City Council approves budget

The cops were hit with $41 million in cuts that have not yet been accounted for, parks and rec got a $19-million haircut, and funding for homeless programs and graffiti removal were trimmed. Council members did sign off on the Fire Department's money-saving redeployment plan, although 300 or so staff positions slated to be eliminated are being kept. Of course, the budget is filled with all kinds of revenue and savings assumptions over the next year that may or may not come about. Also keep in mind that a larger portion of the general fund is being used to pay off the pension shortfall. (LAT)