Hi 5 Newsletter: Election, Blackout, Line Act, and More ...

Tuesday, March 5th, was Election Day throughout the City of Los Angeles, including, of course, within our own 5th Council District.

It is with heartfelt humility that I thank everyone who participated with their vote. I am deeply honored to have received the support of so many people in the 5th District, and to have been granted the privilege of another term in office.  Whether you voted for me or not, please know that I am profoundly grateful for your involvement in our community and in our electoral process. 
 
I salute my opponent.  We agreed on some things and disagreed on others, but by offering his time and effort as a candidate, he helped promote a dialog about civic priorities, and that’s a discussion well worth having. 
 
As always, my staff and I look forward to hearing from you and to joining in the community meetings and neighborhood endeavors that protect and improve our local quality of life.  The people of the 5th District truly know their stuff and are incredibly aware, shrewd and sensible about the challenges and opportunities before us, and eagerly share their wisdom, and deserve to be applauded.  We happily welcome your questions, suggestions and views, and honor your participation and your voice.

Sincerely,

 PAUL KORETZ

Back in business!

During the past few months, more than a few people have asked us why they weren't receiving any more "Hi 5" newsletters.  The reason is simple, though it might come as a surprise to many. 

In the months before a City of Los Angeles election, the offices of certain elected officials – those who are candidates seeking reelection, or election to a different City office – are prohibited from mass mailing newsletters:  that prohibition extends to electronic distribution through email.  The period of time during which such distribution is prohibited is called the "blackout period."  Now that the election has been decided for the 5th Council District, this office can resume its newsletter.  So once again, the Hi 5 will be heading your way.  As always, we encourage you to read it, share it, and send your suggestions, including about potential stories and regarding calendar items on upcoming events.

Council District 5 welcomes your ideas and suggestions, please stay connected with us by visiting our website and by emailing our office at paul.koretz@lacity.org. If you have not had the opportunity to subscribe to our district newsletters, you may do so here. 

Support for Senator Boxer’s Line Act and other voter-friendly measures

Los Angeles voters who participated in this past Tuesday’s primary election were reminded that the physical act of voting requires some effort, whether it’s in casting a ballot by mail or going to a polling place.  The good news is that for pretty much every one of our city’s voters, voting proved generally relatively painless to accomplish and hopefully well worth the effort – maybe even fun!

Judging from numerous reports regarding last year’s November federal election, voters in many other areas across the country did not have it so easy:  indeed, there were a lot of horror stories involving voters being forced to wait in line up to seven hours or more.  That’s why several members of Congress have called for federal election reforms and improvements, and have offered legislation which the City of Los Angeles is now supporting through resolutions written by Councilmember Koretz. These resolutions were approved, coincidentally, on Tuesday, March 5 – the same day as L.A.’ s municipal elections. 

In his recent State of the Union speech, President Obama spoke of 102-year old Desiline Victor, who was sitting in the audience that night with Michelle Obama.  Back in November of last year, she waited on line for three hours in Florida in order to vote, only to be told to come back later that day, before finally being able to vote.  The president said of Ms. Victor that “when she arrived at her polling place, she was told the wait to vote might be six hours, and as time ticked by, her concern was not with her tired body or aching feet, but whether folks like her would get to have their say.”

Reportedly, numerous Americans had to wait in line for five, six or even seven hours or more.  Think of the horrible burden this would place on any American, but especially for those who are physically frail, ill, or who can ill-afford a day away from desperately needed school study, or work and income. One academic study estimated that in Florida alone, at least 201,000 voters likely gave up in frustration this past federal election, due to lines lasting many hours.  All this occurred at a time of significant concern about voter suppression, and much speculation about political forces actively discouraging certain constituencies from participating electorally. 

The Line Act, introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer of California, gives us hope and a remedy, for if made law, it will set national standards and require action by states where voters have previously had to wait for hours, in line, just to vote. 
 
The Line Act would require the Attorney General, in consultation with the U.S.Election Assistance Commission, to issue new national standards by January 1, 2014, requiring the minimum number of voting machines, election workers, and other election resources that are necessary to conduct Federal elections on Election Day and during early voting periods.  The bill explicitly states that the goal of minimum standards is to prevent a waiting time of more than one hour at any polling place. 
 
Those states where a substantial number of voters had to wait more than 90 minutes to vote in 2012 would be required to implement remedial plans, in order to fix the problems before the next federal election.
 
On March 5, the Los Angeles City Council approved the Koretz resolution to make support of the Line Act part of the City’s official package of recommended federal bills. At the same time, the Council approved another Koretz resolution that supported two more voting-related bills:  the Voter Empowerment Act and the Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act, to ensure that citizens can freely exercise their most fundamental right of voting.  The Voter Empowerment Act has been reintroduced in 2013, with leadership coming from Civil Rights icon Representative John Lewis in the House, and New York’s  Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate.   The Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely Voting Act, known as the FAST ACT, is sponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Koons of Delaware.

The Voter Empowerment Act is intended to improve the nation's voting processes and standards, in order to restore access, integrity and accountability to the election system.  The measure includes provisions to modernize the voter registration system, ensure access to online voter registration and allow same-day registration. When voters move, their registration would move with them and they'd be able to correct their information at the polls.

The Voter Empowerment Act will create a national voter hotline to make sure problems are reported, corrected and prevented in real time.  It would also require that registered voters be notified of changes in polling place location, and that provisional ballots be available and counted at all polling places, and that deceptive electioneering practices designed deliberately to impede or mislead citizens on their way to the polls be clearly defined and criminalized, and that standards for voting machines be set and paper ballots for verification be provided.

The FAST Act will create a competitive grant program to encourage states to speed much-needed election reforms, including by making voter registration easier; providing early voting; providing more assistance to voters with disabilities, and effective access to members of the armed services; auditing and reducing waiting times at the poorest performing polling places, and creating contingency plans for voting in the event of a natural or other disaster.

Both Acts offer great reforms and protections benefitting voters.

As Congressmember Lewis has said, "The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. Too many people in this country had to give their lives to exercise a right already guaranteed them by the Constitution. Outlawing the poll tax 49 years ago does not mean we are finished protecting democratic freedom.  New challenges to equal access still arise today. To be a credible voice for equal justice abroad, we must be watchful here at home to alleviate every historic and current impediment to the democratic process."

The Line Act, the Voter Empowerment Act and the FAST Act all face Congressional committee consideration, and with today’s Congress, their fates are uncertain, but President Obama has moved forward on identifying and implementing various election protections and reforms, so there may some dynamic, joined endeavors, aimed at making certain that citizens of the United States are able to vote without being given grief and facing undue burdens.

 Coldwater Canyon Avenue alert!

A 99-year old pipeline under Coldwater Canyon Avenue is being replaced with a new welded steel pipeline that is expected to last for another century.  That's the good news, because improving L.A.'s water system is always a crucial priority.  The bad news is that local residents and businesses, as well as many motorists traveling through that area, will experience a significant impact while work on the pipeline takes place.  

Starting March 9, 2013, there will be no left turns from Coldwater Canyon Avenue, north or south onto Ventura Blvd.  Starting March 23, 2013, Coldwater Canyon Ave. will be closed from Ventura Blvd. to Mulholland Drive, Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  These restrictions will last through April 25, 2013, or such time that the work is completed.  Alternate routes include Cahuenga Blvd./Highland Ave., Laurel Canyon Blvd., Beverly Glen Blvd., Sepulveda Blvd., and Interstate 405.  

The LADWP is working with the City Council Office that represents that immediate area, as well as local residents, community groups, schools, churches and businesses, to help minimize the strain on that neighborhood.

For additional email updates on this project, please visit the LADWP's online newsroom at http://www.ladwpnews.com/ and click on "Get Updates."  Select "City Trunk Line - Coldwater Canyon Construction" in the sign-up form. 

Share in the EXPO experience!

The American Diabetes Association will be holding an important community event to heighten awareness on diabetes.

The Los Angeles EXPO is FREE and includes health screenings, cooking demonstrations, product and service exhibitors and leading experts talking about diabetes management and prevention for Seniors, Youth and all ethnic populations.

Saturday, May 4, 2013
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Convention Center
South Hall HJ
1201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Free Health Screenings
• Dental Screenings
• A1C (measure of estimated avg. blood glucose.)
• Cholesterol
• Blood Pressure
• Foot Screenings
• Blood Glucose
• Eye Screenings
• Hearing Screenings

Getting to the EXPO/Los Angeles
http://www.lacclink.com/

Transportation Details:
Go Metro and enter a drawing to win fabulous prizes! Show a valid Metro pass or Metro Rail ticket at EXPO Registration. Metro provides Bus and Rail transportation to the Los Angeles Convention Center. For your best route or more information, visit the Metro Trip Planner at www.metro.net or call 323-Go-Metro (323-466-3876).

More Information:
For more information, call us 1-888-DIABETES ext. 7503.

Online Registration:
Attendance to the EXPO is FREE, please register now to join us! You can also registered at the event on May 4, 2013.