League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA May 21, 2013 Election
	Eric M. Garcetti Answers Questions Candidate for Mayor; City of Los Angeles

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the City of Los Angeles today? As Mayor, what would you do to deal with it?

I will ensure city government is focused on creating jobs and solving problems for L.A. residents. We must get back to basics + cleaning the streets, fixing the streets, keeping our streets safe. As Mayor, I will require every department head to reapply for their job, will reform our job training system and ensure children are prepared for careers or college.

2. When Angelenos hit a pothole, they curse City Hall. What is your plan to fix, upgrade, and maintain the streets of Los Angeles and how will the City pay for it?

As Mayor, I will accelerate street paving projects funded under Measure R. I am a practical problem solver who will implement innovative solutions to problems. I am proud to have deployed the city's first constituent services smartphone app, so that people can report problems like potholes and get them fixed anytime, anywhere, from the palms of their hands.

3. 85% of the City's General Fund Budget is for personnel costs. If forced to cut costs to balance the budget, would you favor reducing the number of employees or asking existing employees to accept lower wages and/or reduced benefits?

I have a proven record of making tough and independent decisions to balance the budget. I'm the candidate who has personally negotiated pension reforms to save hundreds of millions of dollars. As Mayor, I will balance the budget by tackling personnel costs and through economic growth. It's economic revenues that put cops on the street and parks in our neighborhoods.

4. Do you support the DWP taking steps to reduce carbon emissions even if that will result in increased bills for ratepayers?

Replacing imported coal power with locally produced renewable power such as solar is not only better for the environment and would create local jobs, it can be cheaper, too. I created the Ratepayer Advocate so that there is an independent watchdog at DWP to protect consumers and make sure rates are honest and transparent.

5. You have proposed eliminating the Business Tax, which accounts for 10% of General Fund revenue. What cuts or tax increases would you advocate to make up for the lost revenue?

This tax is one that taxes businesses even when they lose money and is the highest in the county. It drives businesses and jobs out of L.A. and that harms the budget. My plan is responsible + it's a 15 year plan that includes annual reviews to protect the budget. The net effect would be more revenues through increased economic activity.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: March 26, 2013 08:13
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