Friedman celebrates FAA $8 million grant for Hollywood Burbank Airport
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) last week celebrated the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority being awarded $8,047,986 in a new federal investment through the FY25 Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The grant will support Phase 1 of a major infrastructure project at Hollywood Burbank Airport. The project involves construction of a new 105,816-square-foot terminal apron to bring the airport into compliance with current federal safety and operational standards. This initial phase will construct 31,745 square yards of apron space, which is critical for accommodating aircraft operations and improving overall efficiency and resiliency at the airport.
“This is exactly the kind of win we need — a major federal investment that strengthens aviation safety and lifts the financial burden off local taxpayers,” said Friedman. “These dollars will make a real difference for our region, and I’m going to keep fighting for more funding like this to make life more affordable and keep improving our infrastructure.”
The new investment comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides long-overdue support for modernizing airports across the country. Friedman continues to advocate for strategic federal investments that upgrade transportation infrastructure and deliver direct benefits to local communities.
Carrillo focuses on sexually violent predators’ release program
Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale, Littlerock, Sun Village) today will participate in a Joint Legislative Audit Committee Oversight Hearing focused on the State Auditor’s findings regarding California’s Conditional Release Program for Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs).
The hearing follows the release of Audit Report 2023-130, which found that while participants in the Conditional Release Program are less likely to reoffend, the State continues to face serious challenges in securing appropriate housing and providing oversight of contracted providers. Persistent deficiencies, particularly involving Liberty Healthcare, have raised concerns among families, local leaders, and justice advocates.
“Our communities deserve to feel safe, and victims and their families deserve to know their voices are being heard,” said Carrillo. “This hearing is not just about numbers and audits — it’s about real people who have lived through harm and are demanding justice. We must ensure this program prioritizes safety, healing, and long-overdue accountability.”
Assemblymember Carrillo will call for stronger oversight, clear performance benchmarks, and greater transparency from both state agencies and contracted providers like Liberty Healthcare.
Tune in live to the hearing at 1:30 pm, today, July 15 to hear directly from state officials, oversight leaders, and advocates about the future of the SVP Conditional Release Program. Livestream Link: https://legaudit.legislature.ca.gov/hearings.
Horvath accelerates wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts
Los Angeles County Board of Supevisor Lindsey P. Horvath yesterday introduced a motion aimed at accelerating and strengthening the region’s recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the catastrophic wildfires that swept through communities across Los Angeles County in January 2025,
The motion comes as a result of expert findings recently released in the final report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery and UCLA. The Commission’s report recommends the creation of a regional Rebuilding Authority with the tools and powers needed to rebuild more affordably, sustainably, and equitably across wildfire-impacted areas.
“Los Angeles County led the fastest mass disaster cleanup in U.S. history – now, we must bring that same urgency to our rebuilding effort,” said Horvath. “A Rebuilding Authority can coordinate recovery efficiently, equitably, and at scale, just as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with us on debris removal. Slowing down isn’t an option, nor is leaving anyone behind.”
A Rebuilding Authority would position the County to:
- Administer diverse funding streams, including tax increment financing, and Federal, State, and philanthropic dollars, to support a broad recovery effort.
- Lead public-private coordination of rebuilding, reconstruction, and logistics to reduce delays and ensure strategic planning.
- Acquire and bank land, with a first-look program to prioritize returning residents and families, while also creating community amenities and resilient infrastructure.
- Facilitate resilient, cost-effective construction, in partnership with builders and material suppliers, through bulk purchasing and adherence to modern safety standards.
- Strengthen the local workforce by investing in trades training, job creation, and temporary housing for construction workers.
- Expand financing options for families lacking the upfront resources to rebuild, by collaborating with lenders, CDFIs, and philanthropic partners.
- Rebuild lost rental housing stock, including the promotion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), to ensure housing stability for renters.
- Promote insurability and long-term sustainability, ensuring that communities recover stronger, safer, and more climate resilient.
- Center community voices through an inclusive engagement process that brings residents directly into the recovery planning process.
Perez, Burbank launch boccia program ahead of LA28 Paralympics
Burbank Mayor Nikki Perez and the City of Burbank in collaboration with SoCal Adaptive is welcoming the sport of Boccia to the City of Burbank.
Boccia is a precision ball sport, similar to bocce, designed specifically for athletes with physical disabilities. Played indoors on a 12.5m x 6m court, the objective is to throw or roll six balls as close as possible to a white target ball known as the “jack.”
The game is played over a series of rounds, or “ends,” with individual and pairs matches typically consisting of four ends, and team matches comprising six.
Competition begins with a pool stage and progresses to a direct elimination phase, structured by disability classification. While originally developed for athletes with physical disabilities, Boccia is open to all residents, regardless of ability, including seniors and able-bodied participants, making it a truly inclusive sport for the entire community.
“Burbank continues to prioritize inclusive and adaptive programming because we believe that every resident deserves the chance to participate in enriching sports programming,” said Perez. “The introduction of Boccia is another meaningful step in the city’s commitment to inclusivity, and with the 2028 Paralympic Games on the horizon, it’s an exciting way to connect our community to the broader movement of equity and access in sports.”
The Boccia inaugural event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the McCambridge Recreation Center Gym, 1515 North Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank.
The Parks and Recreation Department will offer Boccia as an ongoing drop-in sport during the summer. Boccia drop-in play will take place from 3-5 pm, Sundays at McCambridge Recreation Center Room 4. More information on drop-in sports can be found at www.burbankca.gov/drop-in-sports or by calling 818-238-5300.
