This past Saturday was an exciting day for grassroots supporters in the San Pedro area when both Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Wendy Greuel stopped by to talk passionately about what's at stake in this election and why we need to work together to move Los Angeles forward.

Check out the video from the event and share it with your friends:

Congresswoman Hahn highlighted how Wendy's experience as City Controller gives her the skills needed to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse to improve delivery of city services and better our communities if we succeed in electing her as our next mayor.

Following the speeches by Congresswoman Hahn and Wendy, San Pedro supporters and community leaders went out in force to tell folks in their community about Wendy's vision to fight for all of Los Angeles.

In her remarks, Congresswoman Hahn called Wendy one of the hardest working people she has ever known, so let's get to work and make history on May 21.

Please take a moment to share this video with your friends and ask them to sign up to volunteer with you for a shift or two this week.

Mayoral Candidate Wendy Greuel Outlines Ideas for School Reform and Expanding Local Control

Los Angeles - Today Wendy Greuel outlined her ideas to reform Los Angeles' schools, citing her personal experience as an LAUSD graduate and parent to discuss the critical importance of local control and an education policy focused on the best interests of children, not politics.

"I know firsthand how important it is to have flexibility and choice when determining your child’s future," said Greuel. "I will approach every decision as a parent, not a politician."

Greuel outlined several specific priorities for reforming Los Angeles' schools and improving the City's education system. Greuel said she would:

• Support Parent Trigger and other laws that give parents a choice. As an LAUSD mom herself, Greuel said she would be a strong advocate for programs and policies that give parents a voice in how their schools are run and in their children's education. "Parents shouldn’t have to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach," Greuel said. "That just doesn’t work for our children."
• Work with Superintendent Deasy to implement a comprehensive evaluation system for teachers and principals. "We know that the single most important factor to a child’s academic success is a quality teacher," said Greuel. She said she will advocate for rules that make it easier to dismiss underperforming teachers, and make sure that we can support effective teachers and principals.
• Create a leadership "pipeline" for teachers and principals. Greuel highlighted the importance of ensuring that the best teachers and principals are in the classroom, and said she believes the City could do more to work with the school district to create programs that will help train teachers and principals for leadership roles.
• Expand LA's BEST, a nationally recognized after school program Greuel helped start with Mayor Tom Bradley 25 years ago. Students who don’t participate in after school activities are nearly 50% more likely to use drugs, and 37% more likely to become teen parents than those who spend between 1 and 4 hours in after school activities.
• Push for a Controller's audit of the LAUSD bureaucracy and a plan to "slash non-school site administrative expenses and put those dollars where the kids are." Greuel said she will work with the district to complete an audit of LAUSD’s leadership to make sure that the district is focusing resources on children instead of downtown bureaucrats.
• Introduce a student Bill of Rights. Greuel said she will advocate for a bill of rights for students that guarantees each child's right to a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, a quality teacher, music and arts education, and an effective curriculum that prepares them for a successful entry into the workforce.
• Revitalize the Safe Passages to School program. Greuel pledged to ensure that every child has not only a safe learning environment, but is safe on their way to and from school each day.
  
  
  "The truth is we can't have a world class city without a world class education system. The health of our great city – from our ability to create jobs and compete economically, to our success in fighting crime and poverty -- begins and ends with a quality education for our young people," said Greuel. "A quality education doesn't start downtown - it starts with strong neighborhood schools that empower parents, teachers and principals."
  
  Added Greuel: "I am proud to say that transforming our public schools will be a centerpiece of my administration, and I commit to being an education reform mayor."
  
  A text of the speech as prepared for delivery follows:
  
  Good morning.
  
  Thank you for joining me here today at Granada Hills Charter High School – the three time academic decathlon winner! -- to talk about one of the central issues of my campaign…
  
  Transforming our city's public education system.
  
  My concern over the state of our public schools runs much deeper than this campaign; it's personal.
  
  I attended Los Angeles public schools my entire life and graduated from Kennedy High School in Granada Hills – your rival high school.
  
  My husband and I are sending our son to public school. This issue is close to my heart both as a candidate and as a mom.
  
  I will approach every decision as a parent, not a politician.
  
  With every decision placed in front of me, I will think about how it would affect my child and my family.
  
  Dean and I were lucky. When we were looking for a place to send our son Thomas to school, we discovered that our very own neighborhood school was being run by a visionary and inspirational principal, Joanie Freckman. When Joanie Freckman first took over as Principal, the API Score of our school was approximately 650; now it is 928.
  
  This transformation did not happen over night – it took time, but it happened with sheer determination. Principal Freckman challenged the school community – parents, teachers and students -- to reach for the stars and held them accountable so that students would be able to achieve their potential.
  
  Joanie and the school community knew that for success to continue, the principal, teachers and parents would need greater control over the decisions that affected our school. So, our school became an affiliated Charter, gaining more flexibility over decision-making and becoming freed from a number of the bureaucratic constraints that can hold back many schools from reaching their potential.
  
  What's more, when Principal Freckman decided to retire, our school community had the power to choose a new principal. We had the power -- not the downtown bureaucrats. As a result, we were able to select a wonderful new principal, Suzana Gomez, who has taken Joanie's lead -- expanding parent involvement, further increasing student achievement and supporting a myriad of enrichment opportunities for our kids.
  
  As a school community, we meet and interview prospective teachers to fill open teaching positions. We decide on the curriculum we want to use and we decide the kinds of enrichment we want our kids to experience, especially music, fine arts and theater.
  
  We put our children first.
  
  And when I'm mayor, putting our children first will be the basis for every decision I make for our schools.
  
  I know firsthand how important it is to have flexibility and choice when determining your child's future. Our kids should have access to the best possible education, regardless of whether it's at an LAUSD school, an affiliated charter, a partnership school, or a great charter school like this school we're in today.
  
  The truth is we can't have a world class city without a world class education system.
  
  The health of our great city – from our ability to create jobs and compete economically, to our success in fighting crime and poverty -- begins and ends with a quality education system.
  
  And a quality education doesn't start downtown, it starts with strong neighborhood schools that empower parents, teachers and principals.
  
  As your mayor, I will continue to advocate for laws like parent trigger because parents shouldn't be stuck in schools that are failing their children.
  
  Parents shouldn't have to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. That just doesn't work for our children.
  
  As mayor, I will fight for more choices for parents by supporting innovative approaches.
  
  Transforming Los Angeles schools means giving parents more choices.
  
  Unlike my opponent, I have always supported programs that allow parents to demand more accountability.
  
  I'm also going to focus on student safety by revitalizing the Safe Passages program to ensure that every child can safely travel to and from school each day.
  
  I'm going to work with Sacramento and LAUSD to enact legislation that requires strict background checks and detailed investigations of ALL sexual abuse reports.
  
  I'll partner with LAUSD to create transparent, flexible and effective guidelines to prevent bullying. And I'll work with non-profits, businesses, and LAUSD to create an online safety program that helps parents and children understand the tactics and dangers of internet predators.
  
  But keeping our students safe is also about taking responsibility for where our children are after school.
  
  25 years ago this week, I joined with Mayor Tom Bradley to start a new after school program called LA's BEST.
  
  We started it in just 10 schools, as a way to give students a safe, supervised environment after classes ended.
  
  Today, LA's BEST has become a national model for after school programs. It is in 189 schools across the City serving 28,000 kids.
  
  As mayor, I'll work to expand LA's BEST, so our kids can stay focused on their education and away from gangs, guns and drugs.
  
  I'll also fight to break up the LAUSD bureaucracy that is so far removed from the real needs of our children. As your mayor, I'll push for a City Controller audit of the LAUSD bureaucracy that includes a plan to slash non-school site administrative expenses and put those dollars where the kids are.
  
  That goes for Sacramento. California once was a leader in education funding. But now we rank at 49th in the nation in per pupil spending.
  
  I'll fight to make sure any new dollars from Prop 30 are spent as they were promised and go to bringing back programs like music, art and P.E.
  
  As mayor, I'll work to reduce the drop-out rate and prepare our young people for 21st Century careers by fighting for expanded vocational and career technical programs in our high schools.
  
  And I'll push for public-private partnerships between LAUSD, local community colleges and the private sector focused on job training and mentorship.
  
  I'll be a voice for students. They don't have a union, like teachers do. Students are counting on us to fight for them. So as Mayor, I'll listen to our students. I'll establish a council of student body presidents to consult with me directly. I will also visit classrooms regularly to discuss civics, the importance of good citizenship, honesty, respect and public service.
  
  And I will give parents and PTA's a strong voice by engaging with them directly through teleconferences and online or in-person town halls.
  
  We need to focus on how we can get the best teachers and principals into the classroom educating our kids. I'll work with LAUSD to create a leadership pipeline that supports outstanding teachers and administrators.
  
  I know from firsthand experience that great schools start with great principals and teachers, and I will be a forceful advocate to make sure they have a voice in developing education policies that work for their individual schools, and not just the bureaucracy downtown.
  
  I won't shy away from supporting any idea as long as it is good for our students.
  
  Too often our conversations about improving schools have focused on the politics and the adults.
  
  I will partner with Superintendent Deasy to turn the conversation into what is best for our kids in every class room.
  
  I will advocate for rules that allow for the dismissal of teachers who engage in misconduct, and make sure that we can support effective teachers and principals.
  
  I will support the teacher evaluation system he is implementing. It is needed.
  
  Because we know that the single most important factor to a child's academic success is a quality teacher.
  
  We need to make sure we're getting effective teachers in the classroom.
  
  And with a meaningful evaluation system that is fair and uses multiple measurements – including students' test scores and in-class observations.
  
  We can use evaluations to reward successful teachers and support teachers who are struggling to grow and improve.
  
  But we must also evaluate our principals. It simply doesn't make sense that we would evaluate our teachers and not our principals.
  
  Finally I will also use the mayor's bully pulpit to advocate for a student Bill of Rights.
  
  This Bill of Rights should include:
  
  1. The right to a safe learning environment free from gangs, guns, drugs, sexual assault and hazardous materials.
  2. The right to a quality teacher in every classroom.
  3. The right to a safe passage to and from school and access to after school programs.
  4. The right to have nurses and health professionals on every campus to care for our kids.
  5. The right to a curriculum that will prepare students to compete in the modern workplace.
  6. The right to the latest technology on every campus.
  7. The right to be free from harassment, assault, or bullying.
  8. The right to have access to the most up-to-date learning materials needed for a 21st century education.
  9. The right to have access to mental health counselors if necessary.
  10. The right to music, arts and physical education classes to cultivate our children's creative spirit and physical well-being.
  These are just some of the ideas I have to improve our schools. It's not about power--it's about empowerment.
  
  Let me close by telling a story about how empowerment works.
  
  I was inspired this week by parents at the 24th Street School.
  
  Three years ago these parents were fed up and no longer willing to stand by as their children were trapped in a failing school.
  
  They gathered signatures demanding the district to act and turned in their petition. No one at the district answered the petition and no one answered their call.
  
  Three years later, things have changed.
  
  With the passage of the Parent Trigger law that gives parents the authority to demand new leadership at their school if a simple majority of parents petition to do so…
  
  And with the leadership of Superintendent John Deasy, just this past Tuesday, the parents of 24th Street voted for a new leadership team that will now run their children's school.
  
  What is most inspiring about 24th Street's story…
  
  It marks the first time the Parent Trigger action was supported by the school district.
  
  And the new leadership team that the parents voted for is a partnership between the Los Angeles School District and Crown Preparatory Academy.
  
  Not just following the parents' lead, but eventually joining the parents…
  
  The school district is standing with parents in transforming 24th Street Elementary.
  
  This is progress. This is putting our students first.
  
  So, today I ask if you want a mayor who supports giving parents the power to transform their own children's school, then I ask for your vote.
  
  If you want a mayor who will approach every decision as a parent and not as a politician, then I ask for your vote.
  
  If you want a mayor who will challenge decades of failed education policies by putting our students first, then I ask for your vote.
  
  If you want a mayor who will intervene to push the pace for reform, then I ask for your vote.
  
  As your mayor, I will fight to free our principals, teachers and parents from the downtown bureaucracy and give them the local control and flexibility they need to educate our children.
  
  And I will stand with parents to hold the Los Angeles Unified School District accountable for making decisions in the best interest of our children.
  
  I am proud to say that transforming our public schools will be a centerpiece of my administration, and I commit to being an education reform mayor.
  
  Thank you.
  
  

This morning, Wendy Greuel outlined her ideas to reform Los Angeles' schools, citing her personal experience as an LAUSD graduate and parent:

"I know firsthand how important it is to have flexibility and choice when determining your child’s future. I will approach every decision as a parent, not a politician. [...]

I am proud to say that transforming our public schools will be a centerpiece of my administration, and I commit to being an education reform mayor."

During her remarks at Granada Hills Charter High School, Wendy outlined several specific priorities for reforming Los Angeles' schools and improving the City's education system. In particular, Wendy said she would:

• Support Parent Trigger and other laws that give parents a choice. As an LAUSD mom herself, Greuel said she would be a strong advocate for programs and policies that give parents a voice in how their schools are run and in their children's education. "Parents shouldn’t have to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach," Greuel said. "That just doesn’t work for our children."
• Work with Superintendent Deasy to implement a comprehensive evaluation system for teachers and principals. "We know that the single most important factor to a child’s academic success is a quality teacher," said Greuel. She said she will advocate for rules that make it easier to dismiss underperforming teachers, and make sure that we can support effective teachers and principals.
• Create a leadership "pipeline" for teachers and principals. Greuel highlighted the importance of ensuring that the best teachers and principals are in the classroom, and said she believes the City could do more to work with the school district to create programs that will help train teachers and principals for leadership roles.
• Expand LA's BEST, a nationally recognized after school program Greuel helped start with Mayor Tom Bradley 25 years ago. Students who don’t participate in after school activities are nearly 50% more likely to use drugs, and 37% more likely to become teen parents than those who spend between 1 and 4 hours in after school activities.
• Push for a Controller's audit of the LAUSD bureaucracy and a plan to "slash non-school site administrative expenses and put those dollars where the kids are." Greuel said she will work with the district to complete an audit of LAUSD’s leadership to make sure that the district is focusing resources on children instead of downtown bureaucrats.
• Introduce a student Bill of Rights. Greuel said she will advocate for a bill of rights for students that guarantees each child's right to a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, a quality teacher, music and arts education, and an effective curriculum that prepares them for a successful entry into the workforce.
• Revitalize the Safe Passages to School program. Greuel pledged to ensure that every child has not only a safe learning environment, but is safe on their way to and from school each day.
  
  
  Click here to read Wendy’s remarks on education reform as prepared for delivery at Granada Hills Charter High School.
  
  

Los Angeles – Today Lorraine Bradley, daughter of iconic Mayor Tom Bradley, the first African-American Mayor of Los Angeles, announced her endorsement of Wendy Greuel for Mayor.

Greuel served in the Bradley administration for nearly a decade, working on issues ranging from economic development, affordable housing, and education. While working for Mayor Bradley Wendy helped create LA’S BEST, a nationally recognized afterschool program that is now in 189 schools throughout Los Angeles.

“My father always believed that a city as diverse as Los Angeles requires a leader who can build diverse coalitions to deliver results, and that is a lesson that Wendy has taken to heart,” said Lorraine Bradley. “Wendy will carry on my father’s legacy and bring a new era of progress to Los Angeles. I’m also proud that, like my father, Wendy will be able to break a historic barrier with her election. She will make the best mayor for Los Angeles and is the right choice to lead the city forward.”

“I was incredibly lucky to work for a leader and mentor like Tom Bradley. Mayor Bradley embodied everything that is good and just about government,” said Greuel. “He dedicated his life to serving others and empowering communities. And he had the experience and the skill to bring people together and deliver results where they were needed most.”

“Tom Bradley is the reason that I am running for mayor, and he continues to serve as an example to all of us. I am truly honored to be endorsed by his daughter and my longtime friend Lorraine Bradley, who like her father has been a selfless advocate for Angelenos throughout her life.”

Today, Wendy Greuel conducted an “Ask Wendy” Twitter Town Hall to engage Angelenos in a discussion on much-needed education reform for the Los Angeles school system. The online chat follows the release of her education plan at Granada Hills Charter High School on Thursday.

If you missed the discussion, you can check out all the questions and answers on http://www.twitter.com/Wendy_Greuel or you can view the screenshot below:

Wendy’s East Los Angeles field office was abuzz on Saturday morning as volunteers and field staff members prepared for the kick-off canvass event in Boyle Heights.

Walk packets were poised for distribution while blue and green streamers hung from above, setting an energetic tone for the day. Dedicated volunteers caught up over doughnuts and coffee before being briefed on the day’s walking strategy.

"Many of the canvassers come every weekend to spread the word about why they believe in Wendy as our next Mayor," said Max Franco, a field organizer in the East LA Wendy Greuel office.

An additional boost of energy came when Wendy entered to her campaign theme song “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys, echoed by a spontaneous 'Wendy! Wendy! Wendy!’ chant.

Wendy spoke about both her vision for Los Angeles and about the importance of getting out fellow Angelenos to vote in this election. Wendy explained to the supporters how she won her first race by 225 votes out of 30,000 – proof that neighbors talking to neighbors can make a big difference in the outcome of an election.

With the troops fired up, they paired off and hit the neighborhood to spread the word in East L.A. Following the kick-off, Wendy participated in a Twitter Town Hall that was focused on her plan to reform the Los Angeles school system. A recap can be found here.

Check out the photos below, and learn more about how you can volunteer at our Boyle Heights office or another local field office in your community today.

National Gun Debate takes Center Stage in LA Mayor´s Race

Los Angeles – Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Wendy Greuel, who hopes to become LA's first woman mayor, announced that she will hit the airwaves with an emotional ad on gun violence, making school safety one of the centerpieces of her campaign.

Greuel today called on Congress to act quickly and decisively to pass gun control legislation and protect Americans from gun violence.

“We cannot wait a month longer, a day longer, a moment longer, because for every awful tragedy like Sandy Hook that grabs headlines, gun violence is tearing apart families every single day. No more excuses. No more delays. Let’s demand action now,” said Greuel. “Sadly, too many of us have personal stories we can talk about with gun violence. As mayor I will work so this never touches your life.”

The ad, which will begin airing today, is available for viewing here. A copy of the script is attached. For background information on the events discussed in the ad, click here and here.

Greuel called for stricter gun control and more mental health services. This upcoming week, the U.S. Senate will consider legislation to expand background checks and increase penalties for illegal gun sales.

Greuel has signaled that public safety will be a top priority in her administration. She has been endorsed by LA’s police and firefighters, and has pledged to make expanding LA´s police force a priority of her administration, as well as expanding gang prevention programs, and increasing access to mental health services.

Greuel has also received endorsed from the Los Angeles School Police Officers Association (LASPOA), the Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), the Law Enforcement Association of Asian Pacifics (LEAAP), the Los Angeles Fire Chief Officers' Association, and the Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA).

“Our Own”

We could all have our own Sandy Hook.

For me, it was a gunman with an assault weapon firing on children at a Jewish community center and a murder-suicide with a semi-automatic at our family business.

I’m Wendy Greuel and, as mayor, I’ll work so this never touches your life. With more mental health services and a partnership with parents and police to keep guns and gangs out of schools.

We need a mayor for all of LA, who believes all of LA should be safe.

As she accepts support from influential business group, Greuel discusses ideas for getting LA's fiscal house in order

Los Angeles – At a meeting with some of LA’s top business leaders, Wendy Greuel today outlined her initial ideas for bolstering the City's near- and long-term fiscal health, offering specific areas where the City can save tax dollars and bring in new revenues.

Greuel also received the endorsement of the Central Cities Association, one of the city’s most influential business organizations.

Greuel spoke with leaders from organizations including CCA, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association about LA’s budget process and how to improve the city’s business climate.

"Our city is at a crossroads. We have high unemployment, a reputation for being business unfriendly, a structural deficit and a crumbling infrastructure," said Carol E. Schatz, president and CEO of the Central City Association. "The next mayor has a lot to do and we believe that Wendy Greuel has the skills, experience, independence and strength to take on these challenges. It is our goal to work with the mayor in leading Los Angeles back to prosperity. To say it won’t be easy is an understatement, but we don’t accept the premise that it is impossible and that our problems are insurmountable. We believe that Wendy Greuel will get us there."

"I'm excited to work with CCA and all of the business leaders here today and across the city to jump-start LA's economy. We know we can make LA a great place to do business, a City with a thriving economy that attracts great jobs. Now we need to make the responsible decisions to close our budget gap," Greuel said. "The ideas we discussed today are a blueprint for how we can close our budget gap so we can get back to providing the services Angelenos depend on."

During the roundtable, Greuel discussed the following proposals:

• Pension reform. Greuel vowed to sit down with business and labor leaders as Mayor to address the city’s pension obligations for current employees, including looking at raising the retirement age and ending abuses like “pension spiking” and double dipping.
• Changing the city’s pension investment practices and spending less money on investment consultants, which could, conservatively, save more than $40 million annually.
• Cutting the cost of health benefits and workers’ compensation by 10%, which would save $60 million annually. Savings would be the result of better plan design, higher employee contributions, and higher co-pays, among other areas.
• Cutting the Mayor’s Office and City Council budgets by 25%, resulting in $6 million in annual savings.
• Implementing the recommendations of her audits that have not been acted upon to date. Greuel highlighted several audit recommendations that would bring savings to the budget’s bottom line in the amount of $12.4 million (i.e. the City’s cell phone policy, workers compensation billing policies, Animal Services collections).
• Cracking down on parking lot operator tax evaders, resulting in $20 million in additional annual revenues.
• Pushing to change laws to allow Los Angeles to give a preference to LA-based firms when awarding City contracts. (Currently the City can only give the preference to County-based firms.) Spending tax dollars locally could bring in an additional $10 million annually.
• Moving Council Discretionary Funds to the General Fund. Providing $30 million in the first year, and $3 million annually thereafter.

Yesterday, Wendy Greuel joined Magic Johnson and participated in Jackie Robinson Day activities at Dodger Stadium to commemorate the Brooklyn Dodgers legend who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier.

Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play in the major leagues on Opening Day in 1947 -- which occurred on April 15th of that year.

His debut ended eighty years of segregation in baseball, and Robinson’s character, talent, and production on the ballfield challenged traditional notions of time and contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement.

During the Monday night's activities, Wendy and Magic mingled with Dodgers fans and participated in a charity raffle.

Prior to the game, a moment of silence was observed by players and fans for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Los Angeles – Today Greg Smith, who recently ran for Los Angeles City Attorney, announced that he is supporting Wendy Greuel as the next Mayor of Los Angeles.

Smith, who was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and endorsed by the Daily News for his independence, represented the whistleblower in the City of Bell corruption scandal.

Smith, along with thousands of Valley residents, is supporting Wendy because she is one of the most qualified candidates to seek the Mayor’s office and has a record of protecting the safety of all Angelenos, which is why she’s been endorsed by the Los Angeles Police and Fire Fighters.. Smith joins Congressmember Brad Sherman, Former Congressmember Howard Berman, Former Mayor Richard Riordan, Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, Senator Alex Padilla, and dozens of other Valley leaders in endorsing Greuel.

“Wendy Greuel is the only candidate in this race who has committed herself to rooting out waste, fraud and abuse and who has prioritized the public safety of our communities and that is why she is my choice for Mayor,” said Greg Smith. “I have spent my entire career fighting corruption on behalf of law enforcement officers and fire fighters and I know that Wendy Greuel has the experience to do this on behalf of all of the residents of this city.”

“I’m proud to be endorsed by Greg Smith, a man who has fought for transparency and public safety for decades in the courts of Los Angeles,” said Greuel. “Improving public safety and making Los Angeles more transparent are key parts of my vision as the next Mayor and I am happy that Greg has joined my coalition to lead Los Angeles forward.”

Los Angeles – Wendy Greuel launched her second television ad of the general election, highlighting her experience as the most qualified candidate and track record of leading in a crisis, and her support from some of LA’s most well-respected leaders.

The ad brings Greuel supporters Senator Barbara Boxer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and former Mayor Richard Riordan together to urge Angelenos to vote for Greuel’s strong leadership. Boxer, Johnson and Riordan discuss Greuel’s leading role in the federal government’s response to the Northridge Earthquake, helping to start the LA’s BEST afterschool program with Mayor Tom Bradley, and uncovering millions in waste as City Controller.

“We’ve seen Wendy Greuel lead in a crisis,” Boxer says. “We urge you to vote Wendy Greuel for Mayor,” said Riordan. Declares Johnson: “We need Wendy Greuel.”

“I’ll bring strong leadership to change Los Angeles, so we can break the paralysis at City Hall and start moving LA forward,” Greuel said. “I have a record of delivering results for Angelenos and leading in a crisis, from helping start LA’s BEST with Mayor Bradley, fast-tracking aid to victims of the Northridge Earthquake, and being a tough fiscal watchdog for taxpayers. As mayor I’ll fight to get our economy back on track and create jobs, and reform our city’s education system.”

Greuel is the only candidate to air television ads so far in the general election.

The ad can be viewed here. A copy of the script is attached.

In addition to her support from Boxer, Johnson and Riordan, Greuel has been endorsed by President Bill Clinton, Los Angeles’ police and firefighters, 600,000 working women and men, and the LA Chamber of Commerce Jobs PAC.

Today, Wendy Greuel outlined her initial ideas for bolstering Los Angeles' near-and long-term fiscal health, offering specific areas where the City can save $175 million and bring in an additional $60 million in new revenues.

Wendy discussed her budget proposal at a roundtable discussion with top L.A. business leaders at the downtown Central Library:

I'm excited to work with the CCA and all of the business leaders here today and across the City to jump-start L.A.'s economy. We know we can make LA a great place to do business, a city with a thriving economy that attracts great jobs. Now we need to make the responsible decisions to close our budget gap.

At the event, Wendy also received the endorsement of the CCA, one of the City's most influential business organizations and the Los Angeles Daily News reported on some of her proposals:

Wendy said she would seek to award city contracts to L.A.-based firms, a move that she believes could bring in $10 million. She also said her audits showed $12.4 million in savings from changing the city's cell phone policies.

She also said she would seek to move the City Council's discretionary funds to the general fund, which pays for basic services like police and fire. In the first year, that move would mean $30 million a year, and in subsequent years, could translate to $3 million annually.

She also called for changing the city's pension investment practices and spending less money on investment consultants, saying the city could save $40 million annually. She was unable to provide specifics on that proposal, stating she first needs to audit the city's investment practices.

Read more about Wendy's plan to balance Los Angeles' budget and lead our city forward.

• Balancing the budget: Leveraging her experience as a fiscal watchdog, Greuel's initial budget proposals would cumulatively realize a total of approximately $175 million in deficit reduction, revenue restoration and re-programmed funding to ensure that all Angelenos can benefit from improved core services. At the heart of her budget proposals, outlined earlier this week, are plans to lower costs of employee health benefits and workers' compensation by 10 percent (a savings of $60 million); to change pension investment practices and spend less money on Wall Street fund managers (a savings of $40 million, conservatively); recouping lost revenue from parking lot tax evaders (estimated at $20 million in recovered revenue); and supporting local business by spending tax dollars locally (up to $10 million in new revenue).
• Reforming employee pensions: As someone who has broad-based support from both the business and labor communities, Wendy is ready to bring all parties to the table to tackle the problem of pension reform head-on. As part of those negotiations, Wendy will explore raising the age at which non-sworn employees can retire with their full pension; a two-tier system for current employees; a pension buyout option; capping the salary used to calculate pension benefits; as well as stopping pension spiking and ending double-dipping.
• Improving LA's education systems: As a LAUSD parent, Wendy strongly believes that all LA students deserve a world-class education system – one that supports stronger parent empowerment establishes a student's bill of rights; creates a leadership pipeline to support outstanding teachers and administrators; and also raises private funds to expand the nationally-recognized LA's Best after-school program, which Wendy helped start with Mayor Tom Bradley.
• Reducing traffic congestion: LA's notorious traffic congestion is not only a huge nuisance and inconvenience for city drivers, it also cost LA more than $10 billion in wasted time and fuel last year. Greuel is proposing a comprehensive set of solutions to reduce the burden of congestion by creating additional anti-gridlock zones and banning rush-hour construction; implement and leverage Measure R funds to accelerate construction of transit and highway projects aggressively implementing the city's bike plan; and using the power of technology to provide commuters with timely information. For the longer-term, Greuel also supports plans to facilitate more efficient goods movement and promote transit-oriented developments.
• Restoring public safety resources and keeping LA neighborhoods safe: Last May, in her capacity as City Controller, Greuel conducted an audit of the City's emergency preparedness capacity. And although some progress has been made, the majority of the audit's 56 findings have yet to be addressed. Greuel is also proposing longer-term solutions to keep neighborhoods safer by prioritizing new revenues gained as the city's economic recovery continues towards first responders and public safety – which would help realize her goal of putting an additional 2,000 cops on the street and establishing a Public Safety Trust Fund.
• Promoting cleaner energy: Greuel is seeking to ensure LA can meet its promise to achieve a more sustainable environment while promoting economic growth. That's why she supports increasing the use of energy-efficient technologies that create new local jobs and job training programs, while reducing costs. She supports plans to establish a cleaner mix of energy sources for LADWP while phasing out coal, while also maximizing energy efficiency and demand-side management programs. And she proposes to create an environmental cabinet led by a Chief Energy Officer to help better manage the city's energy and environmental footprint.
• On fixing the city's broken government: Greuel believes that the people of LA deserve to have a transparent, accountable budgeting process that effectively allocates the City's scarce resources; allows taxpayers to see how their dollars are spent; and evaluates how departments actually perform. She supports reducing the Mayor's and Council's operating budgets by 25 percent and requiring the City Council and Mayor to take a pay cut equal to those of city employees.

Download the plan (PDF)

Read the Plan:

• A message from President Clinton
• Common Sense Solutions to Balance the Budget
• Balancing the Budget: Pensions
• Job Creation

• Education Reform
• Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe
• Fixing Our Traffic Mess
• Environmental Protection
• Reforming City Hall
• Closing Thoughts

Wendy Greuel's L.A. Forward Plan

At 6:00 p.m. tonight, Wendy Greuel will be on Univision's flagship station, KMEX-TV for a one-hour debate, moderated by León Krauze and Gabriela Teissier. Before the debate, please take a moment to watch and share this video highlighting some of Wendy's endorsements from Latino leaders:

The video features City Councilman-elect Felipe Fuentes, LAUSD School Boardmember and City Council candidate Nury Martinez, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, and U.S. Congressman Tony Cárdenas.

In addition, prominent Latino leaders such as civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, State Senator Alex Padilla, and City Councilmember José Huizar have endorsed Wendy because they know she is the only candidate who will move all of Los Angeles forward.

Please take a moment to watch this video and tune in at 6:00 p.m. on KMEX-TV Channel 34 to cheer on Wendy in tonight's debate.

• Wendy's deep concern for the education of LA's students
• Her role in starting LA's BEST afterschool program
• Her broad experience and vision for Los Angeles
• Her commitment to fighting fraud, waste, and abuse

President Bill Clinton joined with Wendy Greuel and Angelenos from all over the city for delicious #19 hot pastrami sandwiches and a discussion on the future of Los Angeles at famous Langer’s Deli in the Westlake District.

During Wendy's introduction of President Clinton, she remarked on how she plans to move Los Angeles forward, just as the President moved the country forward during his time in office:

He is someone who cares about Los Angeles, who cares about the future of this city and cares about all of us. When you came into office, Mr. President, you brought hope and optimism.... You had a plan to move the country forward. I have a plan to move Los Angeles forward.

President Clinton said that he endorsed Wendy because of her proven record of bringing people together to get things done:

I think if every voter in Los Angeles saw her the way I do, and the way people who know her well do, she would win.

You want somebody who has been through several incarnations, different kinds of jobs, and hit it out of the park every time she had a job by getting something done that changed somebody else’s life.

Wendy’s vision to create jobs and reform City Hall were among the many topics covered during the 90-minute town hall discussion, and President Clinton stressed the importance of electing a leader like Wendy who has proven time and again, that she can get things done and deliver results:

My first direct exposure to Wendy, as she said, was after the Northridge earthquake, and a lot of you remember, I spent a lot of time around here. We had a lot of work to do … She handled HUD"s part of it and the money that flowed in here, and I thought she did a terrific job.

Following the event, Langer’s Deli sent President Bill Clinton and his staff off with special #19 hot pastrami sandwiches to enjoy in their Secret Service motorcade.

Read more about the experience of Langer’s employees and patrons from the Langer’s Deli blog and check out the news clip below:

Los Angeles – The State Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus, including 17 State Senators and Assemblywomen who are members of the caucus, have endorsed Wendy Greuel for Mayor of Los Angeles.

The Assemblywomen and State Senators who also announced their individual endorsements for Greuel are: Senators Noreen Evans, Cathleen Galgiani, Loni Hancock, Hannah Beth Jackson, Lois Wolk, Assembly Majority Floor Leader Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Nora Campos, Assembly Rules Chair Nancy Skinner, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus Holly Mitchell, Assemblymembers Susan Bonilla, Cheryl Brown, Joan Buchanan, Susan Eggman, Bonnie Lowenthal, Sharon Quirk-Silva, Norma Torres, Mariko Yamada.

It is believed to be the first time the caucus has endorsed in a local election.

"I've known Wendy Greuel for years. We've worked together on a number of critical issues including economic development, transit expansion, and the modernization of the Port of Los Angeles," said Assemblymember Lowenthal, who chairs the State Women’s Legislative Caucus. "From my first hand experience, I know that she's tenacious and tough. I am confident she'll be an outstanding Mayor."

The endorsements come with one month to go in the election. This past weekend, Greuel campaigned with President Bill Clinton, who praised her leadership. She has also recently earned support from Earvin “Magic” Johnson, former Mayor Richard Riordan, and Rep. Maxine Waters.

"Wendy Greuel is the strong, experienced leader Los Angeles needs. Wendy will be a tough advocate for Angelenos and she'll focus on creating jobs and growing the economy, reforming schools so every child can get a great education, and making sure residents have access to affordable housing and health care. I'm proud to endorse her for mayor of Los Angeles,” said Assemblymember Atkins.

“Wendy is a strong leader with public and private sector experience. She'll always put the people of Los Angeles first as she works to create jobs and make LA a great place to do business. And Wendy will crack down on waste at City Hall so government can get back to providing the services people depend on. I'm so pleased to endorse a fellow mom who could make history by becoming LA's first woman mayor,” said Assemblymember Campos.

"Wendy Greuel is the real deal," said Assemblymember Skinner. "She'll bring common sense and a hands-on approach to the Los Angeles Mayor's office. Just like she's done as Controller, she'll roll up her sleeves and get to the root of the City's problems. And once she identifies the problems, she won't just ignore them or kick the can down the road. Instead, she'll be the straight shooting, truth-teller to the City's residents, just as she's done every day as LA's taxpayer watchdog. Wendy Greuel is more than just a talker--she walks the walk, and puts words into action. That's why I'm pleased to give her my strong endorsement."

“In these tough economic times, the candidate who has a proven track record of support for the needs of working families is the one I want for Mayor of Los Angeles. Wendy has demonstrated leadership where it matters most, as in her long term commitment to improving access to quality childcare for our youngest Angelenos,” said Assemblywoman Mitchell. “I’m proud to endorse a fellow mother as experienced in making government work for those who need it as Wendy Greuel and I'm confident that as our first woman mayor, she will be among our best.”

“What an honor to be endorsed by so many strong women who have fought for Californians across the state,” Greuel said. “This is an indication of how important this election is. We have a chance to break the paralysis and change our city. We can create jobs and grow our economy, stop the waste in government, and reform our schools so our kids get a great education. And we can make history by electing the first woman mayor of LA. I’m excited to partner with all of them women to deliver results for Los Angeles.”

Greuel has also earned earned support from Senator Barbara Boxer, EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, Feminist Majority, California List, and National Women’s Political Caucus, Los Angeles.

In Wendy's first campaign for office, she won by just 225 votes -- out of more than 30,000 ballots cast.

Wendy talks about her first election on the campaign trail a lot, and she always stresses how she would have lost that race if it wasn't for the work of grassroots volunteers who called their friends and knocked on their neighbors' doors to get out the vote.

If we're going to move Los Angeles forward with Wendy as our next mayor, it's going to take all of us working together over the next 29 days to make it happen.

Today, the blog is highlighting the grassroots action of one volunteer who has dedicated her time to this campaign. Miriam Rodriguez, a senior at USC studying Communications and a Boyle Heights native, has volunteered in both the Van Nuys and Boyle Heights offices. She has volunteered since January and has helped organize phone banks, canvasses, and rallies -- and she even helped decorate the Boyle Heights field office when it opened.

Early in the week, I had an opportunity to talk to Miriam about what inspired her to get involved in the campaign and to talk about her experience as a volunteer:

Q: When did you start volunteering for the campaign?

Miriam: I started volunteering at the Van Nuys field office in January, but it took me over two hours by bus to travel from school! So when the Boyle Heights office opened, I started volunteering there because I felt I could have an even greater impact for Wendy in my home community, plus it's a short bus ride from USC.

Q: Have you had any prior campaign experience?:

Miriam: I've done internships in the advertisement industry and I also interned for Councilmember Huizar's office, but this is my first campaign.

Q: What is your favorite part about volunteering?

Miriam: Connecting with my community! I've learned a lot so far. Being in contact with local voters has made the community feel more like family. I've enjoyed all parts of volunteering equally, but speaking with kind old ladies in person or over the phone is always a highlight. The main reason I like the campaign is because this experience has been so dynamic.

Q: Why do you support Wendy?

Miriam: I chose to volunteer for Wendy's campaign over others because she has the experience required to be the Mayor we need, she truly cares about the outcome for Los Angeles. She is someone who understands the diversity of our city, we need someone who will hear the different voices within our communities. I saw this firsthand,when I volunteered at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade. Wendy took the time to speak with people lining the parade route individually, she cares about the people of Los Angeles.

Q: What do you plan to do when you graduate from USC, do you want to stay involved with campaigns or politics?

Miriam: I'm not sure what my exact path will be after college, but I know I want to do something that will help my community. I want to have an impact on Boyle Heights, especially helping Latino youth. Local government makes a huge difference on our lives. I'm also thinking about running for elected office one day.

Q: What have you learned from this experience so far?

Miriam: I believe it is worth it to invest time in a campaign. My time spent volunteering has given me skills that are applicable anywhere, for example connecting with people over the phone. This experience has shown me that campaigns are a great learning process. I definitely see myself getting involved with campaigns in the future.

Q: What do you like to do when you aren't volunteering or focusing on your studies at USC?

Miriam: I really like to run and enjoy the wonderful weather and activities Los Angeles has to offer -- there is always so much going on!

Want to be featured on the Wendy Greuel blog? Sign up to volunteer at a local office in your community and you could be the next supporter featured in our volunteer spotlight!