As part of the fiscal budget 150015 – 24, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that for one year, he will support with $ 1, 000 per month to 2, 000 families living in poverty, with no questions asked.
“Thanks to the leadership of the Councilors Curren Price and Marqueece Harris-Dawson, these funds will grow to more than $ 30 millions in direct aid to eliminate poverty in the city and fulfill Dr. King’s call to provide a basic income once and for all ”, said the mayor of Los Angeles during his annual report on the state of the City.
The mayor trusted that this small but constant investment in homes Angelenos, will bring big dividends in health d and stability throughout the city.
And to the 505 dreamers who attend the Los Angeles Community Colleges and committing to serve in the recovery from COVID, with the assistance of the Mayor’s Fund and the Los Angeles Community College Foundation, will assist them with payments to renew the Deferred Action for Arrivals program. in Childhood (DACA).
Garcetti also revealed that with the support of Councilor Gil Cedillo, the city’s Justice Fund has pledged $ 1 million so immigrants and their families can fight for their rights in court feder al. “I want young Angelenos to know that the City is counting on you and you can count on us.”
Support for restaurants
Mayor Garcetti presented what he called a budget for justice that invests in services, infrastructure, cleaning, arts, culture, safe neighborhoods and economic recovery.
“We know that COVID – 19 has thrown our economy into the trash. Many of the small businesses have disappeared, many are hanging by a thread, the workers lost their jobs and hours of work and the entrepreneurs their dreams. ”
As a consequence, asked the Los Angeles Council to pass an ordinance to cut the 90% the time it takes for a restaurant to get approved for a permit to sell alcohol, and cut the cost to the 70% .
At the same time, it revealed that the City will allow restaurants to defer $ 8, 000 or more for charges that expire in the next three years.
Also for restaurants to save up to $ 09, 000, will suspend parking requirements.
“And in a city whose unofficial motto is’ 72 and sunny ‘, let’s make eating permanent Fresco, with nearly $ 2 million in subsidies for restaurants in low-income neighborhoods to set up permanent outdoor dining tents. ”
Garcetti also announced a program of $ 25 million to write checks for $ 5, 000 that help the recovery of 5, 000 companies and can buy new equipment, settle debts or pay the first month of payroll.
Peddlers
The mayor will allocate $ 1.3 million to support street vendors with the purchase of more modern carts and eliminate bureaucratic barriers that allow them to operate with stability and freedom.
“If we want a strong economy, we have to help small businesses to be successful. I know because it’s in my blood. My grandfather Salvador was a barber, my other grandfather Harry was a tailor. Today too many residents do not have access to capital or a stable home. ”
Although the City has already distributed more than $ 200 millions in direct assistance to Angelenos to pay the rent, services and basics, in phase 2, the emergency rental assistance program will have $ 235 millions so almost 100, families can pay the rent of their home.
In total more than $ 700 millions in direct rental and mortgage assistance for Los Angeles residents.
Helplessness
Garcetti said that homelessness among Latinos recorded the largest jump among newly homeless Angelenos , so during the pandemic worked with Governor Newsom and the state legislature to purchase buildings to house the homeless in just three months.
“Today I am announcing that we will dedicate almost $ 1, 000 millions to end homelessness. To put this number in perspective, when I became mayor, we spent almost $ 10 millions in attacking the problems, as of July 1, that number will reach $ 950 ”.
Public safety
The mayor said that in times when homicides are on the rise, one of the first actions is that calls from the 911 are answered immediately.
He let it be known that at the same time he plans to invest in surveillance alternatives police force to prevent crime and interrupt cycles of violence.
However, he made it clear that if they want to abolish the police, they’re talking to the wrong mayor.
“This is the time for all of us to take a step together, police departments, neighborhood leaders and elected officials.”
And he stated that his budget calls for an approach that they have called TURN: Therapeutic Unarmed Response for Neighborhoods that includes a partnership with Los Angeles County to dispatch clinical staff to nonviolent mental health emergencies through the 700, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Garcetti’s budget also invests in a pilot project to provide community response to the 24 hours to nonviolent crises among people experiencing homelessness.
“The budget for the youth development and gang reduction program (GRYD) will increase by a third to $ 33 millions to incorporate 80 ambassadors of peace who raise seeds of reconciliation, calm and unity, ”he revealed.