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This week, my colleagues and I on the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee advanced a revised budget proposal that protects the services Angelenos rely on, saves over 1,000 positions, and takes a more sustainable fiscal approach for the year ahead. After weeks of public hearings and detailed discussions, we made real changes that reflect the values our communities expressed throughout this process.
The result is a proposal that saves over 1,000 positions, restores funding for street cleaning, tree trimming, sidewalk repairs, and protects programs like traffic safety and streetlight maintenance. We also made targeted public safety investments where they’re most needed. That includes a $50 million year-over-year increase for the Fire Department, funding for new fire trucks and fire helicopters, and the restoration of 150 key LAPD civilian positions that help close cases and solve crimes. We also created a new Homelessness Oversight Bureau to ensure homelessness dollars are being spent efficiently while we work to lower the cost per bed.
This is not the budget we would have written if we had the resources our City actually needs. But it is a budget we can afford, and a significant step forward from where we started a month ago when the Mayor released her proposal. It addresses many of the most urgent concerns we heard from the public and brings us closer to delivering the basic services that people count on.
Over the next year, the Committee will continue to develop long-term strategies to increase revenue in ways that are stable, equitable, and responsible. We’ll also keep monitoring department needs closely and look for opportunities to strengthen core services, especially those related to public safety, as resources allow.
For those interested in following the next steps of the budget process, the revised proposal will be considered by the City Council next Thursday.
All my best,
Katy
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Westside Home Owner Associations Town Hall
On Tuesday, I joined the Century Glen Neighborhood Association Town Hall for a panel on crime and safety. We discussed key priorities, including $200,000 in LAPD overtime funding my office secured last year and will secure again this year, support for civilian positions at LAPD, installations of license plate readers in Cheviot Hills and Beverly Grove, expanded neighborhood watch programs, and local improvements like better lighting and cleaner streets. |
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Press Conference with District Attorney Hochman
On Wednesday, I joined District Attorney Hochman and my colleague Councilmember Park for a press conference on the serious impact of repeated retail theft. We discussed how these crimes affect not only small businesses, which are often targeted, but also the broader community, which feels the effects through diminished safety and trust. By ensuring our officers have the resources to respond effectively, we can support our DAs in prosecuting repeat offenders and help restore a sense of order and stability in our neighborhoods. |
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Ten Years of Celebrating Religious Pluralism
This week, I had the honor of joining community and faith leaders from across Los Angeles for the City’s 10th Annual Day of Religious Pluralism—a tradition that reminds us that in one of the most diverse cities in the world, our differences are not something to fear, but something to celebrate and nurture.
This year’s theme, Faith in Los Angeles, speaks not only to the rich religious diversity that defines our city, but also to our shared belief in Los Angeles itself. By working together across our differences, we can build a city that is more just, compassionate, and united. |
Honoring Jewish American Heritage Month at City Hall
On Friday, Councilmember Blumenfield and I led the City Council in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing the lasting contributions of Jewish Angelenos to the cultural, civic, and artistic life of our city. This year’s celebration highlighted the impact of Jewish composers on the film industry, and featured an incredible performance of songs written by Jewish composers over the past 100 years.
If you have the chance to visit City Hall this month, don’t miss the display and music exhibit of From the Wizard of Oz to Wicked: Jewish Composers Who Shaped Hollywood in the Bridge Gallery through June 16, presented with the support of the Academy Museum!
City Council Advances Tourism Worker Wage Increase
This week, the Los Angeles City Council advanced a proposal to raise the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers in Los Angeles. The plan includes phased increases starting next year, and aims to ensure tourism workers benefit from major events coming to Los Angeles, like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I worked hard with my colleagues on the Council to add a number of amendments to the final ordinance to help ease the impact of the legislation on the hotel industry, and introduced a separate motion that would accelerate development of new hotels. Hotel taxes are one of the City’s most important revenue streams, and our approach must strike the right balance: ensuring workers are paid fairly while maintaining a strong tourism industry that continues to drive our regional economy and generate tax dollars for essential city services. |
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Asian American Pacific Islander Symposium | Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with LAPD Wilshire Division officers as they lead community discussions on crime prevention and outreach.
WHERE: Los Angeles High School (4650 W Olympic Boulevard, LA, CA 90019)
WHEN: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
SHINE LA: AAPI Day of Service | Saturday, May 31, 2025
Mayor Bass and City leaders invite you to a citywide day of service in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Volunteer opportunities will span neighborhoods from San Pedro to the Valley.Sign up to volunteer here. |
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D-Line Temporary Service Suspension: May 17 – July 25
Starting Saturday, May 17, Metro’s D Line will be temporarily out of service between Union Station and Wilshire/Western for a total of 70 days. Service will be suspended at all eight D Line stations along this stretch to allow for major construction work. Riders can still access the B Line, which will operate normally between Union Station and Wilshire/Vermont before continuing north to Hollywood. Please plan ahead and consider alternate routes during this time.
Join Metro’s Community Advisory Council (CAC)
Since 1992, Metro has run the Community Advisory Council, where community members represent their communities' voices on a wide range of Metro programs and initiatives across the county. If you are interested, please reach out to cac@metro.net for more information. Learn more about the CAC here: metro.net/cac.
Help Shape the Future of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor
Metro is working on a long-term project to make it easier to travel between the Valley and the Westside, and they want to hear from you. After being rescheduled in April, Metro’s community meetings are back on the calendar. Whether you join online or in person, these meetings are a great chance to learn more about the project and share your feedback.
Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Join on Zoom
In-Person Meetings
Tuesday, May 27 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Westfield Topanga Community Center
Wednesday, May 28 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Culver City Veterans Memorial Building
Thursday, May 29 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Westwood United Methodist Church
Saturday, May 31 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Same location
Find more information at metro.net/sepulvedacorridor.
Share Your Ideas for New Housing and Community Benefits Near the Wilshire/La Brea Station
Metro is planning new housing and neighborhood-serving uses at Wilshire/La Brea and wants to hear from you! What kinds of services, community spaces, or improvements would you like to see? You can share your ideas by filling out a short survey, open through June 9, 2025.
Metro is aiming to create 10,000 new homes by 2031, with half of those set aside as affordable housing. Learn more at metro.net/jd. |
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If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
(323) 866-1828
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Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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