July 1, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Brentwood Resident Jay Handal, Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, Pushes for LA City Fiscal Reform

Q: Jay, what is the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates? Who are you guys?

A: The city charter mandates that neighborhood councils advise the mayor and the elected officials on citywide budget matters, The NCBA’s are 36 neighborhood council members who are elected by the 190 budget reps, who represent 2 members of each neighborhood and community council around the city. Their charge is to represent their respective councils in the citywide budget process. This group has grown from 24 in the past.

Q: What is it you are trying to accomplish?

A: The goal is to dig into department budgets as well as to speak with union leaders to come up with a comprehensive report to the Mayor on how to balance the budget and enhance city services.

Q: What are the key components of your platform?

A: A balanced budget that includes no layoffs, no fourloughs, no service cuts, efficiency in operations, streamline the city departments for efficiency. Expose and mitigate waste, fraud and abuse. Bringing to the citizens an open, honest and transparent budget process.

Q: Do you really think the city can balance its budget without layoffs or furloughs or pay cuts or service cuts? Where would the offsetting cuts come from (or the increased revenues)?

A: The budget can be balanced but not the way the city continues to operate. There need to be adjustments to salaries, health care payments, revisions of pensions moving forward as well as investment in I.T. to co-ordinate contracting and collections. In addition, there need to be further department consolidations, and public private partnerships.

Q: What are the chances, do you think, that these ideas will be taken seriously?

A: In the past 2 years, the Budget Advocates have been agendized by the City Council to present their findings. The Council mandated that the Chief Administrative Officer and the Chief Legislative Officer review our paper and comment back to Council. In addition, this past month, 22 of the ideas proposed last year are being adopted by the new Inspector General in his report to Council.

Q: For those who want to know more, how can they find you?

A: I can be reached at : jay@empowerla.org or by phone at 310-466-0645. Visit the budget advocate web site at www.budgetadvocatesla.com for complete information and reports. We are also happy to come to local organizations to discuss the budget, the areas’ needs and wants.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Pedestrian Killed on 405 Freeway to State Route 90 Connector in Culver City 

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Fatal Crash on Culver City Adds to Growing Safety Concerns Early Friday, a pedestrian died after being struck by a...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...