Frank Stoltze
is a veteran reporter who covers local politics and examines how democracy is and, at times, is not working.
Published April 21, 2025 2:19 PM
Los Angeles City Hall
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Tom-Kichi/Getty Images
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iStockphoto
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Topline:
After giving her State of the City address on Monday, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass released her annual budget, which proposed laying off 1,647 city workers and closing some city departments in the fiscal year that starts July 1. Dwindling revenues and increasing costs have led to a nearly $1 billion shortfall, and it's the most austere budget since the city was wracked by the 2008 recession.
What's led to the shortfall? An increase in costs, including a tripling of liability payments, and the unexpected expenditures from the Palisades Fire, among other things. There's also a significant decline in business, sales, hotel and property taxes, as well as the uncertainty of President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Which departments will be most affected? The layoffs would occur over a range of departments and affect city services across L.A., in addition to eliminating a number of vacant positions. The city currently employs 32,405 people.
Any good news? The mayor did highlight some victories, including what she said was a 10% reduction in street homelessness, 14% drop in homicides and the Palisades Fire recovery.
Facing a nearly $1 billion shortfall driven by dwindling revenues and increasing costs, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday proposed laying off 1,647 workers and closing some city departments in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
It's the most austere budget since the city was wracked by the 2008 recession.
In her State of the City speech delivered shortly before the budget was released, Bass addressed city workers directly, saying "you are the city’s greatest asset... my proposed budget, unfortunately includes layoffs, which was a decision of absolute last resort."
The budget proposal must still go before the City Council for a vote.
City officials said the mayor was contemplating as many as 3,500 layoffs, but was able to cut that in half by, among other things, deferring capital projects.
There are currently about 38,000 city positions, not counting the departments of water and power, harbor and airport. In all, the city employs 32,405 people.
The layoffs would occur across a range of departments and affect city services. The proposal would also eliminate several vacant positions.
Some victories
In a wide-ranging speech, Bass also sought to highlight victories, saying there was a 10% reduction in street homelessness, a 14% drop in homicides and what she described as the "fast" pace of recovery from the Palisades Fire.
"The state of our city is this: homelessness is down, crime is down," said Bass. "These are tough, tough challenges and they show we can do so much more."
She went on to announce new action to expedite the permitting process for fire victims, establishing a self certification program and calling on the City Council to waive all plan check and permit fees.
The move drew praise from Larry Vein with community initiative Pali Strong.
“We are so delighted to see that the fees are being waived for permits. We’ve been asking for some relief in that area,” he said. “And we are super excited that it's what’s called self certification on the plans. That is going to be huge.”
The mayor also looked forward to the Olympics in 2028, saying current investments will make life better for Angelenos in the future.
Strong reactions
Labor leaders immediately denounced the proposed layoffs.
“We’re going to fight for every single one of these city jobs. One layoff is too many,” said David Green, president of the Service Employees International Union, Local 721, which represents 10,000 city workers.
He warned the ramifications of the layoffs would be broad.
“These are folks who are frontline workers serving the community every day,” said Green, whose union represents tree trimmers, sanitation workers and trash truck drivers, among others.
Ironically, the layoffs are being driven in part by increased labor costs resulting from union contracts signed just last year. Those contracts will cost the city an extra $250 million in the coming year, according to city officials.
A number of City Council members expressed resignation that the layoffs were inevitable.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield 85% to 90% of the city’s budget is labor costs.
“So if you have this kind of huge deficit, it is almost impossible to solve for that deficit without affecting labor costs,” he said.
Liability payments
Liability payments have also ballooned and are costing the city more. Legal payouts have averaged $100 million annually for the past 10 years, according to city officials.
The new proposed budget set aside $187 million for liability claims against the city — more than twice as much as had been budgeted in recent years — but this is still well below the anticipated $320 million in liability expenses to be paid this fiscal year.
Officials blamed costlier jury verdicts and legal settlements with people who sued the city over such things as police use of force and internal staff harassment.
The unexpected, significant costs of fighting the Palisades Fire, as well the aftermath, have also contributed to budget pressures.
Meanwhile, as costs increase, revenues are on the decline.
Business and sales taxes are both down, according to city officials, while hotel and property taxes, which make up 35% of revenues, are expected to be below projected growth.
President Donald Trump’s tariffs are also expected to hit L.A. hard, adding to the fiscal uncertainty.
General fund revenue is projected to be $8 billion — down from the forecasted $8.14 billion.
Homelessness, police and fire
Mayor Bass gives the State of the City address on April 21, 2025.
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Screenshot of LA Cityview 35 livestream
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Under the mayor’s plan, the budget for her signature Inside Safe homelessness program would remain the same, but spending on helping people on the streets would be slightly lower, according to city officials.
The plan also forecasts a smaller Police Department, which has been shrinking in part because evidence indicates fewer people want to become police officers than in previous years.
The LAPD is expected to finish this fiscal year with 8,733 officers. The mayor’s plan projects it will end the next fiscal year with 8,639 officers.
In the wake of the Palisades Fire, the Fire Department will see an increase of funding by 12.7%, according to city officials. The plan adds 277 new positions and calls for more paramedics, mechanics and fast response vehicles — pickup trucks with a small water tank, hose and medical supplies that can respond to an increasing number of calls for help from unhoused people.
Bass’ proposal also calls for consolidating four city departments — the departments of Aging, Economic, and Workforce Development, and Youth Development will be consolidated under the Community and Family Investment Department.
In addition, the plan calls for eliminating the Health Commission, which is an advisory body. It would also get rid of the Innovation and Performance Commission, as well as the Climate Emergency Mobilization Commission.
The mayor’s budget also maintains a 6% reserve fund, above the 5% required by city policy.
Bass said she will travel to Sacramento this week in hopes of getting some financial help from state officials, according to city officials.
LAist reporter Jordan Rynning contributed to this story.
Yusra Farzan
has been covering the Rancho Palos Verdes landslide since 2023.
Published September 9, 2026 10:00 AM
A section of Narcissa Drive is closed due to landslide movement in the Portuguese Bend neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes as seen on Sept. 1, 2024.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Topline:
Rancho Palos Verdes is drumming up support to lobby state legislators to offer an insurance plan for landslides.
How we got here: A portion of Rancho Palos Verdes sits on an ancient landslide. For decades, land movement was minimal. But above-average rainfall in 2022 and 2023 rapidly accelerated — up to 1 foot per week in some places — prompting Southern California Edison and SoCalGas to shut off utilities for hundreds of residents.
Why it matters: The city is looking at prior precedent: after the Northridge earthquake insurers only covered 50% of damages prompting the state to create the California Earthquake Authority. Now, around two-thirds of California’s earthquake insurance market is on the plan.
What happens now: City staffers will reach out to other cities and counties impacted by landslide damage to lobby state legislators in December to create an alternative plan.
Rancho Palos Verdes is leading the charge to create a new landslide insurance option for homeowners.
The effort brings together a coalition of city and county governments who say they need financial relief as they address ongoing issues like coastal erosion.
RPV's problems
A portion of Rancho Palos Verdes sits on an ancient landslide. For decades, land movement was minimal. But above-average rainfall in 2022 and 2023 rapidly accelerated the slip — up to 1 foot per week in some places — prompting Southern California Edison and SoCalGas to shut off utilities for hundreds of residents.
Roughly three years after above-average rainfall fueled a devastating landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes, the landscape has become almost unrecognizable. Around 20 homes, ripped apart by the land movement, have been red-tagged, meaning they can’t be lived in. Dozens have been yellow-tagged.
Landslide damage has closed dozens of trails in the Portuguese Bend area of Rancho Palos Verdes on April 04, 2026.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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The city’s eventual plan is to buy back some of these homes and turn them into open space, but trying to slow the landslide has pushed the city to the financial brink, with Rancho Palos Verdes spending on landslide mitigation as much as it takes to run the whole city.
Meanwhile, homeowners have had to put their savings — including their retirement — back into homes to repair landslide damage. Insurance companies haven’t helped. Generally, homeowners insurance does not cover landslides that aren’t caused by earthquakes.
In 2024, Rancho Palos Verdes surveyed residents who lived in the landslide area about their insurance coverage. None of the residents surveyed had insurance that covered landslides.
Other solutions haven’t panned out
An assembly bill to allow the governor to declare a state of emergency for landslides that aren’t caused by earthquakes, AB 986, failed.
RPV also dabbled with creating a joint powers authority where two or more public agencies come together to combine resources to coordinate services. Examples include clean power alliances like the Orange County Power Authority, and the California Community Housing Agency. But, under California law, JPAs cannot provide insurance options to private property owners.
Why the new effort matters
Rancho Palos Verdes is not the only city grappling with lack of landslide insurance for its residents. Cities mostly along the coast including Dana Point, Malibu, Laguna Beach and San Clemente have dealt with infrastructure damage due to coastal erosion over the years. San Clemente, a beach town reliant on foot traffic, has had to close public access to some of its beaches due to increased coastal erosion. Recurring landslides in the city have also disrupted coastal rail service.
Some counties including Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Diego also voiced their support for measures like the failed AB 986.
So what's the proposed solution?
Rancho Palos Verdes hopes to push state legislators to create a program similar to the California Earthquake Authority and the California FAIR Plan.
The state legislature created the California Earthquake Authority to provide optional earthquake insurance after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which resulted in $20 billion in residential damages. Only half of the damages were covered by insurance. The CEA is a nonprofit that is managed by the state but privately funded through insurance premiums and represents about two-thirds of the residential earthquake market in California, according to Rancho Palos Verdes city staff.
The California Fair Plan was created in 1968 to offer insurance plans for homeowners who have trouble getting private insurance in areas that are prone to wildfires. It has grown to about 610,000 policies as of June 2025, a 154% increase since September 2021, as other insurance companies have canceled or stopped issuing new policies in California, citing growing wildfire risk. The plan is run by insurers who do business in the state but is not publicly managed.
Rancho Palos Verdes officials will be reaching out to other affected cities and counties to drum up support. They then plan to reach out to state legislators and the insurance commissioner by the end of the year.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation said it would not enforce certain parking restrictions through Sept. 30 as part of a relief effort after the Lineage warehouse fire.
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Laura Anaya-Morga
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Boyle Heights Beat
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Topline:
Residents in parts of Boyle Heights may be eligible to have certain citations waived and benefit from relaxed parking enforcement through Sept. 30 following the Lineage warehouse fire.
Why now: The change comes after small business owners shared with elected officials that they’ve been struggling with low foot traffic after the fire. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, in a statement, said she hopes the new parking guidelines can “reduce unnecessary burdens” and make it “easier for customers to continue supporting neighborhood businesses during the recovery.”
Where to get help with a citation: Residents who believe they received a citation in error may contact Jurado’s Boyle Heights field office at 323-526-9332 and ask for the small business liaison.
Read on... for a map and list on where parking relief applies.
Residents in parts of Boyle Heights may be eligible to have certain citations waived and benefit from relaxed parking enforcement through Sept. 30 following the Lineage warehouse fire.
The change comes after small business owners shared with elected officials that they’ve been struggling with low foot traffic after the fire. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, in a statement, said she hopes the new parking guidelines can “reduce unnecessary burdens” and make it “easier for customers to continue supporting neighborhood businesses during the recovery.”
Rosie Echeverria, a representative for Council District 14, informed the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council about the relaxed parking enforcement at its Aug. 26 meeting. She provided attendees with a map showing the original assistance area and an added expansion. (See the map below).
“You should not be getting ticketed for meters. You should not be getting ticketed for overnight parking. You should not be ticketed for limited parking. For example, if it’s a ‘two-hour parking only’ and you end up staying three hours, you should not be getting a ticket for that,” Echeverria said.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation said it would not enforce certain parking restrictions through Sept. 30. Here’s what you need to know.
Where the parking relief applies
Relaxed enforcement applies to eligible violations in the designated fire-affected areas. Enforcement is relaxed daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Original area (eligible for violations issued July 29 to Sept. 30)
A map shows relaxed parking enforcement areas.
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Jackie Ramirez made with Atlist
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The area bounded by:
Boyle Avenue
Cesar Chavez Avenue
Lorena Street
Olympic Boulevard
Expanded area (eligible for violations issued Aug. 17 to Sept. 30)
A map shows an extended area of relaxed parking enforcement.
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Jackie Ramirez made with Atlist
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The original boundaries, plus the area bounded by:
Soto Street
Cincinnati Street
Evergreen Avenue
Cesar Chavez Avenue
This includes Mott Street and Fickett Street, but excludes Forest Avenue
What parking enforcement is covered and what is not
Under this effort, the L.A. Department of Transportation is not enforcing parking restrictions related to:
Street meter parking
Residential street sweeping zones
Time limit restrictions, such as two-hour parking zones
Areas designating no parking between certain time frames
Overnight, oversize and preferential parking districts
The effort, however, does not suspend all parking enforcement, according to Jurado’s office. Areas that remain fully enforceable include:
Red zones
Bus zones
Handicapped zones
“No Parking Anytime” zones
“No Stopping Anytime” zones
All temporary “No parking” or “No stopping zones”
White curbs
Alleys and sidewalks
Where to get help with a citation
Residents who believe they received a citation in error may contact Jurado’s Boyle Heights field office at 323-526-9332 and ask for the small business liaison.
The L.A. Department of Transportation said that if someone believes a citation was issued in error and would like to contest it, they can contact the Parking Violations Bureau online or by phone at 866-561-9742.
L.A. Documenter Yliana Roland contributed to this story. L.A. Documenters trains and pays L.A. residents to take notes at local government meetings around Los Angeles. You can find meeting notes and audio at losangeles.documenters.org
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Celebrate Orange County's Latino communities at Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias on Sept. 12 and 13.
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Courtesy City of Santa Ana
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A play looks back on 9/11, NFL season kicks off, a Mexican Independence day celebration in Santa Ana, postcards from Ukraine and more of the best things to do this week.
Highlights
NFL season is here again, and the Rams first game of the year is taking on our neighbors to the north, the 49ers. Head to the Regent for a free watch party.
There’s still plenty of good weather for a free outdoor Americana folk concert, and that’s exactly what’s in store at Santa Monica’s Gandara Park.
Celebrate Orange County's vibrant Latino communities at Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day.
I was fortunate to get a sneak peek at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art last week and given how many thoughts our Best Things to Do readers had on the new LACMA Geffen Galleries, I can’t wait to hear what you think of the Lucas once it opens to the public on Sept. 22. Please share your thoughts when you go!
I was blown away by the building — it’s light and airy while feeling futuristic and somewhat imposing at the same time. The gardens are green and have plenty of places to sit and soak up the sun or the shade, and the reading room (which will be free and open to all) is definitely going on the "best places to cowork" list. The art collection is mostly organized by subject rather than era and includes works by artists from Norman Rockwell to Frida Kahlo to Banksy to Lucas himself via the many pieces of Star Wars history on display. There's truly something for everyone.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:35 p.m. The Regent 448 Main St., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Courtesy The Regent Theater
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I guess summer really is over because football season is here again and the Rams first game of the year is taking on our neighbors to the north, the 49ers. Head to the Regent for a free watch party; there’s a state-of-the-art sound system and LED video wall, plus it’s free.
Americana in the Park
Sunday, Sept. 13, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Gandara Park 1819 Stewart Ave., Santa Monica COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Alright, kids are back in school and football season started, but is it ever really not summer here? There’s still plenty of good weather for a free outdoor Americana folk concert and that’s exactly what’s in store at Santa Monica’s Gandara Park. Put on by our friends at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, there will be performances from Albert Lee, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Abby Posner & the Big Fall, Jason Luckett, the Bob Baker Marionettes.
Fiestas Patrias Festival
Sept. 12-13 Multiple locations, Downtown Santa Ana COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Celebrate Orange County's vibrant Hispanic and Latino communities at Santa Ana's Fiestas Patrias in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day. There’s a parade and street fair, live entertainment from local bands, carnival rides, food, and more.
Steel Magnolias
Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:35pm Rooftop Cinema Club 888 S. Olive St., 4th Floor, Downtown L.A. COST: $31.05; MORE INFO
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Rooftop Cinema Club
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Rooftop Cinema Club is honoring Dolly Parton’s legacy with a screening of the ultimate ode to Southern female friendship, Steel Magnolias (in both Spanish and English), with 10 percent of ticket sales benefiting Parton's Imagination Library.
Staged reading of WTC View
Friday, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m. Celebration Theatre & LA LGBT Center The Village at Ed Gould Plaza (Renberg Theatre) 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood COST: FROM $29; MORE INFO
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Los Angeles LGBT Center
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Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) directs this special September 11 anniversary reading of WTC View, Brian Sloan’s 2003 play about the weeks following 9/11 in Lower Manhattan. The story looks at a gay photographer’s struggle to find community in a time of societal and personal change. “I was just beginning my third year of drama school in New York on 9/11, and I vividly remember how raw we New Yorkers still were when we premiered the play in 2003,” said Urie. “Now Brian’s beautiful play is a time capsule of those weeks following 9/11, when we were all babies in a new world and the interactions we had with strangers were so intimate and heartfelt.”
Spotlight Arts Festival
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2 to 5 p.m. Bank of America Performing Arts Center 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Eventbrite
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The first-ever Spotlight Arts festival in Thousand Oaks brings together local artists, performers, and community organizations for a free afternoon of art, music, creativity, and connection. The festival will feature 15-minute live performances from a range of local groups, artist booths, hands-on activities, live painting, and more.
Maria Koutsogiannis in Conversation with Gaby Dalkin
Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. Now Serving 727 N. Broadway, #133, Chinatown COST: FROM $11.49; MORE INFO
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Eventbrite
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Didn’t get to the Greek Islands this summer? No problem. Greek chef, author, and Instagram favorite Maria Koutsogiannis is bringing Greece to us as her debut cookbook, Greek Out, launches at Now Serving. The book features more than 120 Greek-inspired recipes alongside personal stories rooted in family, culture and tradition. She’ll be in conversation with Gaby Dalkin at Now Serving.
Come as You Are: The Musical
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. The Ripped Bodice 3806 Main St., Culver City COST: $22.58, MORE INFO
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Eventbrite
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Emily Nagoski, PhD has the answers to all the things you were afraid to ask about sex – and now you can sing along. The New York Times best-selling author of Come As You Are and Come Together has packed her ukulele for a fun night of music and sex talk (what could be better?) at the best romance book store around, Culver City’s The Ripped Bodice.
Postcode Ukraine: Diary of a Volunteer
Sept. 11-30 Westwood Contemporary 1101 Westwood Blvd., Westwood Village COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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Postcode Ukraine
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postcodeukraine.com
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As we head into a fifth year of war in Ukraine, the Wende Museum’s Westwood Contemporary is highlighting the work of British photographer Mark Neville, who has been documenting the lives of everyday Ukrainians through his expansive project, Postcode Ukraine. Postcode Ukraine: Diary of a Volunteer is here through the end of the month, ahead of a larger international tour.
By Christopher Weber and Amy Taxin | Associated Press
Published September 8, 2026 5:09 PM
Emergency vehicles repond to the chemical leak in LA Habra on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
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Jae C. Hong
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Associated Press
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Topline:
A slow leak from a chemical tank smeared an orange cloud across the sky of a Southern California neighborhood on Tuesday, but authorities said they quickly got it under control.
Why it matters: Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon said authorities responded to a La Habra business that makes cleaning products after receiving a call shortly before noon about the cloud. Police evacuated a nearby middle school as a precaution, Katon said.
The chemical: They do not yet know what the chemical was, but all shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, Katon said.
What's next: The regional air quality management district has deployed staff to the area to investigate, said Connie Villanueva, a spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
A slow leak from a chemical tank smeared an orange cloud across the sky of a Southern California neighborhood on Tuesday, but authorities said they quickly got it under control.
Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon said authorities responded to a business that makes cleaning products after receiving a call shortly before noon about the cloud. Police evacuated a nearby middle school as a precaution, Katon said.
They do not yet know what the chemical was, but all shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, he said. The regional air quality management district has deployed staff to the area to investigate, said Connie Villanueva, a spokesperson for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The company, Shepard Bros., could not immediately be reached for comment.
Three company employees reported minor respiratory irritation and declined further treatment, Katon said.
The leak occurred in the city of La Habra near a mix of residential neighborhoods and industrial warehouses about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Anaheim.
Keary Godinez, who works in a nearby restaurant, said she saw what appeared to be a dark yellow cloud spread across the sky. The 20-year-old said she watched students across the street board buses to evacuate, but police told her the eatery could remain open.
“It looked like pollen dust,” Godinez said, adding she didn’t detect a smell from the cloud. “It just kind of smeared in the sky and started going away.”
La Habra Mayor Jose Medrano had urged residents to shelter in place and said some streets were being evacuated.
Luis Gomez, who manages a nearby pickleball program, said earlier Tuesday he saw the cloud, called police and was told anyone within a mile radius of the location was under an evacuation order.
