This has been a tough week. I know that the uncertainty and concerns brought on by the national election results weigh heavy for many. But our vision for Los Angeles—a city rooted in resilience, fairness, and compassion—stands firm. This vision for the kind of city we want to live in doesn’t change with any national political shifts—it is woven into the fabric of who we are as Angelenos.

Do the national election results make that work far more challenging? Of course they do. Critical issues that we rely on federal dollars and policy to help address at the local level — including homelessness, climate action, infrastructure, reproductive healthcare access, and the Olympics — will be that much more challenging to effectively and quickly manage. The outcome of this week’s elections only heightens the urgency of our work here locally, and so we’ll be intensely focused on leveraging every legislative and financial tool available to us at the local and state levels.

That also means doubling down on our commitments: to advocate for civil and human rights, combat climate change, fight against hate in all its forms, and  ensure access to healthcare, housing, and safety for all Angelenos. My office is here to help, and our focus remains on tackling the issues impacting our neighborhoods directly— public safety, homelessness and housing security, and quality of life.

Our work continues, and so does my commitment to standing with you and for the values that make Los Angeles strong.

All my best,

Katy

Our 2nd Annual Great Pumpkin Bash at Pan Pacific Park was a huge success! Hundreds of families joined us for a day filled with community fun, from the Smash Patch, to the Dodgers’ Pumpkin Strike Zone and hands-on composting workshops. Kids enjoyed bounce houses, face-painting, all while learning about sustainable practices. Thank you to our sponsors, partners, and everyone who came out to make it a memorable event. We’re grateful to celebrate this season together and build greener, more connected neighborhoods.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of joining the Third Street Elementary community to celebrate an incredible milestone: the school’s 100th anniversary. Since 1924, Third Street has been a cornerstone of Hancock Park, fostering a welcoming environment where young students grow, learn, and build lifelong connections. This centennial event, hosted by the Friends of Third Street, was a wonderful reflection of that spirit—filled with families, teachers, alumni, and neighbors coming together to celebrate.

On Thursday, we came together to honor the bravery and sacrifice of our officers at the unveiling of the Fallen Police Officers Memorial. This beautiful new space, brought to life by the dedication of the First-In Fire Foundation, the Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society, Lyn and Mark Cohen, and countless community members, serves as a lasting tribute to all who protect and serve. My heartfelt thanks go out to the families, community leaders, and everyone who helped create this meaningful place of remembrance and unity.

Friday morning, I joined Holocaust Museum LA for a deeply moving milestone in their “Building Truth” project. Together, we witnessed the installation of a boxcar salvaged from the Majdanek Death Camp—now the centerpiece of a new exhibition that reveals how the railroad system played a tragic role in the Holocaust. As we gathered, I was reminded of the power of this museum to preserve the truth and to bring history to life in ways that resonate across generations. This exhibit, brought to the Museum by the generous support of the Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation, will stand as a powerful reminder to all who visit of why truth matters, and of our responsibility to honor it and carry it forward.

Throughout the confirmation process, concerns were raised about his past role in immigration enforcement when he served as sheriff. Chief McDonnell addressed these questions directly, affirming his commitment to follow LAPD’s long-standing policies that protect our immigrant communities from federal immigration actions. He has pledged to prioritize public safety while respecting the rights of all Angelenos, working to ensure that every resident feels secure reporting crimes or seeking assistance. This is a commitment I take seriously, and one that the City Council will rigorously uphold to maintain the trust of our communities.

This week, we welcomed Joshua Hong, known by his stage name JOSHUA,  to City Hall to recognize the global impact of SEVENTEEN, one of K-pop’s most celebrated groups. SEVENTEEN has done so much more than create amazing music—they’ve inspired millions, built connections across cultures, and used their platform to promote unity and inclusion. With Los Angeles home to the largest Korean community outside of Korea, it’s especially meaningful to celebrate their achievements here. Congratulations to SEVENTEEN on this well-deserved recognition!

This week, the City Council reviewed our first financial report of the fiscal year, and to be blunt, our budget is under serious strain, and the challenges run deep. Between July and September, we faced $258 million in liability settlements, drawing heavily on our reserve fund, which is now approaching a critically low 2.75% of our General Fund. These liability payouts reflect years of deferred infrastructure maintenance, especially as trip-and-fall claims have risen.

Part of the solution here is to find ways to make our existing budget work harder for the city. That means improving efficiencies, eliminating waste in our contracting, creating better coordination among departments,  overhauling our business receipts system to make sure it’s fair and effective, and streamlining our permitting and approvals process so new businesses can open more quickly. By tightening up our existing resources, we can make progress on priorities like infrastructure and public safety without placing additional pressure on our general fund. Tackling these issues now is essential to building a more resilient Los Angeles.

I’m proud to share that this week, the City Council took a big step forward in protecting renters by expanding the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance (TAHO). These new updates clarify what counts as harassment, mandate faster repairs, strengthen privacy protections, and increase penalties for landlords who violate tenant rights. These measures are crucial for keeping renters who face harassment in their homes – thereby helping prevent people from becoming homeless – and fostering the stable, livable neighborhoods that benefit everyone in our city, whether you rent or own.

Come share your thoughts about mobility around Westwood Village. Enjoy free discounted AARP Pointz memberships, refreshments, and a community walk and bike ride! E-bikes provided by Wombi.

1:30PM-4:30PM
Sunday, November 17

10920 Lindbrook Dr., Room 204 ABCD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024