Get the Facts: DWP
Lies about DWP ignore Wendy Greuel's record of independence
Wendy's opponents are making baseless claims about Wendy's relationship with the DWP, and they ignore her record of putting ratepayers first and standing up to the department over and over again.
Throughout her career, Wendy has said no to the DWP when it was in the taxpayers’ best interest. She’s audited the department repeatedly, and voted against the DWP as a City Councilwoman, even as other mayoral candidates voted with the department.
Get more facts and help set the record straight about Wendy Greuel.
The accusations and the reality:
Accusation:
Wendy Greuel didn't publish the salaries of DWP employees along with all other City employees because they support her.
Reality:
The DWP has managed its own payroll since long before Wendy was Controller and the City Controller's office does not have direct access to the department's salary information.
In 2010 Wendy released the salaries of all City employees, making Los Angeles the largest city in America with a comprehensive database of city employee salaries. When she put out the list of salaries, she encouraged the DWP and the now-defunct Community Redevelopment Agency, both of which manage their own payroll, to release their salary information as well, but no Controller has ever had the authority to release DWP salaries.
While the DWP has made some of its salary information public, Wendy continues to urge the DWP to be completely transparent about its salaries.
As Controller, Wendy has been an advocate for making LA the most transparent city in America, and that's what she's going to keep doing as mayor. Throughout her career, Wendy has said no to the DWP. She’s audited the department repeatedly, and voted against the DWP as a City Councilwoman.
Accusation:
Wendy Greuel is supported by the union that represents DWP workers, which means she won’t stand up to the department.
Reality:
Wendy has stood up to the DWP over and over again. She will be a mayor for all of Los Angeles — and that means no one gets preferential treatment.
Throughout her career, Wendy has said no to the DWP when it was in the taxpayers’ best interest. She’s audited the department repeatedly, and voted against the DWP as a City Councilwoman, even as other mayoral candidates voted with the department.
Wendy is proud to be supported by labor organizations representing tens of thousands of working men and women, and has promised nothing more and nothing less than she has promised all of Los Angeles: a more transparent and accountable City government, to focus in on the core services that Angelenos depend on, and to work tirelessly to create jobs in Los Angeles.
As Controller, Wendy has completed several audits of the DWP, investigating its lobbying purchases, construction management practices, and fuel procurement policies, as well as conducting surprise cash counts at DWP customer service centers to ensure that intakes were being processed accurately and fairly.
Wendy also repeatedly voted against DWP recommendations as a Councilmember.
In 2010 when DWP tried to withhold a $73.5 million transfer that it owed the City, Wendy took action, auditing the DWP to prove that it did have enough funds for the transfer. She called out the department, saying that it could afford the payment and was holding the City hostage. (Sources: LA Times, LA Daily News, City Documents)
In December 2012, Wendy audited the DWP’s sole-source contracts for State lobbying funds, and found that the department repeatedly circumvented the competitive bidding process. (Sources: LA Times, City Documents)
In September 2012, Wendy audited DWP’s construction management practices and found that it needed stronger internal controls to ensure that taxpayer dollars were being spent wisely. (Source: City Documents)
In June of 2012, Wendy audited the DWP’s fuel procurement policies and found that the department could be doing more to protect against increases in fuel prices and keep costs low for customers. (Source: City Documents)
In April of 2011, Wendy audited the DWP’s renewable energy portfolio and found that the department achieved its goal of getting to 20% renewable energy by 2010 more because of luck than effective planning. Wendy said that DWP was putting “short term political goals” ahead of “creating a transparent and fiscally sustainable process for increasing the Department’s renewable energy portfolio.” (Source: City Documents)
In December 2003, Wendy voted against the DWP spending $175,000 on a Rose Parade float at the same time that the department was requesting an 18% water rates increase. Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry voted for the expenditure. (Sources: LA Daily News, City Documents)
In May of 2004, Wendy voted against an 11% water rate hike and demanded an independent, objective review to determine if the amount was appropriate. Eric Garcetti voted for the increase and Jan Perry was absent. (Sources: LA Daily News 1, LA Daily News 2, City Documents)
In September of 2006, Wendy voted against a DWP recommendation to issue $1.2 billion in bonds. (Sources: City Documents, LA Daily News) Wendy then voted against a separate recommendation for another $600 million (Source: City Documents). Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry supported both recommendations. Wendy later approved amended motions after the DWP agreed to lower the amount of the debt issuance by of $275 million. (Sources: City Documents 1, City Documents 2)
Get more facts and help set the record straight about Wendy Greuel.
