California senators press agencies on LA28 readiness, spotlight security, transportation and local-hire plans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. '14 State lawmakers convened a special committee hearing to review California's preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with officials from the LA 28 organizing committee, the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and VISIT California describing progress and flagging outstanding risks.

The committee, chaired by Senator Allen, heard officials describe a largely privately funded organizing committee that plans a $7.1 billion operating budget and forecasted regional impacts including roughly $18 billion in economic output and tens of thousands of jobs. "The organizing committee in LA is strong and getting stronger every day," Reynold Hoover, CEO of LA 28, told the panel.

Why it matters: The games will concentrate major demands on transportation, public safety and local services across Southern California; committee members said they want early, coordinated state planning and funding to protect neighborhoods, allow small businesses to compete and avoid last-minute costs or inequitable outcomes.

Officials outlined the major lines of planning and several unmet needs. Hoover and LA 28 described a no-new permanent-venue approach: most competition will use existing stadiums and facilities, with temporary builds where needed. LA 28 said it is raising sponsorship, ticket and broadcast revenue and expects to sell roughly 13 million tickets; the organizing committee plans tens of thousands of volunteers and a headquarters staff of roughly 4,000 during the Games.

VISIT California's senior vice president for…