The chickens are coming home to roost in Los Angeles, where union contracts are sending the city over the edge. Yesterday 55% of voters said NO  to a sales tax hike that would have sent the tax rate to 9.5%. The good news is that spending and union contracts are now a campaign issue in the mayoral race.

Kicking off their runoff contest at campaign events Wednesday, Garcetti and Greuel each sought to position themselves as the candidate best prepared to address the city’s chronic financial troubles.

Garcetti said he would push for the city’s labor unions — most of which are backing Greuel — to grant concessions, starting with requiring an across-the-board, 10% contribution to healthcare premiums. Some 70% of city workers pay nothing for medical coverage.