Transportation and homelessness top list
DOWNTOWN Now that the Democrats have control over Congress, it’s time for Southern California to strike while the iron is hot.
Elected officials and business leaders from across the region, including Santa Monica, are heading to the nation’s capital next month for a three-day venture that could shape the future of California for years to come.
Transportation, affordable housing and homelessness, homeland security, education, the environment — all will be open for discussion as representatives from Santa Monica, including Mayor Richard Bloom, Councilmember Pam O’Connor and Chamber of Commerce President Jim Lynch get face time with members of Congress, trying to convince them to funnel more money into California, a “donor state.” At present, the state of California — with an economy that ranks as the eighth largest in the world — sends far more cash to Washington, D.C. in the form of taxes than it receives in funding.
With several congressional members from California holding high-ranking positions on Capitol Hill, many here in the Southland feel emboldened to try and get some of that money back.
“We really need to lobby our representatives in Washington so they understand the broad range of needs we have here in Santa Monica and in the region,” said Bloom, who aims to seek funding for extending the Exposition Light Rail line from Culver City, and supportive housing for the homeless.
“Because this is a regional effort, I think it is important that Santa Monica’s voice is part of the discussion,” Bloom added. “I think one of the reasons why were sought for this delegation was because we are acknowledged as regional leaders in areas like climate change and global warming and homelessness.”
Sponsored by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the annual “Access D.C.” legislative and advocacy trip will also include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. Chamber representatives from Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena and Torrance will also be attending, along with Los Angeles County MTA Chief Roger Snoble and representatives from Orange and Riverside counties.
The Santa Monica Chamber last week hosted what might have been the last strategy session before the delegation heads for Washington.
Delegates will fly into the nation’s capital on March 26 and stay at the boutique Hay-Adams hotel, which has views overlooking the Lafayette Park and the White House.
Targeted legislators include Senator Barbara Boxer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jane Harman, Henry Waxman, James Inhofe and Bob Mendez. Senator Dianne Feinstein plans to meet with the group for breakfast. Also on the schedule is a press-conference highlighting the diverse coalition of business leaders and legislative priorities for the trip.
One of the items on the trip’s advocacy agenda that would greatly impact the Westside is securing funding for Phase II of the Expo Line — connecting Downtown L.A. to Santa Monica — as well as a Westside subway extension. Education is also a top advocacy priority, including promoting the Workforce Investment Act, career academies, financial aid and gang-prevention education.
The coalition supports passing the National Housing Trust Fund bill to create a source of revenue for the production of new housing and the preservation of existing affordable housing options.
“Providing affordable workforce housing options is essential for communities to recruit and retain qualified employees who live and invest in their communities,” read a statement from the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. “In addition, creating new housing options connected to intensive support services for Southern California’s growing homeless population, including a large number of veterans, is essential throughout the region.”
Also on the agenda is the promotion of comprehensive immigration reform, including expanding visa options for skilled workers.
On the health care front, the group will discuss its opposition to Medicare/Medicaid cuts and promote health care reform, including tax credits for Workplace Wellness, an employee assistance program, and increased funding for nursing education programs.
Entertainment industry discussions will focus on piracy protection for one of the U.S.’s top exports and an essential business force on the Westside. Federal tax incentives for Green Building is one of many environmental issues the group will highlight.
“This trip is absolutely essential to Southern California,” said Samuel Garrison, public policy director of the LA Chamber. “One of the major problems over the last couple of decades here is that we have been getting our butts kicked by other states and urban areas on appropriations and legislation on Capitol Hill, and most of this is due to the region not coming together to present a cohesive advocacy agenda.
“This represents the first time in recent memory that multiple business organizations and cities are coming together to go back to Washington as a regional power,” Garrison added. “This is really a golden opportunity.”
While no one is expecting to come back with a suitcase full of cash, prior trips have been successful in funding long-term projects, Garrison said. The first such trip took place in the 1890s, when a dozen or so business leaders went to Washington to advocate for a dredging project that later became the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. In the mid-1940s business leaders went back for construction funding for the Southern California freeway system. In 1985, the delegation testified in support of metro rail, and in 2005, the delegation was instrumental in saving the Los Angeles Air Force Base from closure.
“Having the nation’s capital 3,000 miles away is a significant disadvantage to us when you compare states like West Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York,” Lynch said. “Obviously, it is much easier to get in a car and drive for an hour or so, but for us it’s a major trip, so we need to take as much advantage of the opportunity when we can.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 5, 2007. Read the original PDF.