California Senate Committee Advances Bill to Explore East LA Cityhood

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A California Senate committee has taken a significant step in exploring the possibility of East Los Angeles becoming its own city or special district. In a 4-1 vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced Assembly Bill 2986, authored by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, who represents East LA.

The bill mandates a feasibility study to determine whether the unincorporated area, which is home to about 120,000 residents, could sustain itself as an independent city or special district. The study will also provide a detailed analysis of the region’s tax base and how county services are allocated to East LA.

“After working with Senate Appropriations, I’m grateful the legislature recognizes the importance of extending the discussion about East Los Angeles’ future,” Carrillo said in a statement following the committee’s vote.

The bill, which still needs approval from the full Legislature before heading to the governor’s desk, originally tasked the Local Agency Formation Committee for the County of Los Angeles (LAFCO) with conducting the study. However, it was later amended to align more closely with two motions passed by the LA County Board of Supervisors, which committed to funding the study and ensuring transparency about how tax dollars are spent in East LA.

Carrillo emphasized that the amendments were made to keep the conversation about East LA’s future governance alive and to ensure the county’s accountability to the community. “I amended the bill to ensure the conversation could move forward and that the County of Los Angeles understood the urgency of being transparent to the unincorporated community of East Los Angeles, which lacks a local governing body,” she said.

Despite the bill’s progress, it faces opposition from LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who has been a vocal critic since the beginning. Solis views the push for cityhood as an unnecessary use of taxpayer funds, arguing that East LA already receives adequate services from the county. She also sees the bill as an example of state overreach into local matters.

Previous attempts to incorporate East LA, including a notable effort in 2012, have failed due to concerns about the area’s financial viability as an independent city. LAFCO concluded at that time that the region would not be able to sustain itself financially if it became a city.

The outcome of this latest legislative effort could have long-lasting implications for East LA, a community that has long debated the benefits and challenges of cityhood. If the bill passes, the results of the study could reignite discussions about the area’s future and whether it should seek greater autonomy from Los Angeles County.