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Evening, everybody. Today our newsroom dove into the deep cuts that are being proposed for LA’s city budget, and how they affect services we rely on, from sanitation to arts.
We're going to break things down for you, along with the usual coronavirus news roundup. Here we go
We're going to break things down for you, along with the usual coronavirus news roundup. Here we go
The city controller forecasts:
- a $231M revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, which ends in June
- up to $598M next year, which begins July 1.
The proposed budget the mayor just released includes $230M in hard cuts to department budgets for the next fiscal year.
- a $231M revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, which ends in June
- up to $598M next year, which begins July 1.
The proposed budget the mayor just released includes $230M in hard cuts to department budgets for the next fiscal year.
POLICE AND FIRE
The proposed budget would spare LAPD officers and city firefighters but force furloughs on their civilian support staff, who would be required to take 26 unpaid days off over the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The proposed budget would spare LAPD officers and city firefighters but force furloughs on their civilian support staff, who would be required to take 26 unpaid days off over the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
PUBLIC WORKS:
Sanitation workers won't be forced to take days off. Some budget cuts will slow construction projects, graffiti abatement, tree trimming, and some sidewalk repairs.
Some 311 call center employees will be furloughed, meaning longer call wait times.
Sanitation workers won't be forced to take days off. Some budget cuts will slow construction projects, graffiti abatement, tree trimming, and some sidewalk repairs.
Some 311 call center employees will be furloughed, meaning longer call wait times.
TRANSPORTATION
Street safety initiative Vision Zero faces a 5% budget cut in the next fiscal year to $48M.
The program identifies streets where pedestrians are injured and killed at higher rates and makes improvements like high-visibility crosswalks and protected bike lanes.
Street safety initiative Vision Zero faces a 5% budget cut in the next fiscal year to $48M.
The program identifies streets where pedestrians are injured and killed at higher rates and makes improvements like high-visibility crosswalks and protected bike lanes.
HOMELESS SERVICES
Spending on homelessness by LA city will remain steady, underscoring a commitment to addressing the issue. (But keep in mind: most spending on homelessness in Los Angeles comes through the budget of L.A. County, not the city.) https://laist.com/2020/04/20/los-angeles-city-budget-homelessness-spending.php
Spending on homelessness by LA city will remain steady, underscoring a commitment to addressing the issue. (But keep in mind: most spending on homelessness in Los Angeles comes through the budget of L.A. County, not the city.) https://laist.com/2020/04/20/los-angeles-city-budget-homelessness-spending.php
CULTURAL PROGRAMS
The Department of Cultural Affairs faces an 8.1% drop.
The L.A. Zoo budget gets a 12.1% reduction.
The L.A. city library system is protected by Measure L, so its funding is required to be kept at a certain level.
More: https://laist.com/2020/04/20/arts-los-angeles-budget-cuts.php
The Department of Cultural Affairs faces an 8.1% drop.
The L.A. Zoo budget gets a 12.1% reduction.
The L.A. city library system is protected by Measure L, so its funding is required to be kept at a certain level.
More: https://laist.com/2020/04/20/arts-los-angeles-budget-cuts.php
PARKS
The proposed budget would cut approximately $14m from salaries for the workers who maintain the city’s 450 parks, and programs such as sports and summer camps at rec centers.
The proposed budget would cut approximately $14m from salaries for the workers who maintain the city’s 450 parks, and programs such as sports and summer camps at rec centers.
What's next?
The city council looks at the budget proposal and makes amendments based on public hearings, analysis and councilmembers’ priorities. It has till June 1 to pass the budget, and the mayor can sign or veto.
Read the full analysis here: https://laist.com/latest/post/20200420/your-guide-to-los-angeles-city-budget-cuts
The city council looks at the budget proposal and makes amendments based on public hearings, analysis and councilmembers’ priorities. It has till June 1 to pass the budget, and the mayor can sign or veto.
Read the full analysis here: https://laist.com/latest/post/20200420/your-guide-to-los-angeles-city-budget-cuts
Now for other coronavirus updates…
There are just under 14,000 coronavirus cases in L.A. County, almost 32,000 cases in California, and over 2.4 million worldwide. https://laist.com/2020/04/16/map-tracking-covid-19-coronavirus-spread-los-angeles-county-us-california-world.php
Initial results from USC’s antibody study are out, and researchers estimate that approximately 4% of LA County’s adult population has already been infected. That indicates it’s more widespread than thought, but also less deadly. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus_la_study_antibodies_mortality_rate.php
Sean Penn’s nonprofit organization, CORE, is working to increase coronavirus testing in and around LA. https://laist.com/latest/post/20200420/sean-penn-core-coronavirus-testing
Only 3% of California’s 3.7 million small businesses received help from the Paycheck Protection Program. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus_california_small_bank_small_business_paycheck_protection_program_exhausted.php
Shake Shack was one of several multimillion-dollar restaurant chains to receive federal money meant for small businesses. It gave the money back, but the backlash was swift and strong. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/no_major_chain_restaurants_you_cant_take_millions_of_dollars_of_bailout_money_meant_for_small_busine.php
LA leaders and nonprofits are identifying holes in the safety net for immigrants without legal status, and creating relief funds. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/undocumented-workers-benefits-coronavirus-relief-fund-unemployment-california.php
The Walt Disney Co. has expanded its job cuts to nearly half its workforce. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/disney_cuts_nearly_half_its_workforce.php
LA County’s digital divide has become stark as schools have moved to remote learning. 1 in 4 households with school-aged kids lack access to both broadband internet and computers. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus-digital-divide-map-los-angeles-distance-learning.php
To bridge the divide, approximately 70,000 California students will receive free laptops and tablets, and Google will roll out 100,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots, Gov. Newsom announced today. https://laist.com/latest/post/20200420/watch_gavin_newsom_coronavirus_update_042020
LAUSD Superintendent Beutner pleaded with California for more emergency funding, saying uncovered bills for the district’s response to the coronavirus crisis are mounting fast. https://laist.com/latest/post/20200420/coronavirus_lausd_budget_impact_emergency_spending
But officials in Sacramento are grappling with a budget crisis of their own. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus_lausd_budget_impact_emergency_spending_laptops_meals.php
Nearly 1 out of every 8 inmates in LA County jails are quarantined because of coronavirus, Sheriff Villanueva said today. https://laist.com/latest/post/20200420/coronavirus-los-angeles-county-sheriff-villanueva-updates-april-20
The first inmate at a state prison has died of COVID-19 complications. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus_state_prison_inmate_dies_california.php
[checks calendar] Well, it’s 4/20. Wanna grow your own weed? It's easier than you think and takes far less equipment than becoming a master baker. https://laist.com/2020/04/20/marijuana_cannabis_grow_garden_how_to_coronavirus.php
It’s Monday, and there’s a long week ahead. So here are a few virtual events happening: https://laist.com/2020/04/20/15_awesome_events_to_help_pass_the_pandemic_time_coronavirus_los_angeles.php
