Any new federal money for LA Olympics must be watched closely

LA says it needs another $2 billion to prepare the city’s transit system for the Olympics — but any money sent to our bumbling leaders must be closely watched.

Otherwise, the cash will be wasted, or stolen — and nothing will be built or fixed in time.

Political leaders in LA are demanding that Congress and the Trump administration provide the money.

They warn that without 1,750 more buses, new high-speed lanes on LA’s streets and improved pedestrian crossings, the 2028 Summer Games will be a disaster.

National pride is at stake, too, they say. 

“We must make sure the millions of Angelenos and visitors from around the world attending the Games can reliably travel to the venues while minimizing traffic impacts on Los Angeles County residents,” said Congressman Ted Lieu.

That sounds like a great idea. And who would oppose improvements to LA’s crumbling streets?

But here’s the problem: LA has the money, or had it. So does California.

LA and California have wasted billions of dollars on failed policies of moving homeless people into hotels and motels.

Meanwhile, the number of homeless people is going up again in LA.

California is also spending billions of dollars on high-speed rail that has failed to produce anything except concrete pylons in the farmland.

How about canceling that project and redirecting the money toward LA’s urgent transportation needs?

Why should federal taxpayers be on the hook because California mismanages its transportation money?

But let’s say, for argument’s sake, that LA really does need the money, and has nowhere else to turn.

Who will make sure it is spent properly?

So much of the city’s money is wasted on transportation projects that never seem to come to fruition. 

The LAX People Mover is finally in motion above the airport, several years late and billions of dollars over budget.

But there are no passengers yet, and the World Cup deadline came and went.

City Controller Kenneth Mejia is demanding financial documents. That is helpful, but the controller can only tell us what went wrong afterward, not how to make things right in advance.

We all want to see the Olympics succeed.

But if money comes from the feds, LA had better spend it as intended.

We want LA and California to benefit from investments in Olympic infrastructure — not to line the pockets of politicians.

Whatever the federal government sends here must be under strict controls and close supervision.

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