Riordan Endorses Beutner for Mayor…Beutner Who?

Austin Beutner, a potential candidate few Los Angeles voters ever heard of, got a boost today from former Mayor Richard Riordan. Beutner is a former investment banker who made a dollar and a half for the past 18 months as Mayor Villaraigosa's First Deputy. He's opened an exploratory committee to run when Villaraigosa is termed out in 2013 and today Riordan endorsed him. Also today, Villaraigosa announced next year's $6.9 billion budget, cutting 11 percent from his own office, 10 percent from the City Council and even some from the LAPD. Despite reductions, the Mayor said, "We're beginning to seen the light at the end of the tunnel."