LOS ANGELES COUNTY II: Home Care Workers’ Raises, Benefits Held Up in Funding Dispute

      Nearly 72,000 Los Angeles County home care workers are waiting for a promised pay raise and health benefits, while county and state officials argue over "just how much each side should contribute" to the pay hike, the Los Angeles Times reports. Earning $6.25 per hour without receiving health benefits, Los Angeles home care workers joined the Service Employees International Union last year and successfully lobbied Gov. Gray Davis (D) to raise wages by $1.25-an-hour and provide health insurance. However, Davis' offer is contingent upon the county shouldering 35% -- $18 million -- of the cost. Arguing that it does not have the cash, the county instead has offered to pay 20%, pointing out that the state paid 80% of home care workers' incomes last year. The dispute could end today, when the county Board of Supervisors makes final budget changes (Riccardi/Piccalo, 9/11).