Morning Buzz: Tuesday 4.14.09

• On-location film shooting in the Los Angeles area has fallen to the lowest level on record, due to labor troubles, the economy and runaway production. But off-site TV shooting is "robust." LAT, Variety, DN, The Wrap (plus, Vancouver way up)
• State limits on political fundraising are largely a bust, the Fair Political Practices Commission concludes in a report that says "the goal of reducing special interest money remains elusive." Sacto Bee, LAT, Dan Walters
• Mayor Villaraigosa's challenge "that could define the rest of his tenure -- how to close a half-billion-dollar gap in the city budget while preserving the support of public-sector unions that have played a major role in bankrolling his campaigns." Phil Willon/LAT
• Not only is the current statewide Republican registration of 31% a historic low, but for the first time there is not a single congressional, state senate or assembly district in California with a majority Republican registration, says GOP consultant Allan Hoffenblum. Fox & Hounds
• The Port of Los Angeles is losing some shipping business to ports in the Pacific Northwest, where certain costs are lower. WSJ
• Setting up the race in the 32nd congressional district, which has drawn a dozen hopefuls. SGV Tribune
• LAUSD will drop the layoff notices for 2,000 of the teachers who were on the list, but not more than 6,000 other employees. LAT, DN
• A Santa Monica school lost more than the money when a fundraising appearance by Carlos Mencia was cancelled, parent Lorenza Muñoz says. LAT Op-Ed
• The last of Nadya Suleman's octuplets arrived home in La Habra on Monday. AP
• Controversy has broken out over whether to keep the name Parker Center when the LAPD moves its headquarters. LAT, Witness LA
• Araceli Ruano ascends to the rotating presidency of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Culture Monster
• Political consultant Glenn Gritzner is on a quest to eat lunch at every Downtown dining establishment and to blog about it. The Amateur Enthusiast
• Jesus Sanchez points out how hard it is for the residents of Boylston Street when the Dodgers are in session. Eastsider LA
• Meet Dylan Hernandez, the 28-year-old Dodgers beat writer for the L.A. Times. LAist
• NPR's "All Things Considered" is billing a story this afternoon on the pumpkin bread monastery in Hollywood.

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