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LA County unveils proposed $48.8B budget for 2026-27 By Jose Herrera, City News Service
NO. 271
Rep. Swalwell drops out of race for governor, resigns from Congress amid wrongdoing allegations By Joe Taglieri
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mid a reduction in federal spending, ongoing legal settlements and liabilities, Los Angeles County officials Monday unveiled a proposed $48.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, which represents a 7% decrease compared to the current spending plan. While county officials anticipate a reduction in spending, they said they expect no layoffs, though they have planned to eliminate 81 vacant positions — a decision based on operational changes. The county expects to maintain a labor force of 115,885 positions. Spending reductions come as a result of eliminating funding that was provided for one time-uses. The county must also address a combined $4.8 billion in legal payouts related to more than 11,000 childhood sexual assault cases, with more claims being filed — roughly 150 per month, officials said. "LA County is currently in the eye of a hurricane," Acting Chief Executive Officer Joseph Nicchitta said in a statement. "Previous cuts of 8.5% and a hiring freeze helped balance our
VOL. 17, 15,
joet@beaconmedianews.com
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Acting LA County CEO Joseph Nicchitta, upper right corner, details a slide in his budget presentation Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors. | Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County
spending plan, but we're preparing for major new budget impacts to our health and social services departments in 2027. We are doing all we can to prepare for the next phase of the storm." The proposed budget is expected to be presented to the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Public hearings on the budget will begin in May. Officials say the proposed budget "reflects a strategic belt- tightening approach while preserving critical safety programs." Of the $48.8 billion, approximately
$35.8 billion — or 73% — is for program-specific revenues and fixed costs. About $63.2 million is flexible for ongoing programs. Nicchitta's office forecasted a 3.9% increase to the 2026 tax assessment roll, for $314.8 million in increase in property tax revenue, and a $19.3 million increase in Prop 172 and local sales tax revenues. About $17.4 million will go back into operating budgets, and the proposal recommended use of part of
the $314.8 million for the following initiatives: -- A $186.4 million net increase for salaries and employee benefits, including a 2% increase for cost of living adjustment; -- About $51.2 million for assistance case-load changes for the Department of Children and Family Services, and a 4% increase in the county's share of cost for the In-Home Supportive Services program, as required by the state; -- About $12 million to
See Budget Page 16
fter suspending his campaign for California governor, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, announced Monday he will resign his congressional seat as he faces allegations of sexual assault and criminal misconduct. Four women, including at least one congressional staff member, have accused Swalwell of sexual assault, and federal authorities are investigating his alleged hiring of a nanny who is an undocumented immigrant. The resignation announcement came one day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor. "I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said in a statement Monday. "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make. "I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other
members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong," Swalwell said. "But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress. I will work with my staff in the coming days to ensure they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district." Swalwell announced his campaign's suspension in a social media post Sunday evening. "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell wrote on X. "I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that's my fight, not a campaign's." A few hours earlier, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced an investigation into Swalwell's alleged hiring of a domestic worker who was in the country illegally. That
See Swalwell Page 04
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