Bringing home the bacon, Mayor Karen Bass alongside Council President Paul Krekorian and Sacramento legislators, have touted a massive win for Los Angeles with the announcement of a $300 million windfall in emergency reimbursements. The funds, earmarked for the city's COVID-19-related expenses, promise to inject nearly $60 million directly into the Los Angeles coffers, according to a meeting with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services that went down yesterday.
In a power meeting this morning with Governor Gavin Newsom, the delegation, which included key city council members, secured commitments for their region. "We must continue to do all we can to join forces at every level of government to save lives and bring Angelenos inside," Mayor Bass said in a statement obtained by their official site. The sentiment echoed by Newsom was one of unity and support for the city's endeavors to bounce back from various crises.
Council President Krekorian didn't mince his words when it came to acknowledging the city's proactive measures in the face of adversity. "When emergencies strike, the City of Los Angeles doesn't wait for outside help; we act immediately," he told the mayoral site. Recognizing Governor Newsom's role, Krekorian appreciated the move to ensure Los Angeles got its share of federal funds to cover the substantial efforts it has put forth.
Mayor Bass has been a regular at the federal table, pushing for outstanding FEMA payments. Recent months saw her in talks with top brass, such as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, as well as FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, to secure these much-needed emergency funds. The Los Angeles region at large, including its schools and hospitals, stands to benefit from reimbursements with entities like the Los Angeles Unified School District and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals set to receive a piece of the pie, the delegation included Council President Paul Krekorian, and several more council members.
Ahead of the curve, the Los Angeles Mayor and City Council have been in Sacramento, fighting tooth and nail for state funding and showing flexibility as the city grapples with the ongoing homelessness crisis alongside housing issues, the delegation met with State Treasurer Fiona Ma, State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and a host of other top state officials to advocate for the city's pressing needs.
