Mayor Karen Bass proposes stable $14.9B Los Angeles budget with no layoffs and limited service changes

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:26:00 +0200

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has unveiled a $14.9 billion proposed budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year that prioritizes stability and avoids major workforce reductions. Unlike her previous budget proposal, which included significant layoffs to address a major deficit, the new plan benefits from higher-than-expected revenues from business, property, and sales taxes. As a result, the city is not planning layoffs and will largely maintain current service levels.

A key component of the proposal is public safety staffing. The budget includes hiring 510 new Los Angeles Police Department officers to offset expected retirements and resignations, though the department’s overall staffing is still projected to decline slightly over time. The Fire Department is expected to maintain current staffing levels, with no immediate expansion planned until voters decide on a proposed sales tax increase.

The budget also maintains funding for Inside Safe, the mayor’s flagship homelessness program, allocat