LA CITY GOV 101
Mayor of Los Angeles
The Mayor is the executive branch, and the Council is legislative. There are fifteen City Council Members (representing fifteen districts) who are elected by the people for four-year terms.
The Mayor serves as the elected head of City government for a four-year term. As executive officer of the City, the Mayor submits proposals and recommendations to the Council, approves or vetoes ordinances passed by the Council, and is active in the enforcement of these ordinances. The Mayor deals with the budget, the appointment of officials, and cooperation between the departments of the City. He or she also plans visits with foreign dignitaries, and acts as Director of the Emergency Operations Organization.
Los Angeles City Council
The city council is the governing body of the City, which enacts ordinances subject to the approval or veto of the Mayor. It orders elections, levies taxes, authorizes public improvements, approves contracts, and adopts traffic regulations. Functions of the City Council include: traffic control, sewage and garbage disposal, recycling, environmental quality, fire and police protection, flood control, and public utility regulation. The position of city council member is non-partisan.
Los Angeles Controller
As the auditor and general accountant of the City, he or she supervises the accounts of all offices, departments, and boards. The position is non-partisan, but we have researched the candidate’s histories.
Los Angeles City Attorney
The City Attorney provides general council and legal advisor for the City, is the chief prosecutor. (This is an important, non-partisan race, where there is a boob politician running who might win because he has money. He was pretty terrible as a city council man-in my opinion) This office can bring charges on behalf of the city with concern from everything from public safety to billboards-this office is very much part of the reason we see the huge cropping up of electronic billboards all over the city-poor decisions by the previous City Attorney, who is not running for re-election due to term limits.
“With more than 500 lawyers and 1,000 employees overall, the Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney is among the largest government legal offices in the country. Second in size only to New York City in terms of municipal practices, it is the third-largest government law office in California, following the state Attorney General’s Office and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The City Attorney is the chief prosecutor for the City of Los Angeles with jurisdiction to prosecute all misdemeanor criminal offenses and infractions. He is also the chief legal advisor and general counsel to the Mayor and the City Council, as well as all boards, departments, and officers in the City of Los Angeles.
As the City’s General Counsel, the City Attorney provides advice and opinions on matters of municipal concern, drafts contracts and ordinances and approves them as to form and legality, and is frequently called upon to interpret the City Charter, federal and state statutes, and other laws that govern Los Angeles. In addition, the City Attorney litigates all civil actions on behalf of the City and represents the City, its boards and officers in all civil trials and legal proceedings in local, state, and federal court.
The Office consists of three core legal branches: Civil Liability Management, Municipal Counsel, and Criminal and Special Litigation.
Los Angeles City Treasurer
“The Office of the Treasurer serves as the banker, investor, and custodian of public funds for the City of Los Angeles.”
“As the City’s banker, we oversee a cash management program that exceeds $50 billion annually. Since January 2001, the City’s general investment portfolio has increased from approximately $3.2 billion to today’s $5.5 billion! In its entirety, the investment program exceeds $6.5 billion. As custodians, the public can rest assured that investments are managed prudently. Los Angeles is one of the very few cities that can boast a “AAA” rating from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services!”-all from website.
Los Angeles School Board
Board Members oversee the Los Angeles Unified School District. Board Members serve 4 year terms.
Los Angles Community College District Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees oversees the Los Angeles Community College school district. School board members are elected to four year terms.