New Secession Bill Has Little City Hall Support

A majority of Los Angeles City Council members said Tuesday they oppose a new legislative effort that would clear the way for the San Fernando Valley to secede if two-thirds of the Valley voters support it.

The bill, proposed by Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) and supported by Councilman Richard Alarcon, would eliminate the council’s power to veto a secession movement as long as the effort gets a two-thirds vote.

Cardenas offered the bill as an effort to “find a middle ground” among supporters of three other secession bills under consideration in Sacramento.

Alarcon, who represents parts of the northeast Valley, introduced a motion Tuesday asking his colleagues on the council to endorse the bill. A formal vote is expected next month.

But the bill has already generated more criticism in City Hall than support. In interviews, nine of the 15 council members indicated they would not support the bill.

Several Valley council members said the two-thirds requirement is too high and would give little more than one-third of the voters the power to block a secession effort.

“I prefer a simple majority vote,” said Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents parts of the East Valley.

Council members from outside the Valley, meanwhile, said they would give up their veto power, but only if the secession measure is put to a citywide vote.

“It still seems to me that people south of Mulholland whose taxes helped pay for the infrastructure in the Valley should have a right to vote,” said Councilwoman Rita Walters, who represents parts of South Los Angeles.

Councilman Marvin Braude, whose district stretches from the West Valley to Pacific Palisades, predicted a dire fate for the bill: “I don’t think it will go anywhere.”

Councilman Nate Holden, who represents parts of South Los Angeles, called Alarcon a “hypocrite,” noting that Alarcon has tried to eliminate the two-thirds majority vote that is required to increase city taxes to build new police stations.

Alarcon rejected the charges, saying he is simply trying to find a “good compromise” bill that all sides can support.

“I know this Valley secession movement won’t die until it comes to a head,” Alarcon said.

Cardenas will formally introduce the bill in Sacramento on Thursday. It will then be assigned to an Assembly committee for study.

The bill, however, does not appear to have the support of state Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward), who played a key role last summer in defeating a secession bill by former Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills).

Lockyer spokesman Sandy Harrison said the senator would not support any secession bill unless voters throughout the city have a voice in a breakup. Lockyer is chairman of the powerful Rules Committee and has strong influence over the fate of bills in the Senate.

Lockyer has introduced his own bill, which would eliminate the council veto but require a citywide vote and a state-funded study on the impacts of dividing Los Angeles.

The Cardenas bill is part of a resurgence of activity in Sacramento over proposals to break up Los Angeles.

Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) has introduced legislation that is a virtual copy of a bill introduced unsuccessfully last year by former Assemblywoman Boland. That bill would eliminate the council’s veto power over secession efforts, giving Valley voters the final decision on a breakup.

Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) introduced another bill that would also require a citywide vote but only if the area that seeks secession represents more than one-third of the city’s population. In cases involving smaller parts of Los Angeles, only voters in the area seeking independence would have a vote.