We jump right into it with another Media Roundup, because there is still so much to discuss this week. 

• Los Angeles Times: Anger over Southern California Edison’s undergrounding work in Altadena boiled over as residents called for a temp halt to the project
• CalMatters: Californians continue paying some of the highest taxes in the nation, but for what?
• “Gavin Newsom’s Empire of Fraud” City Journal report and broader questions about leadership and spending in California
• LAist: California still hasn’t signed the Olympics bailout promise so where is Gavin? Has he quiet quit his job?
• LA County’s proposed $48.8B budget and the context of LA City $14.85B and the State $348.9B
• Edgar McGregor on County’s March 25 meeting on Eaton Canyon
• Multiple outlets report on federal investigations involving dead and missing scientists tied to Caltech and JPL 

And zoom out to the national picture: rising debt, extreme wealth concentration, billionaires becoming richer while ordinary people carry the burden, and the growing sense that we are watching history unfold in real time as class tensions rise.

Legislation Watch

There is a lot moving. We break down key bills. 

• AB 1642: science-based clearance before occupancy standards for standing structures, schools, and commercial areas (passed first committee)
• AB 1759: well-intended but flawed legislation that risks reinforcing bad policy
• SB 1076: insurance coverage for homes meeting wildfire standards (killed in committee)
• SB 1301: stronger protections against surprise non-renewals (headed to appropriations)
• SB 877 / SB 878: more transparency, delay penalties, and consumer protections (advanced, long odds)
• SB 982: climate damages bill allowing AG action against fossil fuel companies (failed)
• Congressman Vince Fong’s fire tax relief extension act
• LA County’s new Commercial Acquisition Fund
• Barger backing $9.9M and 44 new OEM hires — still too little, but why now?

Zone 0 & Land Use Convos

We cover new Zone 0 updates and the bigger land use questions shaping Altadena’s future. Shout-out to neighbor and listener Rich Rieber for hosting fire hardening workshops for La Crescenta neighbors. Spotlight major Altadena Land Use Committee conversations and invite members to join us on the podcast. Plus, SCE’s new rebuild hub on N. Fair Oaks

Projects discussed:

• Proposed Car Wash – 2185 Lincoln Ave
• Mobil Redevelopment + Car Wash – 15 W. Woodbury Rd
• Affordable Housing – 2214 Windsor Ave
• CORE Community Center – Lincoln Ave & Archwood

Small Biz Shout-Out

This weekend is Webster’s Centennial Celebration happening Saturday 4/25, 12–4pm featuring Rhythms of the Village, live music, artists, pet adoptions, kids’ activities, local food, and even 26-cent drinks. 

This episode was recoded on April 23.