(Continued from page 1)

teen pregnancy, more than double that for whites. Another important challenge is the threat of recent movements to end affirmative action and restrict immigrants' access to social benefits.
  In using our growing influence to work on these numerous challenges, we have the opportunity to create solidarity among Latinos, fight for our rights, and improve employment opportunities. 
  This is our challenge.
  I hope to meet all of you at our picnic, scheduled for September 11th. Bring your families; meet other members, as well as the board of directors.   
  You can RSVP for the picnic at www.lacochicano.org.  We're webbed up!   •

EXPANSION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM 5 TO 9 IS SOUND PUBLIC POLICY AND WILL BENEFIT THE LATINO COMMUNITY
by
Alan Clayton

he LACCEA is currently involved in the most important advocacy effort that it has undertaken since its establishment over 28 years ago. 
  Our association is advocating for the passage of Senate Constitutional Amendment Seven. This constitutional amendment would state that any county in California with over 5,000,000 residents must have a minimum of nine board of supervisor seats. If this constitutional amendment passes the legislature (the California State Senate and the California State Assembly) by a two-thirds vote of each elected body, it would be placed before the voters of the State of California in the November 2000 general election.

                   

 
  The author, Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco, pointed out, "The County of Los Angeles was created in 1850.  They had a five-member board back then, and about 5,000 lived in the county.  That made sense in 1850.  But a lot has changed since then.  For starters, nearly 10 million people now live in L.A. County, " Polanco said.  "L.A. County is the largest in America.  In fact, Los Angeles County has a larger population than 42 states," he added.
  He also stated that he was leading the effort to expand the board now because the census will be conducted in the year 2000 and reapportionment--the redrawing of districts--will be done in 2001.
  "This is the smart time to expand the board.  It makes perfect sense and allows local control.  If approved by the voters, the board of supervisors themselves would simply use the 2000 census data to draw nine districts rather than five in 2001," Polanco explained.
  Senator Polanco also stated that he would withdraw his legislation if the Board of Supervisors would allow the Los Angeles County voters to vote on whether or not they would support expanding the Board of Supervisors to nine seats.  The Board of Supervisors have declined so far to put this measure before the voters.  On two separete occasions I appeared before the Board of Supervisors and asked them to place this measure on the local county ballot.  Senator Polanco did not introduce his legislation until the legislative deadline in order to give the Board of Sueprvisors a chance to voluntarily place this measure on the local ballot.
   One of the key components of Senator Polanco's constitutional amendment is cost containment language.  His language would set the budget for the board offices at the same level for nine-members as it is currently set for five members.  The total number of staff for five would be the total number of staff for nine-members because each seat would represent approximatley 42 percent less residents.

(Continued on page 4)