Approximately 1,000 members of Los Angeles' burgeoning system of neighborhood councils met for their twice-yearly congress.
"[Los Angeles Mayor James] Hahn has agreed to give each neighborhood council $50,000 per year to pay for operational expenses and local improvement projects. The budget for that effort is being increased from $2 million this year to $3 million next year to handle the growth in the number of councils.... The proposal was welcomed by some neighborhood activists. They voiced frustration Saturday that the city has made it difficult for the councils to get certified and that, once established, the panels have only advisory power. The activists want some local decision-making power over issues, such as whether to allow a liquor store to open."
Thanks to Laura Kranz
FULL STORY: Neighborhood Councils Push for More Clout
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