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Mayor Richardson's Priorities

Cleaner Air, Healthier Neighborhoods, A City Built to Last

Rex Richardson believes a cleaner Long Beach and a stronger Long Beach go hand in hand. His administration is making sure environmental progress delivers real benefits to real people — especially in communities that have historically borne the heaviest burden of pollution and disinvestment.

  • Through the Westside Promise, Rex revitalized historically underserved neighborhoods with cleaner air, improved parks, and expanded economic opportunity — backed by a 10-year community investment strategy.

  • Rex championed Measure US, an oil production tax that generates dedicated funding for environmental justice and community health programs.

  • The DeForest Park Wetlands restoration created 34 acres of public green space — with freshwater wetlands, wildlife habitats, and recreational trails — in North Long Beach.

  • Rex is guiding the city's transition away from local oil revenue reliance by 2030, while maintaining high-quality city services throughout.

  • He is cutting port emissions, restoring wetlands, modernizing stormwater systems, holding upriver cities accountable for their waste, and building resilience against sea-level rise.

  • Expanded the Urban Forest Master Plan for heat mitigation and certified 90 local businesses through the Green Business Program.

  • Rex advanced Long Beach's Climate Action Plan, expanded renewable energy initiatives, and is growing the urban canopy to 100,000 trees by 2026.

Environmental progress isn't just good policy — it's economic opportunity, public health, and community pride. Under Rex's leadership, Long Beach is proving you don't have to choose between a healthy city and a thriving one.