The cost of local government
L.A. City
Facing the largest deficit in Los Angeles history, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proposed a $7 billion budget Monday that seeks to add more police and firefighters, but cuts deep into city spending and raises dozens of fees on everything from parking to golf. Kerry Cavanaugh in the Daily News.
In an economic downturn with the city losing sales and real estate taxes that have long funded essential services, Villaraigosa said he chose to make the significant cuts and fee hikes in order to continue boosting spending on key city services, including public safety, street maintenance and gang prevention.
"In challenging budget times, we need to concentrate on our core mission as a city. This budget focuses on our basic mission of fighting traffic, gang membership and violent crime," Villaraigosa said Monday morning in a news conference
L.A. County
After years of being flush with cash, Los Angeles County officials on Monday unveiled a tightened $21.9 billion budget for next year that lops $588 million off spending but stops short of seeking major cuts in services and staffing. Troy Anderson in the Daily News.
While struggling with slowing revenue from property and sales taxes, the budget still boosts funding for public safety and social services and includes $1.5 billion for new jails, fire stations, health facilities, animal shelters, libraries and infrastructure improvements.