What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin

Is Los Angeles broken? And what will it take to fix it? We discuss that with Rick Cole on this episode of WNLA. Cole knows local government. He was elected to the Pasadena City Council in 1983, and served for 12 years, including two as Mayor. He served as City Manager of Azusa, Ventura and Santa Monica. He has served several times for the City of Los Angeles, as senior deputy to Councilmember Rich...

In this new age of repression, are you a dissident? What does that mean? What does it require? And how dangerous is it? In this episode, we talk with Ami Fields-Meyer, co-author of “ So You Want to Be A Dissident? ” in the New Yorker. Ami also recently hosted a conversation titled “Concentration Camps and the Machinery of Repression: Lessons for Saving Democracy” with Julia Pitzer and Erica Chenow...

June is LGBTQ Pride Month.  It is time when those of us in the queer community celebrate who we are. It is a time of joy and empowerment. And a time for reflection – of thinking about how far we’ve come, and how far we’ve gone back again, It is also a time to celebrate our heroes. That is why, in this episode, I speak with Lu Lipmen, a non-binary 13 year-old who is fighting back against the wave o...

Vulnerable Californians are in the crosshairs. That’s one of the big takeaways from Governor Newsom’s latest budget proposal -- the May Revise. Last week on this podcast, we focused on the proposal’s impact on transportation, housing and climate. Today we’re looking at its impact on vulnerable and low income Californians, and the news is pretty ugly. Among those likely to suffer if the Legislature...

Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled his latest budget proposal. What does it mean for mass transit, for housing, and for the fight to save the climate? We will get into with Eli Lipmen, executive director of MOVE LA. Transit Advocates Warn of Fiscal Crisis After Newsom Passes on Emergency Funding: https://www.kqed.org/news/12040042/transit-advocates-warn-fiscal-crisis-after-newsom-passes-on-emergen...

In the face of an onslaught of attacks on civil rights and civil liberties and social justice programs, are you feeling demoralized, or helpless, or isolated? If so, you are not alone.  In this episode, we talk with Rudy Espinoza, executive director of Inclusive Action for the City, about his personal and political search for the courage to stand up, and about the strength he finds in solidarity....

Last weekend, a crowd 36,000 strong flocked to downtown Los Angeles, filling Gloria Molina Grand Park, surrounding Los Angeles City Hall, and stretching a half mile down Spring Street.  From all around Southern California they came to hear and to cheer Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and to amplify the message that America needs a government that fights for its people, and not its bil...

Los Angeles County is creating its own Department of Homeless Services – and pulling hundreds of people and hundreds of millions of dollars out of LAHSA – the joint city-county homelessness services agency. Is it a big and long overdue step to maximize taxpayer investments in solving homelessness? Or is it a rushed and divisive move that threatens recent progress in bringing our unhoused neighbors...

Did you know that as a resident of Los Angeles, you have an attorney? The City Attorney is elected to represent and fight for the people of Los Angeles and to serve as the City’s lawyer. Deputy Attorney General Marissa Roy recently announced her campaign for Los Angeles City Attorney, campaigning to protect workers from wage theft, renters from illegal evictions, and consumers from fraud.  Marissa...

Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez has been at the forefront of some of the biggest political battles of the past two years. From winning an Olympic wage for tourism workers, fighting for the rights of street vendors, and championing renter protections, he has been a warrior for the working class.  I talk with him on this episode of WNLA. What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced a...

On the eve of her retirement after six decades of public service, Jackie Goldberg reflects on the history she made as an organizer and an elected official, and offers insights an advice to a new generation of activists.  Goldberg is ending a career that stints on the Los Angeles school board, the Los Angeles City Council and the California State Assembly. She has been a trailblazing LGBT official...

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the critical issue of racially biased traffic enforcement in Los Angeles, often referred to as "Driving While Black." Our discussion focuses on the systemic challenges faced by drivers of color, who are disproportionately targeted and affected by traffic stops in the city. Joining us are two esteemed experts in the field: Chauncee Smith of Cata...

In this episode of "What's Next Los Angeles," Mike talks with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan about recent election results and their impact on the progressive movement. Despite progressives facing some big defeats, Assemblymember Bryan sees signs of hope and expresses his unwavering determination to organize and continue the fight for change. Join us as Assemblymember Bryan reflects on...

You’ve heard about a new wave of progressives who have won office in the City of Los Angeles, but do you know about the incredible leaders in cities all around LA County? You will after listening to this episode of WNLA. I talk with Santa Monica Councilmember Caroline Torosis and Cudahy Vice Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar about progressive elected officials and candidates in Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens,...

Should California raise its minimum wage? That's the question posed by Proposition 32 on the state ballot. I speak with Saru Jayaraman of One Fair Wage on this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles. What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin , in partnership with LA Forward .

For California voters, gay marriage is on the line in this election.  How is that possible? I will discuss why you should vote YES on Proposition 3, with my guest, Assemblymember Rick Zbur, former head of Equality California, the largest statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the country. 00:12 this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles. What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike...

District Attorney George Gascon is one of the most controversial candidates on your ballot. I talk with him about his record, his thoughts on crime and punishment, what it means to be a progressive prosecutor, and about the Menendez Brothers case, on this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles. Netflix episodes about Franky Carrillo: https://www.netflix.com/title/80214563 (episodes 4 and 5) LA F...

Ysabel Jurado is shaking up Los Angeles politics.  A progressive candidate rooted in service to her community, she is taking on an establishment that is fighting back hard and ugly. But she remains joyful and optimistic. Today I talk  – and play a game of "Name That Tune" – with Ysabel Jurado – on What's Next, Los Angeles. Mike’s CD14 Soundtrack What About US - Pink The Rent is Too...

One hundred sixty years after the abolition of slavery, California voters will decide whether to ban forced labor in the Golden State. That's what Proposition 6 on the state ballot is all about. And that's the topic on this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles. https://voteyesprop6.com/ https://voteyesoncaprop6.com/ CalMatters on Prop 6 Ballotpedia on Prop 6 CA Legislative Analyst on...

A Superior Court judge has tremendous power – yet the races for judge get very little attention, and one of the most frequent questions I am asked during every election cycle is “What about the judges? Who should I vote for?” I talk with judicial candidate George Turner, running for Seat 39, on this episode of WNLA. https://georgeaturner4judge.com/ LA Forward Voter Guide What's Next, Los Ange...

Who should I vote for for judge? That is one of the most frequent questions I get during election season.  Today I talk with judicial candidate Ericka Wiley, running for seat #48, on WNLA. https://www.wileyforjudge.com/ LA Forward Voter Guide What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin , in partnership with LA Forward .

Homelessness is the biggest crisis facing Los Angeles County. Can we continue to make progress and really tackle this problem? Or will we backslide and allow another huge and devastating increase in homelessness?  That’s what’s at stake as voters consider Measure A on the LA County ballot. I will get into it with my guests today on WNLA: Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell; Veronica Mitch...

The signs of the climate crisis are everywhere – and it is clear we are not doing enough to combat it. That’s why Proposition 4 is on your ballot. We discuss what is in the proposition, and why it is important for the state of California, and the future of neighborhoods. My guest is State Senator Ben Allen, who proposed creating the bond measure and putting it on the ballot this year. Allen repres...

Is Prop 36 -- the most talked about proposition on the ballot -- a return to an era of law and order? or a backslide to an era of mass incarceration? That’s what we discuss on this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles, with my guests, former state Assemblymember Mike Gatto, in favor of the proposition, and State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, a vocal opponent Prop 36. Official Ballot entry: ht...

The official title for Measure G is “LOS ANGELES COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER AMENDMENT.” That sure makes it sound dry, boring and wonky. It is anything but. It is about power. Incredible power. Who will wield it? And who will they represent? We discuss Measure G on this episode of WNLA with County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, author of the proposal, and Supervisor...