#  LA WATCHDOG

   ##  [ 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)

   ##  [ 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 "Garcetti’s Legacy … The Good and the Not So Good")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 16 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/032o.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19622-garcetti-s-legacy-the-good-and-the-not-so-good)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Over the last month, Mayor Eric Garcetti has done an excellent job of communicating with Angelenos about the Virus and what we need to do to stay safe and healthy.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19622-garcetti-s-legacy-the-good-and-the-not-so-good)

   ##  [ 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 "Labor Agreements and the Virus Playing Havoc with LA’s Budget")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 16 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/032m.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19615-labor-agreements-and-the-virus-playing-havoc-with-la-s-budget)

**LA WATCHDOG**--*“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked.”* Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19615-labor-agreements-and-the-virus-playing-havoc-with-la-s-budget)

   ##  [ 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 "Will We Allow City Hall to Increase Our Taxes?")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 09 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/030c.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19585-will-we-allow-city-hall-to-increase-our-taxes)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Rumors emanating from City Hall suggest that Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council are considering a tax increase to finance the projected deficit for the upcoming fiscal year beginning on July 1.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19585-will-we-allow-city-hall-to-increase-our-taxes)

   ##  [ 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 "The LA Corruption-Buck Stops with Garcetti, Wesson, and Martinez")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     April 06 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/029g.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19565-the-la-corruption-buck-stops-with-garcetti-wesson-and-martinez)

***LA WATCHDOG**--One day, hopefully, sooner or later, we’ll knock down the new coronavirus that’s got people rattled. But there is no vaccine for the virus that infects City Hall.”* Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, March 11, 2020

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19565-the-la-corruption-buck-stops-with-garcetti-wesson-and-martinez)

   ##  [ Will Mitch Englander Sing?](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19530-will-mitch-englander-sing "Will Mitch Englander Sing?")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     March 30 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2020/027i.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19530-will-mitch-englander-sing)

**LA WATCHDOG**-On Friday, former LA City Councilman Mitchell Englander “agreed to plead guilty to a federal criminal charge stemming from his obstruction of a public corruption investigation related to his acceptance of gifts - including cash, hotel rooms and expensive meals - from a businessman during trips to Las Vegas and palm Springs in 2017.”

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19530-will-mitch-englander-sing)

   ##  [ 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 "LA Must Take Drastic Action Now to Solve Its Impending Budget Busting Mistakes")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     March 26 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2020/026p.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19509-la-must-take-drastic-action-now-to-solve-it-s-impending-budget-busting-mistakes)

**LA WATCHDOG**--Mayor Eric Garcetti will submit his Proposed Budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2020 to the City Council on or before April 20 as required by the City Charter.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19509-la-must-take-drastic-action-now-to-solve-it-s-impending-budget-busting-mistakes)

   ##  [ Who’s Next? ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19491-who-s-next "Who’s Next? ")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     March 23 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2020/025r.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19491-who-s-next)

**LA WATCHDOG**--In November of 2018, the FBI and IRS raided the offices and house of Jose Huizar in connection with its investigation of pay-to-play corruption at City Hall.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19491-who-s-next)

   ##  [ LA’s Budget Virus](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19473-la-s-budget-virus "LA’s Budget Virus")

      Details    Jack Humphreville    [LA WATCHDOG](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog)     March 19 2020       [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2020/024q.png)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19473-la-s-budget-virus)

LA WATCHDOG**--The impact of the coronavirus on the City’s already precarious finances has yet to be determined, but there is little doubt that it will cause a materially change in the City’s budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2020.

     [  Read more …  ](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19473-la-s-budget-virus)

1. [ Much More Than Mitch Englander](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19455-much-more-than-mitch-englander)
2. [ Musical Chairs at LA City Hall](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19443-musical-chairs-at-la-city-hall)
3. [ The Truth About LACERS](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19440-the-truth-about-lacers)
4. [ Bank of Los Angeles: A Pet Project That Won’t Die](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19425-bank-of-los-angeles-a-pet-project-that-won-t-die)
5. [ The Coronavirus, the City’s Precarious Budget, and Radical Transparency](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19408-the-coronavirus-the-city-s-precarious-budget-and-radical-transparency)
6. [ LA Budget Fiasco Demands Radical Transparency](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19374-la-budget-fiasco-demands-radical-transparency)
7. [ Even More Reasons for Angelenos to Reject Super Tuesday’s Prop 13, the $15 Billion School Bond](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19354-even-more-reasons-for-angelenos-to-reject-super-tuesday-s-prop-13-the-15-billion-school-bond)
8. [ Is Homelessness Really an LA Priority?](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19337-is-homelessness-really-an-la-priority)
9. [ Garcetti’s New Green Deal: More “Leap of Faith” Financing](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19319-garcetti-s-new-green-deal-more-leap-of-faith-financing)
10. [ Another School Bond? Why It’s Easy to Say No!](https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/19286-another-school-bond-why-it-s-easy-to-say-no)

 Page 12 of 23

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