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Working for You in Washington, D.C.

I am in Washington, D.C. this week with other members of the Board to meet with Congressional leaders and The White House to discuss the priorities and challenges facing Los Angeles County, the largest County in the United States. The key issues that we need addressed on this advocacy trip include urging the House to oppose the proposal to cut Medicaid by $1.4 trillion over ten years and turn it into a block grant to the states. This would disadvantage both California and the County’s most vulnerable low income populations and jeopardize the County’s health safety-net system.

Additionally, the County is seeking to preserve federal funding support for crucial local law enforcement and multiagency, regional disaster first responder capability, and employment and training services to tens of thousands of people across the County!

Check out some videos and photos from my trip so far:

Click here for photos from Washington, D.C.

Knabe Requests Funding for Low Income Families With Children With Autism

In a motion by Supervisors Don Knabe and Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Board of Supervisors will request that the First 5 Los Angeles Commission consider an annual allotment of funding to address the challenges facing low-income families with children with autism, aged five and younger.

The California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism reported that a significant number of families confront major barriers in accessing and navigating programs and services, including case management, speech therapy, physical therapy and social skills training. The number of children diagnosed with autism, known clinically as Autism Spectral Disorders, has exploded over the past 17 years, from 1 in 10,000 in 1993, to 1 in 110 children in 2010, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control,

“Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that has become more prevalent in the past years, affecting not only the child, but the family as well,” said Supervisor Don Knabe. “While the First 5 Los Angeles Commission has funded efforts in the past to provide support for families impacted by autism, we believe that more can be done to help these young children and their families. Detecting Autism at a young age can have a profound impact on cognitive and social development, giving children and their families more options and hope.”

The First 5 Commission, created through Proposition 10 funds, provides low-income families with children five and under, education, health services, childcare and other crucial programs.

County Launches Mapping Software on Redistricting Website

Residents wanting to participate and “make a difference” in the Supervisorial Redistricting process can now do so with the help of new software found on the County redistricting website.

By logging onto http://redistricting.lacounty.gov, interested parties can access free mapping software tools, allowing them to develop and submit redistricting plans for Boundary Review Committee (BRC) consideration.

The BRC is comprised of residents of the County who were nominated and appointed by the Board of Supervisors.  Based on the census figures, the county’s population must be substantially equalized among the five Supervisorial Districts.  This same process is undertaken for the state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization.  This process is called “redistricting.” Deadline for submitting redistricting plans is June 2, 2011.

Live online training sessions will be available on the redistricting website on the dates/times listed below.  A software training video will be available on the website in early May. Community meetings and public hearings are currently underway to encourage public participation in the redistricting process, gather public input, and to answer any questions the public may have.

Knabe Launches “You Draft the Budget” Website

Today, Los Angeles County CEO Bill Fujioka presents a proposed annual budget to the Board of Supervisors.  To help constituents understand the context and breadth of services that make up the County’s over $23 billion budget, Supervisor Don Knabe has launched a “You Draft the Budget” tool on his website, knabe.com. Constituents can access the site to start drafting their budget by going to knabe.com/draftthebudget.

“This is the first step in a process that will launch our new fiscal year on July 1st.  As yet, we don’t know the impact of the State and Federal budgets and how they will affect County services.  The County budget is different than the State and many city budgets because nearly 90% of it is for programs that the Federal and State governments mandate us to provide,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “With a budget over $23 billion, we do know it’s complicated!  We wanted to give people a chance to ‘follow the money’ and learn more about all the programs the County provides.  So, we’re launching this web-based tool to try to explain the County budget and all of our services in a simple and interactive way.”

Supervisor Knabe will also be hosting an online Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 21st at 2:30pm to update constituents on recent County activities and to discuss the budget.  To view the Town Hall, go to Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ask-don-live1) and click the play button. Questions for the Supervisor can be submitted in advance through Twitter@DonKnabe.com or emailed to Ask Don or posted on Facebook.

You can also view the online Town Hall through Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/SupervisorKnabe and clicking the play button. Utilizing this feature will allow you to send a question to the Supervisor real time and chat with other viewers about the topics discussed by the Supervisor. Viewers will only be able to submit a live question and chat if they have a Facebook account, but anyone can watch the live town hall without a Facebook account.

Where the Money Comes From

Let’s start with how the County gets the money it needs to provide services. The chart below shows the major sources of revenue.

As you can see, the Federal and State governments give the County funds for the programs they mandate us to provide, such as foster care and some public safety services.

“Special Funds and Districts” is money that comes through the County but goes directly to a specific operation, such as the Fire Department or Libraries. You may see this broken out on your bill if you pay property taxes.

Local revenues include property and sales taxes.

When the economy is bad, as it has been over the last few years, the money coming in goes down, but the County must still provide the essential services that we all enjoy.

That’s a quick look at the money coming in, now let’s see where it gets distributed.

You Draft the County Budget

You Draft the County Budget

Governments at all levels across the US are facing huge budget challenges. For years, Los Angeles County has been prudent in managing our budget, saving for the bad times in the good times. But the impact of the global economy is hitting us too.

To help you understand the County budget and where money is spent, we’ve designed this on-line tool to give you the basics. We have a budget over $23 billion so it’s very complicated! But hopefully you will learn more about the services the County provides and the impact of cuts.

Knabe Announces Summer Arts Internship Program for College Students

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced the return of the County’s Arts Internship Program, which will provide 74 paid summer internships for college students.

Requirements
Position descriptions and contacts are posted on the Arts Commission’s website. Go to Los Angeles County Arts, click on “Internships,” then “Opportunities for Students.” Interested students should act as soon as positions are posted as there is stiff competition for a limited number of internships. Students apply directly to the organization offering the internship, not the Arts Commission. The organizations make final candidate selections quickly, as internships begin on May 30.

Graduating seniors who complete their undergraduate degrees by September 1, 2011 are eligible, as well as undergraduates. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of college by June 2011 and be currently enrolled (full-time) in a community college or a four-year university. Applicants must be a resident of and/or attending school in Los Angeles County.

Internship Details
The positions are for 10 weeks and pay $350 per week. Interns also take part in educational and arts networking activities. Through the program, interns gain real work experience to strengthen their resumes and develop business skills that can be put to use in their future careers.

Organizations in the County’s Fourth Supervisorial District offering arts internships include:
Angels Gate Cultural Center
Arts & Services for Disabled
Arts Council for Long Beach
Culture Shock LA
Grand Vision Foundation
Institute of Arts Music and Science
International City Theatre
La Mirada Theatre
Long Beach Opera
Long Beach Symphony Orchestra
Norris Center for the Performing Arts
Precision Dance
Sangeet School of World Music
Shakespeare by the Sea

Examples of County internship experiences include:
• The Multidisciplinary Arts Intern at Angels Gate Cultural Center will receive valuable experience in all aspects of arts administration and be involved in events such as the annual Angels Playfest Play Reading Series and prepare for the on-site Cevapcici Fall Festival.

• At Long Beach Opera, the Arts Administration Intern will play an integral role in Long Beach Opera’s 2012 season marketing campaign. The intern will analyze and evaluate past marketing efforts and use traditional and cutting edge marketing tactics to help expand Long Beach Opera’s patron base.

• The Music Production and Radio Broadcast Intern at Arts & Services for Disabled will provide critical support for the performing arts and music program. The intern will create and produce a musical piece for broadcast on several community and state college radio stations.

To support the internships, Los Angeles County, through its Arts Commission, has given grants totaling $250,000 to 74 arts organizations throughout the County.

Metro Launches Nation’s First Major Public Transit Agency Spanish Language Blog

Metro today became the first major public transit agency in the nation to launch a Spanish language blog, underscoring the growing influence of Latinos in Los Angeles County.

El Pasajero is an interactive website that will post a steady stream of news and features, photos and video about virtually every aspect of mobility that Metro is involved in from running buses and trains to overseeing highway improvements, bicycle and pedestrian programs, goods movement, vanpools, carpools and more. Timely service alerts and breaking news about transportation will be highlighted.

The spotlight will be on Latinos who represent the largest percentage of Metro customers and Metro employees as well as the county’s population in general.

Edited by Jazmin Ortega, a seasoned Spanish-language news reporter, and a team of bloggers, El Pasajero will take an in-depth look at key issues affecting the Latino community including how to do business with Metro, tracking where Metro funding comes from and how it is spent, the changing dynamics of transit in Los Angeles County after the passage of Measure R in 2008, law enforcement and transit, rail safety, dealing with rising gas prices, fun, affordable family destinations via Metro, dining adventures accessible by Metro, the environment, public art, new technology, joint development, high speed rail and other topical issues.

The daily blog also will offer person on the street video interviews, reader feedback, polls, contests and other interactive features.

Supervisors Authorize Reward for Information on Thefts at the Downey Cemetery

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized a $10,000 reward today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to the theft of headstones from the Downey Cemetery.

On Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at approximately 7:30 a.m., five bronze headstones were stolen from the Downey Cemetery, located at 12950 Lakewood Boulevard in the City of Downey. The Downey Cemetery traces its roots back to 1868, and is the final resting site for over 9,000 souls, including pioneers of the Southeast region and local historical figures and veterans from the Civil War through the Gulf War. Because of the value of bronze, it is believed the items were taken so they could be recycled for cash.

The suspects in this incident were last seen leaving the area in a black “lifted” Chevrolet Silverado Truck, with a black camper shell. Suspect #1 is described as a male Caucasian or Hispanic, approximately 6’3” tall, weighing approximately 300 lbs, and last seen wearing a white shirt and gray shorts. Suspect #2 is described as a male Caucasian or Hispanic, approximately 5’8” tall, weighing approximately 250 lbs, and was last seen wearing a white shirt and gray shorts.

Anyone with information regarding this case, or the identity of possible suspects, is asked to contact:

Detective Jerry Price, (562) 904-2359 or Detective Mark Galindo, (562) 904-2326

Downey Police Department

11111 Brookshire Avenue

Downey, California 90241-7016

Alternatively, call Crime Stoppers (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or text TIPLA, plus your tip, to CRIMES (274637) or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Knabe Proclaims April as “DMV/Donate Life California Month” in Los Angeles County

In an effort to urge Los Angeles County citizens to save lives by signing up with the Donate Life California Registry when they apply or renew their driver’s license or ID card through the Department of Motor Vehicles, Supervisor Don Knabe proclaimed the month of April 2011 as “DMV/Donate Life California Month.”

“Making the noble decision to donate can be difficult, but there is no greater expression of compassion than making the life-giving act of organ and tissue donation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Giving the gift of life through organ and tissue donation provides a measure of comfort to a bereaved family. I encourage everyone in Los Angeles County to consider signing up for the Donate Life California registry.”

A single donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives and a donation of tissue can save and heal up to 50 others. Nearly 100,000 individuals nationwide and more than 20,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant wait list and every 90 minutes, one person dies while waiting for a donated organ. Each year, nearly 30,000 lives are saved and the quality off life for many hundreds of thousands more is enhanced by organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

To sign up for the Donate Life California Donor Registry, please visit DonateLifeCalifornia.org