Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Los Angeles City Council holds budget hearings over Mayor Villaraigosa's proposed budget

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released the Los Angeles city budget Wednesday.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released the Los Angeles city budget Wednesday.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
)

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

Listen 0:50
Los Angeles City Council holds budget hearings over Mayor Villaraigosa's proposed budget
Los Angeles City Council holds budget hearings over Mayor Villaraigosa's proposed budget

The Los Angeles City Council this week begins scrutinizing the mayor’s proposed $7 billion budget.

When the mayor unveiled his plan last week, the city’s chief administrative officer Miguel Santana said L.A.'s financial picture is looking up. “Our revenue has stabilized. We saw a freefall last year of our revenue last year. That has ended.”

L.A. still faces a $460 million deficit because revenues remain flat, and pension and health care costs continue to rise. The mayor’s proposed unpaid furlough days for city workers, if they refuse to contribute more to their pension and health care plans. The results of a labor union vote on the issue come Wednesday.

The City Council’s budget committee chair Bernard Parks will convene hearings on the mayor’s plan. He’s raised concerns about its optimistic revenue projections, and its plan to cover part of the deficit by borrowing $43 million.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right