At two events community members and service providers question human cost of cuts to education, health and human services

By Christy Wolfe

LOS ANGELES (OBSNews.com) - Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) hosted two budget town halls last week to provide policy experts, service providers, and community members an opportunity to share their views on proposed cuts to education, health and human services. At two separate venues in Cedillo’s district which encompasses downtown Los Angeles a common theme emerged among residents and stakeholders – drastic cuts will put human lives and the future of our next generation at risk.

On Saturday at the Salesian Family Youth Center a young woman shared that she relies on the state funded AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to obtain life sustaining medications. Proposed cuts or elimination of the program could impact her access to the drugs and jeopardize her health. A working mother was concerned the elimination of new CalGrants would mean her daughter would have to forgo university in the fall.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the national advocate for nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses, reaffirms its longstanding commitment to comprehensive and substantive federal contracting reform. Today, an obscure organization criticized the USHCC and Representative Nydia Velázquez, Chairwoman of the Committee on Small Business of the U.S. House of Representatives, on the commitment to such reform.

“Chairwoman Velazquez has been on the frontlines of reforming the federal marketplace to drive out practices like contract bundling, fraud in size standards, awards of small business contracts to large businesses, and huge no-bid Halliburton- style contracts. To attack the principal champion of reform is plain silly,” said David C. Lizárraga, Chairman of the USHCC.

Reductions result in schedule and service changes

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – As part of Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget reductions, the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities’ Solid Waste Division will make necessary service changes to street sweeping, illegal dumping, and neighborhood clean up services beginning July 6. Additional changes, including the implementation of a four day, 10 hour work schedule will commence on July 20, which will affect garbage, recycling and green waste pick up schedules. Below are specific changes to services and programs.

Five Harvard Business School Students Ushered in as Inaugural Class

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – This week Saramento's Mayor Kevin Johnson announced his eight-week Mayor’s Fellows Program.

This summer, five fellows from Harvard Business School will work with the Office of the Mayor to help develop Johnson’s specific policy initiatives, including economic development, housing, education, and the arts.

Throughout the summer, the fellows will meet with various community groups and leaders as they work to help Johnson realize his vision of a city that works for everyone.

200 Local Business Leaders Received Information and Guidance on How to Benefit from Federal Grants and Recovery Act Funds

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) hosted a Small Business Opportunities Workshop at Sacramento State today with over 200 attendees, who were able to network with each other, hear from Congresswoman Matsui, and ask questions from federal, state and local agencies about opportunities for competitive grants, financing, and bonds made available through federal programs and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“We received such an amazing response from local businesses, that we are already in the stages of planning additional workshops for Sacramentans in the coming months,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Even in these economic times, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs to start a new business here in Sacramento, or for existing business to help make ends meet, build off successful business models, and grow their business – which will help foster our economic recovery and create new jobs for Sacramento.”