How Karen Bass, Nithya Raman have driven LA off the road

“It wasn’t me.”That’s Karen Bass’ unofficial motto as she runs for reelection this November.In a radio interview published this week, Mayor Karen Bass told Angelenos that she’s not responsible for the city’s dilapidated streets.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story After all, she said, city infrastructure has crumbled for decades –– decades! –– and “those sidewalks did not break because I’m mayor.”And then: “I promise I didn’t break those sidewalks.”A smart aleck might say it’s good to know the mayor’s not a sidewalk vandal.And Bass did eventually hear herself talk and add, “The potholes are my responsibility to fill them up.”But what does it say about Bass that her first instinct was to blame her predecessors? Her second was to quip that it’s not “because I’m mayor”? And her third was to say, literally, “I didn’t do it”?This is the top elected official of the second-largest city in America. She should be serious, effective and accountable.Instead, she’s admitting failure, laughing it off, and deflecting blame.Bass has ducked accountability on a range of issues, from public safety to the Palisades Fire to LA’s homelessness crisis.This time it’s street repair –– which entails far more than just filling potholes.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!Last year, under Bass’ watch, LA steered away from full street repaving in favor of patchwork fixes. This approach costs less in the short-term, and can dodge pricey ADA-required curb ramps...