Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel Cites Opportunities for Positive Change Arising from Economic Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 9, 2010 -- In her keynote address today at the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute’s 18th Annual California Policy Issues Conference, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel said the current economic crisis offers great opportunity for Los Angeles and other cities to do things more efficiently.

In her presentation entitled “California 2011: Where Does LA Fit?” Greuel cited anger and mistrust of government and incumbent politicians on the part of voters in 2009 and 2010 elections. “The public wants change,” Greuel said, recalling the City of Bell corruption scandal for tarnishing the reputation of local governments.

To earn the trust and respect of her constituents, Greuel said she positions herself as an outsider concerned with stopping waste, abuse and fraud.

“Sadly, I look at the Los Angeles of today and it is not the same city I grew up in,” she said, adding that L.A. can move forward by focusing on what she calls the “four main pillars of governing,” specifically: Focusing on core services (public safety, public works, transportation and economic development); not relying on short-term fixes for long-term problems; having a reserve fund, and working on pension reform.”

She cited the national real estate and mortgage crisis, which directly affects the city’s primary revenue stream – property taxes – for creating the city’s current budget woes.  “It has forced us to make difficult choices here in L.A.,” she said. Part of the challenge for Los Angeles will be redefining what residents can reasonably expect from their government, she said. “We have to roll up our sleeves and do things better.”

In her remarks, Greuel lauded the PBI for focusing on public policy and for engaging current and future leaders. “As I look toward the future of the city of Los Angeles, I want a city that knows where it is going,” she said. “That’s where the Pat Brown Institute comes in.  They are creating the future leaders and the future advocates.”

Greuel was sworn in as City Controller in 2009. Previously, she served seven years on the Los Angeles City Council, representing the 2nd District in the northeast San Fernando Valley.  Before that, she worked in corporate affairs at Dreamworks SKG; for the office of then–Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros, and in the office of former L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley.

Greuel’s speech was one highlight of a conference that brought together elected officials, civic leaders and experts from the political arena, academia and the business community to discuss and debate the future of Los Angeles, especially in light of Tuesday’s elections.

“For the Pat Brown Institute to host this conference today, just two days after his son Jerry is re-elected Governor of California, was exciting,” said Dr. Jaime A. Regalado, Executive Director of the PBI.  “Tuesday’s elections – not just the Governor’s race – definitely set the backdrop for today’s stimulating dialogue on timely public policy issues affecting our region.”

Attendees heard from experts on local, state and national politics and policy.  In one panel entitled “Election 2010: Implications for California and Los Angeles,” panelists discussed the election returns and their potential impact on the region.  Another panel on “Jobs, the Economy & Green Growth in L.A.,” looked at emerging patterns of unemployment and poverty and how to achieve a higher level of sustainability.

“Today, we looked at where Los Angeles will be in the next 5 years, the next 10 years,” Dr. Regalado said. “Thanks to leaders like City Controller Wendy Greuel and our numerous expert panelists, we saw a vibrant exchange of ideas as we develop leading-edge solutions to the many challenges affecting our region. “

Held at California State University Los Angeles, the Pat Brown Institute’s 18th Annual Policy Issues Conference was supported by Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Edison, Wells Fargo, AT&T, SEIU Local 721, The Walt Disney Company, Sempra Energy, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Union Pacific, IBEW Local 47, the Californian Faculty Association and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation.

For nearly three decades, the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs (PBI) has focused on state and community issues—dedicated to the quest for social justice and equality of opportunity, enlightened civic engagement, and enhancing the quality of life for all Californians.

Cal State Los Angeles     City Controller     City of Los Angeles     Dr. Jaime Regalado     Election 2010     Keynote     Pat Brown Institute     Wendy Greuel