The Boeing Company today announced that it would be reducing its workforce by 1100, with 900 of those jobs being eliminated in Long Beach.  The reductions are due to a cut in production of the company’s C-17 aircraft.

I am very disappointed to hear the news from Boeing that they will be laying off 1100 employees, the majority of whom work in the company’s Long Beach facility. Just as we are starting to see a small bounce in employment, sales tax and property tax, it is discouraging to have one of the region’s premier companies lay-off more employees.  For years, I have been lobbying in Washington to protect the C-17 program, which is critical to our national security and our ability to efficiently carry out important missions around the world, and I will continue that effort as well.  Built right here in Long Beach, the construction of these planes provide good jobs for local workers.  In these troubled economic times, the loss of any jobs is particularly painful.

The County is thoroughly reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget to identify how it will impact Los Angeles County services and our own budget. While I absolutely believe that services are provided best when they are closest to the people receiving them, it is imperative that with the power over these programs comes the purse to pay for them.

As such, I was pleased to hear the Governor say that the State would impart the funds for any realigned programs, many of which are the final safety net for people in need.   This must be a long-term commitment on the part of the State.

For years Los Angeles County has been prudently managing our finances and belt-tightening across all of our departments.   Despite these efforts, global economic conditions have us facing our own $310 million shortfall for next year’s budget beginning July 1.

The State, therefore, cannot pass on its budget problems to local counties and cities, many of which are facing similar fiscal crises.  We must approach these budget challenges by working together across all levels of government and party lines to find long-term solutions to funding the critical programs and services government provides

From my family to yours, I wish you a truly wonderful and safe holiday season!

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of delivering the State of Los Angeles County address at the Long Beach Convention Center. The program was broadcast live online for everyone in the County to see. If you were unable to watch the broadcast live earlier today, the entire State of the County speech is now online for you to view.

Click here to download the transcript of Supervisor Don Knabe’s State of the County address

This holiday season many of us are reminded of how fortunate we are to be surrounded by our loved ones. Sadly, not everyone shares this blessing. Today, the County will bury the remains of approximately 1,689 individuals in a mass grave. These are individuals that, for one reason or another, have no one but the County to provide them with a respectful and dignified burial. Some are homeless. Many are poor. Some have no families to grieve for them. Regardless of what their status in life was, each one of their lives mattered. It matters to us, their County family.

If you are interested in attending the service, it will be held today at 2:00pm at the Los Angeles County Crematory and Cemetery (corner of 1st and Lorena St., adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery)

I am shocked to learn of the passing of Jack Kyser, one of the premier economists in Southern California and a close personal friend for over 25 years.  Jack was a highly-respected authority on economic information and you could always count on him for an honest, upfront assessment of fiscal and business conditions in this region.  Jack will be missed, as an adviser, and most especially as a friend and resident of the 4^th District.  My thoughts and prayers go to the Kyser family in this difficult time.

I am very sad to learn of the passing of Joe Cerrell, a longtime friend. Joe was a true pioneer in local, state and national politics and his accomplishments are legendary. His advice and counsel will be missed by all of us who benefited from his wisdom. Joe was a great American, contributing countless hours of public service in Los Angeles. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lee and their family in this difficult time.

Back in September, I announced that Los Angeles County Beach’s and Harbors would be sending one of its existing BeachTech 2000 sanitizer units to the Gulf Coast to assist British Petroleum (BP) with its Gulf Coast clean up efforts.

Given the devastating events that have occurred in the Gulf, it is more important than ever to take action and lend our support. This is an incredible opportunity for the County to help with the clean up efforts along the Gulf Coast.

The unit arrived on Petit Bois Island, an uninhabited barrier island off the Mississippi coast and has made an immediate impact on the overall clean up efforts. Visit our Facebook page to see some photos of the BeachTech sanitizer at work helping to restore the Gulf Coast.

I want to congratulate the Business Leaders Task Force on Homelessness for the “Home for Good Plan,” an effort by local business and community leaders to find solutions to the issue of homelessness in Los Angeles County. I generally support the recommendations outlined in the Plan, and I agree that a more direct, streamlined approach to housing the chronically homeless is needed.

We have already made great strides towards aligning with this approach in Los Angeles County. Last year, I called for a restructuring of our General Relief (GR) program to focus first on housing. The GR program provides cash assistance to over 89,000 County residents each month, assisting with food, housing and employment. While the cost of the program nears $200 million, experts estimate that the County spends almost four times this on other services to those on General Relief, 53,000 of whom are homeless. These additional costs are mostly related to repeated incarcerations in County Jail and recurring visits to County emergency rooms and clinics, pushing the price tag closer to $1 billion per year. A shift in focus to housing will not only help many of these individuals overcome serious challenges and transition to a better life, but will also save taxpayers money.

I look forward to working with the Task Force on this strategy, and joining with them to advocate in Washington DC for the changes in federal policy needed to advance our mission to end homelessness in Los Angeles County.