Election Central: Questions for the candidates (Feb 12, 2009)

1) Since Mayor Villaraigosa called for expanding the police department by at least 1,000 officers, 694 have joined the force. Considering that crime continues to be down in Los Angeles, should the hiring go forward even in the face of dramatic budget shortfalls? Or should hiring stop or be slowed until more revenue is available?

2) The LAPD labors under a federal consent decree that arose from years of officer misconduct and scandal. Police disciplinary hearings had historically been open for public review until courts recently ruled that they could be closed under state law. Sen. Gloria Romero has attempted to pass legislation that would reopen misconduct hearings. But police unions strongly oppose it. Do you believe the public has a right to know the names of officers who commit misconduct and the details of their misdeeds? If elected, would you campaign for re-opening police misconduct hearings?

3) Who deserves credit for the steady drop in Los Angeles crime -- the mayor, the police chief or someone else?

4) To what extent is it appropriate for a mayor to control the local school district? How well managed was the attempt by the current mayor to make this happen?

5) Mayor Villaraigosa set out to take over all Los Angeles public schools and now oversees a small percentage of them. Do you believe his efforts have been worthwhile? Do you believe it has made a difference in the way children are being educated?

1) What concrete proposals would you pursue to reduce traffic congestion in Los Angeles?

2) Do you favor building a Subway to the Sea? What would be your preferred route?

3) Do you favor making more Los Angeles streets flow one way? Do you favor putting toll lanes in place of freeway lanes?

4) What approach would you use to evaluate real estate development projects in the city? Is there any project that should not have been approved over the past decade?

5) Would you favor tougher restrictions against billboard advertising like those in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills?

1) What distinguishes you from the other candidates in the race?

2) Los Angeles likely will face a deficit of $400 million to $500 million in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, as well as steep shortfalls in the years that follow. If elected, how would you balance the city budget? Specifically, what programs or services would you cut, what taxes or fees would you increase, and what other measures would you take?

3) To cut costs, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is considering layoffs or offering early retirement to city employees. Do you support either or both of those alternatives? Given the increased need for government assistance in these bad economic times, is now the right time to reduce the number of city employees or cut hours at libraries and city parks?

4) Do you support Measure B, the city's proposed solar power initiative? Why? How do you believe it will affect Department of Water and Power rates?

5) Should the city controller have authority to perform both financial audits and performance audits on programs run by the mayor or city attorney?

6) In June, the city's contracts with police and firefighters unions will expire. Should police officers and firefighters be given raises or increased benefits? If so, how would you pay for those, given the city's current financial condition?