Los Angeles City Council hears budget proposal from Coalition of City Unions

The Los Angeles City Council convened on April 28, 2025, for a budget hearing aimed at discussing the proposed budget and gathering input from various stakeholders. The meeting commenced with Chairperson Yaroslavsky emphasizing the importance of transparency and community involvement in the budget process. Following the roll call, which confirmed a quorum with five council members present, the agenda was set to include presentations from the Coalition of LA City Unions, the Engineers and Architects Association, and the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates.

The first presentation was allocated ten minutes for the Coalition of LA City Unions. Janita Aguilar, the regional director for SEIU Local 721, opened the discussion by thanking the council for the opportunity to present on behalf of frontline city workers. She was joined by representatives from various unions, including Lisa Palombe from AFSCME Local 2626 and Devon Lizardo from LiUNA 777. Each representative introduced themselves and expressed their commitment to discussing the mayor's proposed budget.

The council members were instructed to refrain from asking questions during the presentations to maximize public comment time later in the meeting. The Coalition's presentation aimed to highlight the needs and concerns of city workers as they relate to the budget, setting the stage for further discussions on the implications of the proposed financial allocations.

As the meeting progressed, the council anticipated additional presentations and public comments, indicating a robust engagement with community stakeholders regarding the budget's impact on city services and workers. The session underscored the council's commitment to a collaborative budget process, with a focus on addressing the needs of both city employees and the broader community.