What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
Los Angeles is at a turning point. We are living in a defining moment. What happens next is up to us. Over the past few years, problems and challenges have shaken this city -- and tremendous opportunities for change have presented themselves. How do we rise to this moment and emerge a better place to live? What will it take to create a more just and a more equitable community? Working together, how are we going to create a stronger, forward-thinking Los Angeles? Mike Bonin, writer, teacher, progressive activist and former City Councilmember, looks at the issues and problems facing Los Angeles, examines ideas, and talks with the people who will lead us to a brighter future.
Produced in partnership with LA Forward.
What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
What's the fuss about ULA?
What is the fuss about ULA, the measure Los Angeles city voters approved in 2022? The debate over its impact may be more hotly contested today than it was when it was on the ballot.
Measure ULA, dubbed “the mansion tax" by supporters, imposes a transfer tax on property sales above approximately $5 million. Funds go toward affordable housing production and homelessness prevention programs in the city. It's supporters say it is boosting production of affordable housing and keeping tenants housed, reducing homelessness. Detractors say it has had minimal impact on affordable housing, and is chilling production of affordable and market-rate housing, and putting a drag on the economy.
A conversation about Measure ULA is a conversation about housing, about affordability, about homelessness prevention, about finance and taxation, about real estate market forces, and about the finer details of government regulation. And that is what Mike discusses this week with Joe Donlin of United House LA, a champion of ULA, and Mott Smith, co-author a study critiquing ULA.
UCLA Lewis Center Study: Unintended Consequences of Measure ULA
Rebuttal: Major Research Flaws Undermine Authors' Bold Claims: Unpacking the Debate on Measure ULA
What has Measure ULA Done So Far? (Shelterforce)
How LA's transfer tax cost schools and local government $25 million (CA YIMBY)
Lawmakers seek to overhaul LA mansion tax (LA Times)
Mayor Bass withdraws her bill to overhaul LA mansion tax (LA Times)
United to House LA website: https://unitedtohousela.com/
Council of Infill Builders: https://www.councilofinfillbuilders.org/
What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.