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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Specific Goals,
Qualifications and Experience,
Priorities for Auditing
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. Describe your specific goals and the steps you would take to reach these goals if you are elected Controller.
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Answer from Dennis P. Zine:
One of my top priorities will be to seriously beef up the controller's fraud and abuse unit which now has only one full-time employee. I will also assure the public that favoritism and politics will not play a role in my office's use of its financial and management audit tools. These are powerful tools for good and must be used responsibly.
Answer from Ron Galperin:
Fixing L.A. broken finances is key to fixing our broken streets and sidewalks + and to providing quality City services. I have a specific Dollars & Sense plan to improve collections, use City assets wisely, promote local businesses, rein in City contracts, eliminate wasteful spending and see audit recommendations implemented. Importantly, I will be independent and innovative.
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2. What special qualifications or financial management or auditing experience do you have to carry out the responsibilities of Controller?
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Answer from Dennis P. Zine:
As the city's Audit and Government Efficiency Committee chairman I have had the unique opportunity to see first-hand how the controller's office operates and ensure that its audits are fair and that their recommendations are implemented. I also have practiced financial responsibility by saving over a $1 million from my office budget and re-investing that money in public improvements in my council district.
Answer from Ron Galperin:
I bring experience as an attorney and business person, and as head of two expert City commissions to this job. My Commission on Revenue Efficiency specifically identified more than $450 million in savings, efficiencies and revenues the City can achieve. And, as President of the Quality & Productivity Commission, I have been working to improve performance and service delivery.
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3. The Controller serves an important audit function. What departments or programs would you prioritize for auditing?
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Answer from Ron Galperin:
Personnel costs constitute the largest share of City spending, while dollars from other government sources constitute our biggest revenues. These are essential to audit, along with City purchasing of goods and services + much of which are currently bought from non-L.A. businesses. My focus will be on both performance and financial audits + and, most crucially, effecting much-needed change.
Answer from Dennis P. Zine:
My top priority will be to target those city agencies with the largest budgets, like the police, fire and proprietary departments, for financial and management audits. The police and fire budgets account for 70 percent of the city's general fund budget. These agencies deserve the most audit scrutiny because they are where the most tax dollars are at risk.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
