Weekly News Roundup – May 5, 2014

Hahn Walks out of National Day of Prayer Gathering

Congresswoman Janice Hahn stormed out of a National Day of Prayer gathering in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, after a speaker called President Barack Obama the “abortion president.” Hahn later told reporters that she stood up during evangelical Christian radio host James Dobson’s speech criticizing the Obama administration and shouted, “This is completely inappropriate for the National Day of Prayer!” before storming out. Hahn, who co-chairs the National Prayer Breakfast, said that congressional prayer gatherings are meant to be bipartisan.

Buscaino Asks MTA to Look into Creating Light Rail ‘Harbor Line’

Last week, Los Angeles City Councilmen Joe Buscaino and Tom LaBonge presented a motion to ask the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority to look into the feasibility of adding a Harbor area connection to the light rail Metro Blue Line. The Harbor Line would offer residents of Wilmington and San Pedro a connection to Long Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, and the greater Metro Rail System.

Elise Swanson Named S.P. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO

Elise Swanson, district director for Congresswoman Janice Hahn, was named the new president and chief executive officer of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce last week. Swanson, who starts the job on May 12, has twice served as vice-chair of the board and sat on multiple committees. She also worked for the proposed Ponte Vista housing development.

Port Truck Drivers Hold Strike

Truck drivers who transport cargo in and out of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach held a two-day strike last week in protest of trucking companies they allege deny them fair pay and worker protections by classifying them as independent contractors. The strike comes weeks after a National Labor Relations Board settlement ruled in favor of truckers working for a Carson-based company who wanted to unionize.

Garcetti Speaks at Trade Luncheon in San Pedro

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Gacrcetti was the keynote speaker at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s annual luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel in San Pedro on Tuesday. Garcetti told a full house that he was willing to work with the Port of Long Beach and hear labor issues.