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L.A. City Council Meetings Come Back to the Valley
At a previous City Council meeting in Van Nuys | Photo by alexbcthompson via LAist Featured Photos
Does this mean the budget is fixed? For a few years, the Los Angeles City Council met in the San Fernando Valley monthly to add great accessibility -- after all, the Valley is nearly half the physical size of the city -- but then the idea was shelved due to budget cuts earlier this year.
Well, it's back, thanks to a vote earlier this week and City Council President Eric Garcetti, a Valley native who now represents over-the-hill neighborhoods like Hollywood, Echo Park and Glassell Park, is pleased with the move.
“I am proud that every City Council meeting is broadcast online, on television and by telephone, and that people can even address the Council via video link," he said in a statement today. "But live meetings are the most important way for people to engage with their government, which is why I worked to make sure that bringing City Council meetings to Van Nuys is at the top of the list as the economic situation improves."
Meetings will be held at the Van Nuys Civic Center every two months starting October 1st.
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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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