LOS ANGELES COUNTY: Measure G
WHAT IS COUNTY MEASURE G?
For Los Angeles County voters, the November 5th General Election included a ballot measure called “County Measure G: Los Angeles County Government Structure, Ethics And Accountability Charter Amendment”.
County Measure G proposes the following key changes to the Los Angeles County Charter:
Expansion of the Board of Supervisors
The measure will expand number of Board of Supervisors from 5 to 9
Currently with 5 Supervisors, each Supervisor governs about 2 million residents
Creation of Elected County Executive
The measure will create an elected County Executive position
This role will hold similar executive and administrative powers of the Board of Supervisors.
This position is meant to increase accountability for County Government and offer a dedicated executive position in Los Angeles County. Currently, the Board of Supervisors are the executive and legislative heads.
Creation of Ethics Commission & Charter Reform Commission
The measure create a Ethics Commission, Charter Review Commission, and Governance Reform Task Force — designed to have different entities that will hold the County Officials accountable.
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After careful consideration and talking with experts, CAUSE has decided to be in support of Measure G due to its high potential to empower and civically advance Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles County.
WHAT IS THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY GOVERNANCE REFORM TASK FORCE?
The passage of LA County Measure G has created new leadership opportunities, including the LA County Governance Reform Task Force (GRTF), which opens the door for greater API representation in shaping the future of LA County governance.
The LA County GRTF is being established to implement Measure G reforms, which include expanding the Board of Supervisors from 5 to 9 members, creating a new elected County Executive position, and establishing an Ethics Commission, Charter Reform Commission, and Governance Reform Task Force.
The task force will consist of 13 members–made up of leaders across labor, business, community organizations, and public sector ethics. Members of the GRTF will facilitate public engagement, conduct research, and provide key recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
HOW DOES LOS ANGELES COUNTY GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY WORK?
The Government of Los Angeles County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution, California law, and the Charter of the County of Los Angeles. It is comprised of a five-member Board of Supervisors, several elected officials including the Sheriff, District Attorney, and Assessor, and numerous county departments and entities under the supervision of the chief executive officer.
The elected five-member Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the County of Los Angeles. It guides policies and services for over 10 million diverse residents. Each Board of Supervisors oversees a district within the County of Los Angeles, each of which contains approximately 2 million people. Members are elected by voters in their respective districts and are limited to three four-year terms.
Read CAUSE’s full breakdown of the Board of Supervisors below:
INSIGHTS FROM EXPERTS
CAUSE talked with experts, Honorable Mike Eng and Dr. Sara Sadhwani about their insights on Measure G and how the measure will impact API communities. The Honorable Mike Eng serves as a Board Member of the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and is a former California Assemblymember and Dr. Sadhwani is an assistant professor of politics at Pomona College and a political scientist.
Listen to the conversations below:
where are potential leadership opportunities?
The following table summarizes potential leadership opportunities that each of the 13 provisions of County Measure G. The table breaks down the direct opportunities outlined by the provisions and their expected timelines for establishment. These potential leadership opportunities can offer room for additional diversity, additional representation for underrepresented communities, and additional avenues for advocacy in Los Angeles County government.
| # | PROVISION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
By 2028, establish an office of County Executive to be elected directly by voters countywide at a general election for a term of four years and every four years thereafter. The County Executive shall have all executive and administrative powers and duties of the Board of Supervisors except for admin. oversight of the County Legislative Analyst and the Clerk of the Board. Legislative/quasi-judicial powers remain with Board. Powers include: • Perform powers/duties under State law and County Code. • Appoint/dismiss department heads (Board confirmation; exceptions). • Manage department heads. • Submit County annual budget; Board may amend. • Veto amendments (Board can override within 7 days by 2/3 vote). |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: County Executive by 2028 (Elected) Clerk of Board of Supervisor Department Heads (appointed by County Executive) |
| 2 |
Expand Board of Supervisors from five to nine following the 2030 census and reapportionment. Seven elected in 2032 (two for two-year terms); four elected in 2034 (full terms); future elections staggered (even years). |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: 7 BOS seats in 2032 (2 for two-year terms) 4 BOS seats in 2034 (full terms) |
| 3 |
By 2028, establish Director of Budget and Management position. Prepares annual budget, advises County Executive, promotes productivity, economic development, efficiency; appointed by Executive, confirmed by Board. |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: Director of Budget and Management by 2028 (appointed) |
| 4 | By 2028, establish County Legislative Analyst, appointed/removed by two-thirds Board, provides nonpartisan analysis/support. |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: County Legislative Analyst by 2028 (Board appointment) |
| 5 | By 2026, require non-urgency legislation to be public for at least 120 hours before Board action. | |
| 6 | By 2026, establish independent Ethics Commission: investigate misconduct, review code, develop searchable ethics data portals, ensure transparency. Board provides funding/staff. |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: Independent Ethics Commissioners by 2026 |
| 7 | Authorize suspension of an elected county officer (including Board members) charged with felony, with or without pay, as permitted by law. | |
| 8 | By 2026, establish Office of Ethics Compliance, led by Ethics Compliance Officer, supporting independent Ethics Commission. |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: Ethics Compliance Officer by 2026 |
| 9 | Require “revolving door” policy barring ex-officials from lobbying County for two years after leaving service (not present 1-year rule). | |
| 10 | Establish Governance Reform Task Force to implement Charter amendment, community outreach, report to Board, disband by Dec 3, 2028 unless extended. |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: Governance Reform Task Force (within 180 days post-certification; ends Dec 2028) |
| 11 | Charter Review Commission meets every 10 years; recommendations go to Board, placed on agenda/voted within 90 days of receipt. |
Possible Opportunities for New Leadership: Charter Review Commissioners in 2034 |
| 12 | Require departments/agencies to present budgets in open, public meetings prior to annual budget adoption. | |
| 13 | Require implementation of measure to use only existing County funds; no new taxes or costs to taxpayers. |