Raising trash fees -- again

Despite already raising Los Angeles residents' trash fees, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to propose hiking the monthly refuse-collection bills even higher next week, to $36 - triple the cost of just two years ago. Daily News.

The increase would hit as Angelenos have begun feeling the pinch of an economic downturn and seeing their household expenses rise, with higher prices for everything from gasoline and food to water and power.

But Villaraigosa said L.A. must try to raise a variety of fees - including those for trash collection - to close a $406 million budget shortfall and meet his promise to expand the police force by 1,000 officers.