So far I am very disappointed in the slow implementation of President Barack Obama's plan for the use of $787 billion of federal funds for economic stimulus as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
As I travel inner-city streets across Southern California, I see many who continue to suffer from economic hard times, with unemployment and housing foreclosures producing a dramatic increase in the homeless population. People are losing their jobs and healthcare. Far too many have been forced out of their homes because they can't pay their rents or mortgages.
I recently faced no choice but to vacate my home and move in with my daughter and her son. My wife and I are now searching for affordable housing for senior citizens as we attempt to survive the economic downturn. I know what it means to struggle for economic survival on a day to day basis.
As senior citizens, my wife and I are seeking an answer to the question: "How do we financially start all over again to "make ends meet?" I am thinking about returning to teaching since I have a "lifetime teaching credential." A friend of mine suggests that I should become a comedian because I keep him laughing by making fun of life's circumstances during our daily talks on the telephone.
My friend might be laughing at my views on politics and life in general, but this economic crisis in America is no laughing matter.
In the hope of learning about possible economic opportunities, I recently attended a seminar for journalists from ethnic media outlets with an interest in reporting on the $787 billion federal stimulus package, an event hosted by New America Media (NAM). The seminar speakers included Jennifer La Fleur, Director of Computer Assisted Reporting; Diego Alvarez, Deputy Mayor for Legislatives and Intergovernmental Relations for the City of Los Angeles; Jean Ross, Executive Director of the California Budget Project; and a host of communication specialists representing the news media and various community development organizations. The focus of the seminar was "how to track stimulus dollars including where the money is going, who decides, and how it will it impact your community."
What I found to be the most interesting information presented at the seminar concerned how to find projects that might be leading to new jobs and hiring. That presentation and others provides a list of Internet websites that contain information on the stimulus package at the local level, including the following:
— The California Recovery site, which provides overall data on spending and links to agency sites at www.recovery.ca.gov.
— The California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) Recovery site, which details projects including the work dates and contractors at www.dot.ca.gov/Recovery.
The California Department of Education site, which offers information on how education funding is being spent, at www.cde.ca.gov/ar/sf.
The California Weatherization program site, which provides information on programs at www.csd.ca.gov.
These websites are intended to address various public concerns, including:
How much of the $85 billion given to California will be going to your community.
Where jobs will be created and who will be doing the hiring.
How the stimulus package can help you keep health benefits if you get laid off, and how to get extended unemployment insurance, etc.
Whether the stimulus package will be able to stave off some of the state's budget cuts on healthcare, education, etc.
Who's at the table making decisions about this money.
Seminar speakers recommended that job seekers should check with their local city or county governments to get information on projects that are hiring as part of the stimulus funding.
Ronald Ellerbe is editor of Hub City News and columnist for LA Beez.
Graphic from http://www.recovery.gov/
Where is the money? I too was wondering. Excellent view of the stimulus money, Ron.
I did receive a surprise email from a friend indicating that They are hiring 10,000 employees; it is part of the federal stimulus package.
I plan on following up with them to get the story on this.
Take care.
Sheannette