LOS ANGELES : Berman Spearheads Bid for Aid Funds

Reps. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) and Julian C. Dixon (D-Los Angeles) are spearheading an effort to ask President Bush to declare an emergency immediately so that federal funds can be appropriated to help rebuild riot-torn Los Angeles.

The lawmakers wrote a letter that was signed by 23 other California Democrats and sent to Bush on Monday.

Berman aides said such an action is required under the 1990 budget agreement between Bush and Congress because such federal relief would require exceeding the domestic spending caps adopted in the 1992 fiscal budget.

Bush has indicated that he would consider directing $300 million in Small Business Administration loans and another $300 million in grants to the city. The California lawmakers’ letter said the SBA “is already short of funds and will clearly require additional funding to provide the assistance necessary to rebuild communities affected.”

“We must rebuild our businesses so that residents may return to work and reduce the hardships sustained in the riots,” the letter said. “The terrible and widespread destruction of property in this civil unrest has placed the livelihood of thousands of residents in jeopardy.”

The Federal Emergency Management Administration is also expected to be a major source of funds.

Before a budgetary emergency can be declared, Congress as well as the President must agree to do so. Late Wednesday, Rep. Jamie L. Whitten (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced a measure to take such action.