RonKayeLA.com
Founder of the Saving LA Project, and OurLA.org, he blogs at RonKayeLA.com; former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News
PROFILE
Ron Kaye
Guest
FROM Ron Kaye
Which Way, L.A.?
One NFL Stadium…or Two? With applause from downtown business leaders and union officials, the LA City Council today approved what's called a "non-binding" memorandum of understanding -- 12 votes to zero. AEG, which owns Staples Center and LA Live, can now begin to arrange financing for a football stadium next to them near the intersection of westbound Interstate 10 and the northbound Interstate 110 freeways. It's already been named Farmers' Field for Farmers' Insurance.
Which Way, L.A.?
Post-Election Analysis With just one exception, Los Angeles voters re-elected every City Council incumbent on yesterday's ballot , even though all seven were challenged. With just one exception, every measure the Council put on the ballot passed, too.
Which Way, L.A.?
Mayor Villaraigosa's Latest Choice to Lead the DWP In last night's speech on the State of the City , Mayor Villaraigosa said the strain of challenges facing LA have "undermined civic unity." He referred specifically to the battle over increasing utility rates, explained as necessary for the Department of Water and Power to switch from fossil fuels to "green energy." He promised to reform the DWP, an agency he said is known more for secrecy than transparency. This week Villaraigosa appointed Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner to become the DWP's ninth general manager in the past 10 years.
Which Way, L.A.?
Financial Desperation at LA City Hall Former LA Councilwoman Wendy Gruel is now City Controller, the auditor and chief accountant, who studies economic forecasts and tells the Mayor and the Council what to expect. The answer for the next fiscal year is " not much ." Some city revenues will increase, but decreasing property tax will outweigh any gain, leaving a deficit of $484 million. We talk with Gruel and Council President Eric Garcetti.
Which Way, L.A.?
DWP in Transition Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power is looking for a new general manager after Friday's abrupt departure of David Nahai. He'll be going to work for former President Clinton. Today, the DWP Commission took up a contract that will pay Nahai $6300 a week as a private consultant, the same rate he earned while running the nation's largest publicly owned utility.
Which Way, L.A.?
Two More Water Mains Burst Two more water mains burst last night in the San Fernando Valley, just days after a fire engine was almost swallowed in a North Hollywood sink hole and a gusher broke through the pavement in Studio City. The Department of Water and Power says there've been dozens of "major blowouts" in the last three months, flooding streets and damaging buildings as well as vehicles.
Which Way, L.A.?
Shining Some Sunlight on Measure B Measure B on next week's Los Angeles City ballot would authorize the publicly owned Department of Water and Power to build 400 megawatts worth of photovoltaics on warehouse rooftops, parking lots and unused rights of way. That's enough solar energy for 240,000 homes. We hear a debate.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.