LA Mayor’s $15 Billion Budget Shows Reduced Deficit, No Job Cuts

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass proposed a $14.9 billion election-year budget little changed from the current year, as higher revenue collections eased pressure on the second-largest US city after it faced a roughly $1 billion deficit.

Bass’s plan marks a turnaround from last year, when she warned of significant cuts and potential layoffs to close the gap. Now, as she campaigns ahead of the June 2 primary, the mayor says the 2026-27 budget would avoid job losses, relying instead on stronger tax revenue, cuts to so-called ghost positions — vacant jobs that remain funded in the budget — and staff ...