Activists and city employees oppose LA budget cuts impacting social services and public safety

The Los Angeles City Budget Hearings held on April 28, 2025, featured a series of passionate testimonies from community members and city employees expressing deep concerns over proposed budget cuts. The meeting highlighted significant tensions surrounding funding allocations, particularly between law enforcement and essential social services.

The session began with Robert Burner from Black Lives Matter LA, who emphasized the need to "fund services, not police." He criticized the city's reliance on police funding in addressing community issues, advocating for a shift towards investing in social services instead. This sentiment was echoed by several speakers throughout the meeting.

Transportation planner 7 Martinez voiced his alarm over potential cuts to his position within the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT). He argued that eliminating his role would hinder critical projects aimed at improving street safety and could lead to increased litigation costs due to accidents. Martinez urged the council to reconsider cuts that would undermine public safety initiatives.

Rochelle Callis, representing the American Freedmen community, criticized the budget for maintaining the status quo and failing to address the needs of underserved communities. She called for agencies receiving funding to ensure they hire culturally competent staff to better serve diverse populations.

Environmental concerns were raised by Zoe Collins from Gilda Bay, who warned against cuts to climate programming and positions within LA Sanitation. She highlighted the potential for increased sewage spills and environmental degradation, urging the council to reassess funding for these critical areas.

City planner Julia Heidelman expressed her dismay at the proposed layoffs within the planning department, arguing that such cuts would negatively impact the city's long-term development and emergency response efforts. She emphasized the importance of planning in guiding city investments and maintaining public safety.

Alyssa Gordon, also from the planning department, echoed these concerns, stating that inadequate staffing would lead to increased liabilities and further service cuts. She urged the council to find alternative budget solutions that do not compromise essential services.

Dr. Beth Wiese, a harm reduction researcher, criticized the proposed cuts to social services and public health, arguing that increased funding for the LAPD would not lead to a safer city. She called for more investment in social programs that directly support vulnerable populations.

Sonia Guerra from the Sidewalk Project highlighted the severe impact of proposed cuts to the Department of Disability and harm reduction services, warning that such reductions would disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

The meeting concluded with a call for the council members to actively listen to the concerns of their constituents and reconsider the proposed budget cuts that threaten essential services. The discussions underscored a critical moment for Los Angeles as it grapples with balancing budgetary constraints against the pressing needs of its residents.