For the past few days, my office has heard from Angelenos across the city regarding the Mayor's proposed budget. I appreciate all of those comments, and I welcome the public's engagement in fundamentally rethinking how government as a whole, and our city budget in particular, can best meet the needs of the people of Los Angeles.

Today’s budget presentation made clear that the City faces a financial challenge that is without precedent in our lifetime.  The COVID-19 crisis has caused massive economic disruption, and with it a drastic decline in city revenues.  Rapidly spiking unemployment, the shuttering of thousands of businesses and the virtually complete shutdown of tourism have led to a sudden and dramatic decline in city revenues from taxes on sales, business gross receipts, utility use, and hotel occupancy, among other things, that would have been unimaginable three months ago. 

I've served as chair of the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee since 2012.  At that time the City was still reeling from the Great Recession, and our budget faced deficits of hundreds of millions of dollars.  Former mayor Richard Riordan even opined in the Wall Street Journal that Los Angeles would need to file bankruptcy by 2014.

The catastrophic loss of life from COVID-19 throughout our country and the world has been an immense tragedy that none of us will ever forget. Throughout the crisis, our Mayor and our Governor have shown tremendous leadership, which has been sorely lacking elsewhere in our national response.  Our "Safer at Home" policies unquestionably have saved countless lives here in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES - The City of Los Angeles announced another record-breaking year for tourism, Port cargo and the city's economy in 2017.  

This week, I joined my colleagues at the annual State of the City address by Mayor Eric Garcetti, where he also discussed his fiscal year 2017-2018 budget proposal. 

In the coming weeks, I will once again lead the Budget and Finance Committee in deliberations on the budget. This intense three week process will help shape our city's priorities and set the path for our future as a safer, more prosperous, sustainable, livable and well-run city. 

Lankershim Boulevard is home to an incredible array of community businesses that add tremendous vibrancy to our neighborhoods, play a great role in the local economy, and are an important part of the history and character of the San Fernando Valley. 

LOS ANGELES - Here's a rundown of the latest transit news for the East Valley.

As a Councilmember, I attend many groundbreaking events, but this week I attended a very special one. Over my nearly seven years on the City Council, I don't think I've been involved in a groundbreaking for a project that is this tied to the history of the San Fernando Valley as well as its future. NOHO West has ushered in a historic moment for our region. This is the beginning of a renaissance in the East San Fernando Valley.

This week, I joined dozens of community members to kickoff my 2017 community lunch series, Lunch with Paul, at the newly opened North Hollywood pizzeria, The Pizza Press.