BY THE NUMBERS: LA’S CITY BUDGET
On Thursday, City Council voted to approve LA’s 2025-26 budget in a 12-3 vote. Here are some headlines about what’s getting funded – and we’ll share more information and updates over the next few weeks!
Homelessness & Housing
- Restructuring homelessness funding to improve accountability and reflect changing dynamics between the City, the County, and LAHSA.
- Continued funding of homelessness programs with proven results that have led to a 38% drop in unsheltered homelessness in District 13.
- After $2.3 million for Mobile Hygiene Units was cut from the budget, we introduced a motion Thursday to find alternative funding for this vital program.
Public Safety
- Unarmed Crisis Response is set to expand to three new service areas, giving Angelenos more effective and efficient emergency response options.
- Restored funding for streetlight repairs, graffiti removal, and after-school programs that were on the chopping block. These investments address the root causes of crime and have helped drive down crime rates, even with fewer armed officers on the street.
Community
- Prevented proposed cuts to the Department of Cultural Affairs, which would’ve threatened the Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House.
- Kept all animal shelters open while increasing the value of spay/neuter vouchers.
- Reinstated LA’s only full-time position solely focused on supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Funded RepresentLA and Day Laborer Centers, providing critical defenses for immigrants against the Trump administration.
Why it Matters
Just a month ago, we were looking at a nightmare scenario: over 1,600 layoffs, major rollbacks to essential services, and streetlight repairs taking up to three years. Since then, we’ve fought hard to do much better.
The city will still have to undergo painful cuts, but saving nearly 1,000 city jobs and countless critical services puts us in a better position as we wade into even more uncertainty.
What’s Next?
City Council must take another vote on the budget next week before it goes to Mayor Bass for her to sign it into law or veto.
Two More Quick Hits
- Living Wage Ordinance Sent to Mayor for Final Approval
Yesterday, City Council took the final vote on the Living Wage Ordinance, which will raise wages for hotel and airport workers to:
➡️ $22.50/hr by July 2025
➡️ $25/hr by July 2026
➡️ $30/hr by July 2028
Plus, hotel workers will receive a healthcare credit for the first time starting July 2026, making it possible for them to get the critical care they need.
The finalized Living Wage Ordinance will now go to Mayor Bass’ desk to be signed into law in time to take effect on July 1.
- 🚲 Protecting Bikers on Hollywood Blvd
We introduced a motion this week to explore using cameras to prevent cars from illegally blocking bike lanes and causing dangerous situations for cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.
A similar program in Santa Monica recently caught 1,700 violations in just six weeks.
Our motion directs the Department of Transportation to study how this could work in LA, starting with Hollywood Blvd—including tech options, enforcement, an equity analysis, and how to use the fines to improve transportation in LA.
The motion will now go to the Transportation Committee before moving to the full City Council for a vote.
CD13 Pet of the Week
Meet Popeye, the Pet of the Week
This handsome old fellow is an American Staffordshire Terrier. He may be ripped, but don’t let the muscles fool you: he’s a real sweetheart!
Popeye is not a sailor– but he’s ready to take sail straight to his next destination: ✨your heart✨
Visit him at the East Valley Shelter today!
