Trutanich to Fight City Attorney Layoffs, Villaraigosa Says there are Other Options
One has to wonder that if politics are involved with a current mid-year budget report, expected to be offiically released this afternoon, that in part examines 1,000 city hall layoffs as a budget solution. The City Attorney Office could see 100 members of his office go while the Mayor and City Council offices see a zero reduction and the City Attorney himself is ready to fight it, according to the LA Times.
“It doesn’t matter how many police officers are in the field,” said Chief Deputy City Atty. Bill Carter, speaking for Carmen Trutanich, to the Times. “There won’t be a sufficient number of prosecutors to file or handle those cases at a time when the governor is contemplating releasing thousands of inmates in the general population who have a recidivism rate of 70%.”
It doesn't have to be that way, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters today. “If [city employees] contributed a couple of percentage points more [towards their pensions], that could put us in a much stronger financial position. If we work through this together, I think we can minimize layoffs.” Employes currently contribute 7%, Villaraigosa wants 9%.
Other options are reducing salaries and pay, contracting out some services to contractors and privatizing some departments and services like the L.A. Zoo and parking garages and meters.
As of 4 p.m., the Financial Status Report was still not released. The report shows how the city is doing mid-budget year (for example, are revenues projections and spending on target?) and gives recommendations based on the info. In this year's case, recommendations will be on how to close the budget. The City Council and Mayor must use it to make mid-year adjustments and plan for next year's budget.