March 19, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Mayor Appears on CNN Asking for Federal Bailout

“We need the federal government to step up and fund cities,” says Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown.

By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown appeared on CNN over the weekend and made the case for a bailout for the city from the federal government.

“Things are financially pretty grim. We want to get the city reopened as quickly as we can, but we need to protect people not only from each other, but from themselves. Our local economy has tanked. We are a tourism town. People have been coming here for over 100 years. Tourism has ended, for the time being, our hotels are empty, our restaurants are doing just pickup and delivery, the City revenue there has, therefore, cratered and we have done an estimate that over the next two years, we are down by $224 million in this city,” McKeown told CNN.

It should be noted that CNN incorrectly listed the deficit as $224 billion instead of $224 million.

Earlier this month, facing a $224 million budget deficit, Santa Monica City Council approved plans to layoff over 400 employees and implement sweeping service reductions.

“That’s money we need to provide police, fire, to pick up the trash and have clean, pure water in the pipes. So that is going to mean other services in this city have to be cut, and that is very hard to do,” McKeown told CNN. “Trying to figure out how to run a city on roughly 40 percent less revenue is a real challenge.”

It should be noted that with $448 million in unfunded pension liability and flattening revenues, Santa Monica was already projected to be $72 million in the red by 2030.

Under the federal CARES Act passed in March, cities and counties with a population 500,000 or greater are eligible for a direct payment from the federal government. While Santa Monica could receive some funds from Los Angeles County, the County itself is facing a budget shortfall. Any amount of money that would make it down to cities like Santa Monica would therefore likely not close any deficits.

“This is a really tough time for this city and we need help. We need the federal government to step up and fund cities because that is not happening right now,” McKeown told CNN. “U.S. Senate, what are you doing going on break before you pass this bill that sends money to cities across the county? We are the local governments who provide needed services to people and if we don’t have the ability to spend money we don’t have (we have to balance our budget), we have to turn to Washington and Washington needs to listen to what’s happening at the local level.”

The City of Santa Monica has received some funds from the federal government. Through the CARES Act, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated additional community development block grant funding and issued waivers that will allow for broad use of funds for eligible activities.

Council is set to vote to use all $1.6 million in available HUD block grant resources to fund a limited-term financial assistance program to support keeping 21 low-to-moderate income persons impacted by COVID-19 in their homes.

Other programs set to be restored, through non-federal funds, include the Preserving Our Diversity (POD) Program, the CREST Club afterschool program, PAL Youth Center and a Playground Partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD).

Council will vote on restoring a total of $6.4 million in funding to certain services and programs at their meeting Tuesday night. Full coverage of the meeting will be available Wednesday.

in News
Related Posts

Woman Drives Car In Ocean After High Speed Police Chase

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Law enforcement officers pursued her along the I-110 and I-405 until she reached the vicinity of Venice Beach A woman...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier Sold to SC Holdings, $10M Investment Planned

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The Cultural Institution Set for Exciting Upgrades Santa Monica Amusements LLC (SMA), the operating group of Pacific Park on the...

Woman Returns $1K Worth of Stolen Items After Store Finds Her Social Media Account

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

For the Owner, the Incident Is Perhaps Indicative of an Environment at the Palisades Village Where Smaller Businesses Are More...

LAPD Identify Suspect Who Struck 6-Year-Old Girl Last Weekend

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

An Arrest Was Made Following “Another Incident” in Venice By Zach Armstrong  The Los Angeles Police have identified Ahsante Lamar...

SMC to Host Free Screening of West Coast Hip Hop Documentary

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free Presentation Includes Audience Q&A with Hip Hop Icons Santa Monica College (SMC) is set to host a complimentary screening...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

SMPD Arrests Man Who Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend, Brandished Replica Firearm at Her Daughter

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Man Faces Charges of Felony Domestic Violence and Misdemeanor Child Abuse A suspect is in custody after a domestic...

A New Civil Lawsuit Against Roman Polanski Has Moved Forward to Trial

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Director Faces Allegations From 1973, Santa Monica Judge Sets Date A trial date of August 4, 2025, has been set...

AFM Heads to Las Vegas: Independent Film Market’s Big Move to Palms Casino Resort for 45th Edition

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

International Film and Television Alliance Announces AFM Will Leave Santa Monica The American Film Market® (AFM®) is set to move...

Suspect Strikes 6-Year-Old Girl in Santa Monica, Investigation Underway

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Detectives Are Actively Locating/Obtaining Surveillance Footage By Zach Armstrong An assault investigation is underway after a man reportedly struck a...