Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has reportedly increased government workers’ wages substantially, but has also made significant cuts to the city’s fire department budget.

“The budget reductions to the fire department in Los Angeles, which took place just months ago, amid growing concerns over the city’s financial instability, serve as a glaring example of poor prioritization,” The City Journal noted. The cuts were a direct result of a fiscal crisis caused by her administration’s decision to offer generous contracts and benefits to city employees, despite the warnings that such reductions could compromise essential services. Deputy mayor Zach Seidl brushed off concerns, stating, “Predictions that city services will be impossible to deliver are simply false.” This statement has quickly become one of the most poorly timed and regrettable public comments in recent memory.

After taking office, Bass quickly entered negotiations with public sector unions over expiring contracts. By the beginning of last year, these discussions led to over 20 agreements with unions representing Los Angeles’ civilian workforce, ensuring wage increases ranging from 20 percent to 25 percent over five years. These contracts not only raised the city’s minimum wage for workers from $20 to $25 per hour but also included lucrative benefits, such as allowing workers to cash out 100 percent of their unused sick leave upon retirement—a benefit now seldom offered in the private sector. According to an analysis by the city’s administrative officer, the cost of these agreements to Los Angeles would reach $3.5 billion over the course of the contracts. A similar agreement with police unions was expected to add an additional $1 billion to the city’s financial burden.

While Bass was in Ghana during a series of devastating fires in Los Angeles, the city’s fire department budget was slashed by nearly $20 million for the current fiscal year, according to Breitbart News. The wildfires have ravaged 39,622 acres, and firefighters continue to fight the blaze in a desperate attempt to save the city.

In response to the catastrophic fires, many residents of Los Angeles are now calling for Bass to be recalled from office. As of Sunday, the petition for her recall has amassed 93,328 signatures.

{Matzav.com}