Back to the Policy Future

After taking a week off, we’re back, and yes, this episode runs long again. Sorry, folks. Too much happening to keep it brief! We open with another media roundup, connecting national events to what’s unfolding here in Los Angeles and in Altadena. We talk about the national strike, journalists being arrested, bystanders being shot, and perhaps the most Altadena detail of all, Altadena Cookie Co is selling out of their “Fuck ICE” cookies every single day they make them. Read what Shawna wrote on the topic for Beautiful Altadena. Next, we turn to Trump’s Executive Order threatening federal intervention in permitting and rebuilding in both Altadena and the Palisades. While much of the coverage zeroes in on permitting, we argue that this misses the real issue entirely. The real story is that we’ve had money available for nearly a year, and it’s not moving, not because of the federal government, but because there is no economic development plan. The tools to bring money into this community already exist. The question remains, why is no one using them? Oh, the irony that even the Feds note we’d have more money here already if only we were incorporated. Instead, we’re watching organizations line up to parrot the party line, fight for control, and recreate the same dynamics that have plagued homelessness policy in our state for decades. The poverty pimps have become the new disaster pimps. We move into highlights from a new policy session and break down: SB 878 from Senator Sasha Pérez once again taking on the insurance industry, co-signed by Ben Allen, who is also positioning himself for a run at Insurance Commissioner. Will this finally help consumers — or will it push more insurers out of California? AB 1642, introduced by John Harabedian with Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU), calling for “Clearance Before Occupancy.” It’s an important concept, but is the focus on standing homes too narrow? Is this a missed opportunity — or a necessary first step to build broader policy? Finally, we discuss the Eaton Fire Collaborative’s LTRG Policy Advisory Committee's (PACs) expansive list of policy asks including more than $1.6 billion for a Community Land Trust, a revived version of SB 549 to create a rebuilding authority, and a total package that approaches $4 billion. If we couldn’t secure $70 million for post-remediation testing from the state, how are we supposed to land billions? We couldn't get $10 million for a CLT before, but now believe we can get $1.6 billion? And what happens if these asks can't deliver? The bottom line. You can’t do real advocacy while trying to curry favor from the very systems you need to demand accountability from. Small Business Shout-Out: Basic Nail Shoppe This episode’s small business shout-out goes to Basic Nail Shoppe, located at 3851 Foothill Blvd in Hastings Ranch, owned by Alex and Trish — Altadena residents who lost their home in the fire and are actively rebuilding. We loved them before the fire, and it's so great to be back here again. Follow on Instagram: @thebasicnailshoppe Note: This episode was recorded Tuesday, February 3, 2026.