Garcetti: Nothing 'Negative' About GOP Election Victories
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged Wednesday to work with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle following last night's election results.
Speaking on KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO's "Ask The Mayor" program, Garcetti said the overwhelming Republican victories in both local and national races would have little impact on how he conducts the city's political affairs.
"I have great relationships with people on both sides of the aisle, and I'm just gonna continue standing up for L.A.," said Garcetti. "Republicans and Democrats across this country have a stake in making this city work."
The Democratic mayor also denied the election results would alter his ties with President Barack Obama and the White House, where he spoke just last month at a special event in honor of those who have helped immigrants navigate the naturalization process.
In fact, Garcetti said the city will continue working with federal officials on local projects like a new subway line extension between Western and Wilshire Boulevards in Beverly Hills.
"The importance with having a good relationship with the White House hasn't diminished one cent," he said.
Garcetti also touched on city efforts against the statewide drought as officials look for new ways to conserve.
One possibility, according to Garcetti, is recycling water that goes to the Hyperion Treatment Plant near LAX, where about 60 percent of the city's daily water use goes for processing.
"I've launched plans to work with cities around there and oursevles to see if we can pump some of that back into our natural wells, give us back water," he said. "'Showers to flowers', we call it."
Listeners were asked to pose questions directly to Mayor Garcetti by calling 1-866-569-1070 or through Twitter using #knxmayor.