With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Mayor Villaraigosa: LA must lay off 'large number of employees'
File: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at the launch of the unaffiliated political organization known as No Labels December 13, 2010 at Columbia University in New York City.
(
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
)
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he plans to call for a large number of layoffs of city employees as part of his upcoming budget proposal, which will be unveiled April 20, the L.A. Times reports.
"We're going to lay off a large number of employees. I'm not going to say how many," Villaraigosa said at the City Administrative Officer Investors Conference.
It's part of his plan to close a $220 million budget gap. The mayor's plan also includes plans for a long-term lease of city parking garages, which was rejected by the City Council before, as well as a higher retirement age for city employees. Villaraigosa threatened to put some of his ideas on the ballot if the City Council doesn't approve them.
This follows Villaraigosa and the rest of the city's five-member employee bargaining committee asking city unions to give up raises scheduled for the upcoming fiscal year. The unions refused to reopen contract talks.
Sponsored message
More than 300 city workers have been laid off since the recession began, with thousands more retiring or transferring to agencies not affected by the budget crisis, with many of those positions not being filled.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
