Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Motion Co-Authored by Supervisor Barger Backs Extension of California Film Tax Credit

In a move to keep TV and film jobs in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to back the extension of the current California Film Tax Credit for another five years.

This endorsement to Governor Newsom comes in the wake of an industry report showing a 24 percent decline in on-location filming over the last quarter.

The motion was co-authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, and Lindsey P. Horvath.

The $1.55 billion tax relief program, which is managed by the California Film Commission, provides financial relief to film and television companies producing projects in California. Unless extended, the program is set to expire on June 30, 2025.

“Easing the tax liabilities of film and television companies both large and small is a significant carrot that keeps them from moving their production out of state where it may be cheaper to film,” said Supervisor Barger. “We have an amazing production infrastructure here and we must seize every opportunity to protect and support it.”

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

LA County Property Assessment Expected to Near $2 Trillion

CITY NEWS SERVICE

This year’s assessment of property values in Los Angeles County is expected to rise by 5% over last year, reaching nearly $2 trillion, according to a forecast released Tuesday by county Assessor Jeff Prang.

“It has been a challenging couple of years as the local and national economies respond to a variety of factors, including COVID,” Prang said in a statement. “But our analysis indicates property value growth for the 13th consecutive year. This is good news for property owners and for local government, which depends on property taxes to pay for vital public services. However, the real estate market in 2022 began more robustly than it ended, and the sluggish market is likely to continue through this year.”

The 2022 assessed valuation of properties in the county was $1.89 trillion, up nearly 7% from the previous year. The 2023 tax roll assessment will be completed in July.

According to Prang’s office, the nearly $2 trillion assessment would translate into about $20 billion in property tax money to fund county services.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Lower Home Prices and Interest Rates Improve LA 2023 Housing Affordability

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Lower home prices and slightly lower interest rates improved the outlook for both Los Angeles County and L.A. city homebuyers in the first quarter of 2023, as the state’s housing affordability rose to the highest level in a year, the California Association of Realtors announced Tuesday.

Seventeen percent of L.A. County households could afford to buy the $746,750 median-priced home in the first quarter of the year, up from 13% in the last quarter of 2022, but down from 20% in first-quarter 2022, according to the association.

A minimum annual income of $185,200 was needed to make monthly payments of $4,630, including principal, interest and taxes on a 30-year fixed- rate mortgage at a 6.48% interest rate, the report said.

In the L.A. metro area, 19% of households could afford to buy the $720,000 median-priced home in the first quarter of 2023, up from 18% in the fourth quarter of 2022 but down from 24% in the first quarter of last year.

Friday, May 12, 2023

LACo: COVID Vaccines, Medications Remain Available as Emergencies End

With federal emergency declarations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic ending, Los Angeles County health officials reminded residents Thursday that vaccinations remain readily available, along with approved therapeutics and testing kits.

In a statement, the county Department of Public Health noted that COVID-19 “continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Los Angeles County, requiring ongoing efforts to reduce severe illness through readily available vaccinations, testing and treatment.”

Health officials said the federal government will continue to make its supply of the therapeutic medications Paxlovid and Molnupiravir available at no cost regardless of insurance coverage, while state law requires insurance plans to cover the costs of vaccines, testing and Paxlovid through Nov. 11.

“We are grateful that Los Angeles County is in a better place and that emergency declarations are no longer needed,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “I am aware that each day thousands of people throughout Los Angeles County continue to be impacted by COVID-19,

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Altadena Music Theatre Returns to Farnsworth

STAFF REPORT

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. This iconic Kander and Ebb musical written by Joe Masteroff is based off the play by John Van Druten and ‘The Berlin Stories’ of Christopher Isherwood. It tells the tale of two love stories and the impact society and the Nazi’s rise to power has on their relationships. Politics and society can change so quickly, but so many detrimental aspects remain if we are complacent and don’t shine a light.

Altadena Music Theatre returns to the Charles Farnsworth Amphitheater this May following their inaugural production of “Hair” this past September which swept audiences away. You can expect another stunning musical adventure in the open air amphitheater at Charles Farnsworth Park in the foothills of Altadena May 25th – June 4th.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

LA County Board of Supervisors Holds Public Hearing on Budget Proposal

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The public got its first chance Wednesday to weigh in on the county’s $43 billion 2023-2024 budget proposal, with some speakers voicing frustration at funding amounts being allocated for incarceration and the probation and sheriff’s departments.

Those who spoke out against the agencies generally asked that the funding be diverted instead to education and recreation programs. Several speakers referenced this week’s overdose death of a detainee at the Barry Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.

One speaker asked that Probation Department officials look at their detainees “as though they were their own children.”

Despite calls from multiple speakers for a reduction in the sheriff’s department budget, Sheriff Robert Luna appeared before the board and asked for additional funds. He asked for money to fund two more captain positions, citing a need for more senior officers to complete a management overhaul of the agency.

“I can’t believe that we have the biggest jail in the nation and it doesn’t even have a management system,”

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

November Trial Date Set for Homelessness Lawsuit vs. LA County

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A November trial date was set Tuesday for a lawsuit brought against Los Angeles County by a coalition of downtown business owners and housed and unhoused residents alleging local government has not done enough to help remedy the homelessness crisis.

In its March 2020 lawsuit, the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights alleged that inaction by the city and county of Los Angeles has created a dangerous environment in the Skid Row area and beyond.

The plaintiffs settled with the city last June in an agreement approved by U.S. District Judge David Carter, who is overseeing the case.

In April, Carter — for the second time in five months — rejected the county’s settlement offer, denying the county and the L.A. Alliance’s joint stipulation to dismiss the case, saying he needed more “oversight and enforcement powers.”

The county then attempted to stay proceedings and file an appeal to a higher court, but Carter denied that effort earlier this month.

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Barger Brings Back Focus on Hiring, Retaining L.A. County Clinical Staff

STAFF REPORT

Approved motion gives 30 day deadline for completed impact report evaluating incentives, including benefits

This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that directs the County’s health, mental health, and public health departments to report on the impact the County’s current employee benefits and other incentives have on hiring and retaining clinical staff in 30 days.

“Providing the County’s most fundamental services rests on having quality medical, dental, psychiatric, and mental health professionals,” said Supervisor Barger. “I will continue shining a spotlight on the effectiveness of our employment perks. County benefits are touted as being amongst the best any employer offers, but is that message connecting with job applicants? We need to understand how well our current incentives are attracting job seekers and keeping these invaluable positions filled. Competing with the private sector’s hiring efforts is tough. Every day one of our clinical positions remains open is a lost opportunity to provide care.”

There are currently approximately 1,000 workers with specialty clinical roles across the County’s hospitals,

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Los Angeles County Business Federation Endorses Supervisor Kathryn Barger for Re-Election

The Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) has officially endorsed Supervisor Kathryn Barger for re-election.

BizFed, which represents over 240 business organizations and nearly 420,000 employers with more than 5 million employees in Southern California, recognizes Barger’s pragmatic, solutions-driven leadership in the region.

Aaron Taxy, Chair of the Los Angeles County Business Federation PAC, praised Barger’s independent voice and focus on improving the lives of her district’s constituents, stating that her efforts create a ripple effect that benefits the entire county.

Barger has worked diligently on public safety, housing, homelessness, and local business support, making a significant difference in the community, he said.

In response to the endorsement, Supervisor Barger acknowledged BizFed’s role as a champion for local businesses in Los Angeles County. She noted their input on homelessness, transit, economic development, and other key issues has informed some of her most pressing policy work.

Supervisor Barger’s re-election campaign has garnered a diverse range of support, including endorsements from the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles,

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Supervisor Barger Moves to Increase Reward in Unsolved Case of Murdered Altadena Preschooler to $75,000

STAFF REPORT

Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo urge members of the community to step up, do their part

Supervisor Kathryn Barger successfully introduced a motion to increase and extend the reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of four-year-old Salvador “Chavita” Esparza III.

The young boy was shot while standing on the porch of a home he was visiting in unincorporated Altadena on July 5, 2016.

The County of Los Angeles will now offer a $75,000 reward.

“Six years ago, little Salvador’s life was violently and tragically ended,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “I am extending and increasing the reward amount because I have faith that there’s someone out there who can help bring justice for the Esparza family. Every bit of information helps, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Help us identify the perpetrator who robbed Salvador of his future and left an unfillable void in his family’s heart.”

Pasadena Mayor Victor M.