Our statement on the leaked racist recordings
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, and people of Jewish and […]
$461.5 million Falls Short of Funding the Services Communities Need
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 community. While the 2021-22 Supplemental […]
Take Action: Demand the LA County Board of Supervisors Adopt the Care First Budget
The community has spoken, and more than two million of us said YES on J to invest in care, not incarceration, and to prioritize investments that meet the needs of Black, Brown, and low-income communities.
Participatory Budgeting
HOW WE’RE CHANGING THE BUDGET PROCESS Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget. It gives people real power over real money. When we show up at Board of Supervisors meetings to offer criticism of current policies and spending, and to uplift community […]
The People Behind the Budget
WHO DEVELOPS THE BUDGET? The Approval Process The County CEO presents multiple iterations of the budget to the Board of Supervisors (BOS): the proposed budget (January), the recommended budget (April), and the finalized budget (May). The Board approves or revises the budget in each round of approval, and ultimately will approve the budget the CEO […]
Resource Guide: Budget Basics and Timeline
DEMYSTIFYING THE PROCESS How is the Budget Created? (timeline graphic to accompany) The LA County Budget for 2023-24 comes in at nearly $43 billion, making it the largest economy in the United States, and the 55th largest economy in the world. January: Each County Department submits its budget requests to the County CEO The CEO […]
Resource Guide: Power & Privilege
Power and Privilege Working Definitions Anti-Oppression: Recognizing that oppression exists in our society and actively working to combat and mitigate the negative impact it has historically had in our communities. Requires an acknowledgment and intentional shifting of our individual contribution to systems of power. Equality: this is Sameness and GIVING EVERYONE THE SAME THING. This […]
Resource Guide: Budget Terms
Unpacking participatory budgeting together L.A. County’s budget process has historically been a complicated process that has deliberately excluded robust community involvement. To ensure our community has greater tools and knowledge to mobilize for shared decision-making of the budget, we’ve compiled this list of key terms that frequently show up in the work we do. Dive […]
April 2023
RELA launches Care First Budget report with survey results + submits to County Board of Supervisors
December 2022
RELA launches Care First Budget survey to ensure community input in budget priorities
June 2022
Board of Supervisors commits $100 in funding to Care First priorities, closing out year two of implementation
May 2022
RELA mobilizes thousands to contact their Supervisors
February 2022
RELA publishes op-ed in LA Times