LA Mayor Karen Bass has announced plans to lay off 1,647 city workers—about 5% of the public workforce—as part of a proposed $13.95 billion austerity budget aimed at closing a projected $1 billion budget deficit.
Mayor calls layoffs a “last resort”
In her annual address on April 21, Mayor Karen Bass described the staff cuts as a difficult but necessary decision given the city’s current financial situation. “This budget includes very tough choices,” she said. “Balancing the budget right now is extremely challenging.”
The proposal would reduce the city’s current workforce of 32,405 employees by 1,647 positions. Mayor Bass emphasized that the layoffs are essential to stabilize LA’s finances.
Police spared, fire department hiring to continue
Despite overall cuts, Mayor Bass said there would be no reductions to the Los Angeles Police Department and added that the city would expedite new hires for the Fire Department. “To make LA a safer city and address our decades-long homelessness crisis, we need structural reform in city government,” she said.
The LAist called the proposed cuts the largest austerity budget since the 2008 recession, while Politico linked the budget challenges to overlapping crises—homelessness, deadly wildfires, and global economic strain. The outlet also noted the difficulties this presents for Mayor Bass as she seeks reelection.
Tensions rise with public employee unions
Tension is already mounting between the mayor and labor unions. David Green, president of SEIU Local 721, which represents sanitation workers and garbage truck drivers, said, “We will fight for the workers on the frontlines of this city. The impact of these layoffs will be far-reaching.”
Homelessness, recovery, and AI permit reforms
Mayor Bass highlighted improvements in key areas including homelessness and wildfire recovery. She said wildfire rebuilding efforts are progressing at record speed in California history, and announced new measures to accelerate recovery using artificial intelligence. The city plans to adopt an AI-based self-certification system to streamline permitting and push a City Council ordinance to waive all related permit fees.
She also said the city would work with the state legislature to pass a liability cap law for local governments, and has already requested approximately $2 billion in aid from Governor Gavin Newsom.
Crime rates down, hiring for LAPD rising
On public safety, Mayor Bass said citywide crime declined in 2024 and LAPD recruitment has hit its highest level in four years. She acknowledged the need to simplify the hiring process for the department.
Inside Safe program to expand
Mayor Bass reaffirmed her commitment to the Inside Safe program, which aims to transition unhoused residents into stable housing. She noted that homelessness in LA dropped in 2024 for the first time in six years, with a 38% decrease in encampments.
However, she voiced concern over LA County’s decision to defund the LA Homeless Services Authority and establish a separate agency.
Immigration stance
Mayor Bass also addressed federal immigration enforcement, stating, “We will protect all immigrants,” and reaffirmed that “regardless of origin or time of arrival, LA is a city built by immigrants.”
Next steps
The proposed budget—larger than the previous year’s $12.9 billion—will now go through LA City Council negotiations and approval. Adjustments may occur during the review process.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
