Research, News & Resources

News Stories

• Why scandal-plagued Los Angeles is resisting ethics reforms
• LA City Panel Approves Package Of Ethics Reforms
• Editorial: L.A. City Hall has a corruption problem. Why are leaders stalling on ethics reform?
• Independent governance reform group calls for stronger Ethics Commission
• Reform advocates share strategies to fix LA redistricting
• LA City Council Members Wrestle With Increasing Their Numbers
• L.A. will switch to independent redistricting if voters approve in 2024 election
• Who carves up Los Angeles City Council’s 15 districts, voters or politicians?
• LA City Council To Vote On Independent Redistricting Commission Proposal
• What You Need To Know About LA’s Independent Redistricting Commission Proposal
• If L.A. adds City Council seats, how would it work? These charts show the possibilities
• The LA City Council Hasn’t Grown In Nearly 100 Years. Now There’s Talk Of Doubling Its Current Size
• Independent reform group recommends expanding L.A. City Council to 25 members
• The Los Angeles City Council is in turmoil. Can it manage to fix itself?
• Group recommends reforms for scandal-plagued Los Angeles city council
• Academics Release Report to Fuel LA City's Governance Reform
• As Yet Another Scandal Rocks LA City Council, How Can We Improve Governance?
• What A Group Of Local Scholars Say Could Help Improve Governance In City Of Los Angeles
• Academics seek sweeping reform of LA City Council governance due to corruption
• Editorial: To fix City Hall corruption, L.A. needs a stronger Ethics Commission

Press Releases

• Academics, Good Government Groups Urge Action on LA City Governance Reforms
• LAGRP Final Report Calls for Independent Redistricting, Larger City Council and Ethics Reform
• Joint Statement on Independent Redistricting Commission Proposal
• Interim Report Calls for Independent Redistricting, Council Expansion, and Ethics Reform

Survey & Focus Groups

• Ebony Marketing Systems Focus Groups Report
• Interviewing Service of America Survey Report

Informational Briefs

• Redistricting: Charter Cities, Duties, Selection Processes, and Eligibility
• Council Size: Budget, Legislative Models, Demographics, Voting Blocks
• Ethics Reform: Ethics Commission Roles and Staffing

Selected Resources

A curated list of academic and policy literature on redistricting, governance, and ethics reform.

• Abbott & Magazinnik (2020) – At-Large Elections and Minority Representation
• Anzia (2013) – Timing and Turnout
• Burnett & Kogan (2014) – Legislative Districting Impact in LA
• California Citizens Redistricting Commission (2021) – Final Maps Report
• Drutman et al. (2021) – Case for Enlarging the House
• Masuoka & Chan (2023) – Racial Diversity and Representation
• Wechsler (2013) – Local Government Ethics Programs