Mayor Bass and City Councilmembers Advocate State Leaders Directly on Emergency Funding Needs

Because downward economic trends have lowered revenues as costs are on the rise due to liability payments, wildfires and other personnel expenses, Mayor Bass is urgently advocating for much needed funding for Los Angeles and has called for a fundamental change in the way the City budget process operates. Following a meeting today, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, who chairs the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation, and 22 other members of the state legislature sent a letter to the Assembly Budget Committee requesting support for Los Angeles. See b-roll of the visit here. 

"Los Angeles is facing a budget crisis while recovering from devastating and unprecedented wildfires, and it's important that we advocate directly to state leaders for support," said Mayor Karen Bass. "In a little more than a year we will host the World Cup and in 2028, we will welcome the world for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and we will be ready. Thank you to Governor Newsom and to the leaders and members of the state legislature that we met with today about efforts to help move Los Angeles forward." 

Mayor Bass and members of the City Council met with the following elected officials as they work to relieve revenue impacts and preserve city services, make upgrades to fire mitigation and resilience, invest in fire suppression efforts, continue to support workers and residents of neighborhoods impacted by the wildfires and more:

• Governor Gavin Newsom 
• California State Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Mike McGuire
• California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas
• California State Senate Budget Committee Chair Scott Wiener
• California State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation
• California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation

"Our city faces urgent fiscal challenges, and we are fighting for critical funding to protect services, strengthen wildfire resilience, and secure a sustainable future for Angelenos," said Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson.

“The recent fires put our budget challenges on steroids and it’s imperative that state leaders continue to partner with local governments so we can preserve critical services for our shared constituents,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. “It’s sad that in the face of unprecedented challenges we can’t rely on federal partners like we used but that means that we must work hand in glove with our state counterparts.”

“Los Angeles is facing a nearly billion-dollar budget gap, driven by the recent wildfires, rising liability costs, declining revenues and years of short term budgeting,” said Council Budget Chairwoman Katy Yaroslavsky. “But this trip to Sacramento wasn’t about a one-time fix, it was about laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient city. With the Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, the urgency is real, and so is the opportunity to shape a future where Los Angeles doesn’t just recover, but thrives.”

“The historic firestorm that struck Los Angeles in January blew an enormous hole in the City’s finances,” said Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. “I’m grateful that the Governor has secured essential funding for our region’s recovery. State agencies have received a share of these resources, but the City of Los Angeles needs State support to address immediate priorities, including restoration of the water, power and sewer facilities that were damaged in the storm. We need this direct and unconditional aid so we can pay for these repairs without devastating layoffs and cuts to City services. I’m glad I was able to join the Mayor and my colleagues to advocate directly for the people of Los Angeles. I believe our friends and advocates in Sacramento have heard us and I look forward to their response.”

After being elected to represent Los Angeles in the State Assembly, Mayor Bass was elected Speaker, making her the first African American woman to ever lead a state legislative body in the history of the United States. There she and other legislative leaders were awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for their work making tough decisions to keep the state from bankruptcy while protecting vital services during the largest economic decline since the Great Depression. Councilmember Blumenfield also served in the State Assembly, Chairing the Budget Committee; Councilmember Nazarian served in the State Assembly for a decade. 

SOURCE: https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-and-city-councilmembers-advocate-state-leaders-directly-emergency-funding-needs