Secession Bill Opposed by Council

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to oppose a bill that would allow the San Fernando Valley to secede from the city with the support of two-thirds of Valley voters.

The council voted 9 to 3 to oppose the legislation by Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar), which is one of two secession bills before lawmakers in Sacramento.

In an interview in Sacramento, Cardenas said he expected the council’s opposition, but added: “I don’t think it will have a large ripple effect up here.”

The council now can reject any secession effort. But some Valley residents and lawmakers are pushing for legislation to eliminate the council’s veto power.

The other secession bill before state lawmakers was drafted by Assemblymen Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) and Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks). It calls for a citywide vote on secession.

On Tuesday, the council restated its long-held position that it is willing to give up its power to veto secession as long as it is replaced with a citywide vote.

Council members Mike Feuer and Jackie Goldberg said the Cardenas bill is flawed because it does not allow residents from other parts of the city to vote on a breakup that would affect the entire city.

But the bill was supported by Councilmen Richard Alarcon, Mike Hernandez and Rudy Svorinich Jr., who said the two-thirds requirement ensures strong community backing of a secession.

Alarcon, who represents parts of the northeast Valley, said he does not support secession but wants to address repeated complaints by Valley residents who say they have little say in City Hall.

“If we do not allow them a decision on this we will drive a wedge between our communities,” he said.

Both secession bills have passed the Assembly and will be considered next week in the state Senate’s local government committee.

“It’s pretty tough getting stuff through the Senate,” Cardenas said. But he said he believes his bill has the best chance of passing.