example-of-the-constant-clashes-between-california-cities-and-counties