July 8, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

City Employees Give Incumbents Boost:

The Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees Association announced endorsements of all the incumbent candidates for the City Council November election. The coalition is a local political organization that represents 1,600 City employees.

Council members Kevin McKeown, Pam O’Connor, and Bob Holbrook won endorsements for four-year council terms. McKeown, who is running for his fourth and O’Connor, who is running for her fifth four-year term, are both backed by the Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR), another group with powerful driving force each election.

Bob Holbrook is vying for his sixth four-year term, but is a known SMRR opponent.

Gleam Davis and Terry O’Day, who were appointed to replace council members and mayors Herb Katz and Ken Genser (who respectively died in office), each won coalition endorsements for two-year terms as incumbents. Both are also SMRR backed.

“The current council members have demonstrated a commitment to continuing a high level of City services and have maintained a progressive attitude toward tough budget decisions,” said Coalition Board President Lauralee Asch in a press release. “The City needs their experience right now.”

The group conducted a “multi-step evaluation process,” which included a questionnaire and interviews.

Santa Monica City workers are part of a small selection of local governments that did not issue employee layoffs to balance budgets during the economy crisis. The $553.6 million budget funneled reserve funds and increased municipal services fees, oppose to furlough days felt by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

A budget surplus also kept the City afloat during the $13.2 million deficit felt for the coming year.

The coalition also endorses Measure Y, a half percent tax increase measure to support City services and possibly schools. The proposed measure could generate up to $12 million for the City with a raise on a transitional and use tax, a broad type of sales tax. The City Council plans to use half of the money for schools if voters also approve an accompanying advisory measure, although there is no binding agreement on distribution of funds.

“Measure Y is about protecting the services we have,”Asch said. “It creates a revenue stream that Sacramento can’t take away from us.”

in News
<>Related Posts

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...