The 2013 Los Angeles Mayor Election 2013, March 5 Primary is here and Josefa Salinas has all the information on Candidates, Ballot Measure Info and Polling Places…
MAYORAL CANDIDATES:
If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the votes, a runoff between the top two contenders will take place May 21.
Find your polling place here
On the same ballot Tuesday, Angelenos will also vote on the following:
MEASURE A
Proponents, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
and the League of Women Voters, argue the tax is needed to offset state funding
cuts and the city's budget deficit. If enacted, the measure would bring the
total sales tax in LA to 9.5% (with 1.25% going to the city). The sales tax is already
9.5% in several cities within LA County.
Opponents of the measure, including the Los Angeles Times and all the
mayoral candidates, say the tax hike would drive business out of the city. The
Times suggested that voters should give incoming leaders a chance to balance
the budget without a tax that "could hurt vulnerable consumers, deter
businesses from locating in the city and slow the commerce that fuels the
economy."
MEASURE B
Measure B would allow Department of General Services (GSD) police personnel,
who transfer to the LAPD, to transfer their retirement credit from the city's
civilian plan to the generous fire and police pension plan. The measure states
that such transfers would be cost neutral to the city, "with any
additional costs to be paid by the police personnel who choose to switch
retirement plans."
Background: GSD police personnel patrol city buildings and facilities. In
2012, the city approved the consolidation of GSD police officers into the LAPD,
and the consolidation should be completed in 2013.
Proponents, including Garcetti and Greuel, argue it is fair and efficient
for officers transferred to the LAPD to have the same benefits as other members
of the plan.
Opponents, including Pleitez, argue that police pensions are a significant
contributing factor to the city's budget deficit and that there is no way to
guarantee that this measure will not add to the problem.
The League of Women Voters is neutral on the measure, saying the proposal
seems reasonable but may cost the cash-strapped city money it doesn't have. The
LA Times has not weighed in.
OTHER ELECTIONS
Angelenos will vote on candidates vying for three different seats on the LA
Community College District Board of Trustees. Voters who live in City Council
District 1, which includes Echo Park, Highland Park, Chinatown and Mid Cities,
will also be voting for their next councilmember.
Click here to see a sample ballot.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The deadline to register to vote for the primary was Feb. 19. The deadline
to register to vote for the May runoff is May 6; register here.
