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Home – California Politics & News – Firefighters Say Karen Bass Failed Them—Now They’re Taking Their Case to Voters

Firefighters Say Karen Bass Failed Them—Now They’re Taking Their Case to Voters

Los Angeles firefighters are taking fire protection into their own hands after Mayor Karen Bass cut funding to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

In June 2024, Mayor Karen Bass signed the city’s 2024-2025 budget, which cut the department’s funding by $17.6 million, according to data shared by Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia.

The cuts sparked widespread backlash after the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fire, as Angelenos questioned whether Bass had adequately funded and staffed the fire department, and whether the destruction could have been reduced had the department been better prepared.

Now, the LAFD union, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, is advocating for change by going directly to voters.

After firefighters raised more than $1 million and gathered the signatures needed to qualify, the Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 to place a ballot measure before voters that would add a 0.5% sales tax on purchased goods.

If passed, the tax would fund what firefighters say are much-needed and long-overdue improvements........

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