Hundreds urge City Council to restore cuts in mayor’s proposed budget during lengthy public hearing

On May 21, 2025, the Los Angeles City Council heard public comment on the mayor’s proposed 2025–26 budget. Council President announced 126 people had signed up to speak on the single agenda item — the budget — and estimated public comment would run about 90 minutes; speakers ultimately continued into a 15‑minute overtime “lightning round.”

Speakers across labor unions, service providers, immigrant‑rights groups, youth advocates and environmental organizations urged the council to restore cuts the Budget and Finance Committee made to the mayor’s proposal and to protect programs council members and community groups described as life‑saving.

The most frequently raised operational concern came from the fire department and its union representatives. “We currently have more than 100 paramedic vacancies, and this is a direct impact on our ability to respond to life and death emergencies,” said Dave Bridal, firefighter captain and director with United Firefighters of Los Angeles City. Rich Ramirez, second vice president of UFLAC Local 112 and a paramedic firefighter, warned the committee cut funding that would train new paramedics and remove dozens of emergency incident technicians. “Cutting 42 EIT positions is a huge cut in our operations,”…