City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates

City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates To explore, research, study, seek input, prepare, and present the feelings and spirit of the communities of Los Angeles to the Mayor and City Council.

đź“Ł Calling Angelenos between the ages of 14-25! City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates, in collaboration with LA City Youth...
06/17/2026

đź“Ł Calling Angelenos between the ages of 14-25! City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates, in collaboration with LA City Youth Council, are hosting a youth-focused session at Budget Day 2026! Taking Place on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Los Angeles City Hall, youth attendees will have a chance to demystify the City budget process, explore how budget decisions impact young Angelenos, learn about opportunities to become a civic leader in the community, and make youth voices heard as part of the public process.

Learn more and register today: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

We're excited to announce that Mayor Karen Bass and Matt Szabo, City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles,...
06/16/2026

We're excited to announce that Mayor Karen Bass and Matt Szabo, City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles, will be our Keynote Speakers at Budget Day 2026!

Join community leaders, Neighborhood Council members, stakeholders, and residents for an important discussion about the future of Los Angeles and the City's budget priorities.

đź“… Saturday, June 27, 2026
đź“Ť Los Angeles City Hall
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

âś… Register today and learn more:

tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Jay Handal is currently co-chair of the Budget Advocates and a member of the team for more than 15 years. He is also Tr...
06/16/2026

Jay Handal is currently co-chair of the Budget Advocates and a member of the team for more than 15 years. He is also Treasurer of the West L.A. Sawtelle Neighborhood Council, on which he has served for more than 15 years. A long time business owner in Los Angeles and community supporter.

Kay Hartman has been a Budget Advocate from Region 11 since 2021. She is currently the organization’s parliamentarian, ...
06/15/2026

Kay Hartman has been a Budget Advocate from Region 11 since 2021. She is currently the organization’s parliamentarian, having previously served as co-chair and vice chair of Outreach.

Kay’s degree is in Math and she has 37 years experience in software and program management. She is currently retired, deeply involving herself in the Neighborhood Council System where she serves as the president of the Palms Neighborhood Council.

Kay and her husband Jack have travelled all over the world including one trip around the world.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in March, 2013 and re-elected in 2017. He repr...
06/15/2026

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in March, 2013 and re-elected in 2017. He represents the 3rd Council District, which spans the northwest portion of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley, including the communities of Canoga Park, Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka and Woodland Hills.

From 1989 – 1996, he worked in Washington, DC as a staff person to Senator Bill Bradley, Congressman Howard Berman and as staff designee to the House Budget Committee. He later worked as Director of Government Affairs for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and then as district director to Congressman Berman in the San Fernando Valley. In addition, he has served on numerous non-profit boards including, the Anti-Defamation League, Children’s Express, and the LA League of Conservation Voters.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Ben Ceja is an Assistant City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles, where he provides strategic advice and...
06/15/2026

Ben Ceja is an Assistant City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles, where he provides strategic advice and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the City's fiscal condition, financial planning, and future needs.

He oversees the preparation of Los Angeles’ $14 billion annual budget, revenue forecasting, long-term financial planning, debt issuance and administration, investor relations, and citywide risk management.

Ben also serves as the City Administrative Officer’s management lead on major initiatives including the Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion Project and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Elizabeth Chou has been covering LA City Hall since 2013, and local government within LA County for two decades, since 2...
06/13/2026

Elizabeth Chou has been covering LA City Hall since 2013, and local government within LA County for two decades, since 2006. She's worked at Eastern Group Publications, City News Service, LA Daily News and LA Public Press.

She now delivers LA politics news to readers at The LA Reporter, which includes a weekday daily politics newsletter called the LA Squawk Box that gives the quick and dirty of what's about to happen that day, and what the heck just happened the day before.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Carmen Chang is the General Manager for EmpowerLA. She oversees the Department’s diverse team which supports Los Angeles...
06/13/2026

Carmen Chang is the General Manager for EmpowerLA. She oversees the Department’s diverse team which supports Los Angeles’ 99 Neighborhood Councils and oversees a budget of nearly $4 million. She supports her staff of 35 with functions that include Neighborhood Council operations, administrative, communications, policy and government relations, civic leadership, and outreach & engagement. Carmen’s vision includes advocating for new and equitable ways to engage all Angelenos to EmpowerLA.

Carmen holds a Masters of Public Administration from George Mason University and B.A. in Political Science & Global Studies from UCLA (Go Bruins!). She loves supporting the Lakers and Dodgers, exploring both fancy & street food in LA, and world travel with her husband and two littles.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Mayor Karen Bass has led the nation’s second largest city with unprecedented urgency that has delivered results for all ...
06/13/2026

Mayor Karen Bass has led the nation’s second largest city with unprecedented urgency that has delivered results for all Angelenos.

Thousands more unhoused Angelenos have come inside in her first year than the year before, leading to a reported drop in homelessness for the first time in years.

During her first year, LAPD received record numbers of applicants while homicides and violent crime decreased. 100,000 more city services like pothole repair and graffiti removal have been provided. Thousands of businesses opened. Hundreds of millions of dollars secured through locking arms with state and federal partners as Los Angeles continues to urgently lead on climate.

Mayor Bass is the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles and the first woman and second African American to be elected as the city's chief executive. She earned her bachelor's degree in health sciences from CSU Dominguez Hills before graduating from the USC Keck School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program and earning her masters degree in social work from USC.

Mayor Bass’s oldest daughter Emilia planned to follow in her mother’s footsteps working for social change. The Mayor continues to be inspired by Emilia and her son-in-law Michael’s passion for life. She has three other children, Scythia, Omar and Yvette, and three grandchildren, Michael, Henry and Oliver who live in the Los Angeles area.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, has dedicated over two decades to community activism...
06/13/2026

Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, has dedicated over two decades to community activism and public service. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Harris-Dawson’s early experiences witnessing the impact of the crack co***ne epidemic on his community shaped his commitment to social justice. He graduated from Morehouse College and holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Since his election to the City Council in 2015, Harris-Dawson has been a force for change. His co-authorship of Proposition HHH, a $1.2 billion bond measure for permanent supportive housing, has led to a significant increase in affordable housing in the Eighth District, surpassing any other part of the city. His advocacy for the Community Safety Partnership has built reparative relationships between the community and the LAPD, making the district safer and more secure.

Even in the face of the 2020 pandemic, Harris-Dawson’s leadership shone through. He initiated a program to support local businesses and feed vulnerable seniors, which was not only a lifeline for the community but also became a statewide model. His transformation of a controversial Metro train project into a public art people’s museum celebrating Black culture in Los Angeles is a testament to his innovative and adaptive approach to governance.

Known for his pragmatic and progressive approach, Harris-Dawson’s efforts in affordable housing, economic equity, and public safety have significantly impacted Los Angeles.
He currently chairs the following committees; Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations, Board of Referred Powers, and the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games. A proud son of South-Central LA, he continues to drive initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Please register at: tiny.cc/BudgetDay26

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