League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 5, 2013 Election
	Cary T. Iaccino Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 3

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the City of Los Angeles today? As Council Member, what would you do to deal with it?

The budget. Delivering core services and avoiding insolvency. We must tackle our deficit with multi-year planning, performance-based budgeting and a clear focus on delivering what taxpayers expect and deserve, without continuing to go back to the people for more. Business, homeowners, and all residents continue to be pressed to shoulder the burden of regressive tax increases, and continually rising fees, fines, and permits. Let's liberate our business base so entrepreneurs can create jobs and increase economic activity. It's time to stop raising taxes any further and time to eliminate the cumbersome Gross Receipts Tax and instead create a climate for our business community to grow. Only then will we see an increase in the revenues the city generates.

2. The City Administrative Officer has estimated a $200M budget shortfall for 2013-2014 increasing to $300M in 2015-2016. What steps do you propose to deal with this problem, and how much do you estimate each step would reduce the shortfall?

We need a truly independent voice at the table for reasonable and fair negotiations between our Public Sector Unions and our City on necessary cost control to insure retirement security for our entire City family, while avoiding bankruptcy. As the husband of a United Teachers of Los Angeles union member, I know how difficult it is when budget cuts force furloughs and other cost saving measures upon individual families. As a business owner, I feel the burdens all levels of government hoist upon our revenue generators, the entrepreneurs. We must balance the interests of both of these parties with the needs of our citizens. In addition to pension reform, I propose several options to reduce the budget shortfall. To name a few: require the City to create a 5 year financial plan, fully implement performance-based budgeting, consolidate overlapping departments, increase efficiencies with 21st century technologies, form more Public/Private Partnerships for non-core functions, and do a much better job at collecting revenue already owed to the City.

3. Do you support the ballot measure to increase the sales tax in the city?

I do not support Measure A to increase the sales tax. This regressive tax is another in a long line of fees and taxes that are sold to us as the only way to keep us safe, and it hits hardest at the lower income earners. There are ways to generate new revenues through business growth and retention. If we allow business to grow 5% in LA, we should easily realize all the revenue this measure will produce. Not to mention, the revenue raised through this proposal would not even cover next year's escalation in the City's contributions to salaries, pensions and benefits. The best part of freeing up our businesses; their growth will compound in the years ahead which offset the yearly cost increases.

4. What role do you feel the City of Los Angeles has to play in addressing climate change? Please explain in terms of what you as a city councilmember would have the power to do.

Climate change truly can only be addressed on a global scale. As a city, we can do much more to encourage more recycling, alternative energy sources, decreases in energy use through simple efficiency and untapped new technologies. We can set an example and show other cities and countries how it can be done; being a trendsetter is what California is known for. What we should not do is make changes so drastic and fast that our cost of living is a burden to individuals and businesses. There must be a careful balance struck between being good stewards of the Earth and hurting our chances for economic recovery. And finally, focus on more parks and open space. Let's keep open space (Such as Pierce College farm) intact and only increase density when growth patterns show a need for expansion. I will not force it.

5. How would you prioritize your local constituency versus the City as a whole when acting as a Council Member?

I supported valley secession in the past because we deserve our fair share of the money in taxes we send downtown. I will fight for those vital funds being returned in equitable public services to our stakeholders. The district Council Office can and should act as a hub for its communities. I will increase staffing levels in our District Office. We will operate more in the field, identifying quality of life issues in the communities we represent. My office hours will be lengthened to help fill in where 311 operator's call hours have been reduced, we will offer weekend hours as well. When a tree falls in the street and 311 is unavailable, do we want residents calling 911? My bosses are the 252,000 individuals who conferred upon me this elected position. In return we will give CD3 Stakeholders common sense solutions and make customer service a priority for our neighborhoods.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: January 13, 2013 09:20
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