Villaraigosa withholds support for local government ballot measure

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Monday that he is not inclined to support a measure on the November ballot aimed at protecting funds for local government. Villaraigosa made his remarks at a Capitol news conference alongside his cousin, Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums.

Pérez stood with Dellums and Villaraigosa to announce support for the Assembly Democrats’ budget plan, which includes a $900-million repayment to cities for money borrowed in an earlier budget plan. But Pérez said he does not support a measure on the November ballot that would prohibit states from ever borrowing from locals again.

‘I think that one of the problems the state is facing is too much ballot-box budgeting,’ Pérez said. ‘What happens when you do this, you break up the budget into lots of silos.

Villaraigosa added his support for the speaker’s comments. ‘I actually don’t take umbrage with that,’ said Villaraigosa of Pérez’s comments.

Villaraigosa said he did not support the November measure. ‘I haven’t seen that initiative. I haven’t read it. But I’m not for governing by initiative, either. I may want to protect local government funding ... but I’m also not a demagogue.’

-- Anthony York in Sacramento