L.A. city controller voter guide: Paul Koretz vs. Kenneth Mejia
June 28, 2012
Los Angeles voters were handed a two-pronged attack on candidates running for City Controller Tuesday. In the primary, Los Angeles resident Paul Koretz is attempting to win back the election from Los Angeles City Councilman Kenneth Mejia, who was elected last year.
Koretz is challenging Mejia on four primary election ballot propositions, three of which represent different areas of Los Angeles and one which does not appear to be specifically targeting a candidate’s residence.
The primary ballot propositions:
1. Measure LA – Limits on rent control by allowing voters to choose between a rent control ordinance limiting the average annual rent increase for apartments and a no-rent control ordinance.
2. Measure LAW – Limits on noncompete agreements by allowing voters to choose between a noncompete agreement restricting competition and a no-noncompete agreement.
3. Measure LAB – Limits on employee noncompete agreements by allowing voters to choose between a no-noncompete agreement and a noncompete agreement with an exception for certain public safety employees.
4. Measure M – Measures to limit new parking permits under Measure X
The noncompete ordinance that will be on the November ballot is Measure M – Limits on new parking permits. Voters will be asked to approve either a ban on new parking permits and the expansion of parking meter hours and, if Measure M is defeated, a total ban on permits. This measure was pushed forward by a member of City Council who is now running for mayor.
The Proposition that requires no noncompete agreements is Measure LAB – Limits on employee noncompete agreements. Voters will be asked to approve the creation of a new type of noncompete agreement – a one-year noncompete agreement with an exception for certain public safety employees. As it stands, no public safety employees are subject to a nondisclosure clause.
With three different areas of Los Angeles on the ballot, all of which are very closely scrutinized since they impact different areas of City Hall, the primary elections were held Tuesday.
The City Controller race will be decided on a different issue altogether – Measure A – Measures to ban the sale of alcohol by the drink. Voters will be asked to approve the creation of a new revenue source – a 6 percent tax on drinks containing 0.
