Law Enforcement

Off-duty LAPD officer is injured, shoots person in Hollywood
An off-duty Los Angeles police officer was injured in a confrontation Wednesday night during which he shot a person in Hollywood. The incident occurred about 10 p.m. near Sunset Boulevard and El Centro Avenue, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The officer was injured in the hand. It was unclear whether he was stabbed or shot, Officer Karen Rayner told The Times.
Los Angeles Times

Man arrested for allegedly pointing laser at LAPD helicopter
Investigators have arrested a man for allegedly pointing a green laser beam at a Los Angeles police helicopter. Lt. Sunil Dutta says 22-year-old Brandon Hicks was booked at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday for investigation of pointing a laser at an aircraft, which could lead to a felony charge. City News Service says the laser was pointed at a police helicopter patrolling the North Hollywood area at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators say officers were led to the home by the pilot and Hicks was found in the garage with the laser nearby.
CBS2

California Gov. Jerry Brown tells cops, 'I've got 3 guns'
Gov. Jerry Brown, who routinely confounds those tempted to write him off as a stereotypical left-wing intellectual, did so again Wednesday, telling a roomful of cops that he's the proud owner of a small arsenal. Brown suggested that it's ridiculous for opponents of his plan to transfer thousands of felons from state prisons to county jails to lampoon it as the "get a dog, buy a gun" bill.
Los Angeles Times

Pensions

Secret out-of-state donor powering pension reform group
An unknown out-of-state foundation has become a substantial backer of an ambitious nonprofit group that is positioning itself at the center of the state's debate over public pensions. Democratic consultant Marcia Fritz, who runs the nonprofit Californians for Fiscal Responsibility, first mentioned at a San Francisco forum last month that the group had received a substantial contribution from an out-of-state foundation. She said the money will be used to research several competing pension plans that are being proposed this year.
California Watch

City Government

Federal & State Budget Crises

Obama: 'Inexcusable' not to reach budget deal
By the time you woke up this morning, lawmakers and congressional aides had been working through the night on a budget deal that could avert a government shutdown. The fruits of their work will play out throughout today. In the wake of President Obama's meeting last night with congressional leaders, Democrats and Republicans must resolve two basic items: The size of budget cuts, and whether a new budget legislative package will include such non-budget items as abortion and environmental regulations.
USA Today

Brown warns of soaring UC costs in all-cuts budget
Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday began laying out the possible consequences of balancing California's remaining $15.4 billion budget deficit solely through spending cuts - including a doubling of University of California tuition - as he pushes for a compromise with Republicans on his proposal for a special election on taxes. In an address to the California Hospital Association, Brown said UC undergraduate fees could hit $20,000 to $25,000 a year if the Legislature approves and he signs an all-cuts budget.
Associated Press