In recent weeks, I’ve heard more and more people say it’s time to “get more creative†as we try and solve the city’s problems. But then you don’t hear anything after that. Here are six ideas that might get a “let’s get creative†conversation started.
1. First: Stop the hemorrhaging. It’s impossible to be creative while bleeding to death. I propose an immediate across-the-board cut in pay and hours for city workers. I know that’s awful for city employees to hear, but minor cuts now could reduce the need for massive cutbacks later.
LA City employees making below $50K a year would see no changes. Those making between $50K and $100K would take a 5% pay cut on that slice of income; for the next slice, or income between $100K and $150K, employees would take a 10% cut; and those making between $150K and $200K should agree to a 15% cut on that slice. Those lucky enough to be making over $200K should see a 20% cut on that top tier.
In return, all non-emergency city employees affected will be given a day off a week – a 20% increase in free time. This is not a bad trade. Free time is valuable.
The same types of cuts should apply to all pension benefits. Those city employees receiving $50K or less a year in pension benefits should take no cut; the next $50K in benefits would see a 5% reduction, and so on.
There’s no easy way to do this other than to simply do it and move on. I’m guessing most city employees would rather see a reduction like this than face an actual job loss.
2. “Work From Home Day.†All desk workers from all LA hiring organizations, private or government, should be required to work one day a week from home. With today’s technology, this is very doable. Days off would be spread out equally, Monday through Friday.
I doubt productivity would slide – it might actually soar – and suddenly traffic all across LA would go way down.
For those who can’t work at home or who don’t have laptops, there could be several gathering areas set up around town. People could walk, bike or take a bus to these close-by facilities.
3. The LA Entertainment Partnership. Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and others traveled to Korea, Vietnam, Guam or Germany to boost the morale of our troops overseas. Let’s ask Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Jay Leno and others to put on similar pro bono shows right here in LA, maybe once a month, in every part of town.
The city would charge admission and drum up corporate sponsors. The TV rights would be huge. No individual or company would profit; all money raised would go toward parks and summer camp experience for inner city kids.
LA-based entertainment companies would organize and broadcast this. This is a perfect public-private partnership that could only happen in LA. I’ll bet if Mayor Villaraigosa asked nicely, he’d get plenty of takers.
4. Let’s get the homeless off the streets. As part of this “LA Entertainment Partnership, let’s add an “I Love LA†surcharge of 50 cents to all movie ticket, DVD, CD, theater ticket sales – and to our monthly cable bills.
Proceeds would go toward finding shelter for homeless people. They could be clothed, fed and given access to proper bathrooms, counseling, etc.
Then, if a panhandler on a street corner asks a motorist or pedestrian for a handout, that individual could say, “I gave at the movie theater – and, by the way, there’s a place for you to go now.â€
5. Tax Earnings That Currently Go Untaxed. All L.A. workers should have a work permit – including undocumented workers. Employers would be responsible – not for turning these people in for being illegal, if that’s what they actually are – but for facilitating the collection of taxes on their earnings.
More tax receipts would help pay for services like schools, hospitals, roads and the like – and such a move would represent a baby step in the direction of integrating undocumented workers into the mainstream.
6. Then Go Fill the Potholes. Authorities, thankful for this new source of revenue, could return the favor by allocating half of this money toward filling potholes, fixing sidewalks and other infrastructure upgrades. If you ask around, that’s what most citizens really want. Our newly sheltered homeless people could grab a shovel and help. Same with undocumented workers.
There. In five minutes we just: 1) did wonders for the city’s budget; 2) took a huge bite out of traffic; 3) got most of the homeless off the streets; 4) filled the potholes and fixed the sidewalks; 5) recognized and showed respect to a huge and important part of our population that currently lives in the shadows; and 6) found inner city kids some open space in which to play.
And it all pays for itself!
If we could do all that in just five minutes, just think what we could get done in an hour!
What’s your creative idea? Send it to: jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com.
