Which Way, L.A.?

Can California Afford Both a Recall and a Budget Crisis?

Last week, the New York Times reported that, -Sacramento is in a state of near-perfect political meltdown.- Today-s Washington Post says that nursing homes may have to be shut down, and community colleges may have to cancel summer school and lay off faculty, all because the California State Legislature will have failed to close the $38-billion budget gap by the midnight deadline tonight. Can California afford both a budget crisis-and an election to recall Governor Davis? We hear from State Controller Steve Westly, a Democrat who warns of financial chaos, and from Republican strategist Dan Schnur, who says that when it comes to Davis, enough is enough. Making News: Looking Back at the Careers of Long-Time Council Members The first session of a very new City Council begins tomorrow at Los Angeles City Hall. Out go veteran legislators Nate Holden, Ruth Galanter and Hal Bernson, and in comes a crowd of political celebrities, several of whom might like to be Mayor. Raph Sonenshein is a political science professor at Cal State Fullerton and the former executive director of a commission on charter reform. Reporter's Notebook: Katharine Hepburn, 1907 - 2003 Surrounded by family, Katherine Hepburn died yesterday at 96 when she succumbed to -complications associated with aging.- Recently named the top female screen legend by the American Film Institute, Hepburn won three of her four Best Actress Oscars after the age of 60. Charles Champlain, now retired after long service as arts and film critic for the Los Angeles Times, remembers the actress--and woman--who was ahead of her time.