NEWS: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass paid off city workers unions while cutting fire budget, per City Journal.

"Bass negotiated with unions, resulting in agreements guaranteeing wage hikes of 20-25% over five years and benefits including cashing in 100% of unused sick time at retirement."

Contracts with city workers included wage hikes that were projected to cost the city $3.5 billion, while the fire department struggles with reduced funding.

These contracts awarded government workers with significant wage increases while cutting the city's fire department budget by almost $20 million.

Now, wildfires have consumed 39,622 acres and destroyed over 10,000 buildings.

Corrupt and incompetent leadership has a real cost.