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June 2006
During the last month in OurLA...
- $80.6 Million For Homeland Security: Los Angeles was awarded $80.6 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a 14% increase from last year. The funds will be used to make Los Angeles better able to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks or mass disaster.
- 10,000 Summer Jobs by 2010: I announced HIRE L.A.'s Youth 2006 Summer Employment Initiative, providing 5,000 summer jobs to Los Angeles' youth this summer, with the goal of providing 10,000 jobs by 2010. By partnering with the Los Angeles City Council, City departments, public and private organizations, and employers across Los Angeles, we are providing positive work opportunities for youth throughout the summer months.
- Reducing Commute Times by 50%: We are working to relieve traffic congestion on and off the freeways. We added carpool lanes on Interstate-405 between Route-90 and Interstate-105 which will reduce commute times by 50%. We also activated the gridlock tiger team, the peak-hour parking enforcement program that will reduce traffic at the city's busiest intersections.
- 73% Pollution Reduction at the Port: We joined Maersk Line, the largest shipping company in the world, to announce an initiative to switch its port vessels to lower burning sulfur fuel, a voluntary step which will work to significantly reduce pollution by a dramatic 73%, improving air quality in the Southern California region.
- 30,000 Volunteers at Day of Service: More than 30,000 volunteers participated in Big Sunday, L.A.'s Annual Day of Service on May 7th. Thank you to everyone who came out to beautify the community, lend a helping hand to those in need, and take part in a day of community building and pride.
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LA Spin
Mayor will travel
A recent editorial stated the results of the Mayor's travel are intangible. We beg to differ given just a few examples of the Mayor's accomplishments during his first year in office.
The Mayor lobbied diligently in Sacramento for Senate Bill 1026 to streamline the design and construction of the carpool lane on Interstate 405, between the 10 and the 101. He also traveled to D.C. to work with Congressman Berman to secure $130 million for the project. As a result of these efforts, Angelenos will see significant traffic reduction at one of the nation's most congested freeway interchanges.
The Mayor met with members of Congress in Washington to discuss the safety concerns of building a subway along the Wilshire Corridor. Following his trip, Waxman introduced legislation in the House to lift the ban on federal funds that could support the Red Line.
On May 31st, the Mayor announced L.A. would receive $80.6 million from the feds, a 14% increase from last year despite cuts in the program, boosting local efforts to prevent and respond to a terrorist attack or massive disaster. Los Angeles' Congressional delegation applauded Mayor Villaraigosa for his efforts at home and in D.C. to ensure that high risk areas receive the funding necessary to safeguard their communities.
Finally, the infrastructure bond that will go to the ballot in November would not have any money for public transportation for the entire state of California had the Mayor not made numerous trips to Sacramento to work with the Governor and legislators on both sides of the aisle to make it a priority.
The results are in on Mayoral travel. The Mayor is going places, and so are the people of Los Angeles.
Keep OurLA Safe
$80.6 Million for Homeland Security
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently awarded the Los Angeles area $80.6 million to boost local efforts to better prepare for a terrorist attack or major disaster.
Despite recent cuts in the federal grant program, the Los Angeles area received a 14% increase in funds over last year's grant.
This was largely due to Mayor Villaraigosa's and the Congressional delegation's efforts to lobby the federal government to award homeland security funds based on risk, rather than population.
To read more about the Homeland Security grant award, click here.
Keep OurLA Green
73% Pollution Reduction at the Port
Mayor Villaraigosa joined Maersk Line, the largest shipping company in the world and operator of the largest pier at the Port of Los Angeles, to announce an initiative to convert its ships to lower burning sulfur fuel in and around the Port.
Maersk will be the first shipping company to make this commitment to clean up the Port of Los Angeles and this initiative will reduce pollution by its vessels by a dramatic 73%.
Its commitment to cleaner emissions represents an unprecedented leap forward in the use of cleaner diesel fuels.
For more information, read the press release.
OurLA...Featuring
10,000 Summer Jobs for L.A.'s Youth
Working to create jobs and educational opportunities for Los Angeles' youth, Mayor Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council announced the HIRE L.A.'s Youth 2006 Summer Employment Initiative. The program will provide 5,000 employment opportunities to youth ages 14-24.
As part of the "Learn and Earn" component of the program, 1,400 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District will receive classroom instruction to prepare for the California High School Exit Exam in addition to a summer job.
The Mayor's goal is to provide 10,000 summer job and educational opportunities to youth by 2010.
For more information on HIRE L.A.'s Youth and for employers interested in providing a summer job for youth, please call 3-1-1 or visit www.hirelayouth.com.
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What OurLA is thinking...
This month, we asked the Mayor's Staff and our Daily Media Contacts how higher gas prices have affected their behavior. Here's how more than 100 people responded:
How much have you been affected by higher gas prices?
A Lot 41%
Some 42%
Not Much 15%
Not at all 2%
How have you changed your behavior in response to higher gas prices (top three answers)?
1. Driving Less
2. Considering a more
fuel-efficient car
3. Have not changed
behavior at all
How much, on average, are you spending per week for gas for your car?
More than $45 39%
$40 - $44.99 16%
$30 - $39.99 27%
Under $30 18%
How have higher gas prices affected you? To answer the online survey, click here.
It's OurLA
Looking for a way to make your mark in OurLA? Start today by participating in one of the ways below.
Are you an employer who could use an extra hand this summer? Offer a summer job to a local youth, part of the HIRE L.A.'s Youth summer job program. The job should be for a minimum of six weeks during the summer months. For more information, call 3-1-1 or visit www.hirelayouth.com.
Volunteer for the City's Crisis Response Team! Please contact Jeff Zimerman at 213-978-0697 or via email to get involved. The program is especially in need of people who speak Spanish or Korean.
OurLA Events
We hope you check out these events in OurLA over the next month.
United Chambers of Commerce Small Business Awards Breakfast
Fri, June 9, 7:30am
The Odyssey
15600 Odyssey Drive
Granada Hills, CA 91344
Contact: 818-981-4491
Los Angeles Multi-Cultural Education Collaborative: "Building Parent Leadership for Education Reform"
Sat, June 10, 8:30am - 3pm
USC Davidson Conf. Center
Contact: 213-977-7595
L.A. PRIDE Festival & Parade "Our Agenda: Love. Equality. Pride."
Sat, June 10, 12pm to 11pm
Sun, June 11, 11am to 10pm
West Hollywood Park
Contact: 323-969-8302
Latino Theater Company "Nacho Libre" Screening
Thu, June 15, 7:30pm
VIP Reception to follow
Acad of TV Arts & Sciences
5220 Lankershim Blvd.
N. Hollywood, CA 91601-3109
Contact: 213-489-0994
D.O.N.E.: "Congress of Neighborhoods"
Sat, June 17, 7:30am - 3pm
L.A. Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Contact: 213-485-1360
City of Los Angeles Youth Council: "Speak Out & Make Your Voice Heard"
Sat, June 17, 9:30am - 3:30pm
Cleveland High School
8140 Vanalden Avenue
Reseda, CA 91335
Contact: 213-978-1857
Family Sunday at the Museum of Tolerance "Celebrate Anne Frank's Birthday with an Intergenerational Journey of Remembrance, Courage and Hope"
Sun, June 25, 2pm
Museum of Tolerance
9786 W. Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Contact: 310-772-2526 |
