State of the City: Putting deficit aside, Villaraigosa touts accomplishments

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Wednesday called for extending a sales tax increase during his annual State of the City address. His proposal would make a half-cent increase approved by voters in 2008 permanent. The tax increase expires in 2039.

“By extending Measure R, we will create jobs, we’ll relieve traffic congestion, we’ll complete all of the rail projects in one decade instead of three,” Villaraigosa told several hundred elected officials, city managers and community leaders in a theater at Paramount Studios.

The mayor was an architect of Measure R and its passage was one of his major accomplishments. Extending it would provide more transit revenue to the city, and fit nicely into any bid he makes to become transportation secretary in a second Obama administration — a possibility that is being rumored.

Before any of that happens — if it happens — Villaraigosa must address a more than $220 million city budget deficit during his last year in office. It’s a hole that grows to nearly half a billion in three years. He spent less than a minute and a half on that less-pleasant subject.

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"We must continue to chart a more sustainable path forward," he said.

The mayor — who has warned the red ink may require “a large number of layoffs” — said he’ll propose a budget that requires city employees to pay more for health care. “This budget is prudent," he said. "And this budget will ensure the city stays on a trajectory of long term fiscal stability.”

Outside the studio lot, a group of city employees protested talk of layoffs and privatization of some city jobs, such as Fire Department ambulance services. Jacob Miller, who works in the Animal Services Department, said city workers already have endured furloughs and increased contributions to health care and pension funds.

“They came to us several months ago and they asked us to give, and you know something, we gave because we knew it was right," he said. "They haven't been doing their jobs."

Villaraigosa also made note of the 20th anniversary of the 1992 riots that followed the not-guilty verdict in the trial of four LAPD officers who beat Rodney King. He said the police department and the city are better now, and referenced the city's first black mayor: "Somewhere in the heavens, Tom Bradley is smiling today."

Villaraigosa claimed many accomplishments including a reduction in crime, more parks and a tax holiday for new businesses that he wants to extend.

“I like his optimism," said Councilman Mitch Englander, who represents the western San Fernando Valley. "Certainly, he's looking at bringing new economic growth, being more business friendly.”

Villaraigosa said he wants to create a new economic development office now that the state has shut down community redevelopment agencies.

Before his talk, a video was played of the mayor’s first inauguration speech from 2005, in which he urged people to dream big. He touched on the theme again — even though he only has one year left in office.

“This is only the beginning and it is not enough," the mayor said as he stood in from of eight American flags. "I don’t want anyone to think just about what we’ve accomplished. I want you to imagine how much more that we can do together.

In the audience were several mayoral candidates, including City Controller Wendy Greuel and City Council members Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry.