Facing an "early test of support at home," L.A.'s plan for the '24 Games stalled yesterday "amid questions about potential runaway costs and the impact on neighborhoods already strangled by traffic and congestion," according to Michael Blood of the AP. The City Council "had been expected to vote on a proposal to give Mayor Eric Garcetti broad authority to execute agreements linked to the bid." But the vote was "pushed backed" until at least tomorrow after it "became clear members were struggling with questions from potential taxpayer debt to how construction and its inevitable headaches would transform the nation's second-largest city." At this juncture, any delay "could have consequences." Council President Herb Wesson "credited Garcetti for proposing an ambitious plan but added that 'we are not going to do anything that will put the residents of this city in harm's way'" (AP, 8/26). In California, Scott Reid notes national Olympic committees "must submit host city candidates" to the IOC by Sept. 15. Most council members "didn’t receive the book until Tuesday and were still working their way through it" last night. Council member David Ryu said, "I personally love the Olympics and I know a lot of constituents and residents in Council District 4 are also very excited about this opportunity. But there are a lot of projects, a lot unanswered questions, not just about the financing but input" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 8/27).
