The cost of January’s wildfires is draining Los Angeles’s coffers, spurring calls for more responsible governance. A stark example of existing management is that the city spends millions more to issue parking tickets than the summonses bring in, contributing to a looming $1 billion deficit.

Data from the Los Angeles controller’s Revenue Forecast Report show that the parking enforcement division cost $88 million to run in 2024 — $176 million when liabilities like pensions are added. Subtracting the $110 million in fines paid by drivers, the total loss was $66 million.