The mayor of Los Angeles has ordered the immediate layoff of 1,000 city employees to help to balance the city's budget. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took the action Thursday, after the City Council voted unanimously a day earlier to postpone any action on job cuts for 30 days while they explore other options, AP reported. Villaraigosa said his move will strengthen the city's credit rating and its long-term fiscal health. City budget analyst Miguel Santana said the cuts are necessary because of the $208 million budget gap in America's second-largest city. He also said delays will only result in bigger cuts later.