What is in Mayor Karen Bass’s budget proposal?

What is in Mayor Karen Bass’s budget proposal?

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday unveiled a $14.9 billion budget that is significantly rosier than last year’s spending plan, when she suggested massive layoffs and service cuts to accommodate a billion-dollar deficit. This year, because of a projected increase in revenues, the mayor is proposing no layoffs and a modest expansion of street services. Bass' budget also calls for hiring police officers to keep up with retirements and resignations, maintaining Fire Department spending and holding steady funding for homelessness programs. “This budget is about protecting the progress we have made and making clear that Los Angeles is moving forward and will not go backward,” Bass said at a news conference. In the proposal, the reserve fund is 5.7% of the general fund, or $490 million. The budget does not dip into the reserves, in contrast to last year’s plan. Today on AirTalk, we talk about the budget proposal with Katy Yaroslavsky, Councilwoman for Los Angeles’ Fifth City Council District, and chair of the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.

With files from LAist.

We reached out to Mayor Karen Bass but she declined to join through her office.

Screentime for the kiddos

LAUSD votes on restricting student screen time in the classroom today after years of promoting in-class usage of devices like iPads and Google Chromebooks. This proposal seeks to bar screens for kindergarten and first-grade students, as it cites research that links heavy device use to anxiety, depression and other health risks for students. The new proposal comes after the district board voted in June of last year to expand the district’s existing phone ban to include lunch time and passing periods. Board members cited rising concerns about the effect of phones and social media on youth mental health, bullying, and distraction from classroom instruction. Some students claim that the new policy, along with additional efforts to limit technology use in the classroom, strips them of a useful tool and doesn’t address underlying challenges in public education, including a lack of resources for extracurricular activities. Here with us to discuss the latest proposal is Nick Melvoin, LAUSD board member for District 4.

With files from LAist.

New book helps settle whether you have more civics knowledge than your parents

Civics classes have taught generations of kids about the general framework of the American government and its rule of law. Although many students tend to grasp the US government and history during high school, earlier grades serve as a great time to really nail down many of the Founding Fathers’ core principles. The book Are You Smarter Than Your Parents About...Civics? gives preadolescents a bit more of a fun head start, testing families on some of these basic parts of our constitution, as well as additional American civics facts.Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk to book author and KPCC’s former DC-based reporter, Kitty Felde, about civics. We also want to hear from you: what do you remember about K-12 civics classes? Tell us your experience by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

Larry talks in depth with LA Mayor candidate Nithya Raman

On Monday, Larry was joined on stage by candidate for Los Angeles Mayor Nithya Raman at Loyola Marymount University for a conversation about Raman’s platform and plans as she vies for to be the next leader of the city. Raman has served for the past five years as the L.A. City Councilmember for the 4th District, which is situated in Central Los Angeles and includes Encino, The Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and parts of Silver Lake.  Prior to running for the council, she headed a homelessness nonprofit and was in entertainment industry advocacy organizations as well. She immigrated from India to Louisiana at the age of six. She earned a bachelor's degree in political theory from Harvard University and a master's degree in urban planning from MIT.

Larry talks in depth with LA Mayor candidate Rae Huang

On Monday, Larry was joined on stage by candidate for Los Angeles Mayor Rae Huang at Loyola Marymount University for a conversation about Huang’s platform and plans as she vies for to be the next leader of the city. Huang is a Presbyterian minister and community organizer. She’s served as the deputy director at Housing NOW! California, a coalition of organizations focused on housing affordability, and worked across the nonprofit space.