Los Angeles Mayor Proposes Layoff of 1,647 City Workers Amid $1 Billion Budget Shortfall

As the city prepares for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, it must also slash spending to close the city’s budget shortfall.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks in Culver City, Calif., on Feb. 21, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The City of Los Angeles faces a projected $1 billion budget deficit for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, leading embattled Mayor Karen Bass to call for laying off 1,647 city workers in her $13.95 billion spending plan released on April 28.

Los Angeles is grappling with several issues, including declining revenues, rising liability claims, and increased payroll costs. The toll of the January fires that ravaged Los Angeles has further added to increased city costs.