MARCH 26, 2009 IN THIS ISSUE Garcetti Teaches for America (and Los Angeles) City Council passes Garcetti filming incentives package Kaiser opens new hospital facility in East Hollywood Composting workshop this Saturday GARCETTI TEACHES FOR AMERICA (AND LOS ANGELES)  This week, L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti participated in a program sponsored by Teach for America that brought government and business leaders into the classroom to experience what it is like to be a teacher in our public schools. "I taught two great science classes at Virgil Middle School," said Council President Garcetti, who focused the lesson on the environment.  "The students had thoughtful questions -- many about the possible cuts to public school budgets that could result in larger class sizes and the loss of good teachers. Their intelligence and interest in doing their part to improve our community made me even more hopeful for our city's future." CITY COUNCIL PASSES GARCETTI FILMING INCENTIVES PACKAGE   The Los Angeles City Council today adopted a package of incentives to keep productions in and bring more filming to Los Angeles. These incentives include assistance with identifying parking and with reducing parking costs, the installation of utility nodes in frequently used locations to eliminate the need for generators, and taking the next steps toward implementing a business tax break for productions. The incentives were recommended in a report requested by Council President Eric Garcetti after the television show Ugly Betty moved its production from Los Angeles to New York. The report included an analysis by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation that concluded that a one-hour television program generates more than 180 direct jobs and supports 540 indirect jobs as well as generates $2.2 million in state income taxes and $880,000 in state sales taxes. “The entertainment industry is a key economic driver for Los Angeles, and we need to do what we can to keep production where it belongs – in the entertainment capital of the world.  This study quantifies what we have always known to be true – runaway production means fewer middle class jobs for Angelenos and hurts our economy.Today we move forward with providing real incentives to keep filming here and to address barriers to production like the need for better access to parking and utilities,” said Council President Garcetti. A copy of the full report is available online here. KAISER OPENS NEW HOSPITAL FACILITY IN EAST HOLLYWOOD     Council President Garcetti attended the grand opening of Kaiser's new hospital facility in East Hollywood.  The nearly 800,000 square foot hospital will offer primary care, specialty care, health classes, and other services. The new building features advanced technology, clinical resources, and physicians representing a range of specialties. There is also plenty of green space, including a play area for pediatric patients. This new facility -- which officially opens next Tuesday -- is a part of the Los Angeles Medical Center, which is the largest Kaiser Permanente facility in the United States. Overall, this complex features a hospital, mental health center, and 11 medical office buildings with over 5,400 employees, including more than 1,000 registered nurses and 652 physicians, and a revenue base of $1 billion. Kaiser has not only played an important role in keeping our community healthy by treating its members, it has also provided financial contributions to local organizations that work in our neighborhoods. A few examples include the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic, LACER Afterschool Program, Hollywood Police Activities League, Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, and the Los Angeles Youth Network. Kaiser was also a major sponsor of the At the Park After Dark programs in Hollywood last year. COMPOSTING WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY! Los Angeles residents and businesses produce more than 6,500 tons of waste per day.  Help make us a more sustainable community by learning how to reduce waste through backyard composting. The L.A. Department of Public Works will host a backyard composting workshop on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon. The workshop will be held at the Griffith Park Composting Education Facility (5400 Griffith Park Drive). For a schedule of other workshops and compost bin sales, please visit the Department of Public Works website. L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti represents the 13th Council District, which includes all or part of the communities of Glassell Park, Little Armenia, Thai Town, Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, Echo Park, Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake, East Hollywood and Hollywood.  Councilmember Garcetti serves as President of the Los Angeles City Council. Council President Garcetti and his staff can be reached via e-mail at councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org or by mail or phone at City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 470, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-473-7013; 5500 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-957-4500; and 3750 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065, 323-478-9002 Watch the Meet Eric Garcetti video in English or Spanish. www.lacity.org/council/cd13

This message was sent to by: Los Angeles Council District 13 200 North Spring Street, Room 470 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 473-7013