Measure R Gets Orange Line Extension Rolling

Supervisor Yaroslavsky joins officials at the Orange Line extension ground breaking on 6/ 24/ 09

San Fernando Valley commuters will soon see their Measure R transportation sales tax dollars at work as construction begins on a four-mile extension of the hugely popular Metro Orange Line.

The new route—extending northwest to the Chatsworth Metrolink/Amtrak Station from the line’s current western terminus in Canoga Park—marks the first official project to begin construction under the tax measure, which was approved by County voters last November and takes effect July 1.

Measure R will generate some $40 billion over the next 30 years, funding dozens of critical transit and highway projects and creating more than 210,000 new annual full-time equivalent construction jobs, according to estimates by the nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

The business group also estimates that the $215.6 million construction phase of the Metro Orange Line Extension project will create 3,000 annual full-time equivalent jobs as well as infuse $461 million in direct and indirect business revenues back into the local economy.

Ready for action.

Joining other officials on June 24 to officially break ground on the Orange Line extension was Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who championed the Valley busway after observing the success of a similar system in Curitiba, Brazil.

“We’ve already proven that you can create a premium rapid bus service that is both affordable and flexible enough to serve the growing needs of today’s transit riders,” Yaroslavsky said. “Now even more commuters stand to benefit from connections with the Valley’s best short-cut.”

When completed in 2012—three years ahead of schedule, thanks to Measure R’s funding boost—the Chatsworth segment will help relieve congestion on North-South arterial streets in the West San Fernando Valley and connect the Metro Orange Line service to the MetroLink inter-city rail network spanning all counties of Southern California and beyond.

The Metro Orange Line extension will will include four station stops at Sherman Way, Roscoe, Nordhoff and Chatsworth and a new 207-space park & ride facility at the Sherman Way Station. Like the existing Orange Line corridor, it will be extensively landscaped with parallel bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Since its launch in October, 2005, the Metro Orange line has beat ridership estimates, and now carries an average of 22,000 boardings daily. Metro officials estimate that by 2030, the Chatsworth extension will generate 9,000 new average weekday boardings.

Defeat of Propositions Leads to Worst-Case Scenario for Plans
to Cut Huge Sacramento Budget Gap; Significant Impact on L.A. County

As you know, California voters on May 20th overwhelmingly rejected a package of ballot propositions designed to reduce Sacramento’s crushing budget deficit through tax hikes and spending cuts. With the defeat of these measures, pushed by the Governor and legislative leaders, the state now faces a $21.3 billion budget gap for the coming fiscal year that can only be slashed through borrowing, layoffs and deep cuts in state-supported services and programs, including education. Los Angeles County is also sure to feel the fiscal impact. Before the vote, the CEO’s office analyzed how the county might be impacted by the passage or rejection of the propositions. Click here to read the report, and here to read the Governor's May 14 "May Revise" of the proposed 2009-10 state budget, which projected the need for spending cuts whether or not the ballot measures were approved.

County Provisionally Adopts $22.8 Billion
Budget for FY 2009-10

On April 21, the Board of Supervisors provisionally adopted a proposed $22.8 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year beginning on July 1. The spending plan actually represents a $415 million cut from the current 2008-09 budget and eliminates 1,684 budgeted vacant positions, but includes no actual layoffs and maintains core services.

Supervisor Yaroslavsky noted that because the County is largely dependent on state and federal revenue for its operations, this Board action is only the first step in a multi-part process. Much of the state’s and County’s fate is tied up in the May 19th election. If those ballot measures fail, state and local government budgets will be thrown into chaos.

Further adjustments will be necessary following release of the state’s so-called May Revision, an updated proposed state budget for FY 2009-10 reflecting fresh spending and revenue data changes since the state budget’s introduction last January. During the coming months, the Governor and Legislature will make further changes in the course of adopting a final state budget, and the Board of Supervisors will make its own additional adjustments in late summer. Full details on next year’s proposed County budget and previous budgets over the past decade can be found on the County budget page.

Are You in Line for a Property Tax Cut?

County property owners can now check on the County Assessor website to learn if their home or condominium is one of roughly 500,000 properties that Assessor staff are reviewing for a potential decline in value, which could automatically trigger a property tax reduction.

By entering a street address or Assessor Identification Number, owners can quickly learn whether they’re on the list, which primarily covers properties purchased between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2008, with certain hard-hit pockets of the County under review as far back as the year 2000. Property owners pay nothing and need file no forms; they’ll be notified by mail by the end of July as to the outcome.

Supervisor Yaroslavsky warns, “Don’t be taken in by aggressive scam artists trying to charge you up to $200 for a review that the County offers its property owners for free.” See re-assessment scam to learn more.

Are You a Candidate for Solar Power?

Visit the County’s solar mapping website and find out if your home or business might be a good candidate for a rooftop solar power installation. The new on-line service analyzes factors like roof size, pitch and shading from nearby trees and other structures to determine whether a solar installation is economically viable. Entering your street address yields detailed data on estimated solar energy electricity production, energy savings, carbon reduction, potential utility company rebates and other information. See this solar power press release to learn more.

Department of Consumer Affairs
Offers Foreclosure Assistance

The County’s Department of Consumer Affairs is offering a variety of information and assistance for homeowners and property owners at risk of foreclosure, trying to refinance, or otherwise navigate through today’s economic turbulence. According to DCA figures, foreclosures jumped from 14,000 homeowners in 2007 to 40,000 in 2008, a 186% increase. Rising unemployment, expiring foreclosure moratoriums and falling property values can be expected to impact many more homeowners in 2009. DCA can help homeowners save their homes through a comprehensive program that involves counseling, loan modifications, complaint investigations, and community outreach. For more detailed information on the range of homeowner-related programs and services DCA offers, visit the Department’s Homes page.

LA Philharmonic Announces 2009
Hollywood Bowl Summer Season

Nothing says “It’s summertime!” like a fresh concert season at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has just announced the program lineup for Summer 2009, and as always, it’s an exciting and eclectic mix of classical, world music, jazz, spectaculars and special events. Principal Guest Conductors Bramwell Tovey and Thomas Wilkins return for the second year to take the baton for the LA Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, respectively. As Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer Christian McBride wraps up his final season as Creative Chair for Jazz, aficionados can look forward to a worthy successor beginning with the Bowl’s Summer 2010 season: jazz icon Herbie Hancock, who will assume the title and guide jazz programming for the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Visit Hollywood Bowl for full program and ticket information, with further details in the Hollywood Bowl Summer Season 2009 press kit.

Return of Flamenco, Hawaiian Nights, High Tech Street Dance and Hip Hop Dance-Off Top John Anson Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season 2009

A typically eclectic mix of world music offerings spanning Asian, Pacific Island and Latin American influences, traditional and modern dance, multi-media presentations, ethnic roots music, and the Ford’s first evening devoted to Chinese culture, the return of flamenco, high tech street dance, and a hip hop dance-off are just a few of the announced highlights of the County’s John Anson Ford Amphitheatre’s Summer Season 2009.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located in the Cahuenga Pass on the east side of the Hollywood (101) Freeway, northeast of the Hollywood Bowl. For chronological listings of summer season events, go to www.fordtheatres.org, hit "Events" then "Monthly Listings" then "June" and subsequent months on the calendar grid. To view season events by Artistic Discipline, hit "Events" then "Event Types" and choose the discipline you want to see.

You can also download the entire Summer Season 2009 brochure. To plan your next trip to the Ford, make your first stop at the Ford’s web page for directions and parking information.

Dance Notes from Downtown

Dance aficionados never need an excuse to kick up their heels, but here’s some news that might even get the rest of us out on the floor: The Glorya Kaufman Dance Foundation recently bestowed the largest single gift in Los Angeles dance history to the Music Center of Los Angeles County to sustain and revitalize the Center's world-class program. The $20 million donation from the longtime dance philanthropist allows the Center to continue presenting internationally renowned dance companies, engage new audiences and enhance its outreach programs.

"Through this act of generosity, the Glorya Kaufman name will be linked in perpetuity with world-class dance presentations and exceptional programs that share the joy and magic of dance with the community, including young dancers, students and teachers," Supervisor Yaroslavsky declared at an event announcing the gift. Read here to learn more about Kaufman’s generous donation.

Dance Downtown offers a series of fun and free Friday night opportunities to take a twirl under the stars in the Music Center plaza throughout the summer from May to September. Come out to play and tap into your inner Fred Astaire, Alvin Ailey or Michael Flatley! Sample everything from Mexican Cumbia, Texas Two-Step, Line Dancing and Ballroom to West Coast Swing, Salsa, Tango and the Brazilian Samba.

And to see how the pros do it, check out two upcoming Music Center dance performance events, the Dance at the Music Center debut of Ballet Hispanico and the return of the American Ballet Theatre, presenting Sir Kenneth McMillan’s production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” set to the score by Sergei Prokofiev.