Villaraigosa's Budget Proposal Rejected

The L.A. City Council is being ultra careful this time around with the budget and yesterday claimed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's budget proposal overly optimistic, ultimately rejecting it. Of main concern were revenue projections such as one that has the city earning $53 million from parking revenues. "To me, you're coming from Fantasyland," said Councilman Dennis Zine. "Either this money is real or it isn't. We shouldn't be budgeting if the numbers aren't real." The city's top budget analyst Miguel Santana said he believes "the money will be there." Mayor Deputy Matt Szabo said the office thinks the numbers "can be backed up."