LOS ANGELES – With homelessness down for the first time in years, homicides at a multi-year low, and recovery after one of L.A.’s worst-ever natural disasters on track to be the fastest in state history, Mayor Bass delivered her State of the City Address to hundreds of Angelenos at City Hall. Hear more from attendees below. Watch the State of the City here. Read the speech as delivered here.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, Council District 14
"There's no question that we have a tough year filled with difficult choices, but Mayor Bass is right: we have been here before and we have risen above. Her steady and optimistic leadership is exactly what we need to meet this moment. I am ready to lock arms around her Shine LA initiative — Los Angeles is at its best when community cares for community."
Larry Vein, Palisades Resident and Founder of Pali Strong
“I want to thank Mayor Bass for her commitment to the Palisades community. The new executive actions she announced today, including on a self certification program and an ordinance to waive plan check and permit fees for communities impacted by the fire, are huge wins. People will sleep better tonight knowing that these initiatives are moving forward to provide relief in the rebuilding process. These issues are near and dear to our hearts. We feel very good about the direction the city is going.”
Colonel Eric Swenson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“It was an honor to be invited to the State of the City Address and to hear Mayor Bass highlight the partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, the state, the county, and the city in the debris removal operation. Together, we’re improving public health and safety while setting residents on a path to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”
Margo Gonzalez, Mayors Fund for Los Angeles We Are LA Participant
"I would have been evicted a long time ago. A lot of us don't know that there are resources out there – that there's help out there. We just blindly go to court on the court day -- but I'm glad that this program was out there. It saved me. I'm sleeping at home with my daughter."
Nella McOsker, CEO, Central City Association
“CCA applauds Mayor Bass’ continued commitment to upgrading the Convention Center: a major economic engine currently operating at less than full capacity. This is a moment in which the city must strategically invest in capital assets that boost general fund revenue and bolster against future economic downturns. This project is an investment in the L.A. businesses, workers, and communities that help ensure our shared future prosperity.”
Benny Torres, President and CEO of the Community Development Technologies Center (CDTech)
“Mayor Bass made it clear in her State of the City Address: she has all Angelenos’ backs. Today, she brought attention to LA’s incredible immigrant communities that make up the fabric of our city — that make our city great. She reiterated her commitment to fight for and protect all Angelenos.”
Mary Leslie, CEO, Los Angeles Business Council
“I commend Mayor Bass on an expedited recovery in the Palisades and support her emergency efforts on permitting reform. I appreciated the Mayor’s forward-looking remarks and focus on jobs and economic development through the Convention Center expansion, entertainment industry, and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I also commend the reduction in homelessness by 10% across the board and 38% reduction in makeshift structures. We look forward to learning more about Shine LA and how we can partner with the City to make LA the best place to live and work.”
Timiko Madison, Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles We Are LA Participant
"To be here today was a phenomenal experience. It just lets me know, not only that the [We Are LA] program works, but that you guys hear us, and that we're seen and that we're supported. So I'm so excited about what's coming next as I'm looking for a place, but I am in my place now, so that's a good thing that this program has been instrumental in helping me out with."
Lew Horne, President, Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire and Orange County CBRE
“The Mayor’s commitment to a self-certification program for building permits marks a significant advancement in streamlining the permitting process and accelerating construction, which is especially crucial in the aftermath of recent wildfires. By integrating AI technology with the self-certification process, we can set a new standard for resilience and responsiveness. This innovative approach leverages successful practices from other markets, significantly cutting bureaucratic delays and ensuring that our communities recover and thrive more quickly. ULI Los Angeles, in partnership with the UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate and the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, has advocated for this program in the Project Recovery report and we are pleased to see these efforts coming to life.”