L.A. COUNTY BUDGET 101
This includes what programs and services are prioritized for Measure J (also known as Care First) funding. The implementation process includes community engagement where the public gets to voice what matters to us, having a say in what gets recommended for the Board’s approval.
Despite a clear voter mandate to invest $900 million annually in affordable housing, good-paying jobs and mental health, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and County CEO have only invested 21% of this amount in community services to date.
Our communities are struggling and can’t tolerate any more delays. We need direct investment and services now.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
It’s not enough to just pass a ballot measure. We also have to hold elected leaders and decision makers accountable to ensure the fidelity of what voters approved. We bring this accountability through implementation, which is the process for how funding is allocated through Measure J.
Implementation includes:
In the implementation phase, the Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Advisory Committee creates subcommittees focused on key issue areas related to direct community investment and alternatives to incarceration.
These include:
Each of the subcommittees determines recommendations for what investments to prioritize through Measure J. These recommendations are sent to the CFCI Advisory Committee for consideration, and then to the Board of Supervisors for adoption. Through every step of this, we need to continue our advocacy and ensure our collective voice is heard.
L.A. COUNTY TIMELINE
The County budget operates on a fiscal year schedule: July–June. Each year’s budget is created the year prior. During this time, the budget moves through multiple phases before it is ultimately adopted.
April: County CEO presents budget recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
May: Public hearings on budget recommendations are held
June: County CEO updates and submits final budget recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for deliberation, changes, and approval
July, August, September: Board of Supervisors incorporate emerging funding needs and revenue estimates into budget, including CFCI Advisory Committee’s recommendations, Measure J recommendations, state budget allocations, federal budget allocations, and additional board motions.
Board of Supervisors deliberate budget changes and adopt final budget. Learn more about the 2022-2023 budget.
Our coalition tackled the 1000+ page LA County Budget to bring you the Care First Budget Report, an analysis of the spending the LA Board of Supervisors has approved for this fiscal period. Did the Board decide to shift investment away from systems of harm and into our communities? Did they uphold their “Care First, Jails Last” promises by reflecting our values through our County budget?
Tell the L.A. County Board and the CEO to fully fund the voter approved Measure J.
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We unequivocally condemn the repugnant, racist statements from Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin De Leon, and Gil Cedillo, and demand their immediate resignation. It is evident that they conspired to weaken Black political power, dehumanized Indigenous people, harmed AAPI people, used homophobic language, and demeaned poor and working class communities, renters,...
The Re-Imagine L.A. Coalition—a coalition of more than 200 community-based organizations and individuals representing Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and low-income communities from across Los Angeles County—urges L.A. County Chief Executive Office Fesia Davenport to commit to fully funding services and care that meet the needs of our...
Measure J Steering Committee and coalition leaders, community members, and advocates will respond to Strobel’s tentative ruling and how it goes against the majority of LA County voters’ demands for changes to public safety and investment into community-based services.
Reimagine L.A. County is a coalition of advocates, community organizations and neighbors calling for a ballot measure to divest from incarceration and policing and invest in the health and economic wellness of marginalized people in their communities.
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