Beutner's money pipeline appears to be clogged

When the last campaign fundraising reports came in six months ago, Austin Beutner's camp crowed how he was setting the money pace for the 2013 candidates for mayor. This time, Team Beutner is pooh-poohing any of that and claiming the race is about ideas, not money. The change of tune could be because Beutner's fundraising has slowed behind that of the other major declared candidates. He may yet tap the business community, and his own resources, but his total of $627,000 puts him fourth behind Wendy Greuel, Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry.

Maybe the lack of incoming oxygen to the campaign had something to do with Ace Smith and Sean Clegg bailing. Gene Maddaus looks at the numbers on the LA Weekly website.

City Hall note: An obvious fake Eric Garcetti account on Twitter got some attention this afternoon on the Times website. The real Garcetti has 5,313 followers on Twitter (and still refers to himself as president of the City Council, by the way) The fake has 122 followers. This being LA, it shouldn't be long before the anonymous dirty trickster starts floating personal attacks.

And finally: YouTube video of new Los Angeles City Council member Joe Buscaino taking the oath this afternoon.