Mayor Bass: One Year In

by Maria S. Salinas

Mayor Karen Bass toured the City of Los Angeles to highlight the accomplishments of her administration in her first year. She focused on homelessness and took swift action by declaring a state of emergency and creating the Inside Safe program. She has also launched reviews of city government processes and systems and formed a special task force to tackle retail theft, bringing much-needed attention to this important issue. Most recently, Mayor Bass effectively mobilized resources to manage the fire damage to Interstate 10. We commend Mayor Bass on using year one to create a foundation for year two.

For Los Angeles to be a leader in the innovation economy and ensure good-paying jobs stay in the region, we must increase our competitiveness. Other states and regions are luring jobs and talent away from Los Angeles. Our local governments must be proactive in addressing this threat. Mayor Bass has engaged with business leaders, forming advisory boards of executives and small business leaders to bring perspectives to her agenda, a great step for her administration.

As we enter year two, Los Angeles needs a strategic plan to prepare for the future, beyond the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decisions we make today will shape the way we work and live in Los Angeles for decades. Any city-wide strategy must include a plan for workforce housing and developing talent for the jobs of the future, as well as ensuring public safety. We stand ready to help Mayor Bass unlock the potential of this great city.

We commend Mayor Bass for a successful first year in office. She has not been afraid to dive into the details of city government and has proven to be a strong collaborator. The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with Mayor Bass and her administration to build A Thriving Region For All.