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East Los Angeles One Step Closer to Cityhood
Photo by jorizaga via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
East Los Angeles has made one step further in its goal of becoming an incorporated city after a critical bill was passed by a 7-2 vote yesterday by the California Senate Appropriations Committee.The bill, AB 711, co-authored by Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon (D-East Los Angeles) and Senator Gloria Romero (D - East Los Angeles) will authorize a loan of $45,000 from the California Main Street Program, which will go towards the $135,000 needed for the mandatory Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis. Supporters of cityhood in East L.A. have already raised the rest.
Calderon says yesterday's passage of the bill in the Committee means that cityhood for the community is closer than it has ever been in the last fifty years since the movement began. Adds Romero: Cityhood has been a long time coming for East Los Angeles and this study is critical to moving forward. East Los Angeles is recognized across the United States as the corazon of the Latino community. It's time for it to have the power to determine its own future."
The bill next moves to the Assembly floor for debate and vote. Currently more than 33% of the registered voters within what could become the City of East Los Angeles have signed petitions in favor of incorporation.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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