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Mountain View News Saturday, June 28, 2025

NEWS BRIEFS


BARGER ELECTED SECOND VICE CHAIR 
OF METRO BOARD, SET TO LEAD METRO 
AS CHAIR INTO THE 2028 OLYMPIC AND 
PARALYMPIC GAMES

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 
(Metro) Board of Directors yesterday unanimously elected Supervisor 
Kathryn Barger as Second Vice Chair, elevating her to one of the 
top leadership positions on the 13-member governing board. 

Under Metro’s three-year leadership rotation, Supervisor Barger 
is slated to assume the role of Board Chair in the 2027-2028 fiscal 
year—a critical year when Los Angeles County will be finalizing preparations 
to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. “I'm 
joining a strong, experienced, and principled Metro Board leadership 
team and am deeply honored by the confidence my colleagues have 
placed in me,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “From public and employee 
safety to transportation reliability, my focus has always been 
increasing public trust. As Second Vice Chair, I look forward to supporting 
incoming Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra and remain 
committed to collaborating across sectors to ensure Metro meets the 
moment, especially as we gear up for the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 
Games, and beyond.”

Since joining the Metro Board in 2016, Supervisor Barger has been 
a strong advocate for projects that expand regional connectivity and 
improve the rider experience. She has played an integral role in advancing 
critical initiatives, such as the Foothill Gold Line extension, 
Metrolink Antelope Valley Line improvements, and safety enhancements 
on the Metro system.

Her dedication to public service spans decades, beginning as an intern 
in the office of her predecessor, Supervisor Michael Antonovich, 
and rising to serve as chief deputy before her election to the Board of 
Supervisors in 2016. 

As Metro prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 and 2028 mega 
events, Supervisor Barger emphasized that she is committed to putting 
rider and employee safety first, maintaining fiscal responsibility, 
and ensuring that Metro’s strategic investments deliver a reliable, 
world-class transportation network for both residents and international 
visitors.

PUBLIC ASKING FOR ANSWERS AFTER ICE RAID IN PASADENA

 

 A number of local leaders made statements, including 
Pasadena city officials, after a video captured footage of U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arresting six 
people Wednesday morning at the intersection of Los Robles 
and Orange Grove Avenue. Hundreds of protesters took to the 
same intersection later that night opposing the action of ICE.

 “We want to be clear: Neither the City of Pasadena nor the 
Pasadena Police Department is involved in the enforcement of 
federal civil immigration laws,” Pasadena city officials said in 
a statement. “We do not inquire about a person’s immigration 
status when responding to service calls or providing city 
services.”

 Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo along with Congresswoman Judy 
Chu and State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez tried later Wednesday 
to visit the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los 
Angeles, where the people were reportedly being held. Federal 
officials denied their entry according to Chu.

 “These raids aren’t targeting criminals, they’re indiscriminately 
targeting workplaces, community institutions, and family 
homes,” Chu said. “They’re rounding up people who contribute 
to our communities and keep our economy running. I’ve heard 
from countless constituents who are sick with worry. I will not 
stop fighting for our immigrant communities and their right to 
due process.”

 Chu said that she has the legal right, as a Member of Congress, 
to conduct oversight at the Detention Center. 

 Pérez said that the immigrant community deserves due process 
and access to legal counsel.

 “The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions 
this morning in Pasadena paint another troubling picture 
of unidentifiable federal agents terrorizing and snatching 
vulnerable people off the street,” Pérez said. “All indications 
show these raids targeted decent, hard-working community 
members at a bus stop who are simply trying to make a living 
and support their families... “I have reached out to federal 
agencies to get answers. I want to know the status of the people 
detained this morning.”

 According to news reports, Gordo said he saw “a stark and 
deeply troubling contrast” between the armored National Guard 
response in January and now. Gordo said that they were first 
in Pasadena and Altadena to help mobilize a rapid response 
to the Eton Fire, working alongside firefighters, police officers 
community leaders and day laborers. He said that today, while 
the region is still healing from the fire, “President Donald Trump 
decided to turn the National Guard and other federal officers 
against the people.” 

 In related news a federal law enforcement officer jumped out of 
his unmarked vehicle with his gun drawn Wednesday morning 
on Orange Grove Avenue after a man ducked behind his car to 
take a photo of his license plate. 

 In a video, from inside a vehicle, the driver follows the 
unmarked vehicle until it stops at a red light and then the man 
runs over behind the unmarked car. The officer uses his gun to 
chase the person away. 

 “We are actively investigating social media posts, photos, and 
videos to gain a better understanding of the situation,” Pasadena 
city officials said. 

ASSEMBLYMEMBER HARABEDIAN DELIVERS 
PEOPLE-FIRST WINS DESPITE BUDGET 
SHORTFALL

This week, Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) voted 
to pass the 2025-26 state budget agreement, which reflects months of 
negotiations and input from legislators and stakeholders across California. 
Assemblymember Harabedian’s advocacy helped promote the 
mental and infrastructure recovery from the Los Angeles wildfires.

“Our communities are hurting, and in one of the toughest budget 
years we’ve faced I’m proud to see the state support those most in 
need. We fought to make sure wildfire survivors—especially families 
still recovering from the devastating Los Angeles fires—weren’t 
left behind. And we’ve helped protect fundamental human services 
that will keep food on the table, expand housing development, and 
ensure access to mental healthcare for those who need it most,” said 
Assemblymember Harabedian.

The final budget agreement includes key provisions Assemblymember 
Harabedian advocated for, including:

Excluding taxpayers’ wildfire settlement amounts from gross income 
if received between January 1, 2021 and January 1, 2030.

$3.6M for the Altadena Library District to backfill lost property tax 
revenue

$4M to the Foothill Municipal Water District for impacts of the 
Eaton Fire on local water systems

$500K for mosquito abatement in the areas impacted by the Eaton 
Fire.

$4M to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for local agencies 
to advocate for the rights and well-being of residents in long-
term care facilities.

$5M to the California Workforce Development Board to support 
workforce development in areas of Los Angeles County impacted by 
wildfires.

$20 million ongoing from the Behavioral Health Services Fund to 
support Foothill Family Services and other community-based behavioral 
health services. 

Rejecting the proposed 3 percent ongoing cut to University of California 
and California State University systems

$1.12B in funding for Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention, 
Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and Multi-Family Housing 
programs

Rejects $11.5M in proposed cuts for the Performing Arts Equitable 
Payroll Fund

The budget agreement now heads to the Governor for final approval.

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