Council Eliminates 4,000 City Jobs

Councilmembers Tom LaBonge, Ed Reyes, Tony Cardenas, Greig Smith and Bernard Parks surround Council President Eric Garcetti in a press conference after a critical budget vote on Thursday.

Citing the urgency of the city's fiscal situation, Councilmember LaBonge joined a majority of his colleagues in voting to eliminate 4,000 city jobs yesterday. Because revenue fell far short of projections, the city has a $212 million budget shortfall in the current fiscal year and faces a $484 million shortfall in fiscal 2010-2011.
"In 35 years of public service, I have been through periods of adjustment and recession before," said Councilmember LaBonge. "This is the toughest period we've ever had to face."
The Councilmember said he will strive to stretch the public dollar and maintain the highest level of service possible given the seriousness of the situation.