Former Chair of the California Air Resources Board and longtime national climate leader Mary Nichols reflects on the stakes for California as federal threats loom and the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program faces reauthorization. She addresses how today’s federal policy rollbacks could be characterized as a “1959 rewind” of social, environmental, and regulatory norms, warning that hard-won climate enactments could be undermined. Nichols also reflects on the durability of California’s cap-and-trade program, its linkage with Québec, and the lessons that should inform preparation for the next decade of public actions to facilitate both remediation and adaptation.

Senator Henry Stern calls for Southern California to secure a fair share of Cap-and-Trade revenues, pointing to the region’s heavy congestion, pollution, and transit needs. He outlines priorities including more frequent bus and rail service, upgrades to the G Line, and accelerating fleet electrification—all with an equity lens to ensure community benefits.

As California’s legislature debates several zoning and building reforms, TPR spoke with acclaimed architect Gerhard Mayer both on the specific impact of single-staircase building reforms on Los Angeles' urban form and public health, and the urgent need for comprehensive changes to current planning dictum if the goal of City leaders is to incentivize the building of attractive, amenity-rich multifamily neighborhoods.

Tim O’Connor, newly appointed Executive Director and Ratepayer Advocate for the Office of Public Accountability (OPA) at LADWP, outlines his vision for modernizing the role to meet today’s affordability, climate, and infrastructure challenges.

Scott Kratz, founding director of Washington, D.C.’s 11th Street Bridge Park and EVP of Building Bridges Across the River, has shown that a bridge can be more than steel and concrete—it can be a platform for equity. Overseeing $100 million in affordable housing, workforce training, and anti-displacement strategies, Kratz stresses that real progress “moves at the speed of trust,” built through resident engagement and transparency.

As preparations for LA28 advance—including a forthcoming executive order from President Donald Trump to establish a federal task force supporting the Games—West Hollywood stands out as the first city to adopt a fully funded, multi-year Cultural Plan. Spearheaded by Arts Manager Rebecca Ehemann and shaped by Laura Zucker of AEA Consulting, the plan emphasizes creativity, inclusion, and civic identity. Themed “Inventing Traditions,” it fosters local and international cultural collaborations tied to the Games. The initiative positions West Hollywood as a model for leveraging the Olympics to create a lasting cultural legacy.

Representing California's 44th District, in this timely interview, Assemblymember Nick Schultz reflects on his transition from local office to state government and the challenges amid fiscal constraints and climate urgency. Schultz emphasizes the importance of proactive constituent engagement, independent legislative thinking, and ensuring that local governments are equipped with both the mandates and resources needed to deliver results.