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Tensions have heated up in the city of Los Angeles, as negotiations continue (or rather, continue to break down) between the city and its public safety officers. City mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pledged to defeat a $530 million dollar budget deficit but his cost-cutting measures aren't going over well with the police force or the fire-fighters. Proposals include giving early retirement to 2,400 civil workers, which is at the center of the brawl. Economists say that the city does not have enough money to fund all those early retirements, while the firefighters unions publicly campaign against job cuts, which would be severe if the early retirement plan is abandoned. Mayor Villaraigosa also proposes a 14% pay cut for police officers, while intending to hire 1,000 new officers to keep crime down. Police Union president Paul Weber points out that this makes no sense.