Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass struck a jarring contrast Monday, delivering a hopeful State of the City speech just hours before unveiling a grim $13.95 billion budget proposal that could trigger 1,600 layoffs.
Bass began her midday address with optimism, highlighting double-digit drops in crime and homelessness. “The state of our city is this: Homelessness is down, crime is down,” she declared. Yet her tone shifted sharply when addressing the city’s fiscal outlook: “Los Angeles, we have a very difficult budget to balance.”
To close a projected $1 billion deficit, Bass proposed cutting 1,600 filled positions—nearly 5% of the city’s workforce—plus 1,000 vacant roles. Civilian employees of the LAPD, as well as staff in transportation, sanitation, and planning departments, would face the brunt of the cuts. Police and fire sworn officers would be spared.
The layoffs prompted fierce pushback from labor leaders. “I’m going to push back and fight against every single one of these layoffs,” said David Green, president of SEIU 721.
The budget also includes cuts to core services, including a 20% reduction in street services and a halving of asphalt supply funding. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department would receive a 13% increase in funding, following recent criticism over wildfire preparedness.
Bass also proposed streamlining city government by consolidating departments and eliminating commissions. She vowed renewed momentum on City Hall reforms and a long-stalled charter revision process.
Critics, including City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, raised concerns about homelessness spending and workforce impacts. “You cannot discern who’s paying for what,” Rodriguez said. “I am tired of watching city resources get prioritized for contracted work.”
Despite the bleak budget, Bass ended with a forward-looking call: “The Olympics are coming. LA — let’s go win.”
Bass was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, initially serving California’s 33rd congressional district. Following redistricting in 2012, she began representing the 37th district. During the 116th Congress, she served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. In 2022, after winning the Los Angeles mayoral election, Bass made history as the city’s first female mayor.