L.A. officials urge action on budget

The two Republican members of the Los Angeles City Council called on their party membrers to end the deadlock in Sacramento and vote to approve the state Budget.

Councilmen Greig Smith and Dennis Zine issued a joint statement urging Republican Senators to end their dispute and rely on the promises of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to cut excess sepending.

"Senators, do what you were elected to do," Smith and Zine said. "End this partisan gridlock and pass the budget so that we can continue to provide critical services to the community of Los Angeles and all of California."

Forty-five days into the fiscal year, the California Senate has failed to pass its annual spending plan, raising the possibility that government services will be shut down.

The two said millions of Los Angeles residents rely on State funds for such critical needs as hospitals and health clinics, colleges and physical rehabilitation programs, all of which will be impacted in their ability to serve the public if a budget is not passed.