ONE BIG THING: BUDGET BREAKDOWN (LITERALLY?)
What Happened?
Budget hearings are in full swing at City Hall. This week, nearly every City department went before the Budget Committee to make their case for funding – competing priorities, limited dollars, and a whole lot of political heat.
Why it Matters
Committee members can request more information to help them make amendments to the budget over the next few weeks. Here are some of the questions, called “budget memos,” where we’re eagerly awaiting more information:
- What would it take to expand unarmed crisis response citywide—and how much would that save in the long run?
- How can we fully restore funding for domestic violence survivors fleeing their abusers and trying to stay out of homelessness?
- Do we really need $18 million for our 16th and 17th LAPD helicopters?
- Can we restore $1 million in funding for RepresentLA, the last line of defense for children and families facing deportation?
- Can we look at the largest sources of funding first when looking for ways to save money? (In previous years, council refused to look for inefficiencies in LAPD funding, even though it makes up nearly half our budget.)
- How many protected bike lanes can we build after LADOT’s massive cuts?
- How can we get rid of proposed provisions effectively requiring that all streets getting improvements be related to the Olympics/Paralympics?
- Is now the time to fund a Public Bank that would save the city millions within a few years?
Stay tuned for answers to these important questions as city staff dig into the weeds of our budget to find answers.
What’s Next?
Budget hearings continue for the next two weeks, followed by major decisions and a final vote by the City Council the week of May 19.
💬 Want to weigh in? You can still give public comment virtually here.
Two More Quick Hits
- Budget 101 – Thursday, May 8
Join us this Thursday at 6pm at the Children’s Institute in East Hollywood for our second community meeting to discuss this year’s budget!
Thank you to the 40+ residents who came to our last event to get involved with the process and fight for a budget that reflects the collective values of our communities.
RSVP at bit.ly/hugobudgetpt2
- Motion to Keep Productions in Los Angeles
Entertainment workers are hurting right now, and that’s why we teamed up with Councilmembers Adrin Nazarian and Nithya Raman to keep Hollywood in Hollywood that was just passed by City Council!
That means:
✅ More support for local productions
✅ Fewer permitting restrictions
✅ Incentives to bring jobs back to LA
✅ Stronger collaboration with unions & small biz
CD13 Pet of the Week
Meet Patricia, our Pet of the Week!
Patricia is a stunning Pitbull-Terrier mix whose sweet smile & gentle eyes will have you signing the adoption papers without a second thought. She’s a certified lover girl—ready to shower you with love!
Come meet Patricia (or "Paty,” but never “Patty”) at the West Valley Shelter and see for yourself why everyone falls for her charm!
