Firefighters Union Advocates for Sales Tax Boost to Support LA Fire Department Funding
Firefighters’ Union Advocates for Sales Tax Increase to Fund LAFD
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) is poised to launch a campaign seeking support for a proposed half-cent sales tax increase aimed at funding the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in the upcoming November election. The initiative is set to commence with a gathering at Fire Station 58 on Robertson Boulevard, where union members and city officials will encourage local voters to sign a petition to qualify the ballot measure for the midterm elections.
The union has expressed urgent concerns over a severe staffing shortage, asserting that the LAFD is struggling to operate effectively under current conditions. "Due to decades of underinvestment, the LAFD currently operates with the same number of firefighters as in the 1960s, six fewer stations, and five times the call load," a UFLAC news release stated. Additionally, over half of the department’s stations are facing issues with aging infrastructure.
The proposed sales tax increase is projected to generate at least $345 million in its first year, which would be allocated specifically to the LAFD. The funds would enable the department to hire additional firefighters and civilian staff, purchase new equipment including fire trucks and ambulances, and maintain and construct fire stations. According to the union, the tax revenue would be deposited into a dedicated fund, ensuring it would solely benefit the fire department. A "maintenance of effort" provision is also included in the proposal, requiring the city to maintain its general fund support for the LAFD, preventing the new tax revenue from replacing existing funding.
To enhance transparency, the initiative calls for annual audits to be made public and the establishment of a citizens oversight committee to track expenditures from the tax.
Currently, the sales tax rate in Los Angeles stands at 9.75%. If ratified by voters, the rate would increase to 10.25%, which would still be lower than the rates in surrounding cities like Alhambra, Burbank, and Pasadena, which each have a 10.5% or higher sales tax.
Historically, LAFD officials have highlighted the need for greater funding to address the increasing demands on personnel and resources for fire and medical emergencies. In 1960, the population of Los Angeles was approximately 2.4 million, with the LAFD responding to over 100,000 emergency calls that year. By 1965, the department had 3,379 authorized firefighter positions across 112 stations.
A review by the International Association of Fire Fighters indicated that the LAFD requires significant enhancements, specifically 62 new fire stations and an additional 4,000 firefighters, along with new dispatchers and battalions, to meet contemporary demands.
The proposal has faced criticism from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which cites constitutional protections established in Proposition 13 and Proposition 218 that necessitate a two-thirds voter approval for special-purpose local tax measures. The association points out that state courts have created a loophole exempting "citizen initiative tax increases" from these requirements.
The association’s statement urged voters to consider what other priorities might take precedence over adequately funding the fire department, labeling the current situation as unacceptable. "Sales taxes are already very high in Los Angeles, and they hit hardest on people who can least afford to pay more," it added.
