One of the biggest challenges facing the county is the budget deficit, caused largely by wildfire costs, federal funding cuts, and large legal settlements.
almirah And Durazo Both support the Essential Services Restoration Act, a half-cent sales tax on the June ballot to help offset federal health care cuts.
Asked how she would close the budget gap, Almario said the county should have greater oversight of its funds and programs to reduce the potential for large legal payouts and “eliminate inefficiencies.”
Durazo said one reason for the deficit is that the county spends so much on services for low-income residents who can’t afford things like housing and health care on their own. As supervisor she will do more to support jobs that pay a livable wage, so residents rely less on county services. One way to do this was to direct county contracts to companies that promised to add jobs that allow people to live a decent life.
“One thing I really believe in and have done my whole life is pay raises,” Durazo said.
Alaniz He declined an interview, but in response to a Times questionnaire he cited “the growing gap between spending and results” as one of the county’s biggest challenges.
“We are investing significant resources, but many residents still feel that their community is becoming less stable, not more,” he said. “We need to focus on coordination and accountability.”
Durazo also called for greater accountability and transparency “so that we can say we are comfortable with how our money is being spent.” And she supports a receivership for L.A. County’s troubled juvenile hall — something California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta is trying.
Almario also supports receivership for the juvenile system as well as greater oversight over spending on homelessness.
When it comes to the high cost of living, she wants to establish a free county grocery store for residents and supports a countywide rent freeze until incomes catch up with housing costs.
“If we don’t take some drastic measures (like freezing rents), we’re going to have more homeless people,” Almario said.
Durazo wants to look more closely at what isn’t working to address homelessness and make adjustments accordingly.
She also said she is focused on creating jobs that pay livable wages, which will help families afford more, and she supports additional eviction protections for county residents.
