Valley VOTE is a diverse, Valley-wide coalition of San Fernando Valley residents, educators, business leaders, community activists and organizations who support a LAFCO study (Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission) on the issue of creating an independent Valley City.

MEDIA ALERT - 6-30-99

Valley VOTE Recognizes Unprecedented Coalition of Elected Officials for Their Efforts

The leadership element of Valley VOTE, the group that petitioned for a LAFCO Study on reorganizing Los Angeles into two smaller cities was quite outspoken this morning regarding the news that Governor Davis had signed the State Budget which provides 1.8 Million dollars to fund the LAFCO Study

"This action by the Governor is the culmination of efforts by our local and State elected officials who have shown bold leadership. The approval of this funding has shown the electorate that a coalition of public Servants can and will deliver when the cause is for the benefit of many," Stated Jeff Brain President of Valley VOTE "Richard Katz has been our conduit to high ranking State officials who felt that the call from 202,000 Valley residents and business persons meant action.

Forming the biggest coalition of elected officials to date on this issue, led by Assembly Speaker Anthonio R. Villaraigosa and Valley Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, people like State Senators Richard Alarcon, John Burton, Richard G. Polanco, Assembly members Tom McClintock, Tony Cardenas, City Council President John Ferraro, County Supervisors Zev Yarorslavsky and Mike Antonovich as well as Mayor Richard Riordan all collectively powered this bill to the Governor, some putting aside their own opposition to secession in favor of an open fair process.

This is not only a historic day for the LAFCO Study funding, but also a banner day to bring renewed faith back into an all too often slow-moving governmental process. This mixed leadership coalition moved the funding forward more rapidly than anyone expected thereby allowing LAFCO to do the job that the people requested. The funding will be available July 1st.

The next step is for LAFCO to hire consultants to conduct the Study which is viewed by Valley VOTE leaders as an audit of the Los Angeles operations and use of public tax dollars.

"The process is there for the people to believe in "stated Richard Close, Valley VOTE Chair "The legislators all put forth a fair and balanced effort to achieve a single goal. The people should be pleased with their actions, Now we move forward to learn the facts about the issue of cityhood for the Valley, Is it even feasible? The elements of the Study should give us enough information to form our own opinions, based upon facts."

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