Mitchell continues support for guaranteed income
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (D-Inglewood, Compton, Carson, Hawthorne, Culver City, portions of South LA) reiterated her strong support for BREAHTE: LA County’s Guaranteed Income Program after recently meeting over 150 of the 1,000 participants who received $1,000 a month over the past three years as part of – one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation.
“This was a bittersweet occasion, as it marked the conclusion of our three-year BREATHE pilot – an initiative I am proud to have put forward with the support of the Board of Supervisors,” wrote Mitchell in her weekly newsletter.
“Each of the participants I heard from shared a unique lived experience, yet all reflected our shared belief: that every person has a right to the fundamental resources necessary to live with dignity,” she added..
Mitchell said in the newsletter during the three-year BREATHE pilot, the County expanded the program to provide up to $1,500 to all youth aging out of the County’s foster care system. The County also partnered with the Abundant Birth Project to provide cash assistance to pregnant people during their pregnancy and crucial postpartum months, she wrote.
“The BREATHE pilot would not have been possible without the dedication and contributions of countless people and organizations. I look forward to sharing the final report on BREATHE’s outcomes once it’s ready next year and remain committed to turning this pilot into a lasting policy,” she wrote.
Lomita launches graffiti removal program
The City of Lomita recently introduced a new Graffiti Removal Program designed to enhance the appearance, safety and overall quality of public spaces throughout the community.
“Maintaining a clean and welcoming environment is a top priority for our City,” said Lomita Mayor Mark Waronek. “This program not only helps us address graffiti quickly and efficiently, but it also empowers residents to play an active role in protecting and beautifying our community.”
To implement the program, the City has partnered with Graffiti Protective Coatings (GPC), a contractor with extensive experience in graffiti abatement. GPC also serves the neighboring cities of Torrance, Carson and Rancho Palos Verdes, and is familiar with Lomita’s needs, having provided graffiti removal services to the City in the past.
Under the program, GPC will provide unlimited graffiti removal services on City-owned properties, in public right-of-ways and in key business areas. In addition to responding to resident reports, GPC will conduct proactive patrols three days per week to identify and remove graffiti quickly.
Residents can report graffiti by calling the GPC’s Graffiti Hotline at 800-300-7891 or by emailing the City at Code@LomitaCity.com.
The City of Lomita also offers a Graffiti Reward Program in the amount of $500 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of suspects for tagging or graffiti related vandalism. This initiative is made possible through the City’s Graffiti Reward Ordinance.
For more information, please contact the City’s Code Enforcement Division or visit www.LomitaCity.com/Code-Enforcement/Graffiti.
Bass program breaks up longstanding East Hollywood encampment
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), ahead of the City’s extreme heat warning last week, housed Angelenos living in a long-standing encampment next to the 101 freeway in East Hollywood through Inside Safe.
This previously entrenched encampment impacted the residential area’s quality of life for many neighbors.
“Especially as we experience rising temperatures, our urgent work to bring Angelenos inside is now more important than ever,” said Bass. “More than 20 Angelenos now have access to meals, air conditioning and running water and this sidewalk is now accessible to the neighborhood. Today is proof that Inside Safe saves lives and restores communities.”
“We know that getting people housed and connected to essential services is the number one most effective way to address the homelessness crisis in our City, and today, more than 20 of our unhoused neighbors were able to get a roof over their heads, a healthy meal, air conditioning, and access to resources they did not have before,” said City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, who represents East Hollywood. “This is what progress looks like.”
Whitesides raises concerns over planned Santa Clarita IRS office closure
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, portions of San Fernando Valley) last week wrote to Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent over the planned September 30th closure of the Santa Clarita IRS Post of Duty Office, raising questions about the impact the closure will have on the local community’s access to critical services.
On June 26, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) was given informal notice that the Santa Clarita IRS Post of Duty Office was scheduled for closure on September 30, with no formal explanation or impact assessment from the IRS despite repeated inquiries.
“Closing the Santa Clarita IRS Post of Duty Office will leave more than 740,000 taxpayers in our area without direct access to critical services,” said Whitesides. “The Santa Clarita location provides assistance with payments, conducts in-person interviews, and offers general services to our region. If the IRS closes this location, my constituents will be forced to travel up to 87 miles to receive help with their tax issues, not to mention the burden it will put on the employees who serve our community. That is unacceptable, which is why today I’m asking for comprehensive answers from the IRS on the reasoning and impact behind their decision to shutter our local office.”
The Santa Clarita office provides assistance to nearly the entire 27th Congressional District and offers a variety of services, including meeting taxpayers both in the office and in the field to assist with payments, conducting in-person interviews, and providing general assistance with any examinations or collections-related matters.
If closed, residents in the 27th District will be forced to travel between 35 and 87 miles roundtrip to reach alternative offices in Bakersfield, Van Nuys, or Glendale.
The letter was also signed by U.S. Reps. Brad Sherman and Luz Rivas.
