Los Angeles and the state of California have never faced a more serious challenge regarding our education system. With our flat global economy, the success of our students has never been more important. Dramatic improvements to our education system must be made.
Last century, the United States had the highest college enrollment rate in the world, but by 2008 our standing had fallen to No. 16. Here in California, for the first time in our history, the current generation is expected to be less educated than its predecessor. Major cutbacks signaled this week in Gov. Jerry Brown's budget add to the challenges local school officials face. This collection of issues calls for outstanding leadership. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education displayed that leadership this morning when it announced its decision to select John Deasy as the district's next superintendent.
Read MoreSpent the morning at the first meeting of the year for the South Coast Air Quality Management District's (AQMD) Governing Board. Was there to testify in favor of Rule 1315-Federal New Source Review Tracking System, which would maintain AQMD’s ability to issue permits to essential public services (hospitals, fire stations, waste treatment plants, schools) and other businesses that are expanding or starting up in the South Coast area by providing emission offsets free of charge from AQMD’s offset accounts.
Read More30/10 Takes Major Step Forward!
Success today for the 30/10 transportation initiative. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Westside Subway Extension and the Regional Connector for entry into the preliminary engineering process. The approval moves both of these key Metro projects closer to actual construction.
Read MoreDual Priorities for California: Jobs and a Balanced Budget
In a story that made headlines in every newspaper around the country, and perhaps around the world, Jerry Brown ...
Read MoreHoliday Greetings and a Focus on Jobs in 2011
Last Friday's release of the November unemployment report for Los Angeles County showed a jump from 12.6 percent to 12.9 ...
Read MoreThe DREAM Act – A Brighter Future For Many Students
In the coming days, the U.S. Senate will debate the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, a ...
Read MoreDeclare a Jobs Emergency in California
Yesterday, State Senate and Assembly members were sworn into office including 29 freshman members of the Legislature. Governor-elect ...
Read MoreThe Fairness Factor in L.A. City Pension Reform
Last Spring, City of Los Angeles Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Miguel Santana painted a vivid picture of the severe ...
Read MoreGiving Thanks For Our Members
This is a week of holiday traffic, airport screenings and millions of bargain seeking shoppers. It’s also precious time for us to reconnect ...
Read MoreEnding Homelessness in Los Angeles for Good
Every night more than 48,000 people in Los Angeles County sleep on the streets because they do not have a place to call home. Los ...
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