LA County’s budget plan released on April 19 includes cuts to public health, libraries and public safety but also keeps core services mostly intact. That’s in part because of hard work by LA County employees.
Last year, 55,000 employees represented by SEIU Local 721 negotiated contracts that recognized the hard times, protected family health care and will Build a Better LA County by giving workers a voice in making government more efficient and effective for residents.
This year LA County employees are working to preserve funding from the state. Because LA County is mostly funded by state and federal budgets, cuts proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger could lead to more service reductions for families, hospitals and neighborhoods.
“We came into bargaining with a slogan of building a better LA County, and we meant it. LA County is in better shape than some areas because we got ahead of the problem. But this year is still going to be tough for employees and our clients. We’re trying to lay a strong foundation for recovery, not cut programs even more.”
– Linda Dent, SEIU 721 Vice President and Intermediate Clerk, Treasurer and Tax Collector
What LA County has proposed: 2010-11 budget is $22.7 billion, down $885 million. LA County is facing a $510.5-million budget gap. To reduce this budget gap, the County is proposing:
- $175.2 million in ongoing departmental reductions, largely due to eliminating vacant positions. This may include up to 100 layoffs. However this is preliminary. We are proposing to find savings in efficiency, not cuts in personnel.
- $220 million in one-time bridge funding, extension of federal funds and ongoing revenue solutions.
- Other proposed cuts include $128 million at the Sheriff’s Department, elimination of unfilled deputy and other positions, and reductions in overtime
- $7.9 million cut to the public health department budget
- $7.9 million cut to the property assessor’s office, affecting appraisals, information technology projects and other services
- $7.4-million to the Department of Public Social Services
- $4.8-million from the county’s public libraries, resulting in fewer hours at some libraries and the elimination of an adult literacy program.
What we are saying:
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
“The Sheriff’s Department is releasing hundreds of inmates earlier because of budget cuts. Public safety will be in jeopardy. We should look at the proper deployment of the staff we do have. Instead of replacing professional staff with deputies, one of the solutions could be to employ civilians and keep sworn personnel on the street.”
– Tony Mendoza, evidence and property custodian II, Twin Towers
HEALTH SERVICES
“I am marching to the State Capital to ensure that County workers and future County workers have an opportunity to make a decent living in the great state of California. We stand up now or lie down soon.”
-Adam Benson, recreational therapist, Augustus Hawkins Mental Health Center
SOCIAL SERVICES
“If the budget is cut there’s less funding for the families who need it now. We’re talking about middle class families who have been affected by the economic downturn, who find themselves in a CalWorks office and never thought they’d be there. We should be there when they need us. We need to let the Legislature know that we can’t afford any more cuts.”
– Marlene Allen, GAIN Case Worker, DPSS
DCFS PHN seen asked to do overtime because they do not want to fund an item for the CAHL after hours. With a HUB at LAC-USC 24hours daily, CSWs can consult with a medical person during the afterhours time and weekends. Only one- three PHNs and one PHNS is doing this role. Certainly needed personnel can be hired or use the HUB for all consulations.
Secondly, ER CSWs will get referrals and may want a PHN to go with them after 5pm, which is overtime automatically. By stopping all referrals at 4pm and only utilyzing the PHN during regular work hours, money can be saved. If a child needs tp be seen asap, the HUB is available. Otherwise, the child can be seen the following day.
Thirdly, Dr Sophy is paid a fulltime salary when he has a private practice. Surely he can not write a book and see private patients and be the Medical Director at the same time. Pay him a per diem salary
To Linda Dent,VP
Thanks for all your help and all you continue to do for the better LA County.
The San Fernando Valley of the LA County needs a lot more.
Next year will still be on the slow side, so let us all to get going now with the clerical staffs bargaining needs. Finding out how folks are doing with the no raise hit, we really need to regain the raise this time just so we can better afford what we are dealing with from 2009 – 2010.
So let’s get in on the budget when it comes down the pike from Sacramento to
Gloria and the Gang before they start slicing the pie next year in June.
Respectfully,
Alma J. Parks – ITC / Chatsworth Clerical Steward
I realize the budget is high & dry….But things go up ever year , no raises, for over 2yrs. So does that mean no raise another 2 more years again>???? What’s next for us here at the County.?? So far no lay off..which is great, but it’s been hard to shuffle your money for payments & needs.Not for things u want.Tight budget is a must. What will come good for us Next.??That is a Long time without a raise, things have gotten really tough for ever one, I’m thankful for my 21yrs. at County. What’s next on our Bargaining table???I may have to stay working until I’m 70yrs.old ,that would be terrible if I had too. What a crisis.!!!! thank you. OLIVIA DESIGIO keep u informed
I am on Gain and found out today that Gain will no longer cover fees for the adult school I attend. I have tried everything. Now I dont have the training I need that is suppose to help me get a job, if they do even exist anymore. Very sad. : ( I was part of the middle class and now on the system again after 10 years of being off of it. Dont understand y we the people have to keep suffering when all these bailouts came and the money isnt being funded correctly to all departments.