By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Bass Offers Pathways to Union Careers for Public Housing Residents
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass yesterday announced a new partnership between the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and the LA/OC Building & Construction Trades Council to create pathways for public housing residents to begin careers as union tradespeople, earning good wages with healthcare and retirement benefits.
The partnership establishes a five-year framework so that at least 25 percent of labor hours on HACLA construction projects are performed by low-income Angelenos or public housing residents, offering an opportunity to start careers in the construction industry.
This partnership is expected to connect 20,000 participants with good-paying jobs. One of the HACLA construction projects involved in the partnership is the redevelopment of Rancho San Pedro, which will be transformed into a mixed-use project of more than 1,500 apartments and 130,000 square feet of commercial space.
“At a time when there is so much economic upheaval, this partnership represents a pathway to financial stability and retirement security for 20,000 Angelenos,” said Bass. “I want to thank the LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council and HACLA for stepping up to help Angelenos secure union careers that will change their lives.”
Barger Promotes Altadena Turnkey Rebuild Summit
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Northern LA County, including Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) yesterday promoted this Sunday’s Altadena Turnkey Rebuild Summit, a free community event designed to help Eaton Fire survivors navigate the path to rebuilding their homes.
The Altadena Turnkey Rebuild Summit will bring together trusted rebuilding professionals under one roof, giving Eaton Fire survivors a single destination to explore full-service, turnkey rebuilding options. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet vetted home builders and housing professionals, attend speaker presentations, and participate in practical workshops designed to simplify the complex decisions involved in rebuilding after a disaster.
The event is specifically designed to assist those who are underfunded or who are seeking a streamlined, all-in-one rebuilding solution following the devastating Eaton Fire.
“The road to recovery after a disaster can feel overwhelming,” said Barger. “Even though it’s been over a year since the wildfires, many survivors are still struggling. They’re experiencing decision fatigue and under a lot of stress. This summit is a valuable opportunity that provides easily accessible guidance, resources, and professional connections—all in one place, and in a single afternoon. I encourage Eaton Fire survivors to attend and take advantage of this free event.”
The summit is organized in partnership with the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Builders Alliance, Altadena Collective, The Foothill Catalog Foundation, and the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation.
The summit is slated for between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., this Sunday, March 15, at the Loma Alta Park’s gym, located at 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001. Lunch will be provided.
Attendees can register via the QR code on this event flyer or by contacting (626) 344-7394 or info@arrcaltadena.org. Participation is free of charge and open to all Eaton Fire-affected residents.
Rubio Combats California’s Most Fatal Cancer
State Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Alhambra, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, South El Monte, West Covina) yesterday introduced The Stop Cancer Early Act (SB 1309) to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screenings and follow-up care.
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in California, claiming nearly 10,000 lives each year, more than breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers combined. Yet screening rates for lung cancer remain critically low at just 4.5%, compared to 70–75% for other screenable cancers.
Currently, lung cancer is the most economically burdensome form of cancer. Patients are often deterred from getting screened by the multi-hundred-dollar price tag, leading to almost half of lung cancer patients receiving a Stage 4 diagnosis.
“No one should have to choose between their finances and their health, especially when it comes to potentially lifesaving cancer screenings,” said Rubio. “At a time when many families are already struggling to make ends meet, SB 1309 removes financial barriers so Californians can access lung cancer screenings and follow-up care at no cost. Early detection saves lives.”
Rubio’s legislation argues that by making screenings more accessible, it would allow patients to receive more affordable and less invasive treatment, stopping the cancer before it progresses to later stages.
This bill eliminates patient cost-sharing for medically necessary lung cancer screenings, making sure families can access lifesaving early detection, protecting our most vulnerable, and preventing loss before it’s too late.
Hochman Launches Metro Bus Campaign to Combat Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced yesterday the launch of a countywide Metro bus advertising campaign warning that lying or misrepresenting facts to obtain workers’ compensation benefits is a felony — putting employees, medical providers, attorneys, and anyone else who participates in fraud schemes on notice that prosecutions are coming.
“Knowingly making a false statement to collect workers’ compensation benefits is textbook fraud, and we are filing charges against anyone who engages in it,” said Hochman. “If you choose to falsify a claim, exaggerate an injury, or create false medical documentation, you are committing a felony, and my office will prosecute you.”
The campaign is backed by active prosecutions. Among the cases, a Metro bus driver is charged with staging a fake workplace fall while on duty — the very buses that will carry the fraud warning connected directly to the case. Other active prosecutions include a scheme in which workers were made to sign blank claim forms later falsified to show attendance at vocational classes, and an LAPD officer charged with collecting disability benefits while completing skydives and working out at a fitness center.
Hochman singled out medical professionals as critical gatekeepers in the system, warning that issuing disability notes without proper evaluation is criminal conduct. He also put attorneys on notice, citing “capping” — an illegal practice in which lawyers or medical providers pay for client referrals — as an area of active prosecution.
“The goal of workers’ compensation is to protect legitimately injured workers and provide necessary medical care and wage replacement,” said Hochman. “Fraud diverts resources, increases costs for employers and taxpayers, and undermines public trust in the system.”
