By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – The Los Angeles LGBT Center will host Drag March LA on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. The event for all ages and aims to mobilize against the oppressive anti-LGBTQ+ tidal wave that is currently sweeping through America.

The march will start at West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard, at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sweetzer Avenue and end at the LGBT Rainbow District.

There are already over 400 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on the books—unsurprisingly, most of them target transgender people and drag performances too.

“Drag has always been political and gender has always been policed. LGBTQ+ people have always known (and shown) that there are many shades of the rainbow—and once again, it’s time for us to put them all on full display,” Los Angeles LGBT Center said in a statement. “We will not stand by while the far right seeks to roll back our rights.”

The event is in partnership with local LGBTQ+ organizations, faith groups, queer and trans activists, and the finest drag artists in the City of Angels.

• 10 a.m. Doors Open
• 11-11:40 a.m. Rally & Kickoff Performance
• 11:45 a.m. Demonstrators Get in Formation
• 12 p.m. March Begins
• 1 p.m. March Ends

Participants are encouraged to wear their best drag.

Guest speakers will include the activists and families from impacted states who are fighting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. See below for a full list of supporters.

+1,000 guests expected to attend. Stay tuned for more on speakers + performers!

Want to get your organization involved? Sign up here

Supporters of Drag March LA include the following:

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California
• Bienestar Human Services
• CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network
• Equality California
• LGBTQ Center Orange County
• LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert
• ProjectQ
• Racial & Ethnic Mental Health Disparities Coalition (REMHDCO)
• Radiant Health Centers
• Rainbow Services, Ltd.
• Somos Familia Valle
• The National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence
• The Source LGBT+ Center
• [email protected] Coalition

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

New on the County Channel

Go behind the scenes at the moving new exhibit at the Holocaust Museum.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

Return Your Vote by Mail Ballot Early

You don’t need to wait until Election Day (April 4) to make your voice heard in the City of Los Angeles Council District 6 Special Primary Election.

Once you’ve completed your ballot, sign and date the Return Envelope and use one of these easy return options:

• Return by mail: No postage is required.
• Ballot Drop Box: There are 14 convenient Ballot Drop Box locations in your community.

Track your Ballot

Tracking your ballot – when it is mailed, received, and counted – has never been easier. Sign up to Where’s My Ballot? to receive automatic notifications on the status of your ballot.

At Your Service

Upcoming Webinars for Landlords & Tenants

DCBA will host a series of webinars that will explain which protections from the COVID-19 Tenant Protections Resolution expire after March 31st, 2023, and the impacts of that expiration on landlords and tenants.

Webinars for Landlords

On Thursday, March 23 at 10 a.m., DCBA will host the first in a series of webinars for landlords. We can help you understand your rights and responsibilities. 

An additional webinar is currently scheduled for Thursday, April 13. Visit our website at dcba.lacounty.gov/webinarsforlandlords to learn more and register for upcoming webinars.

Webinars for Tenants

On Thursday, March 30 at 10 a.m., DCBA will host an online workshop for tenants to discuss changes to tenant protections, the Rent Stabilization Ordinance in Unincorporated Los Angeles County, and other available resources for tenants.

Economic Opportunity Grants

LA County’s Economic Opportunity Grant program will award more than $54 million in grants to small & micro businesses, and non-profits impacted by the pandemic.

Grants ranging between $20,000 or $25,000 per grant will be available for non-profits starting in February. Interested businesses can visit grants.lacounty.gov to learn more or access multi-lingual support.

Out and About

Parks After Dark

It’s Park Time, L.A. County! Parks After Dark (PAD) returns this March with fun, free and safe recreational experiences that brings, teens, families, and communities together at 34 LA County Parks for two evenings during Spring Break.  Parks After Dark is an award-winning program designed to bring communities together by activating park spaces with hands-on activities and entertainment that transforms local parks into safe havens.

The Spring edition of Parks after Dark kicks-off March 23 and runs through April 15 on Thursday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9 pm for two evenings of fun.  Come experience an array of workshops and activities such as music, canvas painting, culinary art, family dances, arts, and crafts, and so much more. The Department of Parks and Recreation is dedicated to bringing the “World to You” through cultural performances sponsored by the Los Angeles Music Center.  Enjoy snacks, refreshments, and entertainment in our community zone.

For more information on an LA County Parks After Dark location near you, visit Parks After Dark Spring 2023 – Parks & Recreation (lacounty.gov)

Free Yoga Classes

LA County Beaches and Harbor is offering FREE yoga classes on Fridays at the Dockweiler Youth Center.

Fridays | 6:30-7:30PM
Dockweiler Youth Center
12505 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

Note: Students must bring their own mats.

Visit beaches.lacounty.gov for more information.

Photo Finish

LA County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative.

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

SACRAMENTO — On Monday, March 27, California legislators, Capitol staff, and community advocates will join trans+ community members to celebrate Transgender Week of Visibility, a series of celebrations leading up to International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. 

Legislators will wear buttons declaring “trans people belong” and spread their message of solidarity and inclusion for trans+ Californians across social media channels. The message will be echoed by leaders in the executive branch, labor, and advocacy organizations who are working to create a more just world for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people. 

“Across the country and even right here in California, trans people’s lives are being used for political purposes. These attacks bring real harm to our trans+ friends, colleagues, and loved ones, particularly our children,” said LGBTQ Caucus Chair Susan Talamantes Eggman. “It’s up to all of us to stand together with trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people to create communities that are safe for trans+ people to thrive.”

Trans Visibility Week and the International Transgender Day of Visibility, acknowledge and uplift the societal contributions of trans+ people. The week also raises awareness of widespread discrimination and violence that the community faces in the United States, around the world, and sadly, right here in California. 

Trans visibility is more important than ever, as 429 bills attacking LGBTQ+ rights have been introduced in state legislatures across the nation, a record number, many particularly targeting transgender youth. Some of these proposals would force teachers to out trans students, deny trans youth the right to participate in sports and other activities, and deny affirming health care.

“Trans people shouldn’t have to fight just to exist or live safely in our communities,” said Evan Minton (he/they), a former Capitol staffer and national transgender advocate. “Trans visibility is an opportunity to celebrate the joy of being who we are.”

“The trans community deserves to live their authentic lives without the fear of harassment or violence. We are proud to join community advocate Evan Minton, state legislators, staffers, and the Capitol community to send a strong message that trans people belong and will never be erased,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “Now more than ever taking a unified stance against LGBTQ+ hate is imperative. Equality California remains committed to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality for all.” 

Monday’s Capitol events come after several historic actions this week in support of the trans+ community.  Earlier this week, the Sacramento City Unified School District board held its first annual trans pride flag raising, sending a powerful message of inclusion to trans students, teachers, and the entire school community. Last week, the District also passed a strong resolution affirming the rights of trans students and encouraging classroom discussion on the importance of trans visibility. On Tuesday, the Sacramento City Council adopted a resolution declaring an annual Transgender Week of Visibility in the city. Sacramento County is considering a similar resolution on March 28.

For more information, follow @eqca, #transpeoplebelong #TransgenderDayofVisibility 

YOLO COUNTY – Governor Gavin Newsom today rolled back some drought emergency provisions that are no longer needed due to current water conditions, while maintaining other measures that support regions and communities still facing water supply challenges, and that continue building up long-term water resilience.

Amid climate-driven weather whiplash, the state has taken action to boost water supplies through groundwater recharge, stormwater capture, reservoir storage, and more. 

Today’s action comes as the state announced increased water deliveries to 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians, now expecting to deliver 75% of requested water supplies – up from 35% announced in February, and the highest since 2017. 

While recent storms have helped ease drought impacts, regions and communities across the state continue to experience water supply shortages, especially communities that rely on groundwater supplies that have been severely depleted in recent years. Today’s order is responsive to current conditions while preserving smart water measures: 

• Ends the voluntary 15% water conservation target, while continuing to encourage that Californians make conservation a way of life;
• Ends the requirement that local water agencies implement level 2 of their drought contingency plans;
• Maintains the ban on wasteful water uses, such as watering ornamental grass on commercial properties;
• Preserves all current emergency orders focused on groundwater supply, where the effects of the multi-year drought continue to be devastating;
• Maintains orders focused on specific watersheds that have not benefited as much from recent rains, including the Klamath River and Colorado River basins, which both remain in drought;
• Retains a state of emergency for all 58 counties to allow for drought response and recovery efforts to continue.

 A copy of today’s executive order can be found (here).

“We’re all in this together, and this state has taken extraordinary actions to get us to this point. The weather whiplash we’ve experienced in the past few months makes it crystal clear that Californians and our water system have to adapt to increasingly extreme swings between drought and flood. As we welcome this relief from the drought, we must remain focused on continuing our all-of-the-above approach to future-proofing California’s water supply,” the governor said.

Since Governor Newsom announced the 15% voluntary conservation goal, Californians conserved 600,000 acre-feet of water – representing 1.2 million households’ yearly usage. 

The Governor today visited the Dunnigan Groundwater Recharge Project in Yolo County, where he highlighted the state’s work to accelerate and increase groundwater recharge to make the most of winter storms. California is working to expand groundwater recharge by at least 500,000 acre-feet in potential capacity as part of our water supply strategy.

Leveraging the state’s long-term water supply strategy and more than $8.6 billion committed by Governor Newsom and the Legislature in the last two budget cycles to build water resilience, California is taking aggressive action to prepare for hotter and drier conditions driven by climate change that could reduce the state’s water supply by up to 10% by 2040. In the 2023-24 state budget, Governor Newsom is proposing an additional $202 million for flood protection and $125 million for drought-related actions.

Here are other actions that Governor Newsom and the Legislature have taken to boost water supply, expand storage, and improve infrastructure: 

• EXPANDING SUPPLY & STORAGE BY 1.1 MILLION ACRE-FEET: California has bolstered supply and storage through groundwater recharge and other projects, including a combined 1.1 million acre-feet of water – enough for 2.2 million households’ yearly usage. 
• EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO CAPTURE & STORE MORE WATER: During recent storms, Governor Newsom signed executive orders to accelerate stormwater capture to boost groundwater recharge and other conservation measures.
• FAST-TRACKING GROUNDWATER RECHARGE: The state is expanding groundwater recharge by at least 500,000 acre-feet in potential capacity – streamlining permits and $1 billion for groundwater recharge projects for 88,000 more acre-feet per year.
• MAXIMIZING STORMWATER CAPTURE: $176 million for 67 stormwater projects and streamlining permitting to take advantage of major storm events.
• EXPANDING STORAGE ABOVE & BELOW GROUND: California is supporting seven locally-driven water storage projects that would expand the state’s capacity by 2.77 million acre-feet – about three times as much water as Folsom Lake can hold. And, California is working to expand San Luis Reservoir by 135,000 acre-feet to store more storm runoff.
• ADVANCING CLEAR, AMBITIOUS TARGETS: 142 actions to improve water resilience and bolster water supplies, and a roadmap for expanding urban stormwater capture capacity by 250,000 acre-feet and adding 4 million acre-feet of water storage capacity.
• MODERNIZING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: California is working to modernize aging water conveyance systems across the state to safeguard long-term water reliability and help carry winter storm runoff into storage.

Climate change has made California’s dry and wet spells more extreme and unpredictable – after the three driest years on record, recent rain and snowfall have dramatically changed conditions in many parts of the state. The state has also advanced actions to boost storage and supply. Today’s action eases drought emergency provisions that are no longer needed while maintaining others to support impacted communities statewide.
 
Harnessing water captured and stored from recent storms, the state also announced a major increase in expected State Water Project deliveries to local agencies – now an anticipated 75% allocation.

FACT SHEET

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 38-year-old Marine veteran, Aaron Orozco, who was shot and killed in Lynwood while working as an Uber rideshare driver.

On Friday, March 24, 2023, at approximately 1:33 a.m., Century Sheriff’s station deputies responded to the 2800 block of Imperial Highway, in the city of Lynwood, regarding a gunshot victim call. Upon arriving, they located a male Hispanic adult in his late 30’s suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso.
 
During the initial investigation, deputies learned the victim was working as a rideshare driver and had picked up two male Black adults. During the duration of the rideshare, the victim stopped his vehicle in the parking lot of the indicated location.
 
The victim and the two passengers were then involved in a physical altercation, at which time, one suspect produced an unknown firearm and shot the victim.
 
The suspects then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The abandoned vehicle was located a short distance from the location by Century Station deputies.
 
Orozco, resident of Lynwood, was pronounced deceased at the location.  The investigation is ongoing and currently, there is no additional information.

KTLA journalists Cameron Kiszla, Ellina Abovian spoke to Orozco’s wife who indicated that his 9-year-old son is autistic and that he was an extremely devoted father to both of his children.

“I’m still in shock. I can’t believe this happened to our family. I just don’t know how to react right now, really. It’s just so hard,” Orozco’s wife, Sandra Medina told KTLA.

The two attackers remain at large and anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

A GoFundMe has been set up for Orozco’s family. To donate, click here.

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices continued dropping for a second week as oil prices stayed low and more local refinery production rates improved, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch.

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.83, which is six cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.44, which is two cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.85 per gallon, which is six cents lower than last week, two cents higher than last month, and $1.17 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.87, which is six cents lower than last week, four cents higher than last month, and $1.10 lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.85, which is four cents lower than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.08 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.79, which is five cents lower than last week, six cents higher than last month and $1.11 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.88 average price is two cents lower than last week, 14 cents higher than last month, and 94 cents lower than a year ago today.

“According to Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), the U.S. Energy Information’s Wednesday report revealed that West Coast refineries are now at their highest utilization rate in three months,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Oil prices are at their lowest level since December 2021, so that has also helped to drive down gas prices locally. However, a supply issue with Arizona gasoline could end up affecting Southern California prices, since local refineries produce some Arizona gasoline and some of their production could be diverted to alleviate that supply issue.” 

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.

• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.

• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.

• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.

• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.

• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.

• Minimize your use of air conditioning.

• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.

• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.

• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.

• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you.  

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 23, averages are:

SACRAMENTO – Fulfilling his annual duty to report to the Legislature the condition of the state, Governor Gavin Newsom today delivered a letter to lawmakers outlining his vision for the year ahead while reflecting on his recent Tour of the State of California.

The Governor’s letter highlights key legislative victories over the past four years and the major policy announcements he made on his tour to improve the lives of all Californians, lower costs for families, and create safer and healthier communities. 

“As we rededicate ourselves to the work we started together four years ago, I offer you a renewed commitment of partnership and cooperation – as we strive to make the California Dream achievable for everyone who calls our great state home,” the governor said.

On his four-day tour, the Governor announced $1 billion in homelessness funding and the state’s largest mobilization of small homes, a historic transformation of San Quentin State Prison, $30 insulin through CalRX, and a transformative proposal to modernize California’s behavioral health system and more mental health housing:

Tour of the State of California – Day 1 Governor Newsom Announces $1 Billion in Homelessness Funding, Launches State’s Largest Mobilization of Small Homes

The Governor’s Tour of the State of California started in Sacramento with state and local leaders, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and advocates to announce the release of $1 billion in funding to support communities across the state stepping up their work to reduce homelessness. The Governor also announced California’s largest mobilization of small homes to serve people experiencing homelessness, especially those living in encampments. The California National Guard will assist in the preparation and delivery of 1,200 small homes to Los Angeles, San Diego County, San Jose, and Sacramento — free of charge and ready for occupancy.

“In California, we are using every tool in our toolbox – including the largest-ever deployment of small homes in the state – to move people off the streets and into housing. The crisis of homelessness will never be solved without first solving the crisis of housing – the two issues are inextricably linked. We are tackling this issue at the root of the problem by addressing the need to create more housing, faster in California,” said Newsom.

Tour of the State of California – Day 2 Governor Newsom Announces Historic Transformation of San Quentin State Prison

Continuing his tour, the Governor traveled to San Quentin State Prison – soon to be “San Quentin Rehabilitation Center” – to announce that the facility, which is currently a maximum-security prison home to the largest “death row” in the United States, will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind facility focused on rehabilitation and education. The transformation will build on California’s existing work and best practices, utilizing evidence-backed research, and will be guided by an advisory group composed of world-renowned rehabilitation and public safety experts, along with survivors of crime and formerly incarcerated individuals. This historic effort will serve as a nationwide model to advance a more effective justice system that builds safer communities.

“California is transforming San Quentin – the state’s most notorious prison with a dark past – into the nation’s most innovative rehabilitation facility focused on building a brighter and safer future. Today, we take the next step in our pursuit of true rehabilitation, justice, and safer communities through this evidenced-backed investment, creating a new model for safety and justice — the California Model — that will lead the nation,” the governor said after completing a tour of the facility.

Tour of the State of California – Day 3 Governor Newsom Announces $30 Insulin Through CalRx

In Downey, Governor Newsom, alongside California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, health care advocates, and members of the legislature, announced California will be manufacturing and distributing its own insulin for $30 per vial. The announcement made good on the Governor’s promise on his first day in office to bring down the price of prescription drugs for Californians and increase accountability and transparency in health care. The state will pursue other prescription drugs through the CalRx program – next up: Naloxone, as part of Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis.

Newsom told those at the event: ““People should not be forced to go into debt to get life-saving prescriptions. Through CalRx, Californians will have access to some of the most inexpensive insulin available, helping them save thousands each year. But we’re not stopping there – California will seek to make our own Naloxone as part of our plan to fight the fentanyl crisis.”

Tour of the State of California – Day 4 Governor Newsom Proposes Modernization of California’s Behavioral Health System and More Mental Health Housing

The Governor concluded his tour at a hospital in San Diego, where he proposed a 2024 ballot initiative to improve how California treats mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness: A bond to build state-of-the-art mental health treatment residential settings in the community to house Californians with mental illness and substance use disorders and to create housing for homeless veterans, and modernize the Mental Health Services Act to require at least $1 billion every year for behavioral health housing and care.

“This is the next step in our transformation of how California addresses mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness – creating thousands of new beds, building more housing, expanding services, and more,” Newsom said adding: “People who are struggling with these issues, especially those who are on the streets or in other vulnerable conditions, will have more resources to get the help they need.”

While traveling across the state for these transformative policy announcements, the Governor and First Partner spoke directly with residents and diverse community groups representing a broad range of constituencies. The Governor met with small business owners, nonprofit leaders, civil rights activists, artists, innovators, researchers, healthcare advocates, public safety experts, and community leaders.

Watch a video recap of the Tour of the State of California: (here).

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – When disaster strikes, will you know what to do? The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out that the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”) is presenting disaster preparedness CERT Training.

There will be three free full-day workshops on Saturdays, April 15, 22, and 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center in the San Vicente / La Cienega Room located at 8750 El Tovar Place.

Space is limited and expected to fill quickly. Participants must register in advance and attend all three sessions to receive a certificate of completion. To register for CERT Training, please visit the LA County Fire Department CERT training website.

Following a disaster, police, fire, and medical professionals may not be able to meet the immediate demand for emergency medical attention. Residents and neighbors may need to rely upon one another to help with immediate life-saving needs. CERT Training was developed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide basic fire safety and life-saving skills.

CERT Training participants will learn valuable survival skills, including disaster preparedness, terrorism, disaster fire suppression, disaster psychology, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, team organization, and drill simulation, which can be vital in the immediate aftermath of a major disaster.

CERT program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. Since 1993, CERT trains the public in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks.

For more information, please contact Jessica Anukam, the City of West Hollywood’s Public Safety Specialist, at (323) 848-6436 or at [email protected]

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission. 

MONTCLAIR, Calif. – 42-year-old Antonio Ibanez was on life support after Montclair police allegedly used batons striking him multiple times and then tased him on March 5. Ibanez, who was listed in critical condition after the beating, has died at Montclair Hospital Medical Center according to an attorney hired by Ibanez’s family.

According to a Montclair Police Department spokesperson, officers had responded to a 911 call at a mobile home park on the 4100 block of Mission Boulevard. Arriving officers were confronted by Ibanez who was allegedly threatening “the female victim caller who lived at the same location armed with an object.”

KTLA 5 reported that Ibanez’s family said that the CalTrans worker has struggled with drug addiction. He was renting a room and it was the homeowner who called the police with the intention of getting him some help after he didn’t open the door, they say.

“She called for assistance. There was no one in danger or domestic disturbance, simply a call for assistance,” said Christian Contreras, the attorney representing Ibanez’s family. “That begs the question as to, ‘Are police equipped to help people?’ They’re not; they’re equipped to brutalize people and use force.” 

“You know he’s fighting for his life,” Rosendo Rojo Jr., Tony Ibanez’s brother told KTLA. “Eight officers using a baton, a taser – it wasn’t a disturbance. It wasn’t a violent call.”

Ibanez family members and Christian Contreras, their attorney, held a news conference on March 13, 2023, to call for justice and the release of police body camera footage.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation into Ibanez’s arrest and resulting death.

SAN DIEGO – Governor Gavin Newsom, in partnership with state Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), has proposed the next step to modernize how California treats mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness. 

Governor Newsom proposed a 2024 ballot initiative to improve how California treats mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness: A bond to build state-of-the-art mental health treatment residential settings in the community to house Californians with mental illness and substance use disorders and to create housing for homeless veterans, and modernize the Mental Health Services Act to require at least $1 billion every year for behavioral health housing and care,

An initiative would go on the 2024 ballot that would:

1. Authorize a general obligation bond to:
   1. Build thousands of new community behavioral health beds in state-of-the-art residential settings to house Californians with mental illness and substance use disorders, which could serve over 10,000 people every year in residential-style settings that have on-site services – not in institutions of the past, but locations where people can truly heal. 
   2. Provide more funding specifically for housing for homeless veterans. 
2. Amend the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), leading to at least $1 billion every year in local assistance for housing and residential services for people experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders, and allowing MHSA funds to serve people with substance use disorders.
3. Include new accountability and oversight measures for counties to improve performance. 

The MHSA was originally passed 20 years ago; it is now time to refresh it so it can better meet the challenges we face. Key changes that the Governor is proposing include: Creating a permanent source of housing funding of $1 billion a year in local assistance funds to serve people with acute behavioral health issues, focusing on Full Service Partnerships for the most seriously ill; and allowing MHSA to be used for people with substance use disorders alone.

 “This is the next step in our transformation of how California addresses mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness – creating thousands of new beds, building more housing, expanding services, and more. People who are struggling with these issues, especially those who are on the streets or in other vulnerable conditions, will have more resources to get the help they need.”  

According to the Governor’s office, the Administration plans to work in close partnership with legislative leaders in this space including Senator Eggman and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), as well as with the California State Association of Counties, other critical local government stakeholders, community-based service organizations, advocates, and people with lived experience as bill language is developed. 

FACT SHEET (Link)

Previous initiatives include:

• $2.2 billion for the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program.
• $1.5 billion for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing.
• $1.4 billion to expand and diversify the behavioral health workforce.
• $4.7 billion Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, of which the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative is the central component.
• $1.4 billion to build out a Medi-Cal benefit for mobile crisis response, as well as $38 million to expand 9-8-8 and CalHOPE crisis call center.
• Over $600 million to support community-based alternatives to state hospitalization for those who commit felonies who are incompetent to stand trial.
• Over $1 billion to address the opioid epidemic.
• $7 billion to reform CalAIM – enhanced care management for people with serious mental illness, a no wrong door approach to care, and more. 
• $1.6 billion proposed to implement the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Continuum Demonstration to strengthen services and supports for those who are at risk of homelessness, incarceration and foster care placements.
• $50 million for the California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI) for veteran suicide prevention and mental health.