#  LA WATCHDOG

   ##  [ Mayor and the City Council Complicit in Pay-to-Play Corruption](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20329-mayor-and-the-city-council-complicit-in-pay-to-play-corruption "Mayor and the City Council Complicit in Pay-to-Play Corruption")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     August 27 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2020/070j.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20329-mayor-and-the-city-council-complicit-in-pay-to-play-corruption)

**LA WATCHDOG**--On Tuesday, Federal prosecutors [dropped the dime ](https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/lobbyist-agrees-plead-guilty-city-hall-bribery-scheme-which-city-councilman-jose-huizar)on Morrie Goldman, a long time City Hall lobbyist, charging him with one count of *“conspiring to commit bribery and honest services mail fraud.”*

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20329-mayor-and-the-city-council-complicit-in-pay-to-play-corruption)

   ##  [ Election Corruption Demands Real Consequences](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20311-election-corruption-demands-real-consequences "Election Corruption Demands Real Consequences")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     August 24 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2020/069n.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20311-election-corruption-demands-real-consequences)

**LA WATCHDOG**--*The courts have ruled “use of the public treasury to mount an election campaign which attempts to influence the resolution of issues which our Constitution leaves to the ‘free election’ of the people … presents a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.”*

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20311-election-corruption-demands-real-consequences)

   ##  [ Cheap Talk About Corruption will not Likely Result in Real Reform](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20289-cheap-talk-about-corruption-will-not-likely-result-in-real-reform "Cheap Talk About Corruption will not Likely Result in Real Reform")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     August 20 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2020/068v.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20289-cheap-talk-about-corruption-will-not-likely-result-in-real-reform)

**LA WATCHDOG**--When the FBI raided the home and offices of Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar on November 7, 2018, the “shocked” City Council sprang into action to address long needed campaign finance reform.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20289-cheap-talk-about-corruption-will-not-likely-result-in-real-reform)

   ##  [ Lack of Transparency Earns a NO Vote on Proposition 15, the Split Roll](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20253-lack-of-transparency-earns-a-no-vote-on-proposition-15-the-split-roll "Lack of Transparency Earns a NO Vote on Proposition 15, the Split Roll")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     August 13 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2020/066i.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20253-lack-of-transparency-earns-a-no-vote-on-proposition-15-the-split-roll)

**LA WATCHDOG**-As part of their call for [Radical Transparency](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php/la-watchdog-hidden/19374-la-budget-fiasco-demands-radical-transparency) into the budget and financial affairs of the City of Los Angeles, the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates called open and transparent labor negotiations and that any new labor agreement not result in deficits.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20253-lack-of-transparency-earns-a-no-vote-on-proposition-15-the-split-roll)

   ##  [ The Usual Something-for-Nothing: LAUSD Proposes $7 Billion Bond Measure, but No Reform](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20215-the-usual-something-for-nothing-lausd-proposes-7-billion-bond-measure-but-no-reform "The Usual Something-for-Nothing: LAUSD Proposes $7 Billion Bond Measure, but No Reform")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     August 06 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2020/064g.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20215-the-usual-something-for-nothing-lausd-proposes-7-billion-bond-measure-but-no-reform)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Just what we need. Another controversial measure on the already crowded November ballot that has twelve statewide propositions, many of which are very high profile, and one measure from the County to cut the Sheriff’s budget.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20215-the-usual-something-for-nothing-lausd-proposes-7-billion-bond-measure-but-no-reform)

   ##  [ LA’s Most Corrupt City Council: No Reforms Despite Jose Huizar Indictment](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20199-la-s-most-corrupt-city-council-no-reforms-despite-jose-huizar-indictment "LA’s Most Corrupt City Council: No Reforms Despite Jose Huizar Indictment")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     August 03 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2020/063l.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20199-la-s-most-corrupt-city-council-no-reforms-despite-jose-huizar-indictment)

**LA WATCHDOG**--On Thursday, a federal grand jury threw the book on Councilman Jose Huizar, returning a 34-count indictment on *“charges that he lead a criminal enterprise where he used his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself and his close associates, and unlawfully gave favorable treatment to developers who financed and facilitated bribes and other illicit financial benefits.”*

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20199-la-s-most-corrupt-city-council-no-reforms-despite-jose-huizar-indictment)

   ##  [ Garcetti in the Crosshairs](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20179-garcetti-in-the-crosshairs "Garcetti in the Crosshairs")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 30 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/062r.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20179-garcetti-in-the-crosshairs)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Matthew Garza, a 23 year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department who served on Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Security Detail for over six years, has filed a complaint in Superior Court against the City of Los Angeles in which he alleges sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20179-garcetti-in-the-crosshairs)

   ##  [ Prop 15, the Split Roll, Is a Job Killer](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20121-prop-15-the-split-roll-is-a-job-killer "Prop 15, the Split Roll, Is a Job Killer")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 20 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/059q.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20121-prop-15-the-split-roll-is-a-job-killer)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Proposition 15 is an attempt by the state’s public sector unions (along with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg) to establish the Split Roll.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20121-prop-15-the-split-roll-is-a-job-killer)

   ##  [ Another Rush to the Ballot: Reimagining LA County](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20115-another-rush-to-the-ballot-reimagining-la-county "Another Rush to the Ballot: Reimagining LA County")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 20 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/059y.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20115-another-rush-to-the-ballot-reimagining-la-county)

**LA WATCHDOG**--On Tuesday, July 21, the County Board of Supervisors will consider a motion, [Reimaging LA County](http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/147400.pdf),

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20115-another-rush-to-the-ballot-reimagining-la-county)

   ##  [ What a $12 Billion Tax Increase Means to Angelenos: Vote NO on Prop 15!](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20101-what-a-12-billion-tax-increase-means-to-angelenos-vote-no-on-prop-15 "What a $12 Billion Tax Increase Means to Angelenos: Vote NO on Prop 15!")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 16 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/058g.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20101-what-a-12-billion-tax-increase-means-to-angelenos-vote-no-on-prop-15)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Californians are the highest taxed people in the country.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20101-what-a-12-billion-tax-increase-means-to-angelenos-vote-no-on-prop-15)

   ##  [ Do NOT Reward Bad Behavior: Why You Should Vote NO on Prop 15](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20083-do-not-reward-bad-behavior-why-you-should-vote-no-on-prop-15 "Do NOT Reward Bad Behavior: Why You Should Vote NO on Prop 15")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 13 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/057q.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20083-do-not-reward-bad-behavior-why-you-should-vote-no-on-prop-15)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Mayor Eric Garcetti and numerous members of the Los Angeles City Council want us to approve the Split Roll by voting yes on Proposition 15.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20083-do-not-reward-bad-behavior-why-you-should-vote-no-on-prop-15)

   ##  [ Will Pay-to-Play Carmel Partners and its Lobbyist Cooperate with the Feds?](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20068-will-pay-to-play-carmel-partners-and-its-lobbyist-cooperate-with-the-feds "Will Pay-to-Play Carmel Partners and its Lobbyist Cooperate with the Feds?")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 09 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/056b.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20068-will-pay-to-play-carmel-partners-and-its-lobbyist-cooperate-with-the-feds)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Carmel Partners, a San Francisco based real estate management firm that develops and owns residential real estate, and its 35 story luxury high rise at 520 Mateo Street in the Arts District were prominently mentioned in the FBI’s affidavit filed in connection with the recent arrest of Councilman Jose Huizar.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20068-will-pay-to-play-carmel-partners-and-its-lobbyist-cooperate-with-the-feds)

   ##  [ The Dash for Cash to Pay for Trash](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20050-the-dash-for-cash-to-pay-for-trash "The Dash for Cash to Pay for Trash")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 06 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/055f.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20050-the-dash-for-cash-to-pay-for-trash)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Our cash strapped City is eyeing new sources of revenue to offset the adverse impact of Covid-19 on the City’s seven economically sensitive taxes\* that provide over 72% of the City’s General Fund revenue in a normal year.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20050-the-dash-for-cash-to-pay-for-trash)

   ##  [ Has Los Angeles Become Corruption Capital of US Big Cities? Now It’s Budget Corruption!](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20031-has-los-angeles-become-corruption-capital-of-us-big-cities-now-it-s-budget-corruption "Has Los Angeles Become Corruption Capital of US Big Cities? Now It’s Budget Corruption!")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     July 02 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2020/054l.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20031-has-los-angeles-become-corruption-capital-of-us-big-cities-now-it-s-budget-corruption)

**LA WATCHDOG**--The Mayor and the City Council have once again entered into an arrangement with the politically powerful leaders of the public sector unions that is not in the best interests of the City of Los Angeles and its four million residents.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/20031-has-los-angeles-become-corruption-capital-of-us-big-cities-now-it-s-budget-corruption)

   ##  [ LA City Hall’s Embarrassing Corruption Scandal: Goes Way Beyond Jose Huizar](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19993-la-city-hall-s-embarrassing-corruption-scandal-goes-way-beyond-jose-huizar "LA City Hall’s Embarrassing Corruption Scandal: Goes Way Beyond Jose Huizar")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 25 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/052k.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19993-la-city-hall-s-embarrassing-corruption-scandal-goes-way-beyond-jose-huizar)

**LA WATCHDOG**--On Tuesday morning, the FBI arrested Councilman Jose Huizar on “a federal racketeering charge that alleges he led a criminal enterprise that used his powerful position at City Hall to solicit and accept lucrative bribes and other financial benefits to enrich himself and his close associates in exchange for Huizar taking official actions favorable to the developers and others who financed and facilitated bribes.”

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19993-la-city-hall-s-embarrassing-corruption-scandal-goes-way-beyond-jose-huizar)

   ##  [ Vacancy Tax Vacated](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19986-vacancy-tax-vacated "Vacancy Tax Vacated")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 25 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/052g.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19986-vacancy-tax-vacated)

**LA WATCHDOG**--On Wednesday, the City Council agreed not to place the vacancy tax on the November ballot.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19986-vacancy-tax-vacated)

   ##  [ What No One at City Hall Wants to Admit: Los Angeles’ Finances Are in the Toilet](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19968-what-no-one-at-city-hall-wants-to-admit-los-angeles-finances-are-in-the-toilet "What No One at City Hall Wants to Admit: Los Angeles’ Finances Are in the Toilet")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 22 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/051g.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19968-what-no-one-at-city-hall-wants-to-admit-los-angeles-finances-are-in-the-toilet)

**LA WATCHDOG**--The short term and long term financial outlook for the City of Los Angeles is only getting worse according to the City’s Preliminary Official Statement for the issuance of up to $1.85 billion of Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19968-what-no-one-at-city-hall-wants-to-admit-los-angeles-finances-are-in-the-toilet)

   ##  [ The Vacancy Tax: A Rush to Ballot](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19951-the-vacancy-tax-a-rush-to-ballot "The Vacancy Tax: A Rush to Ballot")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 18 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/050c.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19951-the-vacancy-tax-a-rush-to-ballot)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Without any hearings, the City Council voted to ask the City Attorney to draft a ballot measure to place a vacancy tax on the November ballot.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19951-the-vacancy-tax-a-rush-to-ballot)

   ##  [ LA’s Corrupt City Council: Silence is Deafening](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19913-la-s-corrupt-city-council-silence-is-deafening "LA’s Corrupt City Council: Silence is Deafening")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 11 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/048m.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19913-la-s-corrupt-city-council-silence-is-deafening)

**LA WATCHDOG**--There are sins of commission where politicians and their bagmen get caught with their hands in the cookie jar. And then there are sins of omission where our politicians ignore corruption, fail to call out or investigate a fellow member of the Council for corruption, or refuse to place a measure on the ballot that would “limit opportunities for corruption.”

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19913-la-s-corrupt-city-council-silence-is-deafening)

   ##  [ Budget Busting Labor Agreements and the Coronavirus Limit the City’s Options](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19881-budget-busting-labor-agreements-and-the-coronavirus-limit-the-city-s-options "Budget Busting Labor Agreements and the Coronavirus Limit the City’s Options")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 04 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/046p.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19881-budget-busting-labor-agreements-and-the-coronavirus-limit-the-city-s-options)

**LA WATCHDOG**-According to the Los Angeles Times, “Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged that the city would ‘identify $250 million in cuts so we can invest in jobs, in health, in education, and in healing,’ especially in the city’s black community ‘as well as communities of color and women and people who have been left behind.’”

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19881-budget-busting-labor-agreements-and-the-coronavirus-limit-the-city-s-options)

   ##  [ Huizar, Wesson, Garcetti: Your Chance to do the Right Thing, Resign!](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19863-huizar-wesson-garcetti-your-chance-to-do-the-right-thing-resign "Huizar, Wesson, Garcetti: Your Chance to do the Right Thing, Resign!")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     June 01 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2020/045n.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19863-huizar-wesson-garcetti-your-chance-to-do-the-right-thing-resign)

**LA WATCHDOG**--If a California company and its management were engaged in bribery, money laundering, extortion, mail and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and racketeering,

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19863-huizar-wesson-garcetti-your-chance-to-do-the-right-thing-resign)

   ##  [ Millennium Hollywood: Poster Child for Pay-to-Play Corruption](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19847-millennium-hollywood-poster-child-for-pay-to-play-corruption "Millennium Hollywood: Poster Child for Pay-to-Play Corruption")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     May 28 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2020/044l.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19847-millennium-hollywood-poster-child-for-pay-to-play-corruption)

**LA WATCHDOG**--One of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Back to Basic tenets was to “increase transparency and civic engagement.”

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19847-millennium-hollywood-poster-child-for-pay-to-play-corruption)

   ##  [ LA Pay-to-Play Corruption: They All Knew](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19822-la-pay-to-play-corruption-they-all-knew "LA Pay-to-Play Corruption: They All Knew")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     May 25 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2020/043f.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19822-la-pay-to-play-corruption-they-all-knew)

**LA WATCHDOG**-Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles City Council were shocked, shocked by the revelation that one of its members, Jose Huizar, *(photo above)* was the principal player in pay-to-play corruption schemes involving the up zoning of large real estate developments, creating hundreds of millions of dollars in extra profits for unscrupulous developers.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19822-la-pay-to-play-corruption-they-all-knew)

   ##  [ LA Flying Blind: The Pandemic Produces a Placeholder Budget](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19794-la-flying-blind-the-pandemic-produces-a-placeholder-budget "LA Flying Blind: The Pandemic Produces a Placeholder Budget")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     May 18 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2020/041o.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19794-la-flying-blind-the-pandemic-produces-a-placeholder-budget)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Proposed Budget that was submitted to the City Council on April 20 was essentially dead on arrival because the revenue assumptions assumed that his Safer at Home order would not be extended.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19794-la-flying-blind-the-pandemic-produces-a-placeholder-budget)

   ##  [ Budget and Finance Committee Listens, Questions Revenue Assumptions, Makes No Decisions](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19754-budget-and-finance-committee-listens-questions-revenue-assumptions-makes-no-decisions "Budget and Finance Committee Listens, Questions Revenue Assumptions, Makes No Decisions")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     May 11 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2020/039u.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19754-budget-and-finance-committee-listens-questions-revenue-assumptions-makes-no-decisions)

**LA WATCHDOG**--The Budget and Finance Committee met on Monday to receive input on the upcoming budget and the impact of the virus on City expenditures and its seven economically sensitive revenue streams. As a result of this uncertainty, the upcoming budget will be a placeholder that will need to be updated on a periodic basis to reflect the changing economic environment. *(Photo above: Budget and Finance committee Chair, Councilman Paul Krekorian.)*

But interestingly, the Committee and its members failed to acknowledge that the new labor agreements that were negotiated behind closed doors and that they approved blew a massive a $1.4 billion hole in the City’s budget over the next four years and required the City to raid its Reserve Fund. The impact of the virus compounds the problem.

Some of the members questioned the Mayor’s optimistic revenue projections, a valid concern.

The City Council must respond by June 1.

++++

The following are my remarks to the Committee.

Prior to the virus, the City, despite record revenues, was projecting an annual deficit for the current fiscal year. The Structural Deficit was expected to exceed $1.4 billion over the next four years as a result of the new labor agreements \[that were approved after the adoption of this year’s budget.\].

The impact of the virus on the City’s \[revenues and\] budget only compounds the problem of balancing the budget.

The Budget Advocates developed ten recommendations in its [White Paper](http://ncbala.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/NCBA-White-Paper-2020-1.pdf) to increase transparency into the City’s budget process that will, if implemented, begin the process of restoring Angelenos trust and confidence in City Hall.

The key recommendations include:

The establishment of an Office of Transparency and Accountability to oversee the City’s budget and finances on a real time basis. \[Also, a recommendation of the LA 2020 Commission\]

All labor negotiations must be open and transparent and not result in any budget deficits, now and in the future.

The creation of a Pension Commission to review and analyze the City’s two pension plans and develop recommendations to eliminate the $15 billion unfunded liability. According to the City’s projections, the City’s contribution to the pension fund will consume about 25% of the General fund, up from the current level of 20%. \[A recommendation of the LA 2020 Commission\]

Develop a ten-year infrastructure plan that will begin to eliminate the $10 billion deferred maintenance budget.

The Four-Year General Fund budget Outlook should include placeholders for future raises.

Implement multiyear budgeting. \[A recommendation of the LA 2020 Commission\]

Other recommendations include the Mayor submitting his Proposed Budget on February 1st, benchmarking the efficiency of the City’s department and operations, developing a strong Reserve Fund, and developing solutions to eliminate the Structural Deficit.

To earn the vote of Angelenos on future tax increases, including the Split Roll, the City will need to earn the trust and confidence of Angelenos. Implementing these recommendations will begin that process.

*(Jack Humphreville writes LA Watchdog for CityWatch. He is the President of the DWP Advocacy Committee and is the Budget and DWP representative for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. He is a Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate. He can be reached at: lajack@gmail.com.)*

 -cw

   ##  [ If State’s Deficit Exceeds $40 Billion, What About LA?](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19736-if-state-s-deficit-exceeds-40-billion-what-about-la "If State’s Deficit Exceeds $40 Billion, What About LA?")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     May 07 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2020/038m.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19736-if-state-s-deficit-exceeds-40-billion-what-about-la)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Governor Newsom’s advisors announced that the State faces a $54.3 billion deficit through June 30, 2021, of which $13.4 billion occurs in this fiscal year ending on June 30 and $40.9 billion is in the upcoming year beginning on July 1.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19736-if-state-s-deficit-exceeds-40-billion-what-about-la)

   ##  [ LA Budget Pain Occurred Before the Virus](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19719-la-budget-pain-occurred-before-the-virus " LA Budget Pain Occurred Before the Virus")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     May 04 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2020/037u.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19719-la-budget-pain-occurred-before-the-virus)

**LA WATCHDOG**--*“I always say that budgets are a statement of our values. But this year, it is also a document of our pain.”* Mayor Eric Garcetti, April 19, 2020

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19719-la-budget-pain-occurred-before-the-virus)

   ##  [ Shame on LA! Creating City Budget Behind Closed Doors](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19684-shame-on-la-creating-city-budget-behind-closed-doors "Shame on LA! Creating City Budget Behind Closed Doors")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 27 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/035i.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19684-shame-on-la-creating-city-budget-behind-closed-doors)

**LA WATCHDOG**--In a memo to All General Managers, Councilman Paul Krekorian, the Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, indicated there will not be 40 hours of budget hearings as there have been in the past.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19684-shame-on-la-creating-city-budget-behind-closed-doors)

   ##  [ LA’s Pension Contributions are Ballooning: The Public Has a Right to Know](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19678-la-s-pension-contributions-are-ballooning-the-public-has-a-right-to-know "LA’s Pension Contributions are Ballooning: The Public Has a Right to Know")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 27 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/035m.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19678-la-s-pension-contributions-are-ballooning-the-public-has-a-right-to-know)

**LA WATCHDOG--**The City’s Annual Required Contributions to its two pension funds have increased 56% ($475 million) since Eric Garcetti was elected mayor, from $848 million to $1.32 billion for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19678-la-s-pension-contributions-are-ballooning-the-public-has-a-right-to-know)

   ##  [ Garcetti: What He Says v. What He Budgets](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19661-garcetti-what-he-says-v-what-he-budgets "Garcetti: What He Says v. What He Budgets")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 23 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/034r.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19661-garcetti-what-he-says-v-what-he-budgets)

**LA WATCHDOG--**Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Eric Garcetti have prioritized the lives of Californians and Angelenos over the premature opening of our economy unless there is adequate testing, tracking, and monitoring; proper social distancing; the protection of vulnerable communities; surge capacity at hospitals; continued research and development; and the development of adequate guidelines in the case there is a resurgence of the virus.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19661-garcetti-what-he-says-v-what-he-budgets)

   ##  [ LA Controller, LA Mayor Disagree on Proposed City Budget](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19635-la-controller-la-mayor-disagree-on-proposed-city-budget "LA Controller, LA Mayor Disagree on Proposed City Budget")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 20 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/033f.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19635-la-controller-la-mayor-disagree-on-proposed-city-budget)

**LA WATCHDOG**--The Mayor’s Proposed Budget anticipates General Fund revenues of almost $6.7 billion, an increase of $118 million (1.8%) from this year’s Adopted Budget, and a balanced budget.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19635-la-controller-la-mayor-disagree-on-proposed-city-budget)

1. [ Garcetti’s Legacy … The Good and the Not So Good](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19622-garcetti-s-legacy-the-good-and-the-not-so-good)
2. [ Labor Agreements and the Virus Playing Havoc with LA’s Budget](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19615-labor-agreements-and-the-virus-playing-havoc-with-la-s-budget)
3. [ Will We Allow City Hall to Increase Our Taxes?](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19585-will-we-allow-city-hall-to-increase-our-taxes)
4. [ The LA Corruption-Buck Stops with Garcetti, Wesson, and Martinez](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19565-the-la-corruption-buck-stops-with-garcetti-wesson-and-martinez)
5. [ Will Mitch Englander Sing?](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19530-will-mitch-englander-sing)
6. [ LA Must Take Drastic Action Now to Solve Its Impending Budget Busting Mistakes](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19509-la-must-take-drastic-action-now-to-solve-it-s-impending-budget-busting-mistakes)
7. [ Who’s Next? ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19491-who-s-next)
8. [ LA’s Budget Virus](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19473-la-s-budget-virus)
9. [ Much More Than Mitch Englander](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19455-much-more-than-mitch-englander)
10. [ Musical Chairs at LA City Hall](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19443-musical-chairs-at-la-city-hall)

 Page 11 of 23

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