Villaraigosa says big layoffs are in store

No numbers so far, other than it will be "a large number," according to the mayor. We'll probably find out soon as he starts dealing with another huge budget deficit. Villaraigosa will also propose a long-term lease of the city-owned parking garages (the council turned that one down last year) and a higher retirement age for city workers. From the LAT:

The announcement comes weeks after the city's five-member employee bargaining committee, which includes Villaraiogsa, asked city unions to give up raises that are scheduled for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Those unions refused to reopen contract talks. Since the recession began, more than 300 city workers have been laid off and thousands more have retired or been transferred to agencies not affected by the budget crisis, such as the Department of Water and Power. The city now faces a $220-million budget shortfall.