‘This is the worst budget I’ve had to face,’ L.A. councilmember says

With revenue down and labor costs up, Los Angeles is facing a budget deficit of at least $300 million for the 2024-45 fiscal year.

“Look, I don’t want to sugarcoat what we’re facing,” Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said. “Except for the potential budget that we were going to face during COVID, which was avoided because of the Biden federal funding, this is the worst budget I’ve had to face in my time as a councilmember in terms of real reductions.”

Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed budget includes hundreds of millions in spending cuts. The city is expected to scrap thousands of vacant positions across multiple departments. Despite the budget crisis, Bass still wants to hire hundreds more LAPD officers.

During Tuesday’s budget committee meeting, Blumenfield expressed concern about how the massive cuts would impact city services.

“Reserves are at their bare minimum. Infrastructure is being underinvested. Critical maintenance is being deferred,” Blumenfield said. “We will limp along, but we will be flying without a net.”

The L.A. City Council will return a revised budget to Mayor Bass by mid-May. The budget needs to be finalized by the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1.

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