Rent went up. Food costs more every month. Gasoline, childcare and public services stretch paychecks which is already They were tight. The families in our communities work longer hours and still are left behind, if they're lucky enough to stay in their job. 

That's why the city's budget matters so much right now. Mayor Bass's proposed budget avoids major cuts to the services it supports in our community, and that is an important step in the right direction. But, although avoiding budget cuts may seem like advance, Latino families They have lived for too long without the level of services and investment they deserve. Parks need repairs. Streets spend too much time without maintenance. programs for youth and working families never meet the demand. Our communities have been asked to-make-do-with-what-there-is-for-too-long. 

Stabilizing the budget only establishes a starting point that is already too low for many Latino families. And with federal cuts to programs masters of the social protection network adding even more pressure, the gap between what our communities need and what they receive only increases. 

Now is the time to reinvest. That means the City Council must act with real solutions that bring new revenue to Los Angeles without imposing additional burdens on families. workers, because without new income, the only alternative is to continue with the lack of investment in the communities that have already been asked to do the the most with the minimal resources. 

The Vacation Rental Revenue Plan offers a key pathway for Angelenos and the services they depend. By capturing income from tourism through a limited expansion of short-term rentals, the city can generate up to 110 million dollars each year, all without raising taxes on residents. 

At a time when leaders say there is not enough funding for community programs, neighborhood services,and small business support, rejecting that income level would be a detriment for Angelenos and our future. It would mean being forced to accept more cuts, more delays and more disinvestment in the services that our families need the most. 

New revenue means restoring funding for the community organizations that families depend on every day. It means cleaner streets, safer sidewalks and neighborhood investment They could also help small businesses stay afloat and grow, especially as Los Angeles prepares to host the World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the Olympic Games. 

Those events will bring billions of dollars to the city. Latino communities should benefit from that economic spillover, not be left behind. For many families, being able to rent a home during those times could mean a few thousands dollars in additional income. That isn't extra income, it's a lifesaver. 

The reality is simple: stabilization is not restoration. A balanced budget will not rebuild all what has been lost nor will it close the investment gaps that we've been dragging on for years. Los Angeles can and should do more. 

The Latino community is the foundation of Los Angeles, should not be left behind the growth and development of the city. We are workers, small business owners, caregivers and public servants. Hem I have supported Los Angeles in its most difficult times. However, when it comes time to invest, our neighborhoods are too often overlooked or ignored. That has to end. 

The Los Angeles City Council owes Angelenos more than stability. It owes us investment, restoration and the financial security that our common ities deserve: something that can be realized through the approval of the Vacation Rental Income Plan as part of the mayor's budget.