It's that time of the year again for Mayor Villaraigosa to make the annual State of the City speech at the LAPD's Parker Center. His third one since taking office, tonight's address is expected to focus in on the red-lined budget and crime, specifically gangs. In a poignant LA Times editorial, they say tonight presents him with "opportunity and obligation. He must make clear that he has a firm grip on" these two issues.

Furthermore, they say that "Los Angeles residents, already preparing to pay much more for water and electricity after recently approved rate hikes, have every right to demand that City Hall be more efficient and accountable."

Damn straight we do.

Both the Times and the Downtown News hope Villaraigosa moves beyond "gimmickry" and "cliché" programs such as the 10 Most Wanted list he did last year following the address. This time he needs to deliver and move forward.

Tonight's State of the City begins at 5:00 p.m. and airs live on the city's cable station Channel 35 and online.

Photo by the Korean Resource Center 민족학교 via Flickr