Council wants details on budget

A skeptical Los Angeles City Council panel began its review Monday of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's proposed $7.01 billion budget, even as a coalition of city worker unions vowed to fight plans for layoffs and mandatory furloughs. Daily News.

Led by Councilman Bernard Parks, the council's budget and finance committee questioned exactly how the mayor is closing a $406 million shortfall and whether city revenues will achieve expectations amid what some say is a three-year economic downturn.

Parks and panel colleagues said they are concerned the mayor has proposed balancing the budget with about $200 million in one-time revenues - rather than confronting the fact that L.A. spends more money than it brings in.