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 during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Villaraigosa Wants You to Play Budget, Just Don't Touch the LAPD
()
In the debate between Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the L.A. City Council about what to cut, police has become a major issue. That's because pubic safety takes 70% of the city's general fund, which pays for basic city services, leaving the rest up for grabs. "How can you fix a problem in the hundreds of millions with only 30% of the pie?" one might ask.
Villaraigosa wants to strictly protect public safety, which means other things have to go in large numbers, such as tree trimming and library services. Even positions and programs that support public safety are slated to disappear: 100 prosecutors, LAPD support staff, neighbor conflict resolution sessions and arts programs that help keep kids off the streets. If you look at it like a teeter-totter, enforcement and other programs can balance each other out. If the programs side get cut, does that prompt more crime? That's a question some hope never to test out.
As part of the city charter--think of it as the constitution of Los Angeles--the mayor must reach out to neighborhood councils for input on the budget. He's also asking the community's opinion in the slick online survey.
Support for LAist comes from
"This whole surveys about engaging the public," he said this morning at the Silver Lake Library, where he promoted the online tool. "What I've said to people is this: don't give me "no" to every option. Don't say to me, "I want you to solve this budget crisis, I don't wnat you to raise taxes, i don't want public-private partnerships, no to layoffs, no to furloughs, no to employee cuts, no to no. That won't work."
That being said, the funny thing is this: Villaraigosa's survey doesn't let you say "no" to police cuts. That's because that decision has already been made for you.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence.
Best of LAist