In a surprising move, the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission has revised election rules, allowing City Controller Kenneth Mejia, a member of the Green Party, to access $500,000 in taxpayer-funded campaign support without engaging in public debates. This change comes just weeks before the June 2 primary and has drawn criticism from political consultants and opponents, who argue it undermines the integrity of the electoral process. Previously, candidates needed to participate in debates to qualify for matching funds, but the new guidelines permit town hall-style events instead. Mejia, who oversees the city’s finances and has been vocal about issues such as police spending and homelessness, has faced scrutiny for his auditing performance, having conducted only 11 audits in three years compared to his predecessor's 108. Critics point to significant spending on homelessness initiatives, including $2.6 billion for housing programs, while questioning the effectiveness of Mejia's oversight. The city is expected to distribute as much as $15 million in public funds during the primaries, raising concerns about the implications of this rule change for transparency and accountability in Los Angeles politics.