Where In The World Is Weiss?

Some Council members and possibly a few contituents are wondering if Council Member Jack Weiss is earning the $143,837* a year he is being paid by the taxpayers of Los Angeles.

Last week Weiss took off on Tuesday and Wednesday (missing a council meeting each day) to visit Washington, D.C., presumably to raise funds for a future run at higher office. During the third meeting of the week on Friday, Weiss was in attendance but left the meeting early, causing the council to lose quroum. Several of Weiss' colleagues on the Council were miffed as a number of key votes had to be postponed.

According to our tipsters, the feeling around City Hall is that Weiss has one foot out the door and isn't quite eager to play City Councilman these days.

In other Weiss news, the Councilman is taking heat from Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Coupal recounts a recent exchange between Weiss and local talkradio hosts. Weiss was asked why isn't spending priority given to critical items such as public safety, roads, etc. and then items perceived as less important (such as the Cultural Affairs Department for example?) be placed up for votes for tax increases instead. Weiss responded no one would vote for that "stuff." Coupal accuses Weiss of insulting the intellience of the voters, but I say Weiss is on target. Pork barrel items would rarely if ever get a nod from the voters. That is why the politicians put up the important stuff on the ballot like police, fire and schools and beg for more money.

* Footnote: For a comparison of how much Los Angeles City Council members are paid versus that of other cities (hint: its a LOT more), click here.