Blame who you want to blame, the City of Los Angeles is in one big financial mess. And once again they, as in city leaders, are turning to us to bail LA out with Measure A.
Those who support the half cent tax increase say it will only cost the average taxpayer something like $30 a year; comparing it to the cost of a few lattes here and there. Why is it that they always compare the cost to coffee? Because they know we are caffeine addicts? I digress.
Back to that $30 latte.
By my math, and mind you I'm in TV because I hate math, I'm already paying for an additional 400 cups of coffee a year between all the tax increases that would cost me "next to nothing".
On the bright side, maybe that's why I have so much energy. On the downside, all that extra coffee is costing a lot of money. Have you seen the price of a cup of coffee?
So what's a city to do?
Joel Fox, who heads the Small Business Action Committee, suggests giving the new mayor, the one we're going to elect tonight or May 21st, a chance at balancing those unbalanced city books.
Plus, he or she will have a lot of new council members to work with. Maybe they're good at math and can help.
And if they can't figure it out, then come next election we can talk taxes - and the price of coffee - again.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
People who follow the ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost, with a new study suggesting it can fight high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension.
In recent years, veterinarians have stepped in to provide a quick, cost-effective place on the Internet for owners to have their questions answered and get solid advice no matter the time of the day.
In recent years, veterinarians have stepped in to provide a quick, cost-effective place on the Internet for owners to have their questions answered and get solid advice no matter the time of the day.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:24:33 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:13 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:13:53 GMT
The NYPD says a 14-year-old girl was shot and killed on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on board the Q-6 bus on Sutphin Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD says a 14-year-old girl was shot and killed on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on board the Q-6 bus on Sutphin Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:05 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:05:15 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:14:35 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:33:09 GMT
A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed and his father was wounded on a Jersey City street Friday night. Police say Gywan Levine Jr. and his father, Gywan Levine Sr., were walking on Rutgers Avenue
A 12-year-old boy was shot and killed and his father was wounded on a Jersey City street Friday night. Police say Gywan Levine Jr. and his father, Gywan Levine Sr., were walking on Rutgers Avenue
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:52:45 GMT
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
Tuesday, May 14 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-14 22:04:37 GMT
Citing problems exposed by the Boston Marathon bombings, senators weighing amendments to a sweeping immigration bill agreed Tuesday to boost security provisions around student visas.
Citing problems exposed by the Boston Marathon bombings, senators weighing amendments to a sweeping immigration bill agreed Tuesday to boost security provisions around student visas.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:31 PM EDT2013-05-14 18:31:41 GMT
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] They range in age, but they all think alike. They're Simi Valley's K-9 search and rescue, and these women go out at all hours of the night to save dogs that have gone missing.
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] They range in age, but they all think alike. They're Simi Valley's K-9 search and rescue. Using Facebook and some serious tracking techniques the women of Simi Valley Missing Pets go out at all hours of the night to save dogs that have gone missing.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:24 PM EDT2013-05-14 18:24:37 GMT
Today is crunch time for the operators of medical-marijuana dispensaries in Garden Grove. The police chief has sent them letters telling them they must close by today or face fines of 1-thousand dollars.
Today is crunch time for the operators of medical-marijuana dispensaries in Garden Grove. The police chief has sent them letters telling them they must close by today or face fines of 1-thousand dollars.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 2:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 06:48:17 GMT
There is one residential detox center across the street from Bertran Elementary in Reseda. Two others are right around the corner, and two more are being built nearby.
There is one residential detox center across the street from Bertran Elementary in Reseda. Two others are right around the corner, and two more are being built nearby.
Monday, May 13 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-14 01:08:41 GMT
A 25-acre wildfire has shut down some northbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Castaic, north of Los Angeles, and is threatening a mobile home park.
A 25-acre wildfire started by a burning vehicle north of Los Angeles slowed northbound traffic on Interstate 5 to a crawl Monday and threatened a mobile home park, as hot weather and tinder-dry vegetation kept fire crews busy.
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:40 AM EDT2013-05-18 07:40:51 GMT
Maribel Ramos, 36, was last seen on surveillance video dropping off her rent check about 8:30 p.m. May 2 in Orange. Roomate has been arrested for her murder.
Maribel Ramos, 36, was last seen on surveillance video dropping off her rent check about 8:30 p.m. May 2 in Orange. Roomate has been arrested for her murder.
