Raman mourns anti-semitic killings
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman (D- Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, Reseda) yesterday mourned and condemned the killing this week of two Israeli Embassy staff in Washington, D.C.
“I share the pain of people around the country this morning, grieving the loss of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two Israeli Embassy staff members who were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. while attending an event,” said Raman.
“This horrific act of anti-semitism has no place in this country or any other. Our Jewish community, like all communities, deserves to feel safe. In these times of heightened violence in the world, we will not stand for violence, hateful language, or any other form of racism.
I am grateful for all of you who are working to hold us together and to root out anti-semitism and hate of all forms. In this moment of immense grief, I implore us not to lose our humanity and turn against our neighbors when we need each other the most.
Our hearts are with Yaron’s and Sarah’s families and we extend our deepest condolences.”
Schiff, Friedman protect open LA land
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) yesterday introduced the bicameral reintroduction of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, landmark legislation that would protect some of the last wild and open spaces in the Los Angeles area.
The measure will allow the National Park Service (NPS) to work with local communities to protect natural resources better and improve access to nature. This bill would add over 118,000 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and is based on an NPS study that was reported to Congress in 2016.
The Rim of the Valley stretches from the Simi Hills and Santa Susanas to the Verdugos and the San Gabriel Mountains, making a “green belt” that encircles the San Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Conejo Valleys.
“The Rim of the Valley contains some of the last wild and open spaces in Los Angeles and connects our urban city centers and suburbs with the beautiful outdoors. This legislation will preserve the land and wildlife that millions of Angelenos enjoy. We must protect these natural treasures for future generations, so they too can experience the beautiful hiking, abundant wildlife, diverse ecosystem, and significant historic sites found in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area,” said Schiff.
“The Rim of the Valley is one of Southern California’s most important natural treasures. We must protect these lands so that every Californian and American can enjoy them for generations to come,” said Friedman. “Not only will this legislation provide local communities with better access to our beautiful public lands, but it will ensure that we protect the natural resources and wildlife that call the Rim of the Valley home.”
Valladares Applauds “No Tax on Tips”
Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) this week applauded members of the US Senate for the bipartisan, unanimous passage of the federal “No Tax on Tips Act”.
The federal measure follows Valladares’ introduction of SB 17, the California “No Tax on Tips” bill, on the first day of the current state legislative session.
“I am encouraged to see that our leaders in the US Senate came together in a bipartisan way to pass this important legislation,” said Valladares. “The affordability crisis is putting a strain on millions of Californians and it’s time to provide some needed relief, especially for those in the service sector who rely heavily on tips to make ends meet. I was a server as a young adult, and I know firsthand what a huge difference this would make in the lives of millions of hardworking Californians who are feeling the strain of the high cost of living.”
California Senate Bill 17, the “No Tax on Tips” bill would do the following:
- Allow taxpayers to deduct up to $20,000 of their tipped income;
- Allow taxpayers to claim a deduction if they have an adjusted gross income below a specified threshold: $125,000 for individual returns and $250,000 for joint returns;
- Change the definition of tips to conform to the federal definition; and
- Exclude from the definition of “tipped employee” any taxpayer holding a professional license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs, except for Barbering and Cosmetology.
