On this episode of Governance Matters, Dr. Raphe Sonenshein sits down with Jim Newton, author and former LA Times reporter and editor, and Liz Chou, veteran local government reporter and publisher of The LA Reporter. Together, they discuss media coverage of the charter reform in 1999 and today, and explore how today’s radically changed media landscape affects local governance reform outcomes.

On this special edition of Governance Matters, Dr. Raphe Sonenshein joins forces with James-Christian Blockwood, President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and host of the Management Matters podcast. Together, they explore parallels and differences between a local charter and the U.S. Constitution, and what these governing guidebooks reveal about civic life locally and nationally.

Listen to Dr. Sonenshein’s timely interview with Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and journalist Elizabeth Hsing-Huei Chou about the parallels between the 1999 reform and today’s, what’s driving public demand for change, and what current proposals — from council expansion to police reform to an appointed city attorney — could mean for Angelenos.

Dr. Sonenshein sits down with Sara Innamorato, the elected County Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, for a timely conversation about the powerful position she holds. This is particularly pertinent for LA County, as a new position of Elected Executive is coming to the county in 2028 as a result of the passage of Measure G. And yes, they also talk about “The Pitt.”

Governance Matters kicks off with a look at the historic political reforms poised to impact the lives of all 10 million LA County residents. Join Dr. Raphe Sonenshein for an engaging conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Robert Greene and political science professor Sara Sadhwani of Pomona College about the rollout of Measure G and what it means for you.

Governance Matters spotlights the people and ideas making a difference in our democracy– with the goal of creating a more responsive, more accountable, and more effective government that can better address our challenges and improve people’s lives. Join host Dr. Raphael Sonenshein, the Executive Director of the Haynes Foundation, for in-depth conversations with decision-makers, scholars, journalists, and citizens who are helping to reimagine local governance and democracy. Governance Matters is proudly produced by The Haynes Foundation, a force for change in the Los Angeles region for 100 years.