Council Produces Motion Flurry
Edited/Written by Sara Epstein
Wednesday’s City Council session produced a flurry of motions, a number of them inspired by the special agenda on generating new revenue.
Of special interest to neighborhood councils, Councilwoman Janice Hahn introduced a motion to improve the city’s Early Notification System.
Hahn asks for the following:
1. INSTRUCT the Chief Legislative Analyst and City Clerk to report as to how best to provide summaries of all agendas of the City Council, its committees, and City commissions to the public. These should be concise and easy to understand.
2. ADOPT a policy that the official representatives of neighborhood councils should be able to provide verbal comments at the meetings of the City Council and its committees and be given the same courtesies as City staff on certain local issues.
3. REQUEST that all City commissions adopt a document similar to the City Clerk’s “Referral Memoranda” and make it available through the Early Notification System so the public can be notified as soon as possible about new items that have entered into the system.
4. INSTRUCT the City Clerk to publish a list of files pending in each City Council committee in the interest of transparency and permitting a better informed public.
Alarcon Wants Luxury Tax on Extravagant Energy Use
Wednesday, as part of a special City Council meeting on revenue generation, Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcón introduced a motion directing the CLA, CAO and LADWP to report back on the establishment of a Luxury Tax on Energy consumption. The Luxury Tax would be for residential homes over 5,000 square feet with revenue going
to the city’s general fund. Additionally, Councilmember Alarcón asked that the departments report back with a list of potential exemptions such as exemptions for energy efficiency.
“People who choose to use extravagant amounts of energy should have to pay for this luxury,” said Councilmember Alarcón. “Right now we’re looking for opportunities to create additional revenue as well as ways to promote environmentally-friendly living, and my motion will do both. Just as other currently in place luxury taxes are focused
on purchases beyond what is required for a reasonable quality of life, this tax is not targeted at families who use a normal amount of energy, but on those who consume extraordinary amounts of energy to sustain a lavish lifestyle.”
Hahn Calls for Business Ombudsman
Councilwoman Janice Hahn, during a special session of the City Council focused on generating revenue in the City on Wednesday, took the recommendation of economist Jack Kyser and called for a business ombudsman for the City of Los Angeles.
"I have heard first hand how frustrating it can be for a new business owner to work through the red tape at City Hall in order to open in Los Angeles," said Councilwoman Hahn. "Opening a business in L.A. should not be difficult and an ombudsman would help to streamline the process."
Councilwoman Hahn called for the special session on revenue today.
“The Mayor’s budget was released on Monday, and we have all seen the various proposals he is making to raise new revenues,” added the Councilwoman. “We know that new businesses mean new jobs and additional sales tax revenue for Los Angeles. Although we are having a tough budget year in City Hall, we need to find creative ways to raise revenues while also tightening our belt.” _
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 34
Published: Apr 25, 2008
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