The city of Los Angeles has 15 council districts, with one council member to represent each, but would the city's constituents be better served if there were more council members? How does 32 sound?
It's one question that the Council Committee on Governance Reform is wrestling with right now.
Last year's racist recording scandal has prompted a group of activists to push for the expansion in an effort to root out corruption, but Councilmember Traci Park isn't convinced this is the answer.
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Park serves on the Governance Reform Committee, and she told KNX reporter Craig Fiegener, "I have spoken to thousands of people in my district on all sides of the biggest issues facing the city of Los Angeles, and not one person has asked for more politicians."
She says it raises questions about what problem adding more members would actually solve.
"Are we trying to solve for corruption? Because if that's the case, I am not convinced that more politicians means less corruption," Park said.
If the goal is better responsiveness, the councilwoman suggests investing in council staffing and filling vacancies in city departments.
She also raises concerns about the city's long-term plan to pay for these additional council members, saying, "Without an ongoing budget commitment that adequately staffs and funds council offices, those are things that have to be addressed."
Later this month, the committee could send two reports to the council for a vote—one on the expansion plan and another on establishing an independent redistricting commission.
Park said the redistricting will occur one way or another, and it should happen through a fully transparent independent process.
As for the council expansion, in her view, it is not needed for the redistricting and is a solution in search of a problem.
The Governance Reform Committee has yet to take a final vote but tentatively agreed on an independent 17-member redistricting committee to redraw council districts.
If the council approves one or both committee suggestions, they will still require voter approval, likely on next November's ballot.
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