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Paul Koretz
Koretz in 2016
Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 5th district
In office
July 1, 2009 – December 9, 2022
Preceded byJack Weiss
Succeeded byKaty Young Yaroslavsky
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 42nd district
In office
December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2006
Preceded byWally Knox
Succeeded byMike Feuer
Member of the West Hollywood City Council
In office
1988–2000
Preceded byAlan Viterbi
Succeeded byJohn Duran
Personal details
Born (1955-04-03) April 3, 1955 (age 69)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseGail Koretz
Children1
ResidenceFairfax District, Los Angeles
EducationUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BA)
OccupationPolitician
Websitecd5.lacity.org
councilmemberpaulkoretz.com

Paul Koretz (born April 3, 1955) is an American politician, who served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 5th district from 2009 until he was term-limited in 2022.[1] He was previously a member of the California State Assembly and the West Hollywood City Council.

Early life and career

[edit]

Koretz earned a bachelor's degree in history from UCLA in 1979, where he was a founder of the "Bruin Democrats".[2] While still a student at UCLA in the 1970s, he ran and was defeated for a seat on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. After graduation, Koretz worked as an aide to former Los Angeles City Councilmember Zev Yaroslavsky in 1975,[3] and next as an aide to Los Angeles City Councilmember Marvin Braude in 1984.

After his marriage, he and his wife, Gail, moved less than a mile away from his parents' home to an area where his father lived upon immigrating to Los Angeles in 1939 after escaping Nazi Germany. Koretz cites his experience growing up as the son of an immigrant parent who worked as a waiter and union member of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union as one of his biggest influences.[4]

City of West Hollywood

[edit]

In 1984, Koretz supported the creation of the City of West Hollywood from what was then unincorporated Los Angeles County. Koretz campaigned for the city's incorporation while managing the City Council campaign of Alan Viterbi and served as Viterbi's deputy after his election. Upon Viterbi's retirement in 1988, Koretz was elected to the West Hollywood City Council.[citation needed]

As Councilman, Koretz appointed Kevin Norte to the city's Rent Stabilization Commission in 1992. Norte was the commission's first openly gay chair for two one-year terms. Koretz also appointed Equality California[5] leader attorney John Duran[6] to replace Norte as Koretz's appointee to the Rent Stabilization Commission. Duran would go on to succeed Koretz on the West Hollywood City Council.

Gun Ban

[edit]

In 1988, Koretz sponsored a citywide ban on semi-automatic rifles, which built momentum for a subsequent statewide "assault weapons" ban.[citation needed] In 1996, Koretz co-sponsored the city's ban on "Saturday Night Specials." The city was the first to enact such a ban, which survived various legal challenges by the National Rifle Association of America.[citation needed] Koretz also sponsored an ordinance limiting handgun purchases to one gun per month in order to cut the resale of guns on the black market.[7]

Koretz served as Mayor and City Councilman for twelve years before being elected to the State Assembly.

Koretz's former colleague on the West Hollywood City Council, Abbe Land, was a candidate for Koretz's seat in the California State Assembly, and faced former Los Angeles City Council member Mike Feuer in the June 6, 2006 Democratic primary. Koretz endorsed Feuer, who defeated Land, winning 52.4% of the vote to her 36.3%.[8]

California State Assembly (2000–2006)

[edit]

Koretz represented the 42nd district in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006, serving the maximum three terms allowed under California term limit law. The district included West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Universal City, and the portions of the City of Los Angeles encompassing the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Los Feliz, Westwood, Brentwood, Studio City, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and North Hollywood/Valley Village.

Committee Assignments

[edit]

From his first year in the Assembly to his exit due to term limits, Koretz served as the Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee. He also chaired the Assembly Select Committee on Gun Violence and the Assembly Select Committee on California's nursing shortage. Koretz was also a member of the Health, Public Safety, Business & Professions, Insurance and Natural Resources committees.[7]

Early Environmental Work

[edit]

Koretz was the first Southern California Director of the California League of Conservation Voters and served as administrative director of the Ecology Center of Southern California. In the Assembly, he introduced legislation requiring retailers profiting from the most commonly littered items to share some of the costs of removing trash from storm water runoff, and he is the joint-author of legislation to ban the use of dry cleaner solutions found to be carcinogenic.[9]

Post-legislative service

[edit]

In June 2007, Koretz was appointed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez to the California Board of Podriatic Medicine.[10]

Los Angeles City Council (2009–2022)

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

In 2009, Koretz began his first term as a City Councilmember representing the 5th District of Los Angeles. He has been re-elected twice to the role, in 2013 and 2017. In 2017, Koretz secured 65.88% of the vote in the city's primary election.[11]

Tenure

[edit]

In 2018, Koretz lobbied successfully against California Senate Bill 827, which would have removed city control over local zoning. Koretz stated that the bill would "have a neighborhood with little 1920s, '30s and '40s single-family homes look like Dubai 10 years later".[12]

In 2020, Paul Koretz, citing public safety concerns, voted against a bill to reduce the LAPD budget which passed by an 11–3 vote.[13]

In the wake of racist comments by Council President Nury Martinez and other Councilmembers, Paul Koretz was one of the first Councilmembers, along with Mike Bonin and Nithya Raman, to call for the resignations of Martinez, Kevin De Leon, and Gil Cedillo.[14]

Animal-advocacy and Legislation

[edit]

Koretz chaired the City Council's Personnel, Audits and Animal Welfare Committee since 2011 and lists an array of achievements related to animal rights and animal well-being during his tenure.

Declawing Cats Ban

In 2009, Koretz called for a city-wide ban on the declawing of cats, saying the procedure caused ‘unnecessary pain, anguish and permanent disability’ to cats.[15] The council gave the ordinance unanimous final approval positioning the city as one of eight in the State to ban this procedure.[16]

Ban on Puppy Mills

In 2011, Koretz introduced a motion that prohibited the sale and purchase of pets bred in puppy and kitten mills.[17] Koretz cited the often horrible, inhumane conditions in which animals are bred which lead to disease, and long-term behavior problems in cats and dogs. The mills also contribute to overpopulation, and the euthanasia of hundreds of thousands of animals. The proposal had the goal of increasing the number of animals who are adopted, rather than euthanized, from city shelters.[18] On October 31, 2012 -Los Angeles City Banned the Sale of Commercially Bred Puppies and Kittens.[19]

Protecting Elephants

In 2013, Koretz stood before Council asking the city of Los Angeles to take action preventing cruelty to elephants traveling with circuses. Koretz stated that he did his own investigation about circus practices before asking the council to take action. He played a video showing a young elephant hogtied in a pen during training sessions. In another scene, an elephant can be heard making sounds of apparent distress after an animal prod is applied to its skin by a trainer which was so distressful that Council President Herb Wesson cut off the video, provided by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, after a few minutes saying: “Mr. Koretz, I believe we’ve seen more than enough,” Wesson said. “I’m ready to vote.” [20] The Los Angeles City Council voted to ban the use of bullhooks on circus elephants.[21][22]

Koretz advocated for Billy, an aging elephant housed at the Los Angeles Zoo to be retired to a sanctuary 3 times over the course of a decade. First in 2009, second in 2018,[23] with then Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, and again in 2022 saying that “The zoo has successfully, up to this point, waited me out.”[24] In addition to support from elephant advocates, Cher and Lily Tomlin,[25] Koretz stated in his motion that Billy was "alone in a small enclosure where he was kept on hard surfaces not considered beneficial for his feet and joints, and allegedly received a lack of sufficient exercise and stimulation [and Billy has] long has been exhibiting abnormal (stereotypic) behavioral patterns many elephant experts characterize as indicating detrimental mental health impacts from that environment.”[26]

LA Animal Services

[edit]

In response to poor conditions in the Los Angeles Animal Shelter system in 2022, Koretz held a series of City Council Committee hearings with extensive public comment which led to the creation of a 48-page report detailing both whistleblower concerns and recommendations on how to improve shelter conditions.[27] Koretz also proposed reinstating volunteers, increasing funding, expanding play programs, and improving volunteer relations. He noted, however, that neither the Personnel, Audits and Animal Welfare committee, nor he, as an individual Councilmember without full Council approval, has “an ability to order the Department of Animal Services to do anything.”

These actions were taken in response to Los Angeles Times articles which found that dogs were often confined for weeks at a time[28] and several volunteers who were reportedly fired after whistleblowing on the shelter's staff shortages and inhumane conditions.

Environmental Legislation

[edit]

For over 10 years, Koretz remained the only constant member of the City Council's Energy, Climate Change, Environment Justice and River Committee.

Beyond Coal

In 2014, Koretz was the first City Councilmember to sign on to the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign and he introduced a motion to significantly reduce carbon pollution in the City of Los Angeles, the first motion of its kind to be introduced in a major U.S. city. The motion called for the city to reduce its overall carbon output by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 and also requested that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the largest publicly owned utility in the nation, subscribe to a timeline that achieves carbon reductions that are 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.[29][30][31] Ultimately, this led to the demolition of the Navajo Generating Plant, the largest coal producing plant in the Western US, in 2022. “The demolition of the smokestacks at NGS is a solemn event,” said Nicole Horseherder, executive director of the Navajo environmental grassroots group Tó Nizhóní Ání. “It’s a reminder of decades of exploitation subsidized by cheap coal and water from the Navajo and Hopi.”[32]

Climate Emergency Mobilization Office

Koretz and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced a motion to create a Climate Emergency Mobilization Office working with the LEAP L.A Coalition at the beginning of 2018, following massive winter wildfires. This motion positioned Los Angeles as the first city in the world to signal action must be taken to mitigate drastic climate change.[33] The office launched in 2021 with former Mayor Eric Garcetti's support.[34]

Building Decarbonization Ordinance

In 2021, Koretz authored a motion to decarbonize city buildings, making all new buildings in the city of Los Angeles net zero carbon by 2030 and decarbonizing all existing buildings by 2050. The motion said that "many well-meaning policies to combat climate change and pollution have left low-income communities with higher energy bills and worse air quality due to a disparity in excess to energy efficiency programs" and called for safeguards to prevent the burden of decarbonization costs being passed onto tenants, noting that current laws allow landlords to pass building improvement costs onto tenants.[35][36][37]

Organics Recycling Ordinance

To comply with a Senate Bill 1383, adopted in 2016 as an effort to reduce emissions and which required organic waste to be reduced by 75% by 2025, the Los Angeles City Council passed a motion authored by Koretz aimed at expanding its residential organics collection program from the current 18,000 customers to 750,000 customers.[38][39]

Expanded Polystyrene ban ordinance

Koretz introduced an ordinance, with Councilmember O'Farrell, calling for a ban on expanded polystyrene also known by its trade name Styrofoam as it is “toxic from production to usage to landfill.”[40][41] The ordinance prohibits the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene products for businesses with more than 26 employees beginning in April 2023, and for smaller businesses in April 2024. Koretz stated in council pointing to a Styrofoam cup with a chasing symbol on the back, said that the symbol implies the cup is recyclable. "But it's not," Koretz said. "It will never happen. This cup will never be recycled. It is chasing into a landfill. It's being chased into an ocean. It's being chased into rivers. But this will never be chased into a recycling plant."[42]

Healthy Soils/Regenerate LA

Following the release of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) urgent climate warning, Koretz and Councilmember Mike Bonin put forward a motion, approved by Council, institutionalizing the Regenerate LA healthy soils initiative. The legislative action will help to “drawdown,” or pull greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through a holistic, comprehensive effort by using the city's annual estimated 280,000 tons of food waste to build healthy soils on parklands and open space.[43][44][45]

LA City Biodiversity Index

In 2017, the City Council adopted a motion introduced by Koretz that directed the city's Department of Sanitation and Environment to develop a customized biodiversity index.[46] Said Koretz: “The creation of this groundbreaking L.A. City Biodiversity Index is the next important step toward the comprehensive, holistic wildlife and habitat protection ... [using] evidenced-based science to create policies that emphasize and encourage the interconnectedness of healthy ecosystems and healthy people across L.A. as we move forward into an uncertain climate-changed future.'' [46][47]

Bike-friendly Infrastructure

In the mid-2010s, Koretz blocked efforts to build a bikeway network on Westwood Blvd in Westwood, Los Angeles.[48][49][50] Koretz claimed that the bike lanes would be dangerous and would increase traffic by taking the place of parking spaces and turning lanes.[51] For safety purposes, Koretz proposed moving the bike lane one block to the west to less-trafficked Gayley Avenue.[52]

Koretz blocked the provision of $50 million in State dollars for the "Uplift Melrose" project, a plan to revitalize Melrose Avenue which would reduce Melrose to one lane in either direction with no left turns. The plan included raised crossroads; bus lanes and covered bus stops; increased tree canopy cover Melrose; and separated bike lanes. Koretz, however, stated concerns regarding traffic back ups in both directions. He also said in a letter that the plan would impact emergency responders, but was accused of NIMBYism by critics.[53][54]

Housing

[edit]

In 2019, Koretz opposed California Senate Bill 50, a zoning reform bill which would allow for dense housing near rail stations, major bus routes and areas with high concentrations of jobs.[55] Koretz called the bill a "handout for developers" and said that more housing supply would destroy historic districts, destroy single-family neighborhoods, and displace renters.[55]

Labor

[edit]

A long-time supporter of the labor movement, in 2014, Koretz with Councilmember Cedillo introduced a wage-theft motion, approved by Council, to criminalize wage theft and increase penalties and fines on employers who unfairly cheat their employees out of pay.[56] Koretz argued that this ordinance would give Angelenos another tool to battle wage theft, ensuring that workers get the money they deserve and leveling the playing field for businesses that follow the rules.[57] During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021, Koretz and Councilmen Marqueece Harris-Dawson authored the Hero Pay[58] legislation which required large grocery and pharmacy retailers to offer employees an additional $5 per hour in hazard pay. The motion is designed to also help shape future legislative policy regarding worker protections, essential services in neglected communities and strategies to address "food deserts.''[59]

Security Grants

[edit]

With the goal to keep young people safe in high schools, Koretz helped the Simon Wiesenthal Center secure a grant from the federal government to develop a security program in Los Angeles high schools.[60][61][62] In April 2022, the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition filed a lawsuit over Paul Koretz's failure to respond to a public records request regarding his communications with the Simon Wiesenthal Center about this security program. Koretz responded by saying his office was overwhelmed with record requests and needed more time. The records were sent 14 months later, on the day of the lawsuit's filing.[citation needed]

Farewell speech

[edit]

Following ongoing disruptions and protests of council meetings which began after the George Floyd murder in May 2020, Koretz ended his final speech as a member of the City Council with explicit language directed at activists by appropriating a quote heard hundreds of times from them during city meetings held by video.[63][64] He received applause and a standing ovation by fellow Councilmembers, staffers, and members of the attending public, though he was criticized for his language by some commentators and constituents on social media.[1]

2022 Los Angeles City Controller election

[edit]

Paul Koretz announced his candidacy for LA City Controller in January 2020.[65] Koretz faced criticism when a Commissioner of the LA Department of Water and Power held a fundraiser for Koretz's campaign for City Controller.[66][67]

Paul Koretz advanced to the general election after placing 2nd place in the primary election with 23.67% of the vote. He was defeated in the general election by Certified Public Accountant and activist Kenneth Mejia, 60.8% to 39.2%.[68] Paul Koretz conceded on Nov 9, 2022.

Personal life

[edit]

Koretz's wife, Gail, served as local government liaison for the office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.[69] They have one child, Rachel. The Koretz family resides in the Beverly-Fairfax District of Los Angeles.[70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Rodriguez, Matthew (9 December 2022). "Councilman Paul Koretz delivers his final goodbye in shocking fashion". CBS News.
  2. ^ "The Bruin Democrats". Archived from the original on 6 January 2009.
  3. ^ "L.A. city controller race guide: Paul Koretz vs. Kenneth Mejia". Yahoo News. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Russians & Gays & Lesbians, Oh My..." Archived from the original on 2 September 2000.
  5. ^ "Board of Directors - Equality California". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
  6. ^ "Mayor John J. Duran". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  7. ^ a b "Paul Koretz: Progressive Activist". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
  8. ^ "Member of the State Assembly; District 42; Democratic Party Election Information June 6, 2006 Election".
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ Alex Vassar (24 June 2007). "Paul Koretz Political History". JoinCalifornia.com archive. Retrieved 25 June 2006.
  11. ^ https://www.lavote.net/documents/SVC/3577_SVC_Precinct_ZBC.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  12. ^ Dillon, Liam. "Get ready for a lot more housing near the Expo Line and other California transit stations if new legislation passes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Council File: 20-0692 - Los Angeles Police Department Budget Cut / Disadvantaged and Communities of Color Reinvestment". Los Angeles City Clerk - Council File Management System. 30 June 2021.
  14. ^ "L.A. council President Nury Martinez faces pressure to resign after racist remarks in leaked audio". Los Angeles Times. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  15. ^ Maria L. La Ganga; Anne Colby (7 November 2009). "Cities act to protect cat claws". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  16. ^ ABC7. "Los Angeles City Council bans cat declawing". ABC7 San Francisco. Retrieved 1 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Nicole Santa Cruz (9 May 2011). "L.A. Councilman Koretz introduces motion to bar sales of pets from mills". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Councilman takes aim at puppy mills". Daily News. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Last Chance for Animals - Anti-puppy Mill Legislation". www.lcanimal.org. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  20. ^ Times, Catherine Saillant Catherine Saillant is a former reporter for the Los Angeles (24 October 2013). "L.A. moves to ban use of bullhooks on circus elephants". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  21. ^ Emily Alpert Reyes (30 April 2014). "City Council bans use of bullhooks on circus elephants in L.A." Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Los Angeles bans bullhooks used to control circus elephants". Reuters. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Activists And City Councilman Want Billy The Elephant 'Freed' From The L.A. Zoo". LAist. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  24. ^ Christian Martinez (2 December 2022). "Billy the elephant is ailing from 30 years at L.A. Zoo and should be moved, City Council panel says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Lily Tomlin and Cher join fight to free Billy the elephant". 13newsnow.com. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Councilman criticizes LA Zoo's treatment of Billy the Elephant". Hey SoCal. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  27. ^ Koretz, Paul (October 2022). "2022 State of the Los Angeles City Animal Shelters" (PDF).
  28. ^ "More dogs walks, mediation for volunteers: Koretz calls for overhaul of L.A. Animal Services". Los Angeles Times. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  29. ^ "LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCILMEMBER KORETZ INTRODUCES MOTION TO REDUCE L.A.'s CARBON EMISSIONS BY 80 PERCENT". Sierra Club National. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  30. ^ "City of Los Angeles vows support for Clean Air Act". www.biologicaldiversity.org. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  31. ^ "Los Angeles may join other U.S. cities in reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent". Daily News. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  32. ^ Arvin, Jariel (19 December 2020). "After decades of activism, the Navajo coal plant has been demolished". Vox. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  33. ^ "LA forms first-ever climate emergency mobilisation office". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Garcetti Announces Launch Of Climate Emergency Mobilization Office". The Breakfast Club. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Officials Announce First Steps Toward Decarbonizing LA Buildings". Los Angeles, CA Patch. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  36. ^ "Los Angeles Commission Supports Equitable Building Decarb". www.nrdc.org. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  37. ^ "Los Angeles takes steps toward total decarbonization | U.S. Green Building Council". www.usgbc.org. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Los Angeles City Council Votes To Expand Food Waste Collection Program". MyNewsLA.com. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  39. ^ "LA Sanitation will aim to collect food waste from 750,000 customers by year's end". Daily News. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  40. ^ "Los Angeles officials ban polystyrene foam products in move toward 'zero-waste' city". Los Angeles Times. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  41. ^ "LA City Council bans sale, distribution of Styrofoam products". Daily News. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  42. ^ "LA City Council approves ban on Styrofoam products". City News Service. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  43. ^ Calli Sara Goldstein (24 September 2020). "Launching RegenerateLA – Los Angeles' New Strategy to Give Back to Mother Nature". Larchmont Buzz. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020.
  44. ^ "Policy Program". Kiss the Ground. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  45. ^ 2nd Los Angeles Urban Soil Symposium - Opening Remarks - Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, retrieved 1 April 2023
  46. ^ a b "Los Angeles Releases Study to Help Measure City's Biodiversity". 640 WHLO. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  47. ^ "LA Sanitation & Environment Leads U.S. In Protecting Biodiversity & Measuring Urban Ecosystem Health | The Planning Report". www.planningreport.com. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  48. ^ "L.A. City Council Approves New Mobility Plan, Including Vision Zero". Streetsblog Los Angeles. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  49. ^ "Westwood Bike Lanes Connecting National and Wilshire Killed by Council Office". Streetsblog Los Angeles. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  50. ^ "City Council To Vote On Controversial Westwood Bike Lanes For The Third Time". LAist. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  51. ^ "Westwood bike lane proposal ignites strong feelings on both sides". Los Angeles Times. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  52. ^ "LA City Council votes to move bike lane from Westwood Boulevard to Gayley". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  53. ^ "Proposed "Uplift Melrose" Streetscape Project Enjoys Widespread Community Support". 26 August 2020.
  54. ^ "Koretz won't back 'Uplift Melrose' plan". Beverly Press & Park Labrea News. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  55. ^ a b "L.A. City Council opposes state bill that would lift local zoning rules". Los Angeles Times. 16 April 2019.
  56. ^ "UCLA Labor Center". UCLA Labor Center. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  57. ^ Emily Alpert Reyes (25 June 2014). "L.A. councilmen push for ordinance to crack down on wage theft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  58. ^ Dakota Smith; Suhauna Hussain; Faith E. Pinho (2 February 2021). "Hazard pay for grocery workers gets a big boost from L.A. But big chains are pushing back". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  59. ^ Service • •, City News (8 April 2021). "Councilmen Want Investigation Over Kroger Closing Stores Due to Hero Pay". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  60. ^ "Stop LAPD Spying Sues City Councilman Paul Koretz". 28 April 2022.
  61. ^ Khan, Hamid (28 April 2022). "Stop LAPD Spying Sues City Councilmember Paul Koretz for Hiding Communications". CityWatch Los Angeles. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  62. ^ Aron, Hillel (4 May 2022). "LA City Hall reopens to public after two years, with little fanfare". www.courthousenews.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  63. ^ Regular City Council - 12/9/22, retrieved 29 March 2023
  64. ^ Winton, Richard (2 June 2020). "L.A. Police Commission and Chief Moore hear from outraged residents". Los Angeles Times.
  65. ^ "LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz announces plans to run for city controller". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  66. ^ "DWP Commissioner Held Fundraiser for Councilmember Koretz in Violation of City Ethics Laws". Knock LA. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  67. ^ "DWP commissioner hosted fundraiser for candidate in apparent ethics violation". Los Angeles Times. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  68. ^ "Election Results". results.lavote.gov. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  69. ^ Orlov, Rick "Los Angeles City Hall becoming a family affair for Councilman Paul Koretz" Los Angeles Daily News, September 15, 2013
  70. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Los Angeles City Councilmember,
5th district

July 1, 2009 – present
Succeeded by
Katy Young Yaroslavsky
California Assembly
Preceded by California Assemblymember,
42nd District

2000–2006
Succeeded by