With all of the other problems it faces, you might think that the last thing a big metropolis like Los Angeles should do is require that its city council meet less often. Think again: transforming the Los Angeles City Council from a full-time, over-staffed, and perk-filled institution to a part-time body would greatly benefit city governance. In addition to saving Angelenos millions of dollars each year, a part-time council would provide access to a more diverse field of professionals. Council candidates would not have to leave their private- or public-sector careers to serve. A part-time council would take advantage of talent and experience from outside City Hall—from people who create jobs and balance budgets on a regular basis, for instance. L.A. could use the additional real-world experience.
A part-time council is not the same as a part-time government. Part-time councils govern successfully across Los Angeles County and the nation. Of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, only L.A.’s council is full-time. Only four of the ten largest U.S. cities have full-time councils: L.A., Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Jose. It’s telling that three of the four are in California, one of the most mismanaged states in the nation. Along with New York, the other large cities with part-time councils include Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Dallas.
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