We often say the RPLG is a “mission driven” firm — the mission being to help local governments survive, succeed and innovate. It is particularly heartening that the California Supreme Court has recognized the critical work our clients perform every day in a recent decision (Pico Neighborhood Association v. City of Santa Monica (2023) 2023 WL 5440486). It’s not just that all politics are local; all government services are local. Support your local governments!
“Local governments make many of the most important decisions that affect Californians’ everyday lives. They build and repair public streets, they define a neighborhood’s character through planning and zoning, and they decide where to place public parks and where to allow restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to operate. They make decisions about public transit and decide where to site industries that cause pollution. They provide police services and determine the level and type of policing and other first responder services, they educate our children, they operate or regulate local utilities, and they have the power to levy taxes. The people exercise control over these choices by electing representatives to city councils, county boards, boards of education, community college boards, special district boards, and other bodies.”
PUBLIC SAFETY REFORM AND INNOVATION WEBINAR SERIES
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Karen’s Latin Kitchen: Peruvian Empanadas
I adopted this recipe from both my mom Ines’ recipe and from award-winning Peruvian Chef Gaston Acurio. My mom’s beef empanadas were delicious and flaky, and included hard-boiled eggs and raisins. Gaston Acurio’s do [...]
Investigating Same Culture Bias with Spanish-Speaking Employees
Discrimination can take place at work within the same culture, nationality or ethnic group. While it is important to avoid generalizations and recognize that many factors can influence workplace dynamics, it is worth exploring some of the circumstances that may contribute to conflict or tension between Latino supervisors and immigrant workers, even when they share similar ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds.
The Hidden Liability of Favoritism: How Public Entities Handle Favoritism and Nepotism Claims and How to Investigate Them
Few workplace issues generate more employee complaints than favoritism. Employees frequently perceive that certain coworkers receive better assignments, more training opportunities, more favorable schedules, less scrutiny or greater protection from discipline than others. For HR professionals, employers and employment lawyers, these complaints present a challenging question: Is favoritism a workplace culture problem, a policy violation or a legal risk?