Where's the Money

We open with another Media Roundup, because the headlines keep coming! • La Movida del Agua! Altadena Water Wars is back and talking consolidation • Mayoral race: Raman making moves, Pratt surging?, and what the latest dynamics may mean • Governor’s race: Swalwell’s campaign ending stumble, Mahan blowing his moment, Trump endorsing Hilton, and a rapidly shifting field; Antonio and Katie making labor moves, and with Swalwell out, signs that Democrats are consolidating around Becerra but can he win? • Politico’s takedown of the Altadena recovery efforts and broader questions about leadership • Politico and the Los Angeles Times both acknowledging progress is slow, while Barger continues pointing to a lack of money • The New York Post claiming “Thousands of Permits Approved After Trump EO” and our reaction: say what now? Where’s the Money? We spend time breaking down the alphabet soup of recovery funding and what these tools actually mean. CDBG, TIF, DRF, CRA. What money exists, what money is being pursued, what money is being left on the table, and why so many leaders still seem committed to playing small ball. We also look at the increasingly strange political reality of Barger, Bass, and… Trump? as banks begin circling the rebuild conversation in a much bigger way. What’s Happening on the West Side Steve walks us through developments in the Palisades and beyond, including Lindsey Horvath’s Rebuild Authority push; the latest on CRD (our take: not happening); Jeremy Padawer’s Palisades crusade; and the billions in sales tax revenue the state stands to make from the rebuild Small Biz Shout-Outs This week’s shout-out goes to Bar Betsy, which just opened last week two doors down from Betsy on Mariposa. An all-day concept with great pastries, brunch, lunch, girl dinner, amazing coffee, and the natural wine program you already know and love from Betsy. We’re also shouting out June Bug Tattoo, a displaced Altadena business now located at 4315 Eagle Rock Blvd — a women-owned collective worth supporting. And a reminder: Beautiful Altadena Office Hours continue weekly on Wednesdays from 11am to 1pm. Check our @BeautifulAltadena Instagram or Facebook group for the latest schedule and locations. This episode was recorded on April 23, 2026.