First of two parts
Re “O’Leary Decries Lack of Influence in Sacramento and D.C.”
[img]1305|right|Andy Weissman||no_popup[/img]As perhaps the most politically experienced member of the City Council, Andy Weissman said this morning that it is “not at all surprising or unusual” that City Hall lacks what Vice Mayor Mehaul O’Leary calls a less-than-acceptable degree of influence in the legislative halls of Sacramento and Washington.
“Historically,” Mr. Weissman said, “local government has had limited influence in either city. The reality is that, whomever our elected representative is, he or she is only one of many.
“Similarly, it is difficult for local Council members to do things on their own. Even harder at the state or national level.
“There is only so much one can do, by himself or herself,” Mr. Weissman said.
“I am not surprised our elected representatives, even though they may have the best of intentions, want to do a variety of things. But they are unable to do so because they can’t get the support they need to cobble together a majority necessary to pass a bill.”
Is there, then, an objective yardstick to measure the value of state Sen. Holly D. Mitchell (D-Culver City), state Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas or U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Washington)?
(To be continued)
