Fall 2024 Fellow
Mike Bonin is a progressive local leader with 25+ years experience in government, politics and public service. As a member of the City Council from 2013 to 2022, he led on the issues of homelessness and affordable housing, tenant issues, transportation and mobility, reimagining public safety, and local responses to climate change.
During his time in office, he opposed criminalization of homelessness, and modeled a services-led approach with the city’s largest and most successful “encampments to homes” homeless housing initiative. His work won awards from the National Homelessness Law Center, and several local homeless service organizations.
As a member of the Board of Directors of LA Metro and chair of the council’s Transportation Committee for a decade, Mike was widely recognized as one of the region’s foremost mobility champions, fighting for more mass transit, expanding bus service, pedestrian safety, and bike lanes. Mike pushed for universal fareless transit and removal of law-enforcement from traffic stops, and succeeded in creating the transit service’s popular unarmed ambassadors program.
Mike led the successful fights for a citywide $15 minimum wage in Los Angeles, and for an eviction moratorium and rent relief during the COVID crisis. He co-authored legislation to move Los Angeles to 100% clean energy, and successfully pushed for the electrification of the local bus fleet. He brokered a landmark legal settlement, allowing for the modernization of Los Angeles International Airport, improving passenger experience and creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs. He drew national attention in 2017 after getting arrested protesting the Trump administration immigration policy of separating families at the border.
He is currently a Leadership in Government Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, training and building infrastructure for newly elected officials. He hosts a podcast, “What’s Next Los Angeles,” focusing on politics and public policy, teaches, writes about economic, racial and social justice, and is a frequent commentator on public affairs.
Prior to his time in office, he co-founded an acclaimed training program for young LTBTQ+ leaders fighting for same sex marriage. He currently trains new movement leaders and political candidates with the LA Forward Institute, and new elected officials with the Progressive Governance Academy and Local Progress. Bonin is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, who openly shares about his struggles with substance abuse, housing instability, and depression. He and his husband, Sean Arian, live with their young son in Los Angeles.
Study Group- Scandal, Crisis & Tragedy: Los Angeles in the 21st Century
As a diverse, forward-looking city, Los Angeles holds enormous promise. But in recent years, its political system has been shaken and challenged by scandals, crises, and tragedies. This study group examined several of those challenges and how they shaped government policy and the lives of Angelenos. We studied: the factors and forces that created scandals and the responses to them; the crises facing the city and how they are being addressed; and wrenching tragedies and what prevents local and county governments from solving them.
Fall 2024 Semester Recap
Mike Bonin said this about his experience at USC’s Center for the Political Future: “In an era of vitriol and ugly disagreements, I appreciate that CPF is a place where people come together with differing viewpoints to discuss things in a civil manner and try to make progress together.”
USC students in Mike’s study group shared this about their experience:
“I learned so much about Los Angeles in a complete transparent, multidimensional way by listening to professional speakers on social and political issues that impact Los Angeles, and local and city governments as a whole. My favorite part was the in depth conversations we had on things that truly shined light on a passionate, honest, and raw side of many. It was really one of the best things I decided to do.”
Addalice Flores, Political Science
“Through my Fellows Program experience, I discovered new complexities in my everyday life. Whether it was being exposed to the political discourse surrounding bike lanes and homelessness in Los Angeles, I was given the opportunity to meet individuals in niche fields, learn about their impact, and receive guidance from them. My favorite part was definitely the small-sized environment, as it allowed every question to be asked and answered with care. I intend to join this program next semester!”
Fernanda Morales Soto; Philosophy, Politics, and Law & NGO’s and Social Change
Mike shared his thoughts on the importance of politics, his first political experience, his advice for having respectful political discourse, and what he appreciates about CPF in his “Quick Takes: Q&A with CPF Fellow Mike Bonin” video.