The challenge of Los Angeles government - YJ Draiman

The challenge of Los Angeles government

The challenge of Los Angeles government has been to build and sustain a city government that will be efficient, effective, and responsive. In 1999,

Los Angeles voters passed a new city charter that increased the authority of the mayor and created new institutions to enhance public participation.

The new charter has moved Los Angeles forward in the direction of greater participation.

The city is consolidating and absorbing these major changes.

But further progress is likely to be needed both within the halls of city government and within the community.

The struggle to build the best possible governance structure for Los Angeles will continue well into the 21st century.

What are the loose ends? What are the reform ideas of tomorrow?

An effective democracy depends on a well-designed governance system and a well-informed and engaged citizenry. The political culture of Los Angeles is one of limited political interest, and there are no political

party organizations to mobilize voters. Neighborhoods are hard to define and boundaries are fuzzy. With some notable exceptions, the media provides relatively little attention to local public affairs. 

How can participation be increased and how can the connection between residents and their city

government be enhanced?

YJ Drai

http://.draimanformayor2017.com