Working to Protect Senior Meal Programs

I am concerned that nearly $5.6 million in City Senior Food program and other services could run out under the state budget stalemate. Many of the City programs, which rely on federal funds passed through the state, are in jeopardy of discontinuing services until the state passes a budget and frees up the funds.

Hoping to ensure that Senior meal programs in the City of Los Angeles see no disruption in services, the City Council approved my motion today asking City staff to report back in one week on possible bridge funding measures to keep the vital services going. The meal services often represent the only hot meal Seniors receive.

While all of us hope that the governor and the state legislature act quickly, today the City of Los Angeles said we are not going to wait. Seniors should not have to be anxiety ridden wondering where their next meal is coming from. We’re talking about a basic human need for people. City staff will report back to Council next Tuesday on possible bridge-funding options.

You can click here for additional information in my press release on today’s Council vote. You can also view the Daily News story on the ramifications of the state budget not being passed.

Council Adopts My Proposal to Put DWP, Port of LA and LAWA Budgets Online

As part of my work on more transparent government, I introduced a motion calling for all of our proprietary departments — the Department of Water & Power (DWP), the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Port of Los Angeles (Harbor Department) — to put their budgets online. You can click here for the motion as well as see it on the City home page (fourth item from the top under Los Angeles Highlights).

In these tough economic times it is critical that our departments share budgetary information with stakeholders so we can all have a robust conversation about priorities and resource allocation, particularly with DWP asking for a 4% to 6% water increase. This comes on top of a 4.5% power increase after a particularly contentious battle with the DWP.

I am pleased to announce that the Harbor Department and the DWP have already put their budgets on the news section of the City home page. I expect LAWA to soon follow suit.

First to call for “Ratepayers' Advocate”

I was also the first Councilperson to call for the creation of an outside, independent official to review DWP proposals for water and power increases in order to create more transparency and to help reduce the chances of unnecessary rate increases. The idea has caught on and is now being referred to as a Ratepayers' Advocate. This position would be modeled after the Fire Department's Independent Assessor, which I helped create, and would be led by an expert in water and energy issues. I am working with my colleagues to determine how best to structure this position and plan to place a measure before voters in next March's elections to make it a reality.

Discussing Budget on NBC's News Conference

Councilmember Alarcon and I discussed budget cuts this past Sunday on NBC's News Conference morning show with Conan Nolan.