Editorial: L.A. is broke. And the budget crisis is self-inflicted
Opinion by The Times Editorial Board • 4h
Los Angeles is teetering on the edge of a fiscal emergency, with its finances in “dire” condition and no money to cover unplanned expenses after a series of lawsuit payouts blew a hole in the city’s already-tight budget.
So if you were hoping this would be the year that City Hall, in preparation for the 2028 Olympics, would get moving on smoothing busted sidewalks, fixing burned out street lights, trimming trees or any other public investments to make the city nicer for residents and visitors alike — don’t hold your breath.
L.A. is broke. Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council have to get serious about developing a plan to stabilize the city's finances this year and for the future.
It won't be an easy task. In just the first three months of the fiscal year that started July 1, the city is on the hook for $258 million in liability costs. The largest category of payouts — 40% — is related to police department negligence or use of force. About a third of the payouts involve personal injury cases from dangerous conditions, such as broken sidewalks and streetlights. Some 15% are employment cases involving harassment and other workplace conditions.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/editorial-l-a-is-broke-and-the-budget-crisis-is-self-inflicted/ar-AA1svbT8?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=d02b1c86880649a687a8a77f1df13cfd&ei=110
