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March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Antelope Valley, announces Senate Bill 792, a measure to bring accountability and fairness to the distribution of Los Angeles County’s trauma funding has cleared its first hurdle with a vote of 8-0.

“The committee did the right thing in moving this bill forward,” said Wilk. “Trauma funds are paid by all L.A. County taxpayers with the expectation they would be distributed equitably and I am pleased my colleagues see the need for added transparency in this process.”

In the 2002 general election, residents of Los Angeles County passed Measure B; a special use tax of 3-cents per square foot on real property improvements to rescue and revive the failing L.A. County trauma network. In good faith, the people of Los Angeles County entrusted the Board of Supervisors to direct these funds in such a way that would most effectively benefit trauma service countywide. Unfortunately for communities in underserved areas like the Antelope and San Gabriel valleys, the Board has failed to carry out this task effectively.

Currently the County allocates over 76%, or about $190 million, of funds to three county-run hospitals located in central Los Angeles, leaving a pittance for other regions’ trauma needs.

Antelope Valley Hospital, for example, sees 12% of trauma and emergency visits in Los Angeles County yet does not receive a comparable share of the Measure B funds. In a similarly underserved area of the County, residents in the Malibu and East San Gabriel Valley regions have no trauma center at all and are forced to travel long distances, often by helicopter, to reach appropriate care during an emergency. This is not what the voters had intended when Measure B was passed.

“Trauma care is about saving lives. Folks in the Antelope Valley pay into the fund, but they don’t see an equitable share of the money,” said Wilk. “That is why I aim to create the Measure B Oversight Commission. A collection of community stakeholders that will make sure the money goes where it’s supposed to; to increasing the quality and availability of trauma services throughout the region – not just in central LA”

Sen. Tony Mendoza, D- Artesia, a principal co-author of the measure, testified alongside Wilk at the hearing added, “Establishing an oversight commission is a small step toward accountability and transparency on this issue and it is much needed and long overdue.”

SB 792 will establish the Measure B Oversight Commission. Made up of local appointees, the Commission will study and report on the administration of these funds and issue recommendations to achieve a more equitable distribution so that underserved and unserved area residents are taken care of.

“Antelope Valley lives matter, San Gabriel Valley lives matter. This is about doing what’s right,” Wilk concluded.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Friday, Mar 22, 2024
The Music Center announced that 114 of Southern California’s most talented high school students, including three from the Santa Clarita Valley, have advanced to become semifinalists in The Music Center’s 36th Annual Spotlight program, a free, nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for teens.
Friday, Mar 22, 2024
California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and its partners are encouraging off-highway vehicle enthusiasts to “Share the Trails,” the theme for the upcoming Spring OHV Safety Week, taking place March 23-31.

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