Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is expected to release her proposed spending plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year this Monday. The balanced budget proposal will be detailed during a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. At City Hall.
Priorities and Infrastructure Focus
According to the Mayor’s Office, the spending plan is expected to reflect stronger tax revenues across multiple categories. The proposal aims to sustain progress in public safety, housing production, and the effort to address homelessness.
the plan will target city infrastructure. This includes the restoration of street lights and the repair of sidewalks.
First-Term Benchmarks
Mayor Bass is expected to leverage the announcement to highlight key accomplishments from her first term. These include creating policies to accelerate housing projects and achieving lower homicide numbers.
The mayor will also likely cite figures from the annual point-in-time homeless count, which show that street homelessness has been reduced by nearly 18%.
The Approval Process and Community Input
Once formally released, the proposal will be forwarded to the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee. Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky will oversee the committee’s review over several weeks, which may include changes based on council priorities.
Yaroslavsky stated that the focus remains on protecting core services, addressing fiscal challenges, and ensuring the budget is sustainable.
Public engagement will begin Tuesday at 6 p.m. With a “community conversation” hosted via Zoom, accessible at this link.
Upcoming Hearings
The budget committee will hold its first hearing Friday at 1 p.m. In the Council Chamber at City Hall. Opening remarks will be delivered by Yaroslavsky.
During this session, the People’s Budget LA Coalition and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles are expected to present their own budget proposals and priorities for the city to follow.
Political Landscape and Election Outlook
The budget rollout coincides with Bass’s campaign for re-election. Her challengers include housing advocate Rae Chen Huang, reality television personality Spencer Pratt, City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, and nonprofit leader Adam Miller.
An April poll from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs indicated that 40% of Los Angeles voters remained undecided before the June 2 primary. In that poll, Bass led with 25% support, followed by Pratt at 11% and Raman at 9%.
Other candidates in the UCLA poll included Huang and Miller, who each drew 3%, while 9% of respondents favored other candidates. However, a separate poll by Loyola Marymount University named Raman as the front runner, followed by Bass, Huang, Miller, and Pratt.
Next Steps
The City Council and Mayor Bass must approve a final budget before the modern fiscal year begins on July 1.
Regarding the mayoral race, if no candidate secures a majority in the June 2 primary, the top two finishers could advance to a runoff in November.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must the final budget be approved?
The City Council and Mayor Bass must approve the final budget prior to the start of the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1.
Who is leading the budget review process for the City Council?
The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee is overseen by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky.
What did the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs poll reveal about the mayoral race?
The April poll found that 40% of voters were undecided, with Mayor Bass leading at 25%, Spencer Pratt at 11%, and Nithya Raman at 9%.
How should a city balance the need for infrastructure repairs with the urgent demand for housing and public safety?