By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Rodriguez holds hearing on equity and opportunity for California Latinas
Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-Northeast San Fernando Valley), Chair of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities, last week held its first hearing examining the national economic status of Latinas and the potential impacts of the federal administration on their economic mobility.
The hearing convened experts from across the state, including researchers, advocates, and community organizations, to help lawmakers better understand the systemic inequities affecting Latinas’ educational attainment, workforce participation, and long-term economic security. Participants engaged in a thoughtful discussion about how immigration enforcement policies could not only undermine progress made but also threaten future opportunities.
“Latinos in California contributed $1 trillion to the United States GDP, and Latinas are among the youngest and fastest growing segments of our population— we are pursuing higher education, raising families, starting businesses, and stepping into leadership roles,” said Rodriguez.
“Our state has taken critical steps to expand economic opportunity. However, we continue to carry a disproportionate burden of poverty and other challenges, all while this federal administration is actively seeking to undermine decades of progress. I am committed to continuing discussions and efforts to protect California Latinas and future generations because it will affect the future of our state and country.”
Panelists highlighted challenges experienced by Latinas—one of California’s fastest-growing workforce populations—including:
- Persistent wage gaps and barriers to professional advancement
- Harmful impacts of immigration enforcement policies on families and worker safety
- Threats posed by federal actions that could weaken economic and social safety net programs
- Potential destabilization of key California industries such as agriculture, construction, and childcare
Economists estimate that mass deportations could cost California’s economy $275 billion and reduce tax revenue by $23 billion a year.
Whitesides floats legislation to crack down on fraud and scams
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, portions of San Fernando) and Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) recently introduced the National Scam Prevention Coordination Act, legislation that would establish an office in the White House to oversee and coordinate the implementation of a national strategy to prevent fraud and scams.
“Tens of thousands of Americans are scammed every day, and bad actors are only getting more sophisticated,” said Whitesides. “We are in desperate need of a central hub to ensure law enforcement can take down these criminal enterprises and victims can get the answers they deserve.”
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s (IC3) 2024 Internet Crime Report, American consumers reported $16.6 billion in losses to scams in 2024. Fraud and scams are underreported, with the Federal Trade Commission estimating that the true total of consumer fraud-related losses reached $195.9 billion in 2024 alone, a 24% increase from 2023.
Currently, no federal agency can fully address the rising threat of fraud and scams. The National Scam Prevention Coordination Act would:
- Establish a National Fraud and Scam Prevention office in the White House.
- Designate responsibilities for the National Fraud and Scam Prevention Office Director, including:
- Serving as the principal advisor to the President on scam and fraud prevention policy and strategy.
- Coordinating the implementation of national fraud and scam prevention policy and strategy with federal agencies.
- Annually reporting to the President and Congress on the effectiveness of national fraud and scam prevention policy and the status of implementation.
- Establish a program providing liability safe-harbor for those who share non-personally identifiable information in good faith with the Office to enable increased public-private collaboration.
Barger celebrates opening of Antelope Valley mental health campus
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) recently celebrated the grand opening of three new County-led mental health and crisis-care facilities in the Antelope Valley.
The ribbon-cutting marked the completion of a multi-year effort to build the community’s first fully integrated continuum of mental-health treatment for children, youth, and adults.
“These new facilities are a game-changer for the Antelope Valley,” said Barger. “For the first time, children, families, and adults experiencing a mental-health crisis won’t have to leave their community to find help. This campus provides meaningful alternatives to unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and it will help ensure that individuals struggling with mental illness are stabilized, supported, and kept off the streets.”
The newly opened campus includes the Adult Crisis Residential Treatment Program, the Children’s and Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit, and a new Mental Health Hub for children currently located nearby at the High Desert Regional Health Center.
Together, the facilities represent a $43 million investment supported by nearly $39.7 million from the State’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program and $3.3 million from Mental Health Services Act Capital Facilities funds.
According to County public works officials, the project was completed 20 percent under budget and 45 percent of the construction workforce was local. This project was a significant boost for the regional economy.
The Mental Health Hub will expand annual youth services from approximately 850 clients to more than 2,650, a greater than 400 percent increase in capacity. The new Crisis Stabilization Unit will provide 24/7 care for children ages 3 to 12, allowing families to access developmentally appropriate treatment close to home rather than traveling more than 50 miles.
The Adult Crisis Residential Treatment Program introduces the region’s first local alternative to mental-health hospitalization, offering 16 beds for individuals who need more than a few hours of stabilization but not an inpatient stay.
Friedman speaks at ANHA’s 5th Annual Hanukkah Celebration
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood) on Sunday joined local community members and the Adams Hill Neighborhood Association (ANHA) in Glendale to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.
Earlier in the day, Friedman released a statement condemning the horrific attacks of antisemitic violence in Australia and California. Friedman also joined a bipartisan statement from all 25 Jewish House Members condemning the horrific antisemitic attack in Australia.
“Hanukkah is a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. When our communities continue celebrating Hanukkah and practicing our religion — even in the face of these disturbing acts of violence — we are living proof that light will always prevail,” said Friedman. “I am doing everything I can in Congress to combat antisemitism, because the cost of inaction is unimaginable to me.”
