Topline:
Los Angeles County’s CEO on Monday proposed a $48.8-billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that avoids broad cuts, but warns reductions in federal funding could hit the county hard.
The details: The budget by acting CEO Joseph Nicchitta recommended a net decrease of 81 budgeted vacant jobs for a total of 115,885 positions. It includes $63.2 million in new ongoing local funding for programs and services.
Social service and public defender increases: Family and social service programs would see a $40.1-million bump in funding. That would help protect 1,000 Department of Public Social Service jobs that provide CalFresh services, according to a county statement. The budget plan also includes $12 million more to support public defenders, given increasing caseloads.
Federal policies: Federal policy changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, enrollment and work requirements set to take effect in the next fiscal year “are expected to have a devastating impact on those programs,” according to the statement. The Department of Health Services budget reflects an estimated $662.2 million decline in federal support to maintain the current level of services…