Hernandez Proposes Bill to Give San Gabriel Valley 'Fair Share' of Measure B Funds

Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, who represents Baldwin Park in the State Assembly, is calling on Los Angeles County officials to adequately fund trauma and emergency services.

Flanked by city leaders and officials from health organizations from across San Gabriel Valley, Hernandez had a press conference Monday in West Covina. The lawmaker wants the county to adhere to Measure B, which voters approved in 2002, and distribute funding more equitably, according to a news release.

“In 2012, residents across the county paid $256 million in property taxes toward the initiative. Of that amount, San Gabriel Valley residents paid $47 million. Nearly 20 (percent) of the county’s total," Hernandez said in a statement.  "So far, Los Angeles County has only given residents of the San Gabriel Valley access to a helicopter to reach far-away facilities in addition to relatively small budgeting for expansion of facilities.”

Earlier this year, he introduced Assembly Bill 1357.  The proposed law would require that Measure B funds collected from San Gabriel Valley taxpayers remain in the area.

The proposed bill also would create a taskforce to audit the funds collected from property owners since Measure B passed and report the findings to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2015.

“It is critical that in a moment of great emergency, our residents feel secure that they will receive the treatment and services needed," Hernandez said.  "After all, a matter of minutes differentiates between life and death.  We will be able to save so many lives in the San Gabriel Valley, with the proper funding and support from Los Angeles County.”

The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments convened a taskforce to tackle this issue and raise the awareness for surround cities in 2005, according to Hernandez.  The San Gabriel Valley includes 31 cites and close to 2 million residents.

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