Statement by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas on the Los Angeles County’s 2020-2021 Proposed Budget

“After more than a decade of economic growth, we have diligently built up the County’s reserves to prepare for the next economic downturn, but the sudden and nearly complete shutdown of economic activity across all industries due to the coronavirus pandemic has confronted the County with an unprecedented challenge.

“The Recommended Budget was prepared with the prospect of a 2020 recession in mind. It used conservative growth projections and made financial commitments that were well within what the County could afford.

“The County is now facing a budget shortfall that is currently projected to amount to a two-billion-dollar loss in revenues over the current and upcoming fiscal year. Revenues that we budgeted for will not be coming in, and at the same time we are incurring extensive costs to keep people safe from this pandemic.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be profound.

“The Recommended Budget will be revised, and we are meeting this challenge by setting a plan in motion to immediately reduce expenditures, while maintaining high quality services that benefit the well-being of Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents, including the most vulnerable and underserved.

“We are committed to get through this together.”