Inglewood mayoral election and local measures focus on billboards and taxes

The Inglewood mayoral election, concluding on November 3, features six candidates, including incumbent James T. Butts Jr. and challengers Fre’Drisha Dixon, Joseph Soto, Arturo Martinez, Gloria D. Gray, and Raina Carrillo. During a recent candidate forum, challengers expressed support for term limits, forensic audits of city finances, and moving City Council meetings to more accessible evening hours.

The election is closely tied to two local measures, BB and AT, which stem from disputes regarding video billboards and stadium interests. Measure BB aims to restrict the city's authority to authorize public advertising, a position supported by local stadiums. Conversely, Measure AT seeks to remove limits on stadium ticket tax collections, with support from WOW Media, the operator of local billboards. Measure AT would implement a 10% tax on admissions for venues with over 22,000 spectators, such as SoFi Stadium, and a 2.5% tax for smaller venues.

Campaign funding for these measures reflects the underlying conflict, as stadium interests fund Measure BB while billboard interests fund Measure AT. Candidates like Gloria D. Gray have emphasized the need for transparency and government accountability to ensure residents have a voice in decisions affecting their community.