As the city of Los Angeles faces budget cuts and dips into reserves to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, Mayor Eric Garcetti said the economic downturn the city faces will be more painful than the 2008 recession.
Garcetti delivered his annual “State of the City” address on Sunday night without an audience.
In an emotional, grim speech, he told residents that financially, “This is worst it’s ever been.”
He said the city already borrowed $70 million from special funds to combat COVID-19. He said to balance the city’s budget, city workers will have to take off 26 unpaid days, which equals a 10% pay cut.
“I’ve never before hesitated to assure you that our city is strong,” he said. “But I won’t say those words tonight. Our city is under attack. Our daily life is unrecognizable.We are bowed and we are worn down. We are grieving our dead. But we are not broken.”
The Los Angeles Times reports police officers, firefighters and Department of Water and Power workers will not have to take furlough days. An aide to Garcetti told the newspaper track pickup will remain intact.
Garcetti called on the federal government for help.
“Don’t bail out banks but leave cities with cuts and collapse,” he said.
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