Long Beach City Council Member Rex Richardson Sworn in as SCAG President

Building an inclusive and equitable recovery strategy that addresses the health, social and economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic tops Rex Richardson’s policy priorities as the newly installed President of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

“Our communities are facing a crisis on three fronts: a public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis with unprecedented levels of unemployment, and a social justice emergency as a result of longstanding racial inequities. The communities we serve are looking to SCAG for innovative and forward-thinking leadership,” Richardson said. “This is a moment that demands we redefine what ‘resiliency’ means for local government. In the weeks and months ahead, we have a unique opportunity to fundamentally change systems and processes to be more inclusive, equitable, and effective.”

Richardson, a Long Beach City Council member, was sworn in Thursday to lead the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization after serving as SCAG’s First Vice President this past year. At 36, he is the youngest person to hold the office of President in the agency’s 55-year history. SCAG represents 191 cities, six counties, and a population of more than 19 million.

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