Department of Neighborhood Empowerment

DONE Newsletters 2007

October 10, 2007

Re: Community Budget Day -- Urgent Update Emergency Budget Discussions to Take Place at Budget Day !

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS — Leading in a Time of Challenge

In the days leading up to Budget Day, all eyes are on our City's budget. There is growing concern that Los Angeles may lose one of its most important sources of revenue. The loss of the Telephone User Tax (TUT) could jeopardize the city services that are critical to our quality of life, and undermine the foundations of our Great Global City.

This issue is so important, that the Mayor and City Council have declared Budget Day as an emergency opportunity for Neighborhood Councils to weigh in on the challenges that face our City. Make sure that your Neighborhood Council's voice is heard on Budget Day!

MAYOR'S COMMUNITY BUDGET DAY — Event Information

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's 3rd Annual Community Budget Day will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Los Angeles, City Hall. If you have not yet registered to attend, please be sure to do so!

• To RSVP or register for the event, please go to www.lacityneighborhoods.com

• You can also call the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment at 213-485-1360, or via our citywide toll-free access line, 3-1-1
  
• PARKING AT CITY HALL IS FREE!
  
• Please click here to download the map and directions.
  
• PLEASE NOTE - Bring a valid picture ID for security check points to enter City Hall.

As Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, each year I must prepare a city budget that is fiscally responsible, balanced and addresses the fundamental issues of our City. The annual budget process allows us to articulate our priorities for the upcoming year, and build a road-map for advancing our goals, our aspirations, and our dreams for a great global city.

This year, the City of Los Angeles will be challenged by enormous issues, none more pressing than the potential loss of loss of $270 million in Telephone Users' Tax (TUT) revenue. This revenue source represents roughly 6% of the City's general fund.

The magnitude of the potential loss of 6% of the entire General Fund cannot be understated. $270 million represents real services that the City and its residents cannot afford to be without. I recognize the urgency of this matter and support the recommendation by the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to place a modern telecommunications tax ballot measure on the next available election.

Given the daunting challenges that we must confront, it is important to hear from Neighborhood Councils on their budget priorities and their thoughts regarding the TUT. As such, I join the City Council of Los Angeles in declaring an Emergency Congress of Neighborhood Councils to discuss the modern communications tax ballot measure during this year's Community Budget Day.

I urge you all to attend this vital budget discussion. Your Neighborhood Council's participation on Budget Day will help ensure that we can work together to address the needs of your communities and the fiscal challenges of the entire city.

• To read the CAO's written report to the City Council regarding the Modern Communications Tax Ordinance, click here.
  
• To see video of the CAO'S presentation of the above report to City Council & City Council discussion regarding the need for input by the Neighborhood Councils, click here. (CAO presentation & City Council discussion duration: approx. 90 minutes)

COMMUNITY BUDGET DAY PRESS ROOM

City Council, the Mayor, and Neighborhood Council members aren't the only people paying attention to our City budget. Recently, a spate of articles has appeared, emphasizing the critical nature of this year's budget decisions.

Articles from The Los Angeles Times, The Daily News, and the internet newsletter, Citywatch LA, all share perspectives on what's at stake for our City.

Below is a clipping from the September 28, 2007 issue of Citywatch LA:

“…According to projections by the City Administrative Officer (CAO) and the City Controller's office, the City's budget forecast will project a deficit of $218.6 million for 2008-09. Furthermore, the likely loss of the 2007-08 telephone users' tax revenue will further impact the City's budget and restrict the City's ability to fund vital programs and services…”

• Please click here to read the article that appeared in Citywatch LA.

PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY — Budget Decisions Affect Us All

This Budget Day promises to engage a wide range of community members on issues that will affect this Great Global City for many years to come.

Building on last year's event, many non-profit, community-based, and service-delivery organizations will participate in Budget Day on October 13 to ensure that their constituents' needs are represented.

This year, we also welcome the participation of the City's Youth Council Members!

These engaged and active youth are working to ensure that the budget addresses the concerns of youth and their families. Make sure to greet the youth at Budget Day and introduce yourselves to them!

During the regional budget discussions, Neighborhood Councils and their community stakeholders will discuss the particular needs and concerns of their communities in light of the pressing budget challenges. Working together, Neighborhood Councils and community-based organizations will have a stronger voice in City budget decisions.

• For more information on the City's Youth Council, please visit
  http://www.lacity.org/cyf/index.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carol Baker Tharp, General Manager
done@lacity.org

Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
334-B E. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

866 / LA HELPS
213 / 485-1360
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org email
www.lacityneighborhoods.com website