Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Riverside County supes endorse White House jobs summit despite political questions
Listen
• 1:43
The White House.
(
Creative commons/DUCKofD3ATH's flickr
)
Riverside County supervisors have endorsed a White House-sponsored jobs summit set for January. But before the endorsement, they engaged in partisan squabbling over the motivation for the event.
It’s billed as a “jobs roundtable” that will spotlight a federal Commerce Department-funded "Business Center" in Riverside. The center’s primary mission will be to boost job growth regionwide, with an emphasis on minority-owned companies. The Obama administration will likely send some officials to the launch.
“I just question the political timing of this," said Supervisor Jeff Stone. Stone questioned the use of taxpayer money for a White House-sponsored event geared to minorities, “and not anyone regardless of race, color and creed. Unemployment in Riverside County has been at 15 percent now for a couple of years — why is this coming at the end of a White House term? Why didn’t it happen earlier on when this insult was placed upon our citizens?”
“Supervisor Stone I would support this regardless of who’s in the administration," said Supervisor Bob Buster. Buster proposed having the county Economic Development staff help the White House conduct the roundtable.
Support for LAist comes from
“If they misuse their forum that they have here in Riverside County," Buster said, "that would be unfortunate, and we would learn from it, but normally this is gonna go on whether Riverside County is involved or not, and I think the economy is a key issue here.”
The county’s Employment Development Agency chief told supervisors the summit would be open to a diverse cross section of Inland businesses leaders, and predicted that only around 20 people would be invited.
Supervisor Marion Ashley said it’s an ideal opportunity to air whatever grievances local leaders may have with the Obama Administration’s handling of the economy. “You know, you’re stifling us with these environmental regulations — that’s the very thing they need to hear, they’re gonna hear it too. I think it’s a good thing to help our jobs. And we have to show our courtesy to the president.”
The White House jobs roundtable is scheduled for next month in Riverside.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist