A just and fair government

My first 3 days at the Harvard Kennedy School have proven to be challenging and full of work!

The program includes participants from all over the country including a few from outside. Students from Australia, The Hague in the Netherlands, and Denmark add a great worldly perspective to the discussions around economics, governance and leadership. My roommate is from Michigan and we are both struggling with the over 100 -150 pages we have to read every night after going to class all day. Oh, to be young again! The brain is willing but time is taking its toll on my eyesight.

The days and nights have been cool and rainy, but I am keeping in touch with my council duties by going online after class to catch up on the local activities back home. On Tuesday I was able to follow the budget hearing and the council meeting via the city's webcast. As the City Council and Mayor are scrutinizing over the budget decisions we have to make, I concern myself with us being deliberate and conscientious about our budget considerations .

Yesterday's class discussion surrounded the concept of justice and as I pondered last night's council meeting and budget hearing, I tried to relate my council job with my class discourse. A good balanced budget is our goal, but a just budget is also needed. As all council districts and all departments are struggling with cuts, we need to ensure that the cuts are compassionate and just.

However, justice and fairness means many things to many people. Justice for Long Beach taxpayers means they need to get what they pay for. Justice for City Council Members may mean that every district gets treated the same.

I believe that Justice in these budget negotiations require that the community gets what it needs. I look to you to make sure I define your needs in a clear and articulate way. I want to hear from you during these budget deliberations.

I hope to continue my blog entries until my return on June 26 and until then you can reach me at my email district7@longbeach.gov.

Go Lakers! (and Boston Red Sox)

Tonia Reyes Uranga