Convincing business to sell Los Angeles

The new effort to sell Los Angeles began Tuesday, with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and jobs czar Austin Beutner reassuring business leaders they are prepared to listen and revamp the City Hall culture.Daily News.

Beutner, who turned down a job in the U.S. Treasury Department to become Villaraigosa's top deputy mayor, said he wants to make the city more appealing to consumers, as well as to business.

While his main charge is to leverage the city's assets within the Water and Power, Airports and Harbor departments, he also will be working with other agencies - Building and Safety, Planning, Community Redevelopment and General Services - on issues ranging from permitting to purchasing.