California Senate Votes Down Disbanding of Vernon
The California state Senate voted against disincorporating the city of Vernon in a 17–13 vote on Aug. 29.
Assembly Bill 46, which states that cities with a population of fewer than 150 people should be incorporated into their respective county, was sponsored by Assembly Speaker John Perez (D–Los Angeles) in an attempt to combat corruption in the tiny town, which is home to many apparel manufacturers, including James Perse, True Religion, Lucky Brand Jeans and J Brand.
After a months-long battle between supporters—including Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley—who alleged wide-spread corruption in the city, and labor unions and local businesses who said they would not be able to afford to operate their businesses in Los Angeles without the many discounts that Vernon provides, Senators voiced concerns over potential job losses and voted in favor of reforms for the city rather than disincorporation.
“We are extremely pleased and grateful that the Senate rebuffed Speaker Perez and his ill-conceived legislation that threatened tens of thousands of California jobs and businesses,” Marisa Olguin, president of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “If passed, AB 46 would have resulted in the loss of 11,620 California manufacturing jobshellip;the Vernon Chamber and its business leaders believe that fixing Vernon through substantive reforms is the answer instead of a disincorporation or annexation.”
State Senator Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), who initially supported the push for disincorporation and later reversed his position, is now calling for an audit of the Vernon Light and Power Department amid allegations that the company is not financially healthy, according to The Los Angeles Times.
