safety
Half-cent sales tax to fund LA city fire department heads to the Nov ballot
By Frank Stoltze at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
An LAFD firefighter responds to an incident in downtown Los Angeles on May 1.(Patrick T. Fallon / Getty Images)The L.A. City Council on Tuesday agreed to place a half-cent sales tax to fund the fire department on the November ballot. The vote was 14-0.If approved by voters, the measure would rais...
Key takeaway If approved by voters, the measure would raise $345 million in its first year and would remain in effect until repealed by voters.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The proposed half-cent sales tax to fund the Los Angeles city fire department has significant implications for public safety in the city. With the current response times nearly double the national standard, the need for increased resources is pressing. The measure's potential to hire additional firefighters and paramedics, as well as modernize equipment, could greatly improve emergency response times and ultimately save lives. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez's comments highlight the growing threat of fire in the city, and the measure's passage would demonstrate the city's commitment to prioritizing public safety. The creation of a Citizen's Oversight Committee and annual public audits also provides a level of transparency and accountability in the use of the new revenue. As the city's sales tax rate would increase to 10.25%, voters will need to weigh the benefits of improved fire department resources against the potential economic impact of the tax increase.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An LAFD firefighter responds to an incident in downtown Los Angeles on May 1.(Patrick T. Fallon / Getty Images)The L.A. City Council on Tuesday agreed to place a half-cent sales tax to fund the fire department on the November ballot. The vote was 14-0.If approved by voters, the measure would rais...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Frank Stoltze at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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