Politics & Governnment

Around the Halls: August 31 - September 2

By Eric Richardson — August 31, 2009

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Today is Monday, August 31, and it's tomorrow that things around City Hall get interesting. Tuesday's City Council agenda includes a reconsideration of the proposed new signage ordinance complete with a tangle of amending motions. Also on the agendas: residential hotel appeal fees and the potential sale of a historic fire station.


Taxi Drivers Circle City Hall Asking for End to "Franchise Slavery"

By Eric Richardson — August 18, 2009 — 4 Comments

Taxi Rally at City Hall Eric Richardson

Carrying signs that spoke of "franchise slavery" and "DOT abuses," taxi drivers and supporters took to City Hall this morning to protest what they view as broken promises by city officials and the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The sound of honking car horns enveloped the building as roughly 100 taxis circled in a parade of yellow and green.

In a letter, the Los Angeles Taxi Workers Alliance (LATWA) called on the Mayor to rescind a recently awarded contract and hold public hearings on taxicab regulations. — Continued Inside...


Around the Quiet Halls: August 17 - 28

By Eric Richardson — August 17, 2009

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Today is Monday, August 17, and City Council is in the first day of a two-week recess. It's one of two lengthy recesses for Council, the other being their winter break. This year, that runs from December 18 to January 1.


'We're Ready,' Says Emergency Operations Center

By Ed Fuentes — August 14, 2009

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|Photo Gallery| The city opened its new $107-million Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Thursday morning, replacing the outdated bunker underneath City Hall East with a facility packed with high-tech monitoring and communications systems.

“Today, the city of Los Angeles has a 21st century facility ready to respond to 21st century threats." said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: August 10 - 12

By Eric Richardson — August 10, 2009

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Today is Monday, August 10, and items continue to work their way through the process as City Council prepares for its summer recess. On the agendas this week are special event funding, Broadway design, streetcar funding and a declaration of Dragnet Day.


LAPD Chief William Bratton Leaving in October

By Eric Richardson — August 05, 2009 — 6 Comments

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LAPD Chief William Bratton will step down from his post at the end of October, leaving to head the newly formed Altegrity Security Consulting. The firm will provide consulting services to police departments around the world.

"It has been a remarkable seven years but it is time to move on," said Bratton at a noon press conference.

The L.A. Times was first to report the news this morning, which came as a shock to many. — Continued Inside...


Decision Delayed on Uniforms for Film Officers

By Eric Richardson — August 04, 2009 — 14 Comments

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City Council delayed action on a proposal to shift control over film officers today after LAPD Chief William Bratton agreed to put off a September 20 deadline for the officers to be out of his department's standard uniform.

Filming interests claim that a uniform change proposed by Bratton would drive filming from Los Angeles. — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: August 3 - 6

By Eric Richardson — August 03, 2009

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Today is Monday, August 3, and it is shaping up to be a typical week at City Hall. Thursday brings a special meeting dedicated to medical marijuana dispensaries, while on Tuesday the Planning committee will consider a live/work change that could rejuvenate the Downtown condo market.


LAPD, Councilmembers Clash on Uniforms for Film Officers

By Eric Richardson — July 27, 2009
13 Comments

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A plan to strip retired police officers of the right to wear their LAPD uniforms while working on film shoots met with severe criticism from several members of the Los Angeles City Council this morning. New Councilman Paul Koretz, chair of the Public Safety committee, called the proposal a "lose-lose at every level for the city." He said it would exacerbate...


Around the Halls: July 27 - 29

By Eric Richardson — July 27, 2009
1 Comment

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Today is Monday, July 27, and on the agendas in City Hall this week are a few of Downtown's favorite topics. A motion challenging the LAPD's proposed policy to strip film officers of their uniforms comes to Personnel committee, and marijuana collective rules again come to the Planning committee. Also on the agendas, a motion asking for less of those pesky compact...