How will the Recovery Act impact my life?

May 7, 4:21 PMLA Public Policy ExaminerJason Gravitch

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Like the state of California, Los Angeles is facing the largest budget deficit in history.  Whatever new development we’re likely to see will come from California’s $81 billion allocation under the Recovery Act.  Among the first measures to hit LA are a $20 million jobs program for at-risk youth, $19 million for community development, $44 million for transportation, programs to develop water resources, and $3.1 billion statewide for education. 

The big question is:  How will the Recovery Act impact my life?  The answer is going to be a big question mark for a long time.  The Recovery Act is an experiment designed to prevent the social fabric from breaking down before the foundation of America’s economy can be rebuilt.  But the United States will not return to our previous level of prosperity unless we succeed in building an economy for the 21st century.  The measures to fund education, health and transportation are vital to prevent Los Angeles from deteriorating.  But the real test of the Recovery Act will be whether or not it will foster new industries, new technologies, and create jobs across the whole spectrum of the economy, not just in the federal sector and construction. 


Forecast for the week:
 

• Cloudy economic skies may begin to clear up late this summer, but don’t be surprised if the job outlook doesn’t improve until 2010.
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• The outlook in the Middle East improves, then gets stuck in the mud.  Repeat.  It would be a small miracle if Obama ends our commitment in Iraq clean and simple by the end of his first term.  Like divorces, the end of wars tend to be messy.  Attention turns to Pakistan.
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• Hit the L.A. parks before it gets burning hot.  Griffith Park is my favorite, but for those West-siders, there’s a beautiful waterfall hike off Highway 1.  Drive 2.6 miles north from the 10, turn right on Temescal Canyon road, and cross Sunset Blvd.  The trailhead begins at the far end of the parking lot.  Park for free at the intersection of Temescal and Sunset, or pay the $7 parking fee as a donation.  4 mile loop, 1000 ft. change in elevation.  Ocean view.