By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Chu ramps up pressure to restore hepatitis B vaccine recommendation
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena) ramped up the pressure this week to restore the universal hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation in a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that it conduct a comprehensive study on the public-health, economic, and equity impacts of eliminating the recommendation.
The letter, co-signed by 109 of her Democratic colleagues, comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, voted 8-3 to eliminate the long-standing recommendation.
Chu sounded the alarm on Dec. 5, right after the vote, noting that the “decision will also disproportionally impact the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community who make up only 7% of the U.S. population, yet account for 60% of chronic hepatitis B cases.”
In the letter, the House members noted that, for more than three decades, the universal birth dose has been one of the most effective public health interventions in the United States.
“Since its adoption in 1991, annual childhood hepatitis B infections have declined by more than 99 percent…The vote to abandon this universal standard raises profound concerns about the health and safety of newborns nationwide,” wrote the members.
The letter requests that GAO’s study evaluate projected public-health impacts of increased infant infections, including long-term liver disease and cancer; assess equity impacts, especially for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities; analyze the economic and health-system effects, including downstream Medicaid and Medicare costs; and evaluate ACIP’s evidence and decision-making process.
Mitchell helps Florence-Firestone Residents Stay Housed
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (D-Inglewood, Compton, Carson, Hawthorne, Culver City, portions of South LA) in partnership with the Reimagine LA Coalition and St. John’s Community Health yesterday that her office will be distributing a total of $350,000 in cash grants to up to 200-600 residents from the unincorporated Florence-Firestone community that are in need of support paying back-due rent, mortgage payments or utilities.
Eligible participants may renew $500 payments up to 3 times. This program, titled Florence-Firestone is Home, is one of the winning ideas voted on by local residents as part of Supervisor Mitchell’s 2nd District Community Budget – Los Angeles County’s first-ever participatory budget pilot.
“We are officially in the implementation phase of our 2nd District Community Budget with the launch of Florence-Firestone is Home – a program that reflects the needs and values of our community. We know that far too many people are one $400 unexpected expense away from experiencing financial hardship. Providing cash grants that residents do not have to pay back, that can help cover rent or keep the lights on is needed more than ever,” said Mitchell.
Florence-Firestone is Home is open to residents of unincorporated Florence-Firestone ages 18 and older with household incomes at or below 200% the Federal Poverty Level. Eligible tenants or homeowners who need assistance with past-due rent, mortgage, or utility payments are encouraged to apply for cash grants that do not have to be repaid.
Florence-Firestone residents can apply now until January 31, 2026. Anyone can apply, regardless of immigration status, at https://www.sjch.org/florence-firestone-is-home.
Hernandez Breaks Ground on Pico Union pedestrian safety project
Los Angeles City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez (D-Glassell Park, Highland Park, Echo Park, Westlake, Chinatown, Montecito Heights, Pico Union, Koreatown, Mid Cities, MacArthur Park) joined community members and City partners this week in breaking ground on the Elden Elms Street Infrastructure Improvements.
The $5 million pedestrian safety and greening project will deliver major upgrades to streets surrounding the Elden Elms affordable housing development in Pico Union.
Funded through the California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, the project pairs affordable housing with long-overdue investments in safe streets, accessibility, and climate-forward infrastructure — prioritizing pedestrians, students, seniors, and transit riders in one of Los Angeles’ most densely populated neighborhoods.
“This is what real investment looks like,” said Hernandez. “In a city where it can take up to seven years to fix a sidewalk and where entire neighborhoods have been waiting decades for basic infrastructure, bringing five million dollars into Pico Union for safety and accessibility is a big deal. Safe streets aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity, especially for working-class communities.”
The project includes comprehensive improvements within a half-mile radius of Elden Elms, including:
- 33 upgraded crosswalks
- 6 curb extensions
- 11 new streetlights
- 7 ADA-compliant access ramps
- More than 9,000 linear feet of reconstructed sidewalks
- 48 new street trees, improving shade, air quality, and climate resilience
Zbur commends Ahmed Al Ahmed for heroic action
Assemblymember and Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D–Hollywood) rthis week lauded Ahmed Al Ahmed for his heroic actions during a deadly antisemitic attack targeting the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, in which at least 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
“Ahmed al Ahmed is a hero, and his actions represent the absolute best of humanity in the face of the very worst. Al Ahmed saw the victims of this antisemitic terror attack, ‘people dying and their families being shot,’ according to his cousin, and he immediately jumped into action — risking his own life and taking multiple gunshots to save others.
“The bravery al Ahmed demonstrated in his actions is truly inspiring. He did what so many others could not even imagine. And it would be impossible to overlook the global impact this man has made. At a time when too many around the world seek to divide us, al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim and Australian citizen of Syrian origin, did not hesitate to risk his own life to save Jewish lives. May al Ahmed’s heroic actions at Bondi Beach serve as a reminder that humanity is stronger when we care for one another across cultural, ethnic, and religious divides, and a source of hope for a future of unity and peace.
“According to Australian news reports, al Ahmed remains in stable but serious condition following surgery. As the representative for California’s Fifty-First Assembly District, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ahmed al Ahmed for his immense bravery and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”
