By Walter Moore, Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles, WalterMooreForMayor.com

Asked why his new budget includes a $406 million deficit despite the fact that the City’s tax revenues are higher than ever, Villaraigosa adopts the Sergeant Schultz line:  “I know nothing -- nothing!”

As the L.A. Weekly reported on May 7, 2008, in an article entitled “Is Antonio Lying About The Budget?,” Villaraigosa is “seeking to duck blame by claiming he had no clue last year” of any trouble, and that, if he had, he “would never have approved” $255 million in raises for 22,000 city employees.

In fact, however, the City Administrative Officer (CAO) warned Mayor Villaraigosa in advance, in writing, again and again.  But Villaraigosa went on an irresponsible spending spree with your money anyway -- and now he wants to raise your taxes, fees and rates even higher. 

You don’t have to take my word for it.  You can read the CAO’s reports for yourself at the official city website.  Here are a highlights from a few of the reports issued on the dates indicated:

1. October 17, 2005
   

2. “Attachment No. 15 provides an updated five-year budget forecast for the General Fund reflecting a potential shortfall of approximately $246.5 million for 2006-07. This shortfall is caused by a structural problem where ongoing expenses exceed projected revenue growth.
   

3. *         *        *
   

4. “[A] large shortfall is still projected for 2006-07 at this time and the City must remain fiscally prudent and preserve any current year savings to help balance the 2006-07 budget.”
   

5. 
   

6. March 13, 2006
   

7. “Attachment 19 provides an updated five-year budget forecast for the General Fund. The Third Financial Status Report indicated a projected budget imbalance of $246.8 million for obligatory changes to the budget and $270.9 million when other potential expenditures are included.”
   

8. 
   

9. January 17, 2007
   

10. “Attachment 7 provides a five-year budget forecast for the General Fund reflecting a potential shortfall of approximately $243 million for 2007-08. It is important to note that this current estimate does not include cost of living increases for civilian employees beyond their current labor contracts.”
    

11. 
    

12. August 9, 2007
    

13. “Attachment 6 provides an updated five-year General Fund budget forecast with a projected deficit of $218.6 million in 2008-09.”
    

14. 
    

15. October 19, 2007
    

16. “Attachment 12a provides an updated five-year General Fund budget forecast with a projected deficit of nearly $300 million in 2008-09.”
    

So, as you can see, Villaraigosa received ample, repeated, written warnings that he was spending too much.  Revenues kept rising, but he kept increasing spending even more.

“I know nothing” was pretty funny coming from actor John Banner, who played Sergeant Schultz.  It’s not funny at all when it comes from the man responsible for running America’s second-biggest city.

You need a new Mayor.  To make that happen, you have to take action.  Click here to help replace Villaraigosa with yours truly, Walter Moore, Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles.