LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County government departments would all face 3% budget cuts in the coming fiscal year under an austere recommended spending plan unveiled Monday that also includes the elimination of 310 vacant positions — but no layoffs — and other cutbacks. The $47.9 billion proposal reflects efforts to “offset extraordinary budget pressures,” according to a statement from the county, including more than $1 billion in costs related to the January wildfires. The county will also begin to feel the pain of a proposed $4 billion settlement of nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse against county workers, mainly…
Author: Anusha Shankar
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion formally opposing Proposition 36, which would reverse a previous voter-approved measure and toughen penalties for some drug offenses and thefts. The proposition on the November ballot would change the California criminal code to charge certain drug possession and thefts under $950 as felonies, primarily for defendants with prior convictions for similar crimes. Those offenses were reduced to misdemeanors under Proposition 47, which was passed by California voters 10 years ago as the state was plagued with prison overcrowding. Prop 36 would also enact tougher penalties for…
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized the Department of Youth Development to use $2 million in grants to expand programs for youth in its juvenile halls and camps, which have faced criticism for a shortage of activities for detainees. The agency was directed to use the state funds to partner with organizations that have experience working in juvenile halls and camps and creating programs for youth to help them learn professional and inter-personal skills. “Our office has received hundreds of comments from youth, parents, advocated and other constituents pertaining the lack of consistency of…
LOS ANGELES – On a split 3-2 vote, the county Board of Supervisors Tuesday agreed to extend through December a 4% cap on rent increases for rent-controlled apartments in unincorporated areas. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county enacted a freeze on rent hikes for rent-controlled units in March 2020. The freeze was extended multiple times, but in November 2022, the board agreed to resume allowing increases, capped at 3% for rent-controlled units during 2023. Last November, the board voted to extend the rent increase cap until June 30, 2024, but supervisors increased the allowable increase from 3% to…