Candidate for
Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 10

Andrew Kim for LA City Council, D10 20011 Platform

Promote Economic Growth

I have a short and long term plan to stimulate economic growth within district 10 and all of Los Angeles. To bring immediate revenue I will lead the charge in creating a promotional campaign in bringing out of town dollars to district 10, thus bringing much needed tax revenue to offset current deficits. Long term I will recruit job creating, city revenue-generating business by: reducing the business licensing fees, bring about a " Steam line Permit" system, and create tax incentives for new incoming businesses in certain areas that have been subjected to years and decay and neglect. Ultimately bringing jobs and bringing much needed revival to district 10!

Solve L.A.'s Budget Problems

We are faced with a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall; I understand that raising taxes is not the best solution. We need to start living in between our means and practice fiscal responsibility. I understand and will be able to make those straight cuts as well as finding other cost cutting options, such as consolidating city departments and services, ultimately saving the city money and cutting a lot of waste. As well as reducing the salary of all elected officials within Los Angeles.

Maintain First Rate Police

To continue the down ward trend when it comes to crime, not only do we need to keep our Police Department with up to date resources, but we need to start hiring again. Los Angles has always been on the lower end when it comes to size. We are far below the recommend amount of police officers for every 1,000 citizens. We need to take a new approach and get officers off the desk and on to the street. Once elected to city council I l will advocate and bring about an, `Well trained, Well Equipped and Well Paid Police Force to continue to give excellent protection. Also, to help provide security for citizens of Los Angeles, I will work alongside the LAPD to compose and ensure better race relation practices, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally and fairly.

Support our Fire Department

To help offset current deficits our Fire Department is going through "Rotating Brownouts." This current action has put our families at risk by lengthening the response times, increasing the workload, and making fewer fire engines available for pre-deployed to areas with high fire risk! Furthermore they will stop recruiting new firefighters, ultimately putting even more responsibility and stress on veteran fighters.

It's time to switch priories and put public safety first. We need to fight to keep all Fire Stations open with all available resources. We need to make sure there are enough Firefighters to accommodate the high need that Los Angeles requires.

Solve Los Angeles Pension Problems

One of the biggest problems that is hurting Los Angeles is our Pension Programs. Currently the benefits are too costly. With the current downfall of our economy, our pension funds are not making the amount of money that was originally estimated; consequently, making the Tax Payer fund the rest of the bill.

In order to fix this problem we need to sit down at the table and discuss vital issues such as; altering benefits for new and old employees, altering the employee contributions, and cap the Tax Payer exposure or liability! Until we fix this problem, Los Angeles will continue to grow deficits and will go bankrupt!

Take Control of the Department of Water and Power

It's time to take control of the Department of Water and Power and make them accountable for all the deceiving acts that they have committed against the residents of Los Angeles. From lying to the City Council to avoiding a transfer of $73 million to the city's general fund while it demanding a ridiculous rate increase. Looking at their actions, it easy to say that they are not acting in the interest of the resident of Los Angeles.

Once elected to City Council, unlike the current incumbent, I will vote to take control of the DWP, and vote against any rate increase that isn't in the interest of you the constituents.

Fixing Our Streets

For far too long has Los Angeles streets been in ruins, especially district 10. Our streets are filled with pot holes that DAMAGE OUR CARS, increases TRAFFIC, and causes SAFETY HAZARDS. The current incumbent has and continues to neglect this issue; instead we wants to put more trash can on our curbs. He has fallen out of touch with reality. It's time for government to fix the problems that matter to their constituents. Once elected, I will address such issues and bring federal grants to fix our streets.