The City of Los Angeles is on the brink of declaring a fiscal emergency, with over 600 layoffs potentially looming. City Controller Kenneth Mejia announced late Monday night that massive liability payouts, overspending, and revenue shortfalls are the primary reasons for this financial crisis. Mejia shared on X, “In order to balance the budget, 614 layoffs are on the table.” He added that the city will strive to transfer employees and fill vacant positions to mitigate the impact of these layoffs.
The proposed layoffs include 248 positions categorized under “police – civilians,” with an additional 57 described as “personnel.” This comes after Mayor Karen Bass unveiled a $47.9 billion budget in April, which officials noted faced “unprecedented financial challenges.” The budget was signed earlier this month.
The financial strain has been exacerbated by recent events, including immigration raid protests that cost taxpayers over $30 million. Additionally, the City Council approved a $5 million loan for Los Angeles Police Department overtime during the unrest, further stretching the city’s finances.
The city is exploring various strategies to avoid layoffs, but finding the necessary $225 million to prevent them remains a significant challenge.
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