Which Way, L.A.?
Do Downtown LA Hotels Need Subsidies?
Despite cutbacks in police, fire and other public services, the Mayor and City Council are giving $640 million in tax revenue to hotel developers in downtown LA.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenAt a time of cutbacks in police, fire and other public services, the Mayor and the City Council are giving back some $640 million in tax revenue to the developers of three hotels in booming downtown Los Angeles. Is it a sound "investment" or a giveaway? Would the hotels be built anyway? Why is it that hotels in the rest of the city don't get the same deal? Also, the Lakers' season is over after the second round of the playoffs. What's next? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, what are the Republican presidential aspirants waiting for?
Banner image: Exterior of the Ritz-Carlton and J.W. Marriott in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Nokia Theatre and Staples Center are seen at bottom right. Photo: Ritz-Carlton
In this episode
3 storiesAre Hotels in Downtown LA Getting Taxpayer Money for Free?
The LA Times reports that two building inspectors have been arrested and a federal grand jury has issued subpoenas seeking personnel records of at least 11 current and former employees. David Zahniser co-wrote the story. He also wrote a Times' story about tax breaks for massive hotels in booming downtown Los Angeles. J.W.
Read the story20 minLakers Lose in Post-Season, but What about Next Season?
The "threepeat" is a dream of the past, and Phil Jackson , the most successful coach in NBA history, said he would retire long before yesterday's four-day sweep by the Dallas Mavericks was finally over. Todd Boyd is Professor of Critical Studies and USC's School of Cinema and Television.
Read the story6 minHow the 2012 GOP Field Is Stacking Up
A crowd of prominent Republicans is supposedly thirsting to run against President Obama next year, but they've waited a long time to make that final commitment. Even Republicans with double-digit support in the polls have been slow to get into the race.
Read the story26 min
