Los Angeles was forced to slash funding at a major scale for its fire department after Mayor Karen Bass approved a number of lucrative contracts for city workers, as revealed on Saturday by a review of public records. The trouble began early last year when Bass finalized contract negotiations with public sector unions.
In dozens of agreements, civilian employees in the city were given wage hikes of up to 20 to 25 percent over five years, along with additional benefits. These commitments are projected to cost Los Angeles $4.5 billion over the course of the contracts, according to an analysis by the city’s administrative officer, as reported by City Journal.
Major Cuts by Bass Putting City at Risk
Adding to the financial strain, unexpected payouts from personal injury lawsuit judgments against the city pushed Los Angeles close to a financial breaking point.
“Los Angeles is teetering on the edge of a fiscal emergency, with its finances in “dire” …