Santa Monica Officials Approve $533 Million Budget

The Santa Monica City Council this week adopted a $533 million budget and was spared most of the drama Los Angeles had seen. Explains the Santa Monica Daily Press: "Though City Hall had to cover a $13.2 million deficit with fee increases, spending reductions and reserve funds, the approved budget called for no layoffs and no radical shifts in spending priorities." They even set aside money for bicycle safety education just in case they create such a program.