Today’s News: Fretting over Prop. A void; Tanaka calls it quits; Streetcars on track

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Prop. A fallout. The president of the L.A. City Council says the defeat of Proposition A in this week’s election means more budget pain for city departments. The proposed half-cent sales tax increase was rejected by a margin of 55 to 45 percent. It would have raised more than $200 million annually to bolster city coffers. Council President Herb Wesson warns that “things are going to get ugly” for L.A.’s police and fire departments and for other city agencies. City News Service

Mayor’s race. The last man and woman standing in the L.A. Mayor’s race are trying to establish their fiscal bona fides. Councilman Eric Garcetti and City Controller Wendy Greuel both came out swinging the day after primary election victories that put them in a May 21st run-off – each insisting that they are best equipped to guide the cash-strapped city back into the black. Greuel received an endorsement yesterday from the Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents thousands of city workers. Garcetti in turn suggested his opponent is beholden to unions that have spent millions to support her campaign. L.A. Times

Tanaka steps down. The controversial second in command at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is resigning. Paul Tanaka made the announcement just hours after being re-elected as mayor of Gardena. A Sheriff’s spokesman says Tanaka’s decision has nothing to do with the federal investigation into allegations of deputies beating and harassing inmates in the county’s jail system. A report into the abuse singled out Tanaka, saying he discouraged investigations of deputies accused of wrongdoing. L.A. Daily News

Back to the future. The L.A. City Council has approved a plan that commits up to $350 million over 30 years for the operation of downtown streetcars. The money comes from the Measure R transportation sales tax approved by voters five years ago, and from federal programs. Voters who live near where the streetcar would operate approved a special tax last December to cover the project’s estimated $125 million construction cost. The streetcars are touted both as a tourist draw and an efficient way to move resident and workers around downtown. L.A. Times

Hollywood development. A group of Hollywood Hills residents will appeal a Planning Department decision approving a pair of tall towers near the Capitol Records building. The homeowners say the environmental impact of the mixed-use project hasn’t been adequately considered, particularly when it comes to increased traffic, noise and light pollution. The $664-million development calls for more than 1 million square feet of apartment, office and retail space. Curbed LA