Spencer Pratt Blasts Karen Bass Budget as Los Angeles Spending Debate Escalates

Spencer Pratt is criticizing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed $14.85 billion budget, arguing it prioritizes homelessness programs while failing to address core city services and long-term infrastructure concerns, as reported by The New York Post.

Pratt, who is running for mayor, said the spending plan reflects what he views as misplaced priorities despite what he described as strong revenue levels.

“Despite record revenues, I see no real plan for the streets, sidewalks, parks, and streetlights,” Pratt said.

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Los Angeles Mayor-elect Karen Bass speaks in a media conference to make “brief remarks” to discuss her election victory of businessman Rick Caruso, November 17, 2022 in Los Angeles.He also raised concerns about outstanding financial obligations, adding, “There is no plan to repay Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s $129 million in past due payables.”

The proposed budget allocates approximately $778 million toward homelessness-related programs. That includes about $104 million for the “Inside Safe” initiative, a program launched by Bass to move individuals from encampments into temporary housing such as hotels and motels.

Pratt sharply criticized that effort, stating, “She is continuing her wasteful spending on the failed ‘Inside Safe’ program.”

He added, “More of the same is a death sentence for L.A.”

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The remaining roughly $670 million in homelessness funding is designated for a broader system that includes interim housing options such as tiny-home villages, Bridge Home shelters, leased motel units, outreach services, case management, and sanitation tied to encampments.

Bass has defended the approach, saying the strategy reduces strain on emergency services. “When you get people off the street, you reduce fire calls, you reduce medical calls, you reduce police calls,” she said.

Pratt rejected that argument and framed his campaign as a response to what he describes as failures at City Hall. “I’m not a politician,” Pratt has said in campaign messaging. “I’m a husband and father who watched my home burn because the system failed us.”

In interviews, Pratt has tied his political push to the Palisades fire that destroyed his home, describing it as a turning point. “It came to the point where I got so sick of just being a yapper,” he said in an interview. “I was like, OK, well, game on… Now I’m going to go into your headquarters and just take your job.”

He has continued to criticize city leadership over emergency preparedness, calling aspects of the fire response “criminal mismanagement.”

“The fact that the reservoir was empty was criminal mismanagement… it was just insanity,” he said.

Pratt has also pointed to the scope of homelessness across Los Angeles, stating that Skid Row has expanded significantly and describing conditions near his neighborhood as unstable.

The budget includes funding to hire 510 police officers, though officials say those hires are largely meant to replace departing personnel rather than expand the overall force. Projections show the Los Angeles Police Department staffing declining to approximately 8,555 officers by 2027, down from about 10,000 in 2020.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League supported the proposal, stating, “The mayor’s balanced budget protects public safety and funds the hiring of 510 police officers to keep Angelenos safe and maintain the LAPD’s ability to respond to 911 calls in a timely manner.”

Pratt said those figures reflect a system under pressure.

The Los Angeles Fire Department budget remains largely unchanged, with 40 new positions planned at least until November, when voters are expected to consider a potential funding measure. The department received $898 million last year, with the proposed budget increasing that figure to $940 million.

During the budget rollout, the issue of fire department funding was raised late in the process, following questions tied to the Palisades fire. Bass responded by saying, “I know one thing, the fire department is adequately funded for any emergency that would happen similar to what happened before.”

Beyond public safety, the proposal maintains most existing city services. It includes hiring approximately 170 street repair workers and allocating about $36 million for sidewalk improvements while avoiding layoffs following last year’s budget challenges.

City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo described the plan as progress, stating, “We are making steady steps toward stability.”

The budget now moves to the City Council, where it will undergo hearings and potential revisions in the coming weeks.

Pratt maintained his position as the proposal advances, stating, “More of the same is a death sentence for L.A.”

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