I can only assume the author of that article has the journalistic integrity to compare similar figures; removing all state and various other taxes.
The "less than 8.3 percent" figure for LA would indicate they didn't. Though factually correct either way (7.25% state + 1% LA county, is "less than" 8.3 no matter which portion you look at), he would have said 1% for LA if comparing like figures properly.