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Villaraigosa Takes Swift Action to Save City Budget, Orders Elimination of 1,000 Jobs
After the L.A. City Council failed to close a $212 million budget shortfall during a marathon-length meeting yesterday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took action, directing the elimination of 1,000 positions among other moves. "If we have to choose between funding firefighters and police officers or continuing to operate golf courses and parking meters across Los Angeles, I choose public safety and I will do everything possible to protect those priorities," he said.
Some 360 of the 1,000 employees could be moved to other departments not affected by the budget crisis. That's because the LADWP, Airports and Port of Los Angeles are not under the general budget, which pays for basic services, according to the LA Times.
“We’re living beyond our means, we have difficult choices to make, we must protect our economic future,” Villaraigosa said. “Unfortunately, instead of making progress, we are headed in the wrong direction. That ends today.”
The Mayor's three-page memo to Department heads is above.
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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.
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