re: Is Latoya the defacto governor?

I think she and other similar politicians are trying to cause as many businesses to fail as possible so they can be replaced by other business investors, ones who are paying her for the privilege.

It's known that the Chinese have bought up a lot of failed businesses in Europe and elsewhere.

A secondary effect is that it helps the big chains and other large corporations, who can afford to weather the storm before making more money in the long run in the absence of competition.

The only new business within a mile of me that I've seen constructed in the last few months is a Burger King.