Graham Stephan, who left Los Angeles six years ago over living conditions, interviews Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who is running for mayor against Karen Bass, with landlord-investor guest Jason. Raman says the mayor's real power since a charter reform is hiring and firing department heads and setting their metrics. They press her on rent control, the mansion tax, permitting, homelessness, policing, DSA ties and taxes. Bass never replied to the invitation.
Raman backs a 60-day permit shot clock for compliant projects and 120 days otherwise, and concedes the mansion tax has likely suppressed apartment construction. Guests cite a roughly 29% fall in LA multifamily values. On homelessness she cites a 70% drop in tents and RVs in her district and says short-term vouchers cost $29-35K per person yearly versus up to $100K for Inside Safe. She would keep LAPD at its current size, add unarmed responders, and audit every dollar. She calls the $6B convention center expansion a money-loser, losing $90M a year, and says trust must precede new taxes. Graham says he'd vote for her.