Keep LA Strong

Debtors owe Los Angeles $447 million. If big debtors pay up, we could fund 180 parks.
Don't send our taxes to Texas. If we cut expensive outsourcing we could pave 125 miles of streets.
If big banks pay to fix foreclosed homes, we could triple the city's slum housing enforcement.

If you don't have YouTube, you can download the video here.

In June 2010, the LA City Council approved a budget that cuts many of the programs and services that make Los Angeles a world-class city.

City workers want to keep LA strong. They have found solutions that preserve park maintenance, library hours, tree-trimming and other basic services. In this recession, we have to protect LA's parks, beaches, streets and neighborhoods.

A-Layoff-Free-LA_LA-Times.jpgRead what people have said about the Strong Budget:

"There are a lot of efficiencies, there are a lot of other places where we can find revenue. One of my ideas is to do less contracting out. We're a lot better off if we find city contracts that can be cut." - LA City Councilman Paul Koretz on KCRW's "Which Way, LA?" (April 20, 2010)

"I don't think [the mayor has] established priorities. That's the concern I have. I'm looking at the budget the mayor has presented and the one that [city workers] have." - LA City Councilman Dennis Zine on "Which Way, LA?"

"We are seeking input from everyone, and we very much appreciate what city workers are doing. People working, people paying their bills is how we're going to get out of this recession." - Doug Epperhart, member of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and chairman of Neighborhood Council budget advocates, at the Strong Budget launch (April 16, 2010)

What are city workers' strong budget solutions? 

Trim or eliminate expensive outside contracts ($59.6 million)
LA outsources more than $244 million every year for services such as engineering, painting and maintenance. 


Collect from deadbeat debtors ($38.2 million) 
Big debtors owe $450 million, of which at least $38.2 million is collectible. 


Implement city worker solutions ($121.6 million) 
Last year city workers in the Coalition of LA City Unions approved an agreement to save millions through pay deferrals, furloughs, overtime changes and an early retirement plan. 

Restructure to prioritize front-line services ($49.4 million) 
Streamline managment and waive capital spending requirement to prioritize front-line services. 


Maximize revenue collection ($33 million)
LA can do more to recover costs and maximize every penny of revenue.

Reduce retirement plan costs ($46 million)
City worker retirement plans have fueled investment and contributed to the city's long-term growth. Smart finance fixes can reduce the impact of market losses and ensure their long-term health. 


Demand big banks do their part to fix neighborhoods ($79.1 million)
Banks helped create the budget crisis with toxic lending practices. Now they need to help solve it. SB 1137 lets municipalities fine banks that fail to maintain foreclosed residences. 


Maintain public safety ($5.4 million)
The City of LA is safer today than in decades. That's because police, firefighters and civilian workers have taken a neighborhood-based approach to crime prevention through services such as CLASS parks, library programs, neighborhood prosecutors and community policing.

 

*Note on sources and figures: All figures come from original research and are based on the latest publicly available City of Los Angeles financial documents. Click here to read the full budget proposal.

LA's top 50 debtors owe more than $100 million. That's nearly the whole budget for the Recreation and Parks Department, which maintains 180 parks and recreation centers (Source: 2009-2010 LA City Budget)

If we fine banks $56.3 million for failing to maintain foreclosed residences, we can triple the city Housing Department's $15 million code enforcement budget (Source: 2009-2010 LA City Budget)

If we trim $24 million in outsourcing to companies located in Texas, Colorado and other states, we can restore 125 miles of street paving that was cut from last year's budget (Source: 2009-2010 LA City Budget)

Read the Budget

Los Angeles has a financial crisis. But what some elected officials are proposing will make it harder for all of us to live in Los Angeles.

Click here to get the complete Strong Budget and executive summary, see our strong solutions, and read our top recommendations to the mayor and City Council.

Get instant updates

The City must adopt a new budget by June 1. You can get instant updates on your cellphone with all the action.

Text STRONGLA to 69866