Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Now is your chance to let Orange County leaders know your budget priorities
The Orange County Civic Center — the "room where it happens."
(
Yusra Farzan
/
LAist
)
Orange County plans to spend $10.8 billion on the next year's budget. Now you get to weigh in.
How's that?
There are two virtual public workshop sessions planned on Thursday — one at 3 p.m. and another at 6 p.m. You can also provide public feedback using this form. The Orange County Board of Supervisors will also hold a public budget hearing on June 10.
Can my voice really make a difference?
Yes. Admittedly, this document is pretty darn close to being finalized. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to do just that at a June 24 hearing.
Support for LAist comes from
But the budget is a year-round process. And there are several opportunities year-round to provide more input into the budget when it's actually being shaped and formed.
From the county's CEO: "The public's comments or suggestions are welcomed year-round and may be submitted any time. Receiving public feedback during the following times during the budget cycle are especially important," including August through September for consideration during the strategic financial planning process and February through March for consideration during the annual budget cycle.
But you need to start somewhere. And if you don't like how county officials are using tax dollars, tell them. If you like how the county is using tax dollars, tell them that too.
OK, I'm convinced. Where do I start?
One place to start is with the Citizen's Guide to the FY 2025-26 budget. This is a 24-page, reader-friendly explainer that lays out the county's budget planning cycle, including where the money comes from and what it gets spent on. There is also this FAQ. There's also a video. Finally, here's the proposed budget in PDF format.
Check out your local media reports as well. Here's what LAist had to say about it.
What do I do next?
- You can provide public feedback using this form.
- Two virtual public budget workshops will be held at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Details here.
- The County Executive Office will present the budget to the Orange County Board of Supervisors on June 10.
- The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the fiscal year 2025-26 annual budget on June 24.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist