Thousands of wireless transmitters could pop up across unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County in the next few years if the Board of Supervisors approves an ordinance at its meeting tomorrow.

The ordinance sets height standards and requires camouflage but also makes it possible to approve them without a public hearing.

Brenda Martinez, a volunteer with FiberFirstLA and a Los Angeles resident, said community members should have a say in where small-cell wireless boxes are placed.

"If you have a light post right in front of your house, they might place it there; you will have no say," Martinez noted. "The way they usually do it now is that you will be notified, they have to have a hearing, they have to give you a chance to appeal. None of that will happen. "

The county has not updated its rules for wireless in decades, so officials say the change is badly needed and is intended to help close the digital divide by ramping up faster internet to underserved communities. The Supervisors gave preliminary approval three weeks ago, so if it passes again, it would take effect next month.

Currently, the county requires a conditional-use permit with public input on each wireless transmitter.

Bruce Durbin, supervising regional planner in the county's Department of Regional Planning, said it has become problematic because the Federal Communications Commission requires government agencies to approve or deny them within two months.

"A conditional-use permit in California requires 30-days public notice, a public hearing in front of the commission," Durbin explained. "And to be able to approve that all within 60 days, it's impossible."

Martinez emphasized she worries about possible fire hazards from the wiring in the boxes, and about the health effects of radiofrequency radiation coming from the boxes. Durbin pointed out the county is not allowed to weigh in on the safety of the equipment.

"I'm respectful of those concerns about the RF output," Durbin acknowledged. "But the fact is, the FCC forbids local agencies from considering those impacts. The thinking is that FCC has tested this equipment, and it complies with federal standards, and it has no place in the land-use regulation."

The wireless industry's trade association, the CTIA, did not respond by deadline but has argued for years that inconsistent, time-consuming rules for siting small-cell boxes is slowing the spread of high-speed internet.

W. Scott McCollough, an attorney who consults on telecom issues and works with FiberFirstLA, noted the wireless industry has supported similar fast-track ordinances all across the country.

"They find public involvement in their facility placement decision to be bothersome, and they want to get rid of it," McCollough asserted. "The main point is to dispense with notice and hearing and any environmental review. That's what it's all about."

McCollough added fiber-optic cable is much more secure and reliable compared to wireless and already has been laid in wealthier areas. He stressed companies are balking at extending fiber to homes in underserved communities because it's less profitable.

April is Financial Literary Awareness Month and Hoosiers who are worried about inflation or watching their retirement account on the stock-market roller coaster may be wondering what they should do.

Many households are still recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic, according to the Indiana United Way.

Todd Christensen, education manager for the nonprofit Money Fit Financial, advised creating a spending plan and identifying priorities are good first steps. If you are considering buying a car or house, or taking a vacation, he noted a budget is about more than dollars and cents.

"Whatever it is that motivates you, set a purpose, is number one," Christensen recommended. "Number two is not to start adding income. That's usually where people start, but you've got to prioritize expenses. If you don't prioritize them, you will inevitably have to start eliminating expenses anyway. And you'll go with your emotions rather than with the rational part of your brain."

Christensen sees cash, credit cards and the popular "buy now, pay later" apps as convenient tools consumers often misuse. Convenience prompts human nature to kick in and encourage overspending. He suggested having two checking accounts, one for automatic bill payment and another for fun purchases, and a savings account for long and short-term goals.

Christensen supports teaching kids good money management habits before they earn spending cash as teens by mowing lawns, babysitting or doing chores. If they are not taught how to take care of small amounts of money as early as possible, he cautioned, they will be "terrible" with larger amounts as adults.

"By age two, children have been in their parents' arms going through a checkout stand enough times that they know that there's an exchange going on," Christensen observed. "They're learning that there's something magical about that plastic card or about the phone that they tap."

The Indiana Department of Education mandates all students in grades eight through 12 must have one semester of personal financial responsibility instruction, including lessons on debt management, savings, retirement and investment accounts.


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Washington is one of 25 states where people can use the online "IRS Direct File" system, to file their income-tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. But the future of the program is at risk.

For years, taxpayers' advocates had pushed for a free, simple tax-filing option for people who don't need a third-party tax preparer. But the Trump administration has said Direct File may be a waste of IRS resources.

Casey Lantz, free tax preparation campaign coordinator with the United Way of King County, said it is time for people to voice their support for the program. She's used Direct File and says, since the program auto-fills tax information from forms like W-2s, filing her income taxes this year was the easiest it has ever been.

"I think it's exactly what people wish tax filing was like. And I think the only chance we have of stopping them from cutting it is if enough people say something," she explained.

Direct File guides users through simple questions in English or Spanish, and offers live chat support in both languages. People can check their eligibility and get more information online at 'DirectFile.IRS.gov.'

Adam Ruben, vice president of campaigns and political strategy with the Economic Security Project, said the process removes intermediary tax preparers and uses information the government already has to make it easier to file federal and state tax returns. Ruben explained Direct File is for people with straightforward tax situations, such as employees who get a W-2 from their employer.

"Direct File is not yet available for freelancers or gig workers, or people with complicated investments or who work across multiple states," he continued.

Lantz said even if you are not eligible for Direct File, you can still use it to file an income-tax extension by April 15.


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Pennsylvania is among a growing number of states offering residents access to the Internal Revenue Service's free tax filing system, Direct File.

The online tool was created to save people both time and money by allowing them to file directly with the IRS while removing the need for costly tax-preparation services.

Lucas DeBartolo of East Stroudsburg said using Direct File was easy and recommended it for people looking to take advantage of available tax credits.

"And it could be hundreds to thousands of dollars back in their pockets," he said, "and this software is really good at seeing what tax credits people qualify for."

It's estimated about 20% of eligible taxpayers don't claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. DeBartolo said using Direct File was quicker than other online tools he's used and appreciated his quick refund.

Americans on average spend at least 13 hours filing their taxes each year. Direct File cuts down on that time by autofilling information the government already has, allowing users to simply verify its accuracy.

Adam Ruben, vice president for campaigns and political strategy at the Economic Security Project, said the program is user-friendly with no hidden fees and is available in English or Spanish.

"If you get stuck, there's free live chat support in both languages," he said, "and importantly, unlike most other tax software, it will also help you file your state tax return for free."

Ruben said Direct File is not yet available for freelancers, gig workers, people with complicated investments or those who work across multiple states. He said people can check their eligibility and get more information at the IRS website.


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