On Thursday, the City Council approved a balanced, strategic, and collaborative budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 thanks to months of hard work from my colleagues, the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, and partners across the City. This was one of the most difficult financial years our City has faced in nearly two decades. But even in the face of a major deficit, we passed a budget that protects core services, restores the jobs of nearly 1,000 City workers, and invests in paving streets, fixing sidewalks, trimming trees, keeping all of our animal shelters open, and responding to emergencies.

Critically, the final budget puts additional pressure on our labor partners—both civilian and sworn—to come to the table to negotiate further labor cost savings. Depending upon how significant the concessions are, we could potentially restore the remaining positions that perform core city services, including the remaining civilians in LAPD and—really importantly—increase LAPD recruitment numbers.

But even if we are unable to secure future concessions from labor, we were still able to make key public safety investments, including a $50 million year-over-year increase for the Fire Department and a $15 million year-over-year increase for the Police Department. We secured funding for new fire trucks and helicopters, improved payroll systems for firefighters, and faster equipment repairs. For LAPD, we restored over 150 specialized civilian positions. These are roles that support investigations and public safety but cannot be filled by sworn officers. We were faced with tough choices, but they were guided by a clear goal: to keep Angelenos safe and our neighborhoods running.

We also laid the groundwork for longer-term change. The final budget begins to address structural imbalances and takes steps to build transparency, like establishing a cost-neutral bureau to oversee homelessness spending.

This budget is far from ideal, but this is the beginning of a longer process to set our city on a path to long term fiscal solvency and economic sustainability. There are still investments I want to see restored, and we’ll keep pushing for them, especially if our labor partners are willing to negotiate. But in a year defined by scarcity, the result is a final budget that is disciplined, collaborative, and meets our City’s essential needs. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m ready to keep going.

Now, the budget heads to the Mayor’s desk. I look forward to working with her to finalize this plan and ensure our City continues to deliver for the people of Los Angeles.

Following the recent court ruling and the City Council’s action to rescind the citywide Oil and Gas Drilling Ordinance No. 187,709 (adopted in 2022, Council File No. 17-0447-S2), Los Angeles City Planning invites you to attend a stakeholder meeting to discuss the reinstatement of oil and gas drilling policies for the City of Los Angeles, informed by Assembly Bill (AB) 3233.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Via Zoom register here. 

Enter Webinar ID: 896 9610 0579 and Webinar Passcode: 161331 

Creative Artists Agency, the Century City Chamber of Commerce, its Arts Council and Metro Art invite you to a special evening featuring the artists behind the future Century City Station on the D Line Subway Extension.

Join moderator Thao Nguyen (CAA) in conversation with Metro Art–commissioned artists Analia Saban, Eddie Rodolfo Aparicio, Oscar Magallanes, Phung Huynh, and Sarah Cain as they share insights on their upcoming artworks and creative process.

Registration is required and closes Tuesday, June 3 at 5pm. RSVP today!