Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and her challenger, Nithya Raman, are deflecting blame for the city's deteriorating infrastructure, particularly its streets, as the November election approaches. Both candidates have been criticized for prioritizing ideological initiatives over basic services and for touting minor repairs as significant accomplishments.
Bass, seeking reelection, stated in a recent radio interview that she is not responsible for the city's dilapidated streets, arguing that the infrastructure has crumbled over decades. "It wasn't me," she said, adding, "I promise I didn't break those sidewalks." While she acknowledged that filling potholes is her responsibility, critics suggest her initial instinct was to blame predecessors and distance herself from the issue.
Last year, under Bass's administration, the city reportedly opted for patchwork fixes over full street repaving. This approach, while less costly in the short term and potentially avoiding ADA-compliant curb ramps, can lead to greater long-term expenses as patches erode and pavement deteriorates. The article suggests that Bass and progressive City Council members have prioritized other agendas over essential street repairs, a record they own.
Nithya Raman, who has served on the City Council for nearly six years, is also facing criticism for her approach to infrastructure. She was noted for celebrating a newly painted crosswalk in her district, which was applied over cracked and dilapidated pavement. This gesture was characterized as a superficial fix that did little to address the underlying issues.
Both candidates are accused of disclaiming responsibility for the city's problems while boasting of minor repairs that fail to tackle the root causes of infrastructure decay. The situation has been described as "Third World-level stuff in one of America's grandest cities."