By Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Quite simply, for many years the city of Los Angeles has been spending more money than it takes in. That is unsustainable in the long term, and we have reached the end of the line for quick fixes and one-time solutions.
If we are to get our city back on track to achieving the greatness and promise we all know it holds, we must fix our structural deficit.
The Hard Choices
None of the choices is easy, but we simply cannot continue to provide all of the services we currently do, and we cannot go forward with our city workforce at its current size. We have to protect those services that are vital and get out of those that are not essential — either through public/private partnerships or by eliminating them.
Some of the problems with Big Government
A number of multistory parking structures, thousands of parking meters, numerous golf courses and a zoo. The convention center, the zoo and city-owned golf courses lose a combined $75 million annually.
Words into action
I do not want to — nor can I — sugarcoat this and say this will be easy or avoidable. The 1,000 layoffs I have already ordered are the minimum we will need. More will be needed — the City Council is proposing an additional 3,000 job cuts.
Closing arguments
as difficult as it is for me to lay these hardworking people off, the choices that we must make are for the greater good of our great city and all of its 4 million citizens.
read more @ http://www.latimes.com
Villaraigosa: “I believe community participation in the city’s budget process is essential.” But is the “community” really participating in this process? After going through the site myself, there are definite “Good”, “Bad”, and “Ugly”
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