The Times’ endorsements

The March 7 primary will test whether Los Angeles voters are still committed to fixing some of the city’s most difficult problems. Over the last few weeks, the Times has run full-length arguments for and against candidates and measures on the March ballot. Here is a summary; the full endorsements are available at www.latimes.com/endorsements/.

Measure H (L.A. County sales tax for homeless services): YES. This quarter-cent sales tax will raise $355 million annually for 10 years for mental health, drug counseling and other services to help homeless people get off and stay off the streets. Mayor: ERIC GARCETTI. Garcetti has a smart vision for a more livable, affordable, transit-oriented city, and he could make great progress if he sticks around and uses his political capital to make change happen.

City Attorney: MIKE FEUER. Feuer is a good lawyer and a good politician who is helping fix the city’s problems with vigor and creativity. He is unopposed. City Controller: RON GALPERIN. Galperin has had some small victories, but needs to think bigger and use the bully pulpit to push for reform. He is unopposed.

Council District 1: JOE BRAY-ALI. Newcomer Bray-Ali, a small businessman and bicycle advocate, is more attuned to community needs and concerns with growth and development than incumbent Gil Cedillo. Council District 3: BOB BLUMENFIELD. Low-profile Blumenfield is unopposed. He’s a capable councilman who ought to take on a more prominent role in water management, technology and other difficult issues.

Council District 5: PAUL KORETZ. Although he hasn’t been enough of a leader on key issues, Koretz cares deeply for his constituents. His opponents aren’t up to the job.

Council District 7: MONICA RATLIFF. Of the 20 candidates, Ratliff stands out as an independent problem solver committed to transparency and accountability. Council District 9: JORGE NUÑO. Nuño lacks the experience of incumbent Curren Price, but his entrepreneurship and connections to grass-roots groups make him a strong community-oriented voice. Council District 11: MIKE BONIN. A leader on transportation and housing, Bonin has shown real political courage by advocating for the homeless in his district and citywide. Council District 13: MITCH O’FARRELL. O’Farrell has been a thoughtful, committed representative who has his eyes on the longterm housing needs of the city. Council District 15: JOE BUSCAINO. Buscaino’s performance has been adequate. He has pushed for redevelopment in his district and for better street and sidewalk maintenance citywide. Measure M (city-sponsored marijuana

taxes and regulation): YES. This measure would direct the city to develop muchneeded rules covering the emerging medical and recreational marijuana industry. Measure N (industry-sponsored marijuana

taxes and regulation): NO. This was the marijuana industry’s bid to write its own rules. The proponents now back Measure M.

Measure P (longer port leases): YES. This would allow the Port of L.A. to lease property for 66 years, making it easier to attract investors to redevelop the waterfront. Measure S (two-year moratorium on certain developments): NO. This is a slowgrowth, anti-development measure that will hurt Los Angeles in the long run by worsening the city’s housing crisis and stifling economic development. Los Angeles Unified Board of Education: District 2: LISA ALVA. A teacher at a magnet school, Alva would be a refreshing new and independent voice on the board in place of incumbent Monica Garcia, who lacks a record of accomplishment. District 4: NICK MELVOIN. A former teacher and reform advocate, Melvoin is more willing to confront the district’s serious financial problems and bring new ideas to the board than incumbent Steve Zimmer. District 6: KELLY GONEZ. Charter school teacher Gonez is well-versed in both classroom realities and big-picture policies. She’d bring a collaborative presence to the board. Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees: Seat 2: STEVEN VERES. A former trustee seeking to return, Veres understands both the college system and the dynamics of Sacramento, which funds the system. Seat 4: ERNEST H. MORENO. Incumbent Moreno is a retired district administrator and possesses an impressive level of institutional knowledge. Seat 6: GABRIEL BUELNA. Buelna, who heads a community services organization and teaches at Cal State Northridge, understands students’ challenges and needs, while incumbent Nancy Pearlman has little to show for her time on the board.