I’ve heard the outcry over the prohibition against footballs and Frisbees at Los Angeles County beaches as another example of government run amok. In fact, the intent of the ordinance was to increase recreational activities -something which has been lost in the media coverage.

There was a prohibition against footballs and Frisbees in the old ordinance from the 1970s.  The updated ordinance does not ban footballs, soccer balls or Frisbees on beaches.  Rather, it provides reasonable safety measures that lifeguards may impose on a crowded beach day, when wayward footballs or Frisbees could cause injuries to bystanders. The media reports also misrepresent violation fees.

As there have been so many inaccurate reports and confusion, I am asking our Director of Beaches and Harbors to come to our Board meeting on Tuesday to explain and clarify the ordinance. My goal is to ensure the safety of the 50-70 million beach-goers who visit the Los Angeles County beaches each year. I hear your concerns and will raise them on Tuesday.

Read the Department of Beaches and Harbors’ Statement.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has increased its funding by $2.4 million, bringing to $7.7 million the federal allocation to support a major dredging project in Marina del Rey.  Through this project, the Army Corps of Engineers, the County’s Department of Beaches and Harbors, and the Port of Long Beach are collaborating to meet the urgent safety and economic development needs of two local communities.

I’ve been working on this project in Marina del Rey for a long time, coordinating with our beach cities, the Port of Long Beach and federal agencies to find a solution that addresses the safety needs of our boaters and first-responders.  I want to thank former Congresswoman Jane Harman and Congresswoman Janice Hahn for their support and the Army Corps of Engineers for their cooperation in understanding how important this project is to Los Angeles County.

This innovative agreement between federal and local agencies is a terrific example of government at all levels working together to solve regional issues.  This partnership was a once in a lifetime opportunity and the timing is perfect – Marina del Rey needs to get rid of sediment and Long Beach needs sediment.  This additional funding will also allow us to dredge out more sediment, increasing navigation capacity for our first responders.

All levels of government are facing tight budgets and I appreciate the great partnership that local and federal officials have shown in meeting a critical regional need. It’s been a long time coming and I’m thrilled that we have found an environmentally sound solution that saves millions of dollars, while protecting lives.

Today we built on the proven success of my 10,000 Jobs Program by expanding subsidized employment in Los Angeles County.  Over the last few years, we have put 11,000 people to work, one of the best uses of stimulus funding in the nation.  Based on our proven record, early last year Governor Brown signed a bill expanding eligibility for subsidized employment programs for people on CalWORKS.

Currently we have 470 Welfare-to-Work participants enrolled in subsidized employment through the South Bay Work Investment Board. Through a motion I made today, we will increase that number by 420 more participants who will now be given the opportunity to get back to work and convert welfare checks into paychecks.

As we approach the February 1 deadline officially shutting down all community redevelopment agencies in California, there will be much scuttlebutt this week as some state and city leaders try to find a way to preserve the agencies or to delay their closure.

Redevelopment agencies have been around for decades, created as a tool to address blight, preserve historically-relevant areas, reduce crime and give communities a chance to reinvent themselves. Taxes generated by development in an area designated for redevelopment were used to pay the debt that financed these projects. In addition, updated RDA legislation required a 20 percent set-aside for affordable and senior housing.

In many cities across California, it worked and transformed communities.  In my hometown, Cerritos, and in other areas of the 4th District, this resulted in new jobs, services, and increased property and sales tax revenues for the city.

Some have suggested that redevelopment agencies did not have enough oversight, resulting in bloated staff and mismanagement of funds.  Yes, it’s true that there have been problems with some agencies and those must absolutely be addressed.  Tighter controls, more accountability for taxpayer money and strict oversight are critical.  Unfortunately, the behavior of a few will result in the stoppage of vital projects that are critical to communities in these tough economic times.

So let’s be honest here.  This isn’t an effort by the state and the governor to clean up redevelopment.  As with realignment and the move of state prisoners to county jails, this is one more attempt by the state to balance its budget on the back of local government.  Unraveling the work of organizations that have been in existence for decades needs a thorough impact assessment.  They cannot be simply unwound without serious consequences in those neighborhoods that need them most.