The City’s budget process officially kicks off next month when the Mayor releases her proposed budget, but my team and I are already deep in the work of tackling the City’s structural challenges and putting us on a more stable financial path. The latest reports from the City Administrative Officer and the Controller make clear what we already know: we’re facing a growing budget deficit, rising liability costs, and revenues that aren’t keeping pace. The recent wildfires, economic uncertainty, and instability in Washington have only made the situation more unpredictable. If we don’t take action now, we’ll be forced into even tougher choices down the line. That’s why we need to focus not just on closing immediate gaps, but on fixing the underlying issues that put us in this position year after year.

For too long, the City has relied on short-term fixes—nibbling around the edges by cutting a position here, delaying a project there, and using temporary revenue to cover ongoing costs. But that approach has stretched our departments too thin, making it harder to deliver the level of service Angelenos expect and deserve. At the same time, we’ve been operating from a place of scarcity when it comes to revenue—failing to fully leverage City assets, modernize outdated systems, or plan for long-term financial stability and growth.

As the new Chair of the Budget Committee, I’m focused on both the immediate and long-term financial health of the City. That means tackling this year’s budget shortfall responsibly while also pushing for broader reforms like shifting to a multi-year budgeting framework, stabilizing our Reserve Fund, properly accounting for long-term financial obligations, and restructuring city services to make them more efficient and effective, among others.

The decisions we make now will shape Los Angeles for years to come. Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing more updates as we move through this process. 

LAFD Station 29 Meal Drop off
This week, I dropped off dinner for the firefighters at LAFD Station 29 to thank them for everything they do to keep our communities safe. The wildfires earlier this year were a reminder of just how hard LAFD works—not just in emergencies, but every single day.

Fusion Academy Miracle Mile celebrated its 10-year anniversary—a decade of providing students with personalized, one-on-one education. In a city as big as Los Angeles, not every student thrives in a traditional classroom, and Fusion ensures no one falls through the cracks. My team and I joined in on the celebration to recognize this milestone and the impact this school has on so many families.

Earlier this month, I joined neighbors across the district for a series of community meetings to discuss key local issues. At the Wilshire Park HOA Annual Meeting, we talked about crime, traffic safety, and emergency preparedness, including efforts to secure funding for streetlight repairs and increase LAPD patrols. In Benedict Canyon, fire safety was a major focus, along with concerns about illegal party houses and short-term rentals. And at the Westside Village HOA Neighborhood Watch Meeting, I joined LAPD’s Captain Applegate to discuss crime prevention, police overtime funding, and burglary suppression efforts. These ongoing conversations prove invaluable in shaping our work, and I appreciate every resident who took the time to share their thoughts.

Last weekend, our team knocked on doors in La Brea Hancock Park, hearing directly from neighbors about public safety, traffic safety concerns, and homelessness. These conversations help shape our work, from targeting LAPD resources to bringing more people off the street and into housing. We’ll be doing more of these walks across the district in the months ahead, so stay tuned!

Women of Impact Awards
This week, we recognized Nikki Mark as part of the Women of Impact Awards, celebrating women who are making a difference in Los Angeles. Through the TM23 Foundation, founded in memory of her son Tommy, Nikki creates spaces where children can play, connect, and thrive. Two beautiful new soccer fields—one in Westwood and another at Vista Del Mar—with a third on the way under the Sixth Street Viaduct, bring underutilized recreational spaces to life. Beyond these fields, her advocacy and philanthropy aid countless families in navigating grief and healing. Nikki’s strength, compassion, and dedication to building community inspire me and so many others, and so it was an honor to recognize her impact.

Last week, the City Council passed a resolution I brought forward supporting the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s proposed rules to require zero-emission standards for residential and commercial furnaces and water heaters. These rules apply to manufacturers, not consumers—meaning no one will be required to replace a functioning appliance. The goal is to ensure that as older models are phased out, the market is ready with sustainable, zero-emission options. Assuming the Air Quality District adopts the Rule, the City can and should consider potential rebate programs to make uptake cost effective.

A motion I seconded passed in the Energy and Environment Committee directing LADWP to provide a map of all underground and aboveground utilities in high-risk fire zones and to study a tiered approach to undergrounding power lines. Recent wildfires emphasized the vulnerability of aboveground lines, and this is a critical step toward improving long-term fire safety across the city.

Last week, the City Council passed an Interim Control Ordinance that I co-authored, temporarily prohibiting evictions based on substantial remodeling. Too often, property owners displace tenants under the guise of renovations that could have been done without evicting the tenants. This stopgap measure will remain in place while the Housing Department finalizes a permanent policy to close this loophole and ensure fair protections for renters.