Ten Reasons That Things Are Getting a Bit Better : A pause from the negativism--a moment of reflection on the positive

Enough with the L.A.-bashing! It’s starting to sound like there’s absolutely nothing good going on here. Off the top of our heads, here are 10 reasons Southern California is in better shape than a year ago.

1. Workers’ Compensation Reform.

The action of the state Legislature earlier this month doesn’t completely fix this screwy system. But the fact that a measure of reform was achieved--with bipartisan agreement--shows how the priorities for California are changing. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, you know that California must stop making economic life more difficult for itself. And with that consensus, further reform can come. This is why passage of a workers’ compensation reform bill had vast symbolic, as well as real, implications.

2. A State Budget on Time.

Last year the Legislature went so far into the dog days of summer to get the budget done that the whole nation began laughing. This year the politicians finished the job on time. It wasn’t easy, but it was significant.

3. The New Mayor--the Drive to Succeed.

Whether you voted for him or not, there’s no disputing that Richard Riordan has brought a lot of energy and new ideas to the job. Let’s hope he succeeds.

4. An Emerging 21st-Century Transit System.

The Blue Line and the Metrolink commuter trains are giving weary commuters a real alternative to the jammed freeways. And as the nascent Red Line and other lines expand, Angelenos will have the transit system they have long deserved and a real link between communities.

5. Police Reform and a New Chief.

The vital police reforms, engineered in part by the Christopher Commission as a result of the King beating and overwhelmingly approved by voters last year, is the city’s most impressive achievement in years. And Chief Willie L. Williams, from Philadelphia, is the city’s most impressive acquisition. Even now, for all its problems, the city has a crime rate that is nowhere near the worst in the nation.

6. The New Convention Center.

Our current troubles--and overstated negative publicity--will some day pass, and people will again realize that Los Angeles is a pretty good place to live, and to visit. The new Convention Center, like all of the city’s tourist attractions, will help boost L.A.’s image anew.

7. Local Teams and a “New” Coliseum.

OK, the Dodgers aren’t in first place but at least they aren’t in the cellar like last year. The young team that the Angels fielded this season is exciting to watch. And the redesigned Memorial Coliseum, with more seats close to the field and other vital amenities (such as new rest rooms), will open--under budget, by the way--when the Raiders kick off their season this fall.

8. Theater Here--Better Than in New York.

Did you notice that recent Pulitzer Prizes went to plays that opened here before they opened on Broadway--”Kentucky Cycle” last year and “Angels in America” this year? No surprise, really. Theater here has never been better or more vibrant.

9. Education Reform.

Educators outside Southern California are immensely impressed with the campaign being waged by LEARN to save this city’s public schools. Few cities can point to experiments as provocative as our charter public schools, or the faculty and parent training programs that LEARN helped create.

10. Growing Multicultural Awareness.

Los Angeles was once a city in which diversity was overshadowed by the freeways, and the only exit you cared about was in your little corner of the world. That’s changed--and not only because of last year’s riots. While diversity can create tensions, it is also a huge opportunity for rebirth and renewal. We have all been trying harder to get along. And this spring, although practically everyone predicted a riot after the verdicts in the second trial in the Rodney G. King beating case, the city remained calm.

This is also the reality of Los Angeles today.