Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass unveiled a budget that would cut 2,700 positions from the city, and could result in roughly 1,600 people being laid off. The proposal would fill the current financial gap LA is facing, which is close to $1 billion.
“This is a broken system –– and to turn LA around, we have to fix this,” Bass said in her State of the City address Monday, April 21.
LA mayor unveils budget, cutting jobs to address shortfall
While most departments will face reductions, Bass wants to increase funding for the Los Angeles Fire Department, resulting in more firefighters on the front lines. She highlighted the impact of the Palisades wildfires and the increased costs associated with recovery efforts.
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In order to make the cuts, the city would lay off 1,647 people, a decision the mayor calls the “absolute last resort.” Bass said these are considered to be “ghost” positions. On Monday, Bass discussed the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, totaling $14 billion in spending.
“This budget makes investments to continue our progress on critical challenges like decreasing homelessness and crime while bringing the City’s finances into balance and driving change including common sense consolidations of related departments,” Bass said. “Homelessness is down. Crime is down. These are tough challenges, and our progress shows we can do anything in this city of limitless potential.”
LAFD gets additions, while LAPD will see cuts
Following the wildfires that tore through LA County earlier this year, Bass is reinforcing LAFD with 227 more fire personnel –– an increase that doesn’t extend to every public safety sector. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will be subject to budget cuts and more than 400 layoffs, predominantly in civilian positions. According to the proposed budget, LAPD would have 8,639 officers by July 2026.
Bass emphasized that no sworn officers will be impacted by the budget. Her office has worked to retain LAPD officers throughout the year, resulting in 120 officers renewing their commitment to the department. The budget will continue funding 911 emergency dispatchers in an effort to generate lower wait times.
Following Monday’s address, Mayor Bass said, “Now, I would like to take a minute to address our city workforce directly: Make no mistake –– you are this city’s greatest asset. Every single day, you come to work in dedicated service to the people of Los Angeles, often in challenging working conditions. You help Angelenos and you make our city better every day.”
Union prepares to fight against cuts, Bass goes to California governor for help
David Green, the president of the Service Employees International Union Local 721, responded to the proposed cuts, telling the LA Times they plan to fight every layoff because even one is too many.
Bass also vowed to make a trip to Sacramento in order to get state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to create a relief package to help prevent layoffs from happening.
What caused the $1 billion shortfall LA is experiencing?
The mayor explained the $1 billion budget shortfall was caused by “downward economic trends bringing City revenues far lower than previously projected.” She added, “Turmoil and uncertainty in Washington, volatile stock markets and continued post-pandemic impacts related to tourism and other factors cause extreme budget uncertainty.”
Bass’ plan would also work to consolidate some of the city’s departments, such as lumping the Departments of Aging, Economic and Workforce Development, as well as Youth Development, under one umbrella dubbed the Community Investment for Families Department.
She also wants to eliminate the Health Commission entirely to align more closely with LA County’s current services. The mayor’s office said library, recreation and park facility hours will remain the same throughout the city.
The budget is not final until the City Council approves it, and they have until June 1 to make a decision.
