Senator Ridley-Thomas Convenes State Budget Briefing in Los Angeles with California State Controller John Chiang
Controller to lead discussion with local government officials and community representatives
California is facing a looming fiscal crisis that is directly impacting local governments and the communities they serve. The state’s $102 billion fiscal spending plan is $14.5 billion in the red and the Governor has called a State of Emergency.
On Saturday, January 26th, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is joining forces with the Empowerment Congress Leadership Council to engage local government representatives and community leaders from throughout the 26th Senate District to begin a comprehensive dialogue with top state officials regarding the forthcoming budget cuts and how they will impact area residents.
California State Controller John Chiang will provide an overview of the 2008 California State Budget. He will be joined by finance experts from the Office of Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, who will help illustrate and explain the budget constraints and the extraordinary financial pressures that California is under. Numerous local government representatives have been invited to participated, including:
* Bill Fujioka; Chief Administrator, County of Los Angeles
* Leroy Baca; Los Angeles County Sheriff
* Jerry Fullwood; City Manager, Culver City
* Dr. Mark Drummond; Chancellor, Los Angeles Community College District
“It’s extremely important for local communities to be proactive and understand the state’s dire financial situation and to fully assess what’s around the corner,” said Senator Ridley-Thomas. “The Legislature is currently reviewing the Administration’s proposed spending plan which aims massive cuts in funding to education, social services, healthcare, transportation, local governments and environmental programs, including the closure of dozens of state parks and elimination of thousands of jobs. Therefore, Saturday’s Budget Briefing is designed to help us better comprehend the impacts to our communities and to the local economy.”
WHO: Senator Ridley-Thomas and the Empowerment Congress Leadership Council
WHAT: Communities in Crisis: Leadership Briefing on the 2008 State Budget
WHEN: Saturday, January 26, 2008 (9:00 am – Noon)
WHERE: California Science Center, The Muses Room - 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Proposed MTA Changes
The MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) is proposing changes to Metro bus service that, if adopted, would become effective in June 2008 or later. Metro will hold a total of seven public hearings throughout Los Angeles County, including one at Metro Headquarters, between Wednesday, February 6 and Thursday, February 14 to receive community input. The schedule of public hearings is available on the MTA website, www.metro.net .
The proposed changes are also posted on the Metro web site at www.metro.net . Service change brochures will also be available on Metro buses and rail cars as well as at Metro customer centers. Metro Brief ads in over 100 community newspapers will draw attention to the public hearings.
Metro has also published a Notice of Intent of public hearing for service changes in several newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Chinese Daily News, Rafu Shimpo, Korea Times, LA Sentinel, La Opinion and San Gabriel Valley Tribune. In addition the Notice of Intent is scheduled to be published in this Thursday's January 17th editions of the Inglewood News, Inglewood Today, California Crusader News (Inglewood) and Random Lengths (Harbor Area Independent News).
Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through February 14, 2008, the close of public record. All written testimony should be addressed to Metro Customer Relations, One Gateway Plaza, 99PL4, Los Angeles, Ca 90012-2932, Attn: June 2008 Service Changes.
In addition, comments can be e-mailed with the subject line “June 2008 Service Changes” to customerrelations@metro.net or faxed to (213) 922-6988.
These proposed service modifications will be approved in whole, or in part, at a date following the public hearings. Approved changes may also include other alternatives derived from public comment. Metro encourages members of the public to attend the upcoming public hearings and provide testimony on any service change proposal regardless of the service sector providing the service or the geographic area.
If you have any questions, please contact Helen Valenzuela at 213.922.7175 or at valenzuelah@metro.net.
The proposed changes are also posted on the Metro web site at www.metro.net . Service change brochures will also be available on Metro buses and rail cars as well as at Metro customer centers. Metro Brief ads in over 100 community newspapers will draw attention to the public hearings.
Metro has also published a Notice of Intent of public hearing for service changes in several newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Chinese Daily News, Rafu Shimpo, Korea Times, LA Sentinel, La Opinion and San Gabriel Valley Tribune. In addition the Notice of Intent is scheduled to be published in this Thursday's January 17th editions of the Inglewood News, Inglewood Today, California Crusader News (Inglewood) and Random Lengths (Harbor Area Independent News).
Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through February 14, 2008, the close of public record. All written testimony should be addressed to Metro Customer Relations, One Gateway Plaza, 99PL4, Los Angeles, Ca 90012-2932, Attn: June 2008 Service Changes.
In addition, comments can be e-mailed with the subject line “June 2008 Service Changes” to customerrelations@metro.net or faxed to (213) 922-6988.
These proposed service modifications will be approved in whole, or in part, at a date following the public hearings. Approved changes may also include other alternatives derived from public comment. Metro encourages members of the public to attend the upcoming public hearings and provide testimony on any service change proposal regardless of the service sector providing the service or the geographic area.
If you have any questions, please contact Helen Valenzuela at 213.922.7175 or at valenzuelah@metro.net.
L.A. Council Meeting on Transportation
Transportation will be the single topic of a Los Angeles City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 29, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers on the 3rd Floor of City Hall, located at 200 N. Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles.
Please join the Los Angeles City Council, key Los Angeles department managers, and transportation experts to discuss transportation challenges facing our city. The meeting will focus on Los Angeles Strategic Plan for transportation and the future of transportation funding.
If you have questions, please call 213/473-7013 (Councilmember Garcetti) or 213/473-7002 (Councilmember Greuel) for more information.
Please join the Los Angeles City Council, key Los Angeles department managers, and transportation experts to discuss transportation challenges facing our city. The meeting will focus on Los Angeles Strategic Plan for transportation and the future of transportation funding.
If you have questions, please call 213/473-7013 (Councilmember Garcetti) or 213/473-7002 (Councilmember Greuel) for more information.
White House Internships
The application deadline for the Summer 2008 White House Internship is February 26, 2008. If you know students and/or organizations that may be interested in this information please share this with them.
We are looking for a well-qualified, diverse group of applicants who would like to intern here for President Bush.
A White House Internship is an opportunity for current students and recent graduates to experience everyday life at the White House while working with high-level officials on a variety of tasks and projects.
Strong applicants should exhibit:
· Sound academic credentials
· A demonstrated interest in public service
· Solid written and verbal communication skills
· A history of community involvement
· Strong character and leadership skills
Beyond experiencing the day-to-day operations of the White House, interns participate in a speaker series, tours, community service projects, and various White House events.
For more information please visit our website at: www.whitehouse.gov/intern.
Applications should be submitted to intern_application@whitehouse.gov on or before February 26, 2008 for the Summer 2008 Internship.
If you have any questions please contact White House Personnel at 202-456-5979.
We are looking for a well-qualified, diverse group of applicants who would like to intern here for President Bush.
A White House Internship is an opportunity for current students and recent graduates to experience everyday life at the White House while working with high-level officials on a variety of tasks and projects.
Strong applicants should exhibit:
· Sound academic credentials
· A demonstrated interest in public service
· Solid written and verbal communication skills
· A history of community involvement
· Strong character and leadership skills
Beyond experiencing the day-to-day operations of the White House, interns participate in a speaker series, tours, community service projects, and various White House events.
For more information please visit our website at: www.whitehouse.gov/intern.
Applications should be submitted to intern_application@whitehouse.gov on or before February 26, 2008 for the Summer 2008 Internship.
If you have any questions please contact White House Personnel at 202-456-5979.
Creative Writing Contest
“Honoring the Legacy of
African Americans and Our Multiculturalism:
A Vision of a Dream Kept Alive.”
CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST - "A TIME TO WRITE"
Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, The City of Los Angeles and The Los Angeles African American Heritage Month Committee invite Los Angeles County public and private school students in grades 6-12 to participate in this year’s City of Los Angeles African American Heritage Month
Presented by: Disney
Sponsored By: Time Warner Cable Co. & Wells Fargo
Official Media Sponsor: KABC-7
AAHM.LACITY.ORG,
CULTURELA.ORG or
213-202-5545
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 5, 2008
Free Tax Preparation
Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas invites you to FREE L.A. TAX DAY
Saturday, February 2, 2008 • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Exposition Park Intergenerational Community Center (EXPO Center)
3980 S. Menlo Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Prizes | Free Food | Free Smoothies from Robeck’s | Free Parking
Participating Agencies: Countrywide Home Loans, CSU Northridge, Empowerment Congress, Franchise Tax Board, IRS Employee Groups (AIM-IRS, HIRE, ASPIRE), L.A. City Department of Recreation & Parks, L.A. County Department of Public Social Services, Loyola Law School, and So. California Gas Company
FREE income tax preparation for individuals and small businesses (bring valid ID, SS Card and W-2s).
Also available: Prior year return preparation; Information on low-cost utility programs; ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number); application preparation; Information on FREE and low-cost financial education and banking services; and Information on FREE and low-cost medical benefits.
For more information or for an appointment:
(310) 693-6530 | www.eitc-la.com
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov
Saturday, February 2, 2008 • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Exposition Park Intergenerational Community Center (EXPO Center)
3980 S. Menlo Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Prizes | Free Food | Free Smoothies from Robeck’s | Free Parking
Participating Agencies: Countrywide Home Loans, CSU Northridge, Empowerment Congress, Franchise Tax Board, IRS Employee Groups (AIM-IRS, HIRE, ASPIRE), L.A. City Department of Recreation & Parks, L.A. County Department of Public Social Services, Loyola Law School, and So. California Gas Company
FREE income tax preparation for individuals and small businesses (bring valid ID, SS Card and W-2s).
Also available: Prior year return preparation; Information on low-cost utility programs; ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number); application preparation; Information on FREE and low-cost financial education and banking services; and Information on FREE and low-cost medical benefits.
(310) 693-6530 | www.eitc-la.com
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov
L.A.'s Bike Master Plan
City of Los Angeles - Bicycle Master Plan Update
www.labikeplan.org
The City of Los Angeles is updating the Bicycle Master Plan, which will provide transportation improvements for the bicycling community. The public is invited to attend a workshop to provide input on bicycle policies, facility improvements and other related issues.
Workshops are scheduled throughout Los Angeles, at four (4) neighborhood locations, during the months of February and March 2008.
Refreshments will be served, so please join us at one or all of the workshops. If you cannot attend the workshop, you can visit the website at www.labikeplan.com.
For more information, contact the City Bicycle Coordinator, Michelle.Mowery@lacity.org or 213-972-4962; or City Planning Associate Jordann.Turner@lacity.org or 213-978-1379
Central/South Los Angeles
Date: Saturday February 16, 2008
Location: Expo Center Swim Stadium-Community Room
Address: 3980 S. Menlo Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Time: 10am-12pm
West Los Angeles
Date: Wednesday February 20, 2008
Location: Felicia Mahood Multi Purpose Center
Address: 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90037
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Valley Area
Date: Wednesday February 27, 2008
Location: Marvin Braude-San Fernando Constituent Services Center, Conference Room 1B
Address: 6262 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Harbor Area
Date: Saturday March 1, 2008
Location: Banning's Landing Community Center
Address: 100 E. Water Street, Wilmington, CA 90744
Time: 10am-12pm
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