A LETTER FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISOR HILDA L. SOLIS
Dear Friends,
This week, the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my motion with Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath on supporting President Joe Biden's latest actions to provide debt relief and support to student loan borrowers.
Last year, President Biden made historic efforts to attempt to ameliorate the financial pain caused by student debt that was further exacerbated by the crippling financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden’s debt relief plan included providing up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 in debt cancellation for non-Pell Grant recipients. However, on June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down the President’s loan forgiveness plan, thereby creating a major setback for the millions who deserve the relief the President planned to provide.
Student loan debt is preventing many from building wealth. People cannot afford to buy homes, start their own businesses, or send their own children to college. And it is no secret that the student loan debt impact is disproportionately endured by communities of color. To that end, it is incumbent on government, including our Board of Supervisors, to amplify President Biden's latest alternative plans for student loan debt relief.
Over the past 40 years, the cost of college in the United States has almost tripled, resulting in millions of Americans needing to incur debt to pursue higher education. At the same time, wages have not risen to account for such a sharp increase in the cost of education, and many LA County residents are saddled by crushing debt that impacts their financial well-being, economic mobility, and overall peace of mind.
A report by the Education Data Initiative indicates that Black and African American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than White college graduates and that Hispanic and Latino borrowers were most likely to delay significant life events, such as getting married and having children, due to the burden of student loan debt.
In light of the SCOTUS ruling, President Biden announced new actions aimed at ensuring debt relief and supporting student loan borrowers as quickly as possible. The Secretary of the United States Department of Education (Department of Education) initiated a rulemaking process aimed at opening an alternative path to debt relief for as many working and middle-class borrowers as possible, using the Secretary’s authority under the Higher Education Act.
The Department of Education issued a notice as the first step in the process of issuing new regulations under the “negotiated rulemaking” process. The notice announces a virtual public hearing on July 18, 2023, and solicits written comments from stakeholders on topics to consider. Following the public hearing, the Department of Education will finalize the issues to be addressed through rulemaking and will begin the negotiated rulemaking sessions this fall. The Department of Education stated its intention to complete this rulemaking as quickly as possible.
Additionally, the Department of Education finalized the most affordable repayment plan ever created, ensuring that borrowers will be able to take advantage of the plan this summer before loan payments are due. Under the income-driven Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan, some borrowers’ monthly payments will be cut in half, many borrowers will not have to make monthly payments, and those who do have to pay will save more than $1,000 a year.
In fact, today, President Biden announced that 804,000 borrowers will receive $39 billion in automatic loan forgiveness as a result of fixes to income-driven repayment plans!
The motion passed this week directs all County Departments, leveraging support from the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, to ensure that LA County is doing what it can to make residents aware of the alternative paths to debt relief that President Biden has offered, the new affordable repayment plan, and additional protections for the most vulnerable borrowers. Moreover, recognizing that many of LA County employees are part of the population saddled with student loan debt, this motion reiterates and builds upon the exploration of ways that LA County can implement programs to alleviate the impact of student loan debt on its employees.
To learn more about President Biden’s latest action, click here.
Sincerely,
Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
 Many thanks to the 60+ employers who joined us at the Central DTLA Regional Connect LA Job Fair earlier this week! Each one of you are critical to our local economy, and I’m so glad you decided to partner with us. To those who came seeking opportunities, I’m proud of your determination to invest in your future. As we come out of the pandemic, many of us are wondering where the economy is headed. Many of the factors impacting our regional and national economy are outside of our control. But despite some turbulence, what remains in our control is finding the right and most suitable opportunity to help fulfill us and make a difference in our community. The impact of securing a quality, good-paying job can be invigorating and life changing. And I remain focused on connecting people with meaningful employment, as well as supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
 Please join me to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony of the new aquatic center in the unincorporated community of Puente Valley in the San Gabriel Valley! The event will feature a shovel ceremony, a resource fair, live entertainment, family activities, food and refreshments.
Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Location: 14830 E. Giordano St. La Puente, CA 91744
 Temperatures are about to soar to triple digits this weekend across LA County. Keep yourself cool and take a dip at one of our 30+ LA County pools!
 Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of deaths among all weather-related hazards in the U.S. with over 600 deaths annually. It is a life-or-death matter to know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and what to do in each case. Learn more about extreme heat and tips to stay cool this summer in the link below.
 This year, the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation is rebooting the Every Body Plays program to bring you more activities and fun than ever before! In addition to the drop-in recreation program, this summer children ages 7-17 years old can enjoy arts and crafts, sports, performing arts, ESTEAM activities, and field trips!
 Are you a rental property owner or a mobile home park owner in unincorporated LA County? The 2023/24 registration period for the LA County Rent Registry is now open! This online portal allows property owners to register rental properties and pay any annual rent registration fees required by the County's Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance and Mobile Home Rent Stabilization and Mobile Home Owner Protections Ordinance. Register before September 30, 2023 to avoid late fees.
Do you own a 1-4 unit rental property in LA County and have been financially impacted by COVID-19? If so. you could qualify for up to $30K to eliminate outstanding mortgage and utility payments!
To qualify for the program, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- You are a non-corporate rental property owner with no more than 4 units in LA County.
- Property must not be located in the City of Los Angeles
- Property must be located in high or highest needs census tracts.
- You experienced financial distress due to COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 through March 31, 2023, such as loss of employment or reduction of work hours.
- You have not received assistance from the State’s COVID-19 Rent Relief or Mortgage Relief programs
- You owned the property for at least 12 months before the declared state of emergency in March 2020.
- Your income is no more than 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- The loan balance does not exceed $1,000,000
- You are willing to accept these funds as full settlement of the rental debt and refrain from proceeding with the eviction for the covered period, including satisfaction of any judgment.
 After hosting listening sessions with diners and restaurants, LA County's Outdoor Dining Program still needs a key ingredient — YOU! The 30-day comment period is now open for Public Works' draft ordinance change, allowing the expansion of restaurant service in our unincorporated communities to public sidewalks, parking spaces, and alleys. Learn more about the draft ordinance here, and I hope you share your thoughts to improve it. Please provide feedback and help us imagine more space to enjoy our fantastic weather, savor delicious meals, and create lasting memories with your loved ones!
 My office, in partnership with Through Peace and Bet Tzedek, will be hosting a workshop for older adults and their loved ones. Join us and learn how to identify elder abuse, avoid fraud and scams, and learn what to do if/when any of things happen. There will be food and refreshments.
Date: Friday, July 21, 2023
Time: 10 am
Location: The Metro at Chinatown Senior Lofts, 808 N. Spring St. #803, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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