Los Angeles mayor elect Nithya Raman faces projected budget deficit

Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman will inherit a city facing nearly 322 million dollars in projected overspending when she assumes office next month, the New York Post reported. The projected budget shortfall reaches 321.8 million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. That figure represents a 22 percent increase from the 263.2 million dollars projected at the same point in the previous year, according to a November 4 report by City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo. [1]

The budget issues come while Los Angeles operates on an annual budget of roughly 15 billion dollars, the New York Post reported. This total includes an 8.6 billion dollar general fund that supports essential city services such as police and fire departments. The Los Angeles Fire Department accounts for the largest projected overspend, totaling 140.9 million dollars. [1]

Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in an electoral upset, PBS NewsHour reported. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Raman will become the first South Asian mayor of Los Angeles. She was born in Kerala, India, and later earned a master degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after moving to the United States. [3][9][10][12]

The upcoming transition leaves Raman to prepare her first city budget while tackling the mounting deficit. The New York Post reported that the financial troubles of the city stretch back several years. [1]