Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman clashed in a televised debate hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo52, marking the last face-off before the November 3 election. Discussions ranged from public safety to economic and city policy challenges.
Debate Highlights
During the debate, Bass criticized Raman for her perceived lack of readiness to lead, pointing to Raman’s voting history on issues like police staffing and public encampments. Raman countered by labeling Bass as an absentee mayor who had failed to address rising homelessness effectively.
Raman argued that L.A. cannot endure another term of decline and mismanagement under Bass.
Addressing City Issues
The candidates discussed handling problem properties in L.A. Raman proposed stronger communication and action from city departments, while Bass mentioned budget efforts to expedite clearing properties.
Film Industry Jobs
Bass proposed appointing a film czar and reducing filming costs to retain industry jobs. Raman, affected personally by the industry’s decline, advocated for uncapped tax credits.
Immigration Policy
Both candidates expressed strong views on immigration. Bass defended her history of advocacy and coordination with council members against federal actions. Raman criticized Bass for losing immigrant trust and called for cutting ties between the LAPD and ICE.
Mansion Tax Debate
Concerning the impact of Measure ULA, or the ‘mansion tax,’ both candidates agreed on the need for reform. Raman proposed exemptions for new apartments, while Bass pushed for state-level tax reductions last year.
Handling Disasters
Bass apologized for her absence during the Palisades fire and claimed progress in disaster preparedness under new leadership. Raman questioned the readiness of the fire department and criticized past leadership during fires.
Public Safety and Technology
On police technology, Raman expressed skepticism about mass surveillance, while Bass saw potential benefits but criticized Flock’s data sharing practices.
Homelessness Crisis
Bass stood by the Inside Safe initiative, despite its high costs and mixed results. Raman criticized the program’s efficiency and promised decisive change if elected.
Final Remarks
Bass urged voters to consider the risks of electing Raman, citing her record against police and encampment decisions. Raman aimed to connect with voters by promising effective reform and criticizing Bass’s leadership as insufficient.
Undecided Voters
Bass faced challenges winning over undecided voters, exacerbated by losing Spencer Pratt’s supporters in the primary. She also needed to secure stronger Latino support against Raman’s lead among these voters.
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