City Projects May Feel State’s Fiscal Pain

Facing its own budget crunch, the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to ask the governor and state Legislature to forgo cuts in funding to programs benefiting the city.

Gov. Gray Davis has proposed $3 billion in state budget cuts that could result in the loss of tens of millions of dollars for city housing, library and park projects, according to a report to the council by its analysts.

“Hopefully, we will be able to really lobby the governor and the state Legislature to not balance the state budget on the backs of local government,” Councilwoman Janice Hahn said. “Particularly at this time in our local economy, I don’t think we can afford these cuts.”

Davis has not proposed direct cuts in tax revenue to cities, but he has proposed to slash budgets for state programs that assist cities.

The governor is aware of the potential effect of cuts on cities, a representative said.

“You have to look at the governor’s record. He clearly sees local governments as partners with state government,” said Hilary McLean, a spokeswoman for Davis.

Under the governor’s budget, $82 million in cash allocated for construction of a Los Angeles regional crime lab would be replaced by debt financing that could delay the project.

The governor’s budget proposal would eliminate $5 million for work on the Los Angeles River, $1.4 million for city libraries and $2.25 million for three park improvement projects: Debs Park, Ken Malloy Park and the new San Fernando Valley Police and Firefighter Memorial.

Council President Alex Padilla asked for a report on whether other parks projects are in jeopardy, decrying inadequate project management that has delayed finalization of environmental work and development agreements.

City officials said they expect to receive about $144 million next year from the state to make up for cuts in the state vehicle license fee. In the 1980s, the state kept license fee revenue. A similar decision this year would be devastating, officials said.