|
PROGRAM
#403 & 404
GUEST: L. A. Councilman Bernard Parks
TITLE: Chairman, L. A. City Budget Committee
Taped 8-12-04
With
nearly 40 years experience, former Police Chief and
current L. A. City Councilman Bernard Parks comments
on the most corrupt mayoral administration since the
era of recalled Mayor Shaw. In a two-part interview
with Leslie Dutton Parks commented on the Federal and
County Grand Jury investigations of corruption in the
current administration of Mayor James Hahn. Saying that
he could not recall when the Mayor's office had been
under such intense scrutiny for issues such as pay-to-play
and campaign law violations.
Parks
also covered the conflicting assessments of Mayor Hahn
and Police Chief William Bratton. He explains why the
LAPD improvement reports are cosmetic, a the result
of changing definitions and the City's 4 major issues
of traffic, crime, jobs and education.
L.A.
CITY $300 MILLION DEFICIT BY JUNE 30, 2005
Part 2
Taped 8-12-04
Los
Angeles, CA — In an alarming wake-up call Los Angeles
City Councilman Bernard Parks, chair of the Council
Budget Committee, predicted that unless all spending
is brought under control only an increase in taxes will
prevent a $300 million budget shortfall by June 30,
2005. Commenting on part-two of an interview with Emmy
Award winning Full Disclosure host Leslie Dutton. Parks
said that if spending continues at the current rate,
revenue increases from sales tax, business tax and property
taxes will be necessary.
Parks
noted the recent Council vote banning big retail developments
is sending the wrong message, that big retail businesses
should take their sales tax out of town. He also acknowledged
the Council vote was influenced by labor unions who
opposed non-union businesses. He said that the union
influence often results in a vote, contrary to the better
interest of the city. And he pointed out that like any
special interest group the unions have a narrow perspective
that promotes their own agenda.
|
