March 2010 Archives

Los Angeles County leads most of the nation in death row justice, trumping even Texas in the number of inmates sentenced to capital punishment last year, according to an ACLU report released Tuesday. Dana Bartholomew in the Daily News.

With 13 death sentences, Los Angeles County sent two more criminals to death row than Texas, which leads the nation in the number of executions since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

Only Florida, with 14 capital sentences, and California itself, which led the country with 29, had more.

Out of work for more than a year, Dale Ottley was relieved when she was able to sell her Woodland Hills condominium for $230,000 - even though it was a "short sale" on which she lost $200,000. Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

Now she faces the possibility of having to pay state income tax on the $200,000 debt that her mortgage holder erased when she sold her condo for less than she'd paid for it.

"That would be monumentally unfair," said Ottley, who is still looking for an accounting job. "It wasn't income to me. It just stopped the (financial) hemorrhaging for me."

County officials plan to examine how many people have qualified to become foster parents in Los Angeles despite criminal backgrounds, after the head of a troubled nonprofit agency claimed Tuesday the figure could be up to half.Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

Members of the Board of Supervisors remained skeptical but asked county officials to look into the issue.

The statements came during a hearing in which the supervisors voted to terminate a contract with United Care, Inc. following the death of a 2-year-old girl in a South Los Angeles foster home under the nonprofit's oversight.

Angelenos would pay 4 percent more for electricity under a plan approved Tuesday by a divided City Council, which angrily rejected a higher increase proposed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the DWP. Daily News.

If approved today by the Department of Water and Power commission, the increase of .6-cent per kilowatt-hour would take effect Thursday, adding about $2 to the average bimonthly residential bill.

That's far less than the 6percent hike proposed by the DWP - the first in a series of quarterly increases that would have driven up some customers' bills by 28 percent.

Earlier this month, would be-lieutenant governor Janice Hahn filed a complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) alleging that Democratic opponent Gavin Newsom was violating campaign finance guidelines by having the option to go back to those who already donated to his gubernatorial campaign and asking them to write him new checks for his bid to be lieutenant governor. SF Weekly.

Scrambling to save a portion of his proposed Department of Water and Power rate hike, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday embraced a compromise plan that would allow an immediate increase, but postpone additional ones. Daily News.

The proposal from Councilman Richard Alarcon to allow DWP to boost rates by 6 percent starting in April has yet to win the support of the full council.

It was a reaction to outcry from the public and council members over the mayor's plan for a series of quarterly rate hikes that could increase some customers' bills by up to 28 percent over the next year. The council vetoed that plan last wee

Trinidad Hernandez, who teaches fifth grade at Sunnybrae Elementary in Woodland Hills, was crushed earlier this month when she received a pink slip notifying her that her services would no longer be needed by Los Angeles Unified next year. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

But an announcement this weekend of a tentative furlough deal between the teachers union and the school district - shortening the academic year by one week and saving 2,000 jobs - left her teary-eyed with relief.

"This could mean I get the chance to still do what I love to do for another year," said Hernandez, who has taught for six years and believes her job would be among those spared under the deal.

Two years after settling a lawsuit was supposed to give them access to Los Angeles Unified campuses, local charter schools are bracing for another legal battle that would force the district to turn over the facilities. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

In a 21-page letter sent this month to LAUSD lawyers, the California Charter School Association demanded that the district offer more space to local charters by Thursday's state-mandated deadline or face legal challenges.

"It is our sincere hope that these matters will have swift and significant resolution," the letter said. "Otherwise, (we) will have no choice but to seek judicial intervention."

Despondent airline passengers sit on the floor of a dark terminal, waiting for a flight that's staffed by a rude crew. Art Marroquin in the Daily News.

Unappetizing selections fill a vending machine simply labeled as "food court."

Ripped suitcases come flying out of an angry baggage carousel, while signs warn passengers about a string of tripping hazards.

After months of negotiations, leaders of the Los Angeles Unified School District teachers union announced Saturday they had agreed to a tentative furlough deal that would shorten the school year by one week this year and next, while saving more than 2,000 school employee jobs. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

The deal calls for members of United Teachers Los Angeles to take 12 furlough days over the next year and a half. That includes 10 school days and two staff planning days when students were already not scheduled for class.

The plan must be approved by UTLA members, who will vote April 7-9.

Finally, an economic index we can actually see.Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

Trucks.

The number of diesel-powered big rigs hauling goods to market is a good indicator of which direction the economy is heading based on how much fuel they use. The more diesel purchased, the better the economy is doing. And when diesel sales fall off, well, so does the economy.

Even with billions of dollars at stake and city leaders pleading for support, Los Angeles' initial response to the U.S. Census has been off to a slow start.Daily News.

Two weeks after the forms were sent out, about 11 percent of city residents have turned them in - compared with 16 percent statewide, according to federal officials.

That is also below the national participation rate of 20 percent and the rate of other big cities including New York (12 percent), Chicago (16 percent), San Diego (18 percent) and San Francisco (18 percent

Outraged by L.A. Unified's decision to deny nearly 10,000 students the chance to enroll in schools in neighboring districts, hundreds of parents have organized an online networking campaign to pressure the school board to reverse the move.Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

The school board quietly approved the new policy in early Februarycted to reduce the number of transfer permits - now at - by 80 percent.

Bringing the students back to district schools will return $51 million in average daily attendance funding from the state to LAUSD - money the district desperately needs as it faces a $640 million budget shortfall in the 2010-2011 school year.

A skeptical Los Angeles City Council committee grilled DWP officials Thursday over plans for a series of rate hikes over the next year, even as the utility acknowledged it would seek more rate increases annually through at least 2013. Daily News.

The Department of Water and Power is currently pushing an increase of 6 percent immediately and up to 21 percent over the next year to help increase the city's use of solar energy and to help the utility's financial outlook in general.

But Chief Financial Officer Jeff Peltola said the agency will also seek additional increases of 2.9 percent a year for three years beginning in 2011 to help pay off the utility's ambitious $3 billion construction program.

Even with massive cutbacks in staffing and budgets, the city will not reduce hours at parks and recreation centers this summer, although the rates for golf may increase, officials said Thursday.Daily News.

Jon Mukri, general manager of the city Recreation and Parks Department, said, however, that some park hours may need to be reduced after summer when students return to school and usage is lower. Some centers may also need to be closed on weekdays.

"We are committed to remaining open when we are the busiest," Mukri told the City Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee. "But, with all the reductions we are facing, it will be hard to continue some programs."

The California Supreme Court on Thursday upheld an ordinance that bans Hare Krishna representatives and other solicitors from seeking donations at Los Angeles International Airport. Denise Nix and Art Marroquin in the Daily News.

The high court ruled that the Hare Krishnas' free-speech rights are not trampled by current city regulations, as the group has "ample alternative means of conveying its message."

"It can distribute literature and speak to willing travelers," Justice Carlos Moreno wrote in the opinion. "It can even seek financial support, as long as it does not request the immediate exchange of funds."

Word that a California voter initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use has qualified for the November ballot had people taking a deep breath Wednesday, even people who had never inhaled before. AP in the Daily News.

"Terrible!" Bill Spiegel, a 77-year-old grandfather who lives in Woodland Hills, said after hearing the news at a local shopping center.

"I think it's foolish," Spiegel said. "I think it's sickening. We have too many problems ... as it is."

The former Hughes Aircraft facility in Canoga Park once gobbled power like a desert casino. Daily News.

But then the owners of the renamed Corporate Pointe at West Hills renovated the sprawling office complex with super-efficient energy systems, earning a federal environmental Energy Star rating.

"The upgraded system and lighting have resulted in improved performance, reducing costs for the landlord and the tenants," said Christian Gunter of Kennedy Associates, which manages the West Hills complex.

In one of the most visible signs of the city's financial problems, all Los Angeles municipal libraries will soon be forced to stay closed on Sundays, officials said Wednesday. Daily News.

City Librarian Martin Gomez said he sees no other options after making budget cuts that include the loss of 200 workers. Next year, he warned, if the budget doesn't improve he could have to further reduce operations to five days a week.

"None of us want to do this," Councilman Tom LaBonge said. "I would like to see a way to at least keep the Central Library open (Sundays), but this seems to be the most creative way to remain open during critical hours during the week."

About three months ago, Georgio Dimitri placed a bet on his financial future, buying Georgio's Pizza and Sports Bar in Sun Valley.Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

With the economy pulling out of recession, the bar seemed like a good addition to his business enterprises, which already include a film and television production company.

"I was looking for an investment," Dimitri said. "A business that can produce a little bit of income is better than a mortgage."

After being a target of jokes all winter, Frank McCourt is taking his turn at telling them. Kevin Modesti in the Daily News.

The Dodgers owner, back in public after lying low in the early days of the Frank vs. Jamie McCourt divorce battle, opened and closed with wisecracks in a speech and Q&A session Tuesday in front of San Fernando Valley business leaders in North Hollywood.

"(Planning the speech), I couldn't think of much going on in my life this offseason, so I didn't know where to begin," McCourt said to laughter from about 50 members of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association.

McCourt quickly addressed what he called "the elephant in the room," trying to reassure Dodgers fans the

Saying they felt strong-armed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's threat of imminent bankruptcy, angry City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to seize jurisdiction over proposed DWP rate hikes set to take effect next week.

The proposed hikes -- which could ultimately increase power bills by between 6 percent and 28 percent, depending on consumption - were approved last week by the DWP Commission, sparking outrage from customers, consumer groups and neighborhood associations. Villaraigosa had hoped to receive the same easy acceptance from the council but instead was met with ire.

"Don't put a gun to our heads and don't tell us that the quickest way to bankruptcy is to approve this," said council President Eric Garcetti, adding the council needed to take some time to review the proposal.

Moving to finalize regulations governing medical marijuana clinics, two city panels recommended Tuesday that applicants be charged fees totaling nearly $1,600.

The proposals adopted by the City Council's Planning and Land Use Management and Budget and Finance committees require applicants to secure LAPD clearance and approvals from several city agencies.

Eight more Los Angeles Unified schools, including three in the San Fernando Valley, have been added to a list of California's lowest-performing campuses, making a total of 31 local schools eligible for federal improvement grants, state officials said Monday.Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

San Fernando High, Sylmar High and Sun Valley Middle schools were among the campuses added to the list after concerns were raised that some chronically poor performers had been overlooked. Each school on the list can apply for up to $6 million in federal grants earmarked for making drastic reforms by this fall, such as replacing the entire staff or converting to an independently run charter school.

"I welcome change and the opportunity for reform ... but this is being thrown at us so close to the end of the year," said Mauricio Regalado, a Sylmar High School teacher. "How much change do they expect us to come up with in three months?"

Green Dot Public Schools, one of California's largest and most respected charter management organizations, plans to close one of its 16 Los Angeles campuses, officials announced Monday. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

The 500-student Animo Justice Charter High School in South Los Angeles will close in June because of state budget cuts and low enrollment, Green Dot Chief Executive Marco Petruzzi said.

"Budget cuts have been brutal, and we just cannot afford to have an underenrolled campus open," he said, adding that students at Animo Justice will be able to attend any of Green Dot's four other high schools in South Los Angeles.

Despite continuing concerns over its performance, the company that operates Los Angeles' red-light camera program won preliminary approval Monday for a three-month contract extension.Daily News.

The City Council Public Safety Committee reluctantly recommended extending the $3.1 million-a-year contract through June 30 after American Traffic Solutions Inc. agreed to forego a disputed $736,000 payment.

Councilmen Dennis Zine and Greig Smith voiced concerns about the cost of the program. They noted it was originally designed to be revenue neutral, but actually costs the city upwards of $100,000 a month.

The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats on Monday announced they are endorsing Councilwoman Janice Hahn in the race for lieutenant governor.

The endorsement comes after the California Young Democrats announced their support for her.

"It wasn't even close," said Greg Girvan President, SFVYD. "Janice has done more for young people in her 9 years as a councilwoman than anyone else in the state, it's a testament to her belief in young people that both her chief of staff and campaign manager are both members of young democrats themselves, her vision for including young people in the process is second to no one."

Hahn said she was grateful for the endorsement.

"Young democrats are the margin of victory," Hahn said. "We will fight these tuition fee increase and education cuts hand in hand with young democrats across the state."

One of the Republicans seeking to become California's next governor is promising to end taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants in a TV commercial that blames liberals for "doing too much for too many." AP in the Daily News.

The 30-second ad by Steve Poizner appears tailored to appeal to conservatives who will dominate at the ballot box in the state Republican primary in June. But Poizner, the state insurance commissioner, risks turning off Hispanics who make up about a third of the state's population and are a growing force in California politics.

The ad, which begins airing statewide Tuesday, is Poizner's latest bid to gain notice in a race in which he trails GOP rival Meg Whitman by a wide margin in polls.

Even as city leaders call on employees to take pay cuts or face layoffs, seven City Council members and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich have declined to lower their own salaries.Daily News.

Some of those who have not taken the cuts defended the decisions by saying they have reduced their office spending or their staff's salaries or are waiting until the city's unions agree to their own pay cut.

Trutanich, for example, has not taken a cut in his $213,724 a year pay. Spokesman John Franklin noted the amount is far below what he was making in private practice.

Tipoffs: First dirty trick of campaign

A year ago, the Obama administration set out to help 3 million to 4 million homeowners saddled with toxic mortgages. Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

But numbers from the Home Affordable Modification Program suggest that achieving the goal was more difficult than many people thought it would be. February's summary from the departments of Housing and Urban Development and Treasury show:

The government has offered trial modifications to 1.3 million homeowners.

About 1.1 million accepted them.

From the outside, the local courthouse may bring to mind images of "Law and Order" and "Perry Mason" - television dramas in which the participants generally behave with at least a modicum of decorum. Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

But in real life, all hell is breaking loose in Los Angeles County's courtrooms.

Amid the flagging economy, judges have noticed a rise in shouting, brawls and other courtroom disturbances, according to the Superior Court's 2010 annual report.

Don Webb stood on the roof of the Natural History Museum, poised to bore a 6-inch hole down through one of Los Angeles' grandest architectural landmarks.Dana Barthlomew in the Daily News.'

What the restoration engineer didn't know was whether the shaft drilled 35 feet through century-old brick would eventually help stabilize the historic north wing -- or shatter it into a million pieces.

"It could have broken. It could have blown out the wall," Webb said of that plumb test core of 2006. "It did not."

Los Angeles-area clerics and immigration rights advocates will join an expected tens of thousands of demonstrators at a weekend rally in the nation's capital to demand a legal path to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers. Immigration activists maintain that the moment for reform legislation is now and say they're hoping to pressure the White House to act quickly.Tony Castro in the Daily News.

"As community members, we will continue to ... keep building our political power to press Congress and the president to transfer words into law," said Angelica Salas, head of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), a human and civil rights group that is helping spearhead Sunday's march. Organizers hope the turnout for the immigration reform rally Sunday will exceed 100,000, with unions, churches and community-based groups leading the way.

"Any longer delay in immigration reform is so unacceptable for so many reasons," said businessman Robert Gittelson, a leader of the San Fernando Valley contingent traveling to Washington. "Democrats have a majority in both houses of Congress, and a president who said he wants to make this happen.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa launched an intense lobbying effort Friday to win support for a proposed Department of Water and Power rate increase as the City Council began reviewing the plan. "I welcome a vigorous debate," Villaraigosa said during an impromptu news conference in City Hall.Daily News.

"A year ago when the council said they wanted an independent study of the rate hike that was proposed then, I agreed. Well, now we have that study and it's time to act."

The board of Water and Power Commissioners on Thursday approved the first of what would be four increases in the Energy Cost Adjustment Factor. Bills will go up by 6 percent initially, and could increase by as much as 28 percent for some users if additional planned increases are approved.

"I say, just say no," Councilman Dennis Zine said. "This is absolutely the wrong time to be raising any fees on residents."

Striving to combat the continuing threat of runaway film production, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday authorized a number of programs to make the city more industry-friendly and to "keep Hollywood home." Daily News.

The council approved steps to continue allowing companies to film in municipal buildings at no cost, open city parking lots to productions, create a film coordinator post in the Recreation and Parks Department and have the Department of Water and Power install energy nodes around the city to accommodate filming equipment.

"We want to show how strongly we feel about keeping Hollywood here," said Councilman Richard Alarc n, who has been working to ease restrictions on filming.

Two San Fernando Valley assemblymen have been named to key posts by new Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, the Capitol Weekly reports.
Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes, D-Sylmar, was named as chair of the Appropriations Committee while Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-Van Nuys, will chair the Assembly Budget Committee.
Fuentes had been one of those seeking to be speaker, but dropped out of that contest to back Perez.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who is running for lieutenant governor, appears in a video boosting his home town airport.
It is one of those things mayors do for otheir cities in boosting business, but with pictures of other airports with not so mild digs, one woners how it will play in other major markets looking to boost their own air traffic.
LAX, in particular, is feeling the pinch these days with the modernization project seemingly taking forever as it has seen a drop in its standings and is now the seventh busiest airport in the nation.

California's worker safety board voted Thursday to further study a proposal that would require porn actors to wear condoms during sex scenes.AP in the Daily News.

The six-member California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted unanimously to assign an advisory committee to study the proposal from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The advocacy group filed a petition in December seeking to require the use of condoms in the porn industry.

"We feel like this is the game-changer. The sentiment expressed by the board members indicates that the majority if not all of them are willing to vote for regulations," said Michael Weinstein, president of the Los Angeles-based advocacy group.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other officials filled out their U.S. Census forms Thursday at City Hall and encouraged other Angelenos to complete their documents so the city can win adequate federal funding and representation.Daily News.

Villaraigosa was joined by City Controller Wendy Greuel and City Council members Jan Perry, Bernard Parks and Tom LaBonge.

Villaraigosa said he was using his Getty House address on his form - he is separated from his wife, Corina, who lives in the Mount Washington area.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Cal., joined today in support of the 30/10 financiing plan proposed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to advance funding for Los Angeles transportation programs.
Earlie this week, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Ca., endorsed the proposal earlier this week.
"The 30/10 Plan is an innovative idea that could help solve Los Angeles' chronic transportation crisis and create jobs," Feinstein said.
"The key is to start by allowing the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority to use existing Department of Transportation loan programs to accelerate construction projects now while using funds generated by the half-cent Measure R sales tax to repay the federal investment."
Villaraigosa is asking the federal government to provide assurances that would allow the MTA to issue $30 billion in bonds to accelerate construction on projects listed under Measure R, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters.

So, how did your protest work out Wednesday? Kevin Modesti in the Daily News.

You say you weren't in a protest Wednesday?

Seems like you're the only one.

There was a rally by parents, teachers and students to protest a staff overhaul at Fremont High School. And a "march for justice" by Superior Court employees to protest layoffs. And a demonstration by the Bus Riders Union against what it calls "racist" fare hikes. And brief rallies by health care legislation proponents, scheduled concurrently at more than a dozen medical clinics.

The city of Los Angeles has begun laying off employees from a targeted group of 459 positions, with 37 municipal workers receiving pink slips so far, officials said Wednesday. Daily News.

The information was included in a new report on the practical impact of the layoffs, with City Council members protesting cuts that could affect child care, cultural landmarks, recreation programs and public information television programming.

"The problem is, time is not our friend," said Maggie Whelan, general manager of the city's Personnel Department.

President Barack Obama will travel to Los Angeles in April to attend a joint fundraising event for Sen. Barbara Boxer's reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
This is the first trip to Caliofrnia b the president on behalf of Boxer. Vice President Joe Biden campaigned for her last September.
Boxer is in what is expected to be a tough race, with her main Republican op[onent, CArly Fiorina.

Beset by an unprecedented $79 million shortfall, Los Angeles Superior Court officials on Tuesday announced 329 layoffs and the closure of 17 courtrooms, including ones in San Fernando and Malibu.Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

Presiding Judge Charles W. "Tim" McCoy Jr. said another 1,800 layoffs are possible - 34 percent of the court workforce - and 180 courtrooms and nine courthouses could be shuttered by 2013 if the system doesn't get more state funding.

The cuts are expected to make the already overwhelmed court system even more clogged, with cases that take longer and increased pressure to release prisoners early to make way for those still facing trial.

A Los Angeles councilman wants Starbucks to add another phrase to its no-shirt, no-service policy: no guns.Daily News.

The Seattle coffee chain has recently been thrust into the middle of the gun-control debate, as petitioners ask the company to ban customers from carrying guns even when allowed by local laws.

Now Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz is joining in by calling on the company to side with gun-control advocates and ban guns in its shops.

City Council members offered a skeptical greeting Tuesday to a new proposal that would boost Department of Water and Power electricity rates by up to 28 percent, saying it is a bad time for an increase. Daily News.

In their first official chance to review Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's proposal, some council members also said the city needs to gain public trust and get neighborhood groups more involved in the decision-making process.

"I have one word for this and you can't print it," said Councilman Dennis Zine, who represents the West Valley. "I say no new fees, no new taxes, no new anything. We need to prove to the public that we are tightening our belts before we ask for any more money."

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa became a political pundit on Tuesday, talking up the prospects of Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA., in her bid for election to a third term.
Appearing on the Wolf Blitzer show on CNN, Villaraigosa said that he believes Boxer will win re-election against eitheir former Hewlett Packard executive Carly Fiorina or former Rep. Tom Campbell.
"She has worked hard for California," Villaraigosa said. "She represents the values and priorities of the people of California."
Villaraigosa acknowledged this is a tough time to be an incumbent politician and Democrats are faced with a difficult problem if health care reform fails in Congress.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation on Tuesday awarded a Profile in Courage award to former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and also recognized legislative leaders for their "humane approahc to solving the California budget crisis."
Bass and the other leaders were chosen in recognition for the "political courage each demonstrated in standing up to extraordinary pressure while working to address California's severe financial crisis."
The award will be presented to Bass in ceremonies at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on May 24. It will be presented by Caroline Kennedy.
"Faced with the most difficult choices and a budget crisis of unprecedented magnitude, these legislative leaders had the courage to negotiate a compromise that they felt was in the public's best interest," Kennedy said.
"They did so knowing they would suffer the wrath of their constituents, powerful interest groups, and their own party members.
"The members of the Profile in Courage Award Committee chose to herald this story of political courage and bi-partisan compromise with the hope that it will inspire other elected officials facing similar challenges to stand up with courage, to cross party lines, and to do whatever is necessary to better serve the public interest."

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer will join Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles Area\ Chamber of Commerce officials thjis morning to boost efforts for the 30-10 transit financing plan.
Villaraigosa and chamber officials are participatingn in thier annual Access D.C. week in Washington, D.C.

Dramatizing the impact of looming layoffs, teachers placed nearly 3,000 empty chairs over an entire city block in front of L.A. Unified headquarters Monday, each seat representing a classroom instructor, nurse or counselor facing job cuts. Cpnniei Llanos in the Daily News.

The elaborate scene was set up to mark the legal deadline for all teachers and school support staff to receive preliminary notification if there job is at risk for the following school year. Statewide some 22,000 pink slips were mailed out to educators by Monday, including nearly 2,300 teachers, and 600 nurses, counselors and librarians at Los Angeles Unified School District. "After 6 years of being dedicated to my job, 180 days a year, rain or shine, with paper and supplies or not, they are going to tell me I cannot teach... why?" asked Trinidad Hernandez, a fifth-grade teacher at Sunny Brae Avenue Elementary School, who received her pink slip notice late last week.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pitched his latest plan Monday to create jobs and boost solar energy use through a DWP rate hike, but one city councilman and other critics said it was no time to ask customers to pay more. Daily News.

The proposed monthly increase of $2.50 to $3.50 for the next 12 months would accomplish goals similar to those included in Measure B, the ballot initiative defeated by voters last year.

"I know that any rate increase is a big deal," Villaraigosa said during a news conference on the top level of a DWP parking lot, which also was attended by business, labor and environmental leaders.

Los Angeles Unified schools swept the top three spots Monday at the 2010 California Academic Decathlon in Sacramento, with El Camino Real High School clinching an eighth state title and a shot at a sixth national championship. C.J. L:in in the Daiilyu News.

John Marshall High and Granada Hills Charter High schools placed second and third, respectively, at the French Revolution-themed competition. The contest began Friday and tested students in 10 categories including art, economics, literature, history, music, math and science.

"It's incredible. Indescribable," Daniel Moreh, an El Camino Real decathlete, said in a phone interview. "We're one of the best teams -- no, the best team in California -- and we just took care of business."

After months of dodging calls for debates, GOP front-runner Meg Whitman went toe-to-toe with Steve Poizner on Monday night in an Orange County showdown of former Silicon Valley executives that offered surprisingly little confrontation but appeared to answer one big question in the race for governor: Is Whitman ready for prime time? Ken McLaughlin in the Mercury News.

The former eBay CEO seemed to be on Monday -- if only for a limited Web audience. In her first debate, Whitman appeared confident and more than comfortable in the hourlong duel with Poizner from a theater in Costa Mesa.

Spelling out her vision for creating jobs, cutting spending and restoring the state's once-prized education system, Whitman went largely unchallenged and launched the most notable attack of the evening, depicting Poizner as a flip-flopper on immigration.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner gets what he has bee arguing for tonight, a debate with former eBay President Meg Whitman in their June election for the Republican nomination for governor.
The debate is hosted by the New Majority California and will be held in Costa Mesa.
KNBC reporter Conan Nolan will serve as moderator. The event will be available via the internet at www.sacbee.com/live.

Critics of Los Angeles Unified's school reform effort say it simply isn't bold enough, pointing to a recent move to keep most poor-performing schools under district control rather than hand them over to innovative charter operators. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

Don't tell that to teachers, administrators and parents at San Fernando Middle School.

It's true that this chronically underperforming school - one of 12 targeted in the first wave of the district's School Choice plan - will remain in district hands. But no one expects it to maintain the status quo when the school opens this fall.

SANTA CLARA -- California Republicans are hoping the political tide has finally turned in their favor after years of fractious infighting, lack of direction and a dwindling bank account that has hampered campaigns.AP in the Daily News.

Despite its minority status in California, the GOP is hoping to capitalize on what it views as a nationwide wave of opposition to taxes, big government and incumbent politicians. This weekend's spring convention in Santa Clara, which kicked off Friday and featured an evening speech by gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, is expected to be a high-energy affair.

Earlier in the day, Whitman spoke to reporters for nearly an hour, ending a bruising week in which she was criticized for failing to answer questions during a press event she had organized in Oakland. In a 30-minute interview with The Associated Press after her news conference, Whitman summed up the Oakland event as just a bad day on the campaign trail.

Tipoff: The Civic Alliance threatens to challenge FCC license renewals.

More than $2.7 billion in federal stimulus money has been awarded to the major local government agencies in Los Angeles over the past year, but no one can say with any confidence how many jobs have been created with those funds. Daily News.

The stimulus dollars were expected to bring in at least 27,000 jobs to the region, including temporary or part-time work, but no local agency can say for sure how many have been actually generated since the federal legislation passed in February 2009.

Laura Chick, the state's inspector general charged with overseeing how the money is spent, said in part it is still too early to assess.

California Republicans are hoping the political tide has finally turned in their favor after years of fractious infighting, lack of direction and a dwindling bank account that has hampered campaigns. AP in the Daily News.

Despite its minority status in California, the GOP is hoping to capitalize on what it views as a nationwide wave of opposition to taxes, big government and incumbent politicians. This weekend's spring convention in Santa Clara, which kicked off Friday and featured an evening speech by gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, is expected to be a high-energy affair.

Earlier in the day, Whitman spoke to reporters for nearly an hour, ending a bruising week in which she was criticized for failing to answer questions during a press event she had organized in Oakland. In a 30-minute interview with The Associated Press after her news conference, Whitman summed up the Oakland event as just a bad day on the campaign trail.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced late Thursday that he has pushed off today's planned announcement of a DWP rate hike to pay for an expansive solar energy plan until Monday.
Officials with the mayor's office said details of the plan needed more work and was not rready for release today.
Instead, the mayor has scheduled a briefing to discuss his trip to Washington, D.C., and his efforts to get an advance on Measure R funds.

Jose Cornejo, the chief deputy to Councilman Tony Cardenas, announced Thursday he will get into the race for county Assessor, for the seat being vacated by Rick Auerbach.
Cornejo, 42, of Panorama City, said he believes the job has taken on increased importance in recent years because of the problems with property values in recent years.
"I think this might be a time when people are looking for an outsider rather than seeing this as a stepping stone from within the assessor's office," Cornejo said.
Thirteen candidates are seeking the post, including Deputy Assessor John Noguez, who has gained the most inside support. Noguez has been endorsed by several supervisors and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Federal officials who plan to launch a probe of Los Angeles Unified's English-language learner program next week said Wednesday they targeted the district because of its size and low performance, but not because of any complaints or violations. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

The investigation of Los Angeles Unified will look at whether the district is honoring the civil rights of English-language learners and providing them equal access to educational opportunities.

The compliance review, focusing initially on schools in the west San Fernando Valley and southeast Los Angeles, is the first of 38 planned nationwide by the federal Office for Civil Rights.

Trying to close an $11 million to $20 million budget shortfall, Metrolink is considering a plan to raise fares by 3 to 6 percent and discontinue dozens of low-ridership weekend and weekday commuter train lines. Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

The cuts would come on most of the Southern California rail agency's lines, including those serving the San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and Ventura County.

The need for cuts is partly fueled by an 11 percent drop in average weekday ridership over the past year, which officials attribute to more commuters losing their jobs and the stabilized cost of gasoline.

With the city facing budget shortfalls of almost $700 million over the next 16 months, city officials Wednesday outlined expected service cuts ranging from fewer potholes being filled and streets being swept to fewer inspectors on duty.Daily News.

Bill Robertson, director of the Bureau of Street Services, said his agency will fill about 300,000 potholes a year, instead of 380,000, and will take about six or seven days to respond to complaints of illegal dumping rather than the current goal of four days.

"We will not be able to be as proactive as we have been," Robertson said. "We will be reacting more to complaints and emergencies than we are able to deal with this in advance."

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stuck with a vote he needs on the City Council and against the man he almost ran against for governor in announcing he is supporting Councilwoman Janice Hahn for lieutentant governor.
Even with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom continuing to hem and haw on whether he will get in the raced, Villaraigosa said he had already decided who he will support and that is Hahn.
What makes it interesting is that Hahn, of course, saw her brother, former Mayor James Hahn defeated by Villaraigosa five years ago.
Adding to the intrigue is that one of Villaraigosa's top political operative, Michael Trujillio is serving as a Hahn consultant.
The mayor made his announcement as he heads off to Washington, D.C., for a one day lobbying trip on his 30-10 funding proposal for Measure R.

The federal Department of Education's civil rights arm will launch a major investigation into whether Los Angeles schools have denied educational opportunities to students learning English, officials are expected to announce today.Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

The investigation into whether the Los Angeles Unified School District is honoring the civil rights of English language learners will be the first of many planned nationwide by the newly energized federal Office for Civil Rights.

The review will focus on schools in the west San Fernando Valley and southeast Los Angeles.

Responding to allegations that he retaliates against pro-union employees, District Attorney Steve Cooley dismissed the claims as the work of "disgruntled individuals who have faced disciplinary matters or are using the legal process to assert their own personal or political agendas." Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

Union members who have filed a federal lawsuit against Cooley said his statement, contained in an internal message sent to department employees, may have violated a judge's order that he stop retaliating.

The federal suit alleges that Cooley demoted and reassigned pro-union workers and cut their benefits. Union members have also filed more than a dozen unfair labor practice complaints with the county Employee Relations Commission.

Nearly one in five Los Angeles businesses plan to add workers during the next fiscal quarter, an encouraging sign that the recession's grip is easing, according to a survey released Tuesday.Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

The forecast from Manpower Employment Inc. found that 17 percent expect to hire personnel between April and June, 11 believe more cutbacks are inevitable and 6 percent are unsure of their plans. The remaining 66 percent expect to maintain current staffing levels.

"Employers are much more optimistic about hiring activity as compared with one year ago," said Carla Moore, Manpower's sales manager for the Los Angeles area, adding that this is the best job outlook for this market in 18 months.

As state and local governments fight off potential bankruptcy, some officials are taking a new look at scaling back billions of dollars in pension benefits for public employees.Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

The issue has daunted government officials in California for years, as the state's powerful public unions have consistently quashed efforts at major reform.

But with the state facing its worst budget crisis in decades, politicians from gubernatorial candidates down to county and city officials are saying pension reform may be one of the most effective ways to avoid drastic losses in government service and employee layoffs.

Now the government is coming into your living room. But there's no need to throw a tea party; it's only if you order it to.Bob Strauss in the Daily News.

Southern California's Time Warner Cable system last week instituted a new service, "My Government On Demand." It's designed to make a wide variety of political and governmental material available to the system's subscribers - at no extra charge - any time they wish to access it.

Tipoff: Coujncilman Jose Huizar looks at public financing; city budget surveys.

Lupe Garcia sensed the economic wind shift in January at her NoHo Arts District furniture store. Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

"January was better than a normal January, which starts out slow. In this case it was busy from the start," said Garcia, co-owner of Magart Mexican Furnishings on Magnolia Boulevard.

After more than two years of tough economic times, it seems a turnaround is building in the district known for its concentration of mixed-use residential development, easy access to mass transit and a smattering of art and entertainment-related businesses.

Owners at two of the biggest apartment complexes in the district, for instance, say occupancy rates exceed 90 percent.

The foreclosure crisis finally arrived in my Winnetka neighborhood, with shadow inventory taking root right next door. Gregory J. Wilcox in the Daily News.

The "For Sale" sign went up on Thursday, four days after my neighbors moved out of their foreclosed home.

Their saga includes a couple of bad breaks, an incredibly good one - and a remarkable ending.

Two couples - the men married sisters - bought their first home in summer 2006, paying $634,000 for the two-story, four-bedroom house with a pool.

Despite controversial changes to its education laws, California was not chosen as a finalist in the federal "Race to the Top" grant competition, which could have brought $700 million to the cash-strapped state.Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 15 states and Washington, D.C., were selected as finalists for the first round of a contest in which states competed for a share of $4 billion in school improvement funds. First-round finalists include New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

An undetermined number of winners will be announced April 1 and another round of grants will be awarded later this year. In that second round, school districts will be able to compete for money on their own, and Los Angeles Unified plans to do so.

An afternoon march and rally Thursday involving some 2,800 students and faculty at California State University, Northridge, turned into a tense evening standoff as protesters blocked off a major intersection and defied dispersal orders from officers in riot gear. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

Police arrested at least five students, while a 73-year-old faculty member had to be treated for a broken arm when she was pushed to the ground.

The march was part of a nationwide "Day of Action" in which thousands of teachers, professors, students and parents joined rallies, sit-ins and marches to protest steep cuts in public education.

In an "extremely rare" case of a lawyer jailed for contempt of court, former taxpayer advocate attorney Richard I. Fine has spent a year, as of today, in Men's Central Jail in what he claims is retaliation for exposing judicial corruption.Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

Fine, a 70-year-old Tarzana resident, said in a phone interview from his cell his incarceration is retaliation for challenging Los Angeles County's practice of paying nearly 450 judges an extra $46,436 in cash benefits on top of their state salaries and benefits.

In the last decade, Fine alleged in various lawsuits the county's payments made it nearly impossible to get a fair shake in cases involving county government.

City Council members debated Thursday whether the city could save money by reducing contract costs and making property owners pay to repair sidewalks as they worked to close a $684 million deficit looming over Los Angeles. Daily News.

The council did approve a $147 million transfer from the Department of Water and Power, an annual payment that represents 8 percent of the revenue generated by power operations. The city is banned from taking money from water operations.

Most of the meeting, however, was spent discussing ways for the city to generate more revenue, such as aggressively collecting bad debts and asking contractors to reduce their bills by 10 percent.

Describing District Attorney Steve Cooley's actions as "striking and rampant," a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering Cooley to stop discriminating and retaliating against employees on the basis of their union membership, officials said Wednesday.Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

U.S. District Court Judge Otis D. Wright II wrote the allegations made by the prosecutors union in a lawsuit are "largely undisputed," noting Cooley's lawyers didn't deny that Cooley instructed Training Division Assistant Head Deputy Robert Dver to "undermine" the Association of Deputy District Attorneys.

"Such actions unquestionably interfere with the union's function and chill the free exercise of (the ADDA's) First Amendment rights," Wright wrote in his 11-page order. "Nevertheless, (the ADDA) have established a course of explicit retaliation by (Cooley's office) that is both striking and rampant."

Students and educators from San Diego to Humboldt will protest the steep cuts to California public education duringr the past two years at statewide rallies today. Connie Llanos n the Daily News.

Protesters hope to draw attention to some $17 billion in cuts that they say have gutted instruction in everything from kindergarten classrooms to university lecture halls.

Events are planned to run the entire day, with thousands of teachers being encouraged to host rallies at the start of the school day to get young students and parents involved.

Libraries might be open 12 fewer hours a week, parks might have to drop their day-care service and tree-trimming service might be abandoned under the city's pending layoffs and budget cuts, according to a city report issued Wednesday. Daily News.

In a preliminary report to the City Council, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa detailed the first 542 out of the 1,000 positions to be eliminated and the impact on those departments, as tempers flared between council members over the cuts.

Councilman Richard Alarcon said he wanted the council more involved in the decision making.

Assemblywoman Karen Bass picked up the endorsement of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in her run for the Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Dianne Watson, D-Los Angeles.
Bass, who is expected to face token opposition in the June 8 primary, said her goal will be to make sure Los Angeles and California receives all the federal dollars to which is entitled.
Villaraigosa, who has known and worked with Bass for more than 20 years, said she understands one of the primre rules of politics.
"She knows that all politics is local," Villaraigosa said.
Bass served as speaker of the Assembly up until this past Monday when she was succeeded by Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles.

Weighing in on the governor's race, Councilmen Greig Smith and Dennis Zine announced their endorsement of Meg Whitman in the Republican primary in June.
The two are the only Republicans on the City Council.
"I am grateful to receive the endorsement of Dennis and Greig," Whitman said. "Working together, we will create jobs, make state government more efficient and give our cities and communities the tools they need to thrive."
Zine said Whitman, the former chief of EBay, will bring a fresh perspective to governing, while Smith said she will bring a business attitude to running the state.

Asked to take a $128 million budget cut, Sheriff Lee Baca is proposing to slash the inmate population at a 1,900-bed Castaic jail and is ordering his command staff, including himself, to go back out on patrol to reduce costs, officials said Tuesday. Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

Baca is proposing to move nearly all the inmates and staff out of the North Facility at the Pitchess Detention Center, leaving just a skeleton crew of staff and inmates, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. The proposal will save the department $26 million.

And in an effort to reduce overtime, Baca is ordering his sergeants, lieutenants, captains, commanders, chiefs and assistant sheriffs to go back out on patrol that would otherwise be done by deputies forced to work overtime.

The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved sending nearly 5,200 layoff notices to teachers, administrators, counselors and nurses, as the district looks to close a $640million budget deficit for the next school year.Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

The latest layoff figures include pink slips for 2,252 teachers, 574 counselors, librarians, school nurses and psychologists and 2,370 administrators.

That would virtually eliminate school nurses and librarians, increase class sizes in fourth through eighth grade to a potential high of 44 students in middle school, and boost counselor loads to 1,000 students each.

Wading into a national scandal, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich announced Tuesday that his office will investigate complaints about acceleration, braking and steering problems with Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Daily News.

Even with congressional inquiries under way, Trutanich announced his Complex Litigation Division had opened an inquiry into potential public safety problems with the vehicles.

Trutanich was not available for comment, but Chief Assistant Jeffrey Isaacs said the inquiry was sparked by concern about the city's fleet of 720 Toyotas.

A state organization representing medical marijuana dispensaries filed suit Tuesday challenging a new Los Angeles law that restricts where the clinics can operate. Daily News.

Americans for Safe Access filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking a temporary restraining order against the city, which has launched an aggressive effort to close down clinics that violate the law.

Los Angeles officials received more grim financial news Tuesday as the City Council grappled with the pain of having to downsize some of its most popular programs. Daily News.

City Controller Wendy Greuel delivered the harsh news, with a forecast that revenues will be down $141 million next year, primarily due to a drop in property taxes that will force the city to borrow more money.

"The mayor and City Council cannot - and should not - count on an increase in tax revenue to help balance the city's budget next year," Greuel said.

Attorney General Jerry Brown, who has spent months tantalizing supporters, is expected to officially announce today his entry into the race for governor.
Brown, 71, the son of a former governor and a two-term governorn himself, is to make the announced at 11 a.m. on his website,www.jerrybrown.org.
Brown has no real challenge in the June primary as he watches Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former EBAY chief Meg Whitman battle it out for the Repuiiblican nomination.

Los Angeles Unified officials are expected to approve a mass mailing of nearly 4,700 layoff notices for teachers, administrators, counselors and nurses today as they work to close a crippling $640 million budget defici Connie Llanos in the Daily News.t

Recommended by district financial staff in a report to be reviewed today by the school board, the move would virtually eliminate school nurses and librarians, increase all class sizes, including a high of up to 44 students in middle school, and boost counselor loads to 1,000 students each.

Layoff notices would also go out to nearly 1,000 janitors and maintenance workers and 520 school office workers, if the board approves the recommendations.

Erroll Southers announced Monday that he will step down as assistant police chief at LAX by the end of March, just two months after he withdrew his nomination to head the Transportation Security Administration. Art Marroquin in the Daily News.

Southers, a former FBI agent, has served two years as assistant chief of intelligence and emergency operations for Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates Los Angeles International Airport.

He said he plans to enter the private sector as a security consultant and expand his teaching duties at USC's National Homeland Security Center for Risk and Economic Analysis for Terrorism Events (CREATE).

A Pacific Palisades businessman jailed for erecting a "supergraphic" on a Hollywood building agreed Monday to remove the movie ad in exchange for lowering his $1 million bail.
http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_14495397?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com
Kayvan Setareh was arrested Friday after city officials said he arranged for the eight-story ad for the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" to be hung on a building near the Kodak Theatre, the site of Sunday's Academy Awards.

he City Council Monday discussed hiking fees for ambulance service, burglar alarm responses and other services provided to the public by the police and fire departments as it looks for ways to cover a $212 million budget shortfall. Daily News.

A working group headed by Councilman Greig Smith that included union leaders came up with a report outlining savings or new revenue totaling $3.5million this year and $23 million next year, when the budget is expected to more than triple to nearly $700million.

"I know we are trying to run the city more like a business, but this is a service we provide," Councilman Tom LaBonge said at one point during lengthy debate over increasing fees for services.

While recognizing it is a public safety necessity, Granada Hills residents and City Councilman Greig Smith questioned Monday whether there are health risks from the dumping of catch basin runoff in Sunshine Canyon Landfill. Daily News.

Residents near the landfill say the smell has gotten worse since Los Angeles County work crews began clearing the catch basins of waste and debris carried down by a series of storms and mudslies and dumping the muck at Sunshine Canyon.

And Smith, who represents the area below the Station Fire burn area, is concerned that some of the material could be contaminated.

The NAACP's new chairwoman is different from her predecessors. She doesn't know where she was or what she was doing when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. She has no memories of the civil-rights milestones of the mid-1960s.Kevin Modesti in the Daily News.

She was 2 years old when King died, 2 months old when the Voting Rights Act was signed, not yet born when the Civil Rights Act became law.

"I didn't march with Martin or protest with Malcolm (X)," Roslyn Brock says.

But as Brock sees it, the fact she didn't live the civil-rights movement's history is no reason she can't shape its future.

For two decades, Los Angeles built libraries with a vigor rarely seen in the nation, spending $335 million to get books and computers within the reach of those who might not otherwise have them. AP in the Daily News.

Now, it's getter harder to get inside the buildings.

A hobbled economy has left the nation's second-largest city starved for cash, and 72 library branches now are closed Friday mornings to save money. More than 1,000 people work at the libraries, but layoffs and retirements could slash the staff by 20 percent or more by June. Hours will be cut again.

Los Angeles' increasingly dire financial health raises serious doubt about the once sacrosanct pledge to keep LAPD's ranks at the current record high of just less than 10,000 officers. Daily News.

Now, many city officials acknowledge that the Los Angeles Police Department will not escape the chopping block as they look for ways to make up a $700 million shortfall over the next 18 months.

Meanwhile, financial pressures and court orders are forcing the state to release thousands of inmates early from overcrowded prisons, into an economy with double-digit unemployment.

Tipoffs: Assemblyman John Perez takes over as Assembly Speaker, making history as he deals with same old problems.