A measure to raise L.A.'s sales tax by a half-cent for firefighters leads in early returns
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Set us as preferred A ballot measure that would funnel more money to the Los Angeles Fire Department by raising sales taxes by a half-cent was leading in early returns Tuesday night.Partial returns also showed L.A.voters turning thumbs up on a City Charter amendment that would allow the City Council to meet just once a week, instead of the thrice-weekly meetings now required.
Measure FD would increase the city’s retail sales tax from 10.25 cents to 10.75 cents per dollar spent, with all of the extra revenue going to the Fire Department.The city still would be required to fund firefighters at its normal rate, meaning the measure would add an estimated $345 million annually to the department’s budget.Proponents of the measure include the union representing rank-and-file firefighters, who say the department is underfunded.
The tax fund is needed to lower response times across the city and increase the number of firefighters, according to the union.The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., a nonprofit that advocates for lower taxes, opposed the measure.The organization raised concerns that this would be the third sales tax hike since 2024, costing an average of $86 per person and $345 for a family of four in additional sales taxes each year.It also was opposed by the union representing Los Angeles Police Department officers, which objected to limiting the revenue to one city department.The measure that would allow the City Council to meet just once a week was included in Charter Amendment EE.
Most City Council members supported it, with Councilmember Tim McOsker noting his time is better spent working in his district.Councilmember Monica Rodriguez opposed the measure, arguing that having fewer public forums is a disservice to constituents, who would have less time to meaningfully engage with their representatives.She also worrie...