LA WATCHDOG - Will throwing good money after bad solve the City’s homeless problem?
The $800 Million Homeless Flip Tax: Good Money After Bad
LA Watchdog
Blasphemy: Glendale Power Prioritizes Reliability
LA WATCHDOG - As part of its plan to deliver reliable and affordable energy to the 200,000 residents of Glendale as well as to its commercial and industrial customers, the Power Division of Glendale Water and Power is proposing to repower its gas fired Grayson Power Plant.
Bvlgari Resort Los Angeles: Big Hat, No Cattle
LA WATCHDOG - A relatively unknown developer is proposing to develop a luxury resort in the hills of Benedict Canyon that will be operated by Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts, an affiliate of LVMH, the world’s largest company specializing in luxury goods.
Trash Fees to Increase by Estimated $100 a Year
LA WATCHDOG - In its effort to reduce methane emissions from landfills, the State of California (through SB 1383) has mandated that by 2025 the City divert 75% of its organic waste from landfills, currently a major source of this “super polluting” greenhouse gas.
Killing the Golden Goose
LA WATCHDOG - The City and the State are benefitting from record revenues, but our politicians and their acolytes want to pick our pockets for even more of our hard-earned money through ballot box budgeting tax measures.
The DWP Fiasco: City’s Greed Backfires
LA WATCHDOG - Over the past two months, four men have pleaded guilty to felony charges relating to the Department of Water and Power’s botched rollout of its new Customer Information System (“CIS”) in September of 2103.
Shocked, Shocked to Find Corruption in LA
LA WATCHDOG - Corruption permeates the City of Los Angeles.
2022: Major Storm Warnings for LA's Financial Forecast!
LA WATCHDOG - With so much uncertainty in the world, will the Nury Martinez led City Council and the Mayor (whoever he or she is) be “prudent” in developing next year’s City’s budget?
LA’s Budget “Manageable,” at Least for Now
LA WATCHDOG - The Second Financial Status Report issued by the City Administrative Officer concluded that the City’s fiscal challenges for 2021-22 are “manageable.”
Will LA's Ratepayers Ever Trust the DWP Again?
LA WATCHDOG - On Monday, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that that David Alexander, a former employee of our Department of Water and Power, agreed to plead guilty to one felony charge of making false statements to the FBI.
Restore LA Rec & Parks Funding
LA WATCHDOG - Last week, Mayor Eric Garcetti issued Executive Directive No. 31, Achieving Park Equity, that calls for “improved access to parks for communities with less public green space.”
DWP Bribery Scandal: Who’s Next?
LA WATCHDOG - Now that David Wright, the former General Manager of the Department of Water and Power who was summarily fired in July of 2019, has agreed to plead guilty to bribery in connection with DWP awarding in 2017 a $30 million no-bid contract to a newly formed company controlled by New York City lawyer Paul Paradis, many are wondering who will be the next target(s) of the United States Attorney’s Office?
DWP Bribery Scandal May Tank Garcetti’s Ambassadorship
LA WATCHDOG - The odds that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will be America’s next ambassador to India are getting slimmer by the day as new revelations of corruption and sexual harassment surface, leaving many to speculate what else is hiding in the closet.
LAPD Funding: Can LA Increase Budget When Facing a Deficit?
LA WATCHDOG - The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting a 12% increase in its budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2022.
LA’s Fire & Police Pension Plans Fully Funded, Finally!
LA WATCHDOG - As a result of a return of over 32% on its investment portfolio, the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Plans (“LAFPP”) are 109% funded as of June 30, 2021, resulting in a surplus of $2.5 billion based on the market value of its investments.
Why Isn’t California Following LAUSD’s Money Saving Program on Covid Testing?
LA WATCHDOG - In June of 2020, the Los Angeles Unified School District contracted with Menlo Park based SummerBio to perform Covid testing services at a cost of approximately $12 per test.
Expand the City Council
LA WATCHDOG - The Los Angeles Times recommended that the City Council be enlarged to 31 members, an increase from the current level of 15 elected representatives.
LACERS: Great Returns, but Still Billions in the Red
LA WATCHDOG - The Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (commonly known as “LACERS”) had a 29% return on its investment portfolio for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.
No Wonder Angelenos Do Not Trust LA’s Corrupt City Council
LA WATCHDOG - Former Councilman Jose Huizar is awaiting trial in Federal court. Former Councilman Mitch Englander is in jail.
Is the Zoo a Priority for the City?
LA WATCHDOG - The Los Angeles Zoo is asking the City Council to approve its $650 million Vision Plan that will “transform the Zoo into the environmentally sustainable, world-class destination and wildlife conservation center that Los Angeles deserves.”
Lunar Cratered Streets Paid for Budget Busting Union Raises
LA WATCHDOG - The City of Los Angeles is considering a number of large infrastructure projects that will result in significant tax increases if approved by the voters.
