Santa Monica : New Lobbyist for Homeless

Santa Monica will hire a lobbyist to help its fight against homelessness, arguing that the worsening problem is too big for local communities to solve alone.

Mayor Dennis Zane recommended the move, which was approved by a 5-0 vote Tuesday. The lobbyist will work with local representatives in Sacramento and Washington and as a liaison to other Los Angeles County municipalities. The post will cost the city about $30,000 for the rest of the fiscal 1989-90, said City Manager John Jalili.

“So long as activity (to end homelessness) is confined to a local level, it will be impossible to make progress,” Zane said. He said he hopes that, with other local governments directing efforts at the governor’s office and state representatives, a “community of opinion” will end the problem.