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...Budget LA Town Hall!
Saturday, April 16, 2011 10:00 am to 1:00 pm First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood "The Cellar" 1760 N. Gower Street Hollywood, CA 90028    Larry Frank will open Budget LA with a "State of the Budget" overview. Mr. Frank serves as the Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood and Community Services in the Office of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa where he is responsible for several city departments including the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, the Community Development Department and the Bureau of Contract Administration.
Ron Galperin will present the CORE Blueprint for Reform of City Collections. Mr. Galperin serves as the Chair of the City of L.A.'s Revenue Efficiency Commission, which is tasked with reforming how the City generates revenue and funds operations.
BongHwan "BH" Kim will address "Neighborhood Councils - civic engagement and the budget process." Mr. Kim is the General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment which is responsible for nurturing neighborhood-based leadership and civic participation.
 
Julie Butcher and Paul Hatfield will take on offer "Labor, Pensions & Healthcare" in a robust presentation that features their contrasting perspectives on the City of LA's budget crisis. Ms. Butcher is the Regional Director for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where she leads SEIU 721's Cities Division. Mr. Hatfield is a CPA with an MBA who serves as a financial consultant to clients that include financial institutions and the major studios.    The Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates will present highlights from the "Saving Jobs - Saving Services" white paper that represents their journey over the last six months as they worked with the Mayor's office and met with department heads in search of a balanced budget. BudgetLA is "a grassroots campaign fighting to develop a sustainable budget for the City of Los Angeles" and is open to the public. Its mission is to support civic engagement by offering information and ideas that inform along with tools for action that empower. The Mayor is scheduled to deliver his proposed 2011-2012 budget to the City Council on April 20th, a deadline that is set by City Charter. The City Council's Budget & Finance Committee will then begin budget hearings on April 27th, a process that takes weeks. Through it all, the community has two choices; to stand by as spectators as the Mayor and City Council establish a budget that establishes the City of LA's priorities or to participate as active partners in shaping the future and direction of the City of LA by steering the budget process. The journey is well underway and it continues on Saturday, April 16, at 10 am. | 
