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More DWP politics, Karl Rove disrupted, OC's Republican bondage club consultant and the story behind Westside Rentals. Inside after the jump.
- After seeing his DWP rate hike blocked by the City Council, Mayor Villaraigosa backed an alternative rate hike fashioned by Councilman Richard Alarcon but opposed by some business groups. LAT, DN
Plus: L.A. Chamber of Commerce president Gary Toebben said the City Council "should approve today an immediate but small rate increase in the range of 0.5 cents per kWH." - Protesters disrupted a book signing by former Bush Administration official Karl Rove at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. CBS 2
- Erik Brown, the political consultant who sought reimbursement from the Republican National Committee for an event at West Hollywood's Club Voyeur, is on the Orange County Young Republicans’ executive board. Register
- Backers of the marijuana legalization initiative began airing their first radio ad, a spot features a former L.A. County sheriff's deputy. LAT
- Councilmember Paul Krekorian's office is rolling out an iPhone app in April that will let residents report problems with city services. ABC News
- Ron Kaye thinks he has the answer to the mystery of how Antonio Villaraigosa "could go so wrong as mayor:" "He suffers from the disease of our time, narcissism and has so fallen in love with the image of himself in the mirror that he disdains everyone else." RK
- The people behind Westside rentals, including Westside Rentals Man. Neon Tommy