The Los Angeles City Council just signed off on a $14-billion spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year. They had to make some tough decisions to avoid laying off 1,000 city workers due to a massive budget shortfall. The council voted 12 to 3 on a plan that would cut funding for recruiting new officers at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which would result in having fewer officers than they’ve had since 1995. This reduction would mean the LAPD would only be able to hire 240 new officers in the next year, down from the 480 proposed by Mayor Karen Bass.
Public Safety Initiatives Take a Hit
The council also made cuts to the number of new hires proposed for the Los Angeles Fire Department, following a devastating wildfire in Pacific Palisades. Bass had suggested hiring 227 additional fire department employees, but the council only approved funding for about 58 new hires. This decision didn’t sit well with some council members, including John Lee, Traci Park, and Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the budget due to the cost-cutting measures in public safety agencies. Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, expressed concerns about the reduced funding for these critical services, stating that it could make the city less safe and responsive to its residents.
Budget Criticisms and Adjustments
Rodriguez also criticized the allocation of funds to Inside Safe, Bass’ program to address homelessness, which received a 10% cut. She highlighted the program’s high costs and lack of oversight, pointing out that it draws resources from various city departments to operate effectively. Despite the pushback, Councilmember Tim McOsker defended the budget plan, emphasizing the need to balance public safety with other city services. He mentioned the possibility of increasing funding for LAPD recruitment if economic conditions improve or savings are identified in the budget. The council approved the LAPD to hire more officers later in the year if additional funds become available.
Hope for a More Inclusive Los Angeles
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who recently joined the council, supported the budget plan, citing its potential to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive Los Angeles. While the budget doesn’t address all the city’s challenges, Jurado believes it demonstrates a willingness to make structural changes. The council’s decisions on the budget are not final yet, as a second vote is required next week before the plan can be sent to the mayor for approval. The budget proposed by Bass initially included significant layoffs and reductions in various city services, aiming to address the city’s financial crisis. However, the council’s adjustments have reduced the number of projected layoffs to around 700, with the possibility of further avoiding job cuts if city unions agree to financial concessions.
Challenges and Solutions
To balance the budget, council members tapped into the city’s budget stabilization fund and planned to increase business tax revenue and parking ticket fees. Despite these measures, the city still faces the potential for hundreds of layoffs, particularly in the LAPD. The council managed to save some civilian jobs within the department but is still targeting around 250 positions for layoffs. While the revised budget is an improvement from the initial proposal, council members acknowledge that more work needs to be done to address the city’s financial challenges. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield described the budget as shifting from “horrible” to “very bad,” emphasizing the difficult decisions made to save jobs while still grappling with significant budget constraints.
