L.A. Street Vendors in the Political Crosshairs | California News

In the heart of LA’s mayoral race, street vendors are caught in a political firestorm after Mayor Karen Bass compared them to encampments — prompting fierce pushback from opponent Nithya Raman, who unveiled her plan to legitimize and support them. With an estimated 50,000 vendors operating under the radar — just 53 holding official permits — the system is broken: permit rules mirror restaurant standards, making them unworkable for most. Despite state decriminalization in 2018, cities still enforce health codes, while research shows vendors actually boost nearby job growth. Raman’s campaign is pushing for reforms: slashing permit fees and expanding state farmers market permits to...