Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

The City of Los Angeles wants to speed up the construction of rail lines and is seeking Obama era stimulus funds to do so.  The Mayor's office wants a proposed Federal program to advance money to the MTA for various projects. Deputy Mayor Jaime de la Vega said, "There are 12 major projects that we believe will provide over 127,000 construction jobs and 2,800 permanent jobs minimum."

With a looming disaster facing the City's pension funds the City Council is looking at getting a hold on the costs going forward.  A proposed ballot measure will drastically scale back the pensions offered to new City employees. According to reports public employee unions are already denouncing the move.

If Chris Essel was the Queen of SB1818 then Councilman Paul Krekorian is it's executioner.  One of the new Councilman's first moves was to propose legislation to limit the scope of the controversial measure.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Friday

Former State Senator and 60s sixties radical Tom Hayden writes in the redesigned LA Times his concerns about the ethical implications of William Bratton's departure as LAPD Chief.  Bratton is going to work for Michael Cherkasky whose firm was hired by the City of Los Angeles to monitor the LAPD's compliance with a use of force consent decree. Hayden wants an independent investigation of Bratton's relationship with Cherkasky and to determine if Cherkasky had already made plans to hire Bratton as soon as the consent decree was lifted. With investigations by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich this issues adds to the laundry list of questions that must be asked before Bratton leaves town for good.

Los Angeles County's Young Democrats endorsed Los Angeles School Board member Tamar Galatzan for LA City Council District 2 Thursday night. Results were 79% for Tamar Galatzan, 17% for Paul Krekorian, 4% all others/no endorsement. 

Good point by Jason  Burns at Metrobloging. California and Los Angeles citizens voted to tax themselves to build more rail lines.  Yet the train cars are being ordered from Korea, Italy and Germany, all countries whose collective asses we kicked in various wars.  With high unemployment, recession and Obama stimulus efforts why aren't these train cars being built in LA?

The always great Latinopolitics.com blog notes that Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez has gone beyond the town hall meeting plan.  Sanchez is involved in "prayer vigils" for health care.  Given some of the reports Latino Politics has had about Rep. Sanchez's "extracurricular activities" it appears she better attend confession.

In case you were wondering my view of the LA Times recent website redesign, you can read it here.

Congrats to Franklin Avenue bloggers Mike and Maria on the birth of their second son, Nathan Antonio (Antonio???) on August 11th.  Baby came in at 8 pounds, 3 oz. Mom and child are doing great as are Dad and big brother Evan, 4.5 yrs.  Our best wishes to the happy family!