Economy forcing more Valley businesses to close

Contractors and suppliers are charging too much for home remodels. That's partially what's slowing these businesses down from when people were borrowing equity and remodelling their homes. A minimum of $50K to remodel a kitchen with slate countertops? They're nuts. Geez, these contractors are using illegal labor afterall! Aren't all those illegal invaders supposed to translate into cheaper services for Angelenos?

It's not just "the economy" that hurts business: Villaraigosa and the City Council are driving employers out of our city.

Unlike other cities, for example, L.A. imposes a business income tax, and the tax is based on gross, not net. Why would anyone open a business here?

Plus, Villaraigosa and the City Council unfairly rob Peter to pay Paul: companies that contribute to their campaigns get subsidies, tax breaks and special treatment. Companies that do not contribute instead must foot the bill for the favored few, and defend themselves from unfair regulations (e.g., the above-minimum wage law that applies ONLY to a handful of hotels near LAX).

And it takes too long and costs too much to get permits for what should be routine construction projects.

We need a Mayor who understands the importance of making L.A. a great place for employers to transact business. That would be me.

Walter Moore
Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles
http://WalterMooreForMayor.com

the valley retailers far to weak to go thru any market volitilty and inflated overhead and market credit lock-up.bye bye valley business!!!

Interesting article excerpts:

"More Mexicans Leaving Under Duress"

ARTICLE:["According to informal surveys by the Mexican consulate in Dallas, most of those wanting to return to Mexico cite the sudden scarcity of jobs, fear of deportation and uncertainty about obtaining legal resident status any time soon."]

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT:["Those of us who live here live depressed all the time, in hiding," he said. "They don't like us here, and those who love us and whom we love are far away. I prefer to go back, even if it means living in poorer conditions."]

FAIR:["Exporting its unemployed, underemployed citizens or those who are unhappy there allowed the Mexican government to get rid of the pressure to introduce changes for the benefit of their people," Mr. Mehlman said. "Now that their people are going back, perhaps they won't be able to shun their responsibility any longer."]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/d ...

According to the experts, only 1 in 10 restaurants really have the chance of making it after 1 year, so it's not surprising that maybe these types of small businesses are cloing. And, don't even get me started on home construction and remolding.

If their "day laborers" are leaving, I say, "goodbye and good riddance!".

Now we can concentrate on natives who really need the help.

Walter Moore wrote:

It's not just "the economy" that hurts business: Villaraigosa and the City Council are driving employers out of our city.
Unlike other cities, for example, L.A. imposes a business income tax, and the tax is based on gross, not net. Why would anyone open a business here?
Plus, Villaraigosa and the City Council unfairly rob Peter to pay Paul: companies that contribute to their campaigns get subsidies, tax breaks and special treatment. Companies that do not contribute instead must foot the bill for the favored few, and defend themselves from unfair regulations (e.g., the above-minimum wage law that applies ONLY to a handful of hotels near LAX).
And it takes too long and costs too much to get permits for what should be routine construction projects.
We need a Mayor who understands the importance of making L.A. a great place for employers to transact business. That would be me.
Walter Moore
Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles
http://WalterMooreForMayor.com

Those are valid and excellent points. The socialist LA city council and government bureaucracy are driving businesses out of businessm, out of LA, and discouraging new ones.

You mean wal mart isn't to blame for all these businesses closing? I can't belive that.

Go EXXON kill the Economy!! G W Bush says all is well & the economy is 'basically' good, if you earn a $1 mil a year.....gas prices are killing the economy, butt the rich get richer- and they want to cut corporate taxes, altho they are sitting on tons of ca$h...as they fire employees & give CEO millions.....the po' folk just get hammered...

it's all about the underground economy, baby and ethnocentric tribes that only do biz amongst their own. LA is one balkanized city, not to mention overcrowded and filthy. If your not disgustingly rich or too poor to go anywhere else, why the hell stay here? the standard of living sucks for reg. folks.

OK, go ahead and blame everything on BUSH again. It's the inept democrats running congress right now? They have a 14% approval rating and what exactly do they want to do to turn the economy around? Elect Barak Nobama who will only make everything worse. Mark my words.

As for Los Angeles - we need to bring back American citizens into the Southland. But it's probably too late anyway.

It is hard to feel sorry for contractors and home improvement/furniture stores who are struggling. The last 6 years have been the largest real estate boom CA will seee in a long time. Everyone has already bought a house they couldn't afford and tapped all the home equity loans that anyone will offer.

Any business is home improvement related will be struggling for many years to come. They should have saved some of the profit they made over the last 6 years.

It's both the dems and Bush and the republicans...one wants to tax and spend and the other wants to cut services to seniors. I got one better let's cut services to illegals and send them home. The State of CA will save 22 billion in services to illegals. It will be able to then pay for things it now can't including its own citizens. People bought out of their means and companies offered them loans they shouldn't have. It's a complete mess. It will take years to come out of this if we ever do. Nobody like Hahn so they voted for King Antonio instead in spite of him not being a very good assemblymember. I hope you guys in LA vote better this time around. Good luck. Since other cities are not islands whatever each city does or doesn't do has an effect on everyone else.

Many of you folks are still buying the political "bait and switch" racket, not recognizing both parties are front men for the same elite. Make a unique product and in 6 months the Chinese are selling a cheap imitation at less than half of what you charge for the item. The CEO's of General Electric, Boeing, Bechtel and all global corporations couldn't care less about American's as the Asian/Hispanic/Foreign worker can be exploited for 1/20 the wage of a spoiled Americans. We are doomed as a nation, as we produce nothing anyone needs or wants. I repeat, the allegiance of all politicians is to foreign interests. Plan accordingly, as hard times are upon us.

Two words: Peak Oil. That will keep energy prices high in the face of unabated global demand and constraining supplies. Higher energy prices equal economic shrinking, which will mean more lay offs and less consumer buying power overall, which equals even more economic shrinking. This, coupled with the recent stricter mortgage lending standards, will continue to shrink the consumer buying power and people have less and less credit.