{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"StreetSmart 12: The AMA with Damien Newton","description":"In a special AMA episode of the Street Smart podcast, Streetsblog California editor Damien Newton reflects on his first year leading the site while answering reader-submitted questions on politics, transportation policy, and advocacy. Newton opens by thanking listeners for helping the nonprofit newsroom reach its annual fundraising goal, then explains why, as head of a 501(c)(3), he cannot endorse candidates or say who he is voting for in upcoming elections. Newton discusses key transportation debates facing California, including skepticism toward an Uber-backed ballot measure he argues is framed as a safety initiative while limiting legal accountability in crash cases. He contrasts that with the growing urgency of transit funding measures, particularly in the Bay Area, as agencies face looming fiscal cliffs with limited federal support. Asked which cities are doing the best job on street safety, Newton highlights Santa Monica, Long Beach, Oakland, and San Francisco for progress on protected bike lanes and automated enforcement, while sharply criticizing Los Angeles for resisting voter-approved safety reforms. He also identifies e-bikes as one of the most misunderstood transportation issues in the state, citing inconsistent laws and lack of clear guidance. Throughout the episode, Newton emphasizes the power of grassroots advocacy, urging listeners to stay engaged with local officials, organized campaigns, and community groups. He closes by reaffirming Streetsblog\u2019s mission to connect transportation, climate, public space, and equity\u2014and by thanking readers and listeners for their continued support.  A transcript of the podcast can be found below. During the podcast, Newton promises some links to old stories: Streetsblog interviews Antonio Villaraigosa in 2012: part 1, part 2. First coverage of Uber ballot measure. Damien's interview introducing Chris Greenspon. SGV Weekly Podcast.   Street Smart Podcast AMA \u2013 Lightly Edited Transcript Speaker: Damien Newton Damien Newton As promised during our annual fundraising drive, I\u2019m doing an AMA based on questions you all sent in. I\u2019m Damien Newton, editor of Streetsblog California. This is our first Street Smart podcast of the year\u2014and the guest is me. We did reach our annual fundraising goal. Thank you\u2014that\u2019s awesome. So here we go. Question one: Who are you voting for governor? Damien Newton We got a lot of political questions, so I\u2019m going to address this upfront. Streetsblog California is part of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and I\u2019m its executive director. On an official podcast, saying who I\u2019m voting for would legally be considered an endorsement\u2014so I can\u2019t do that. I can share professional impressions. The only current gubernatorial candidate I\u2019ve ever met is Antonio Villaraigosa. When he was mayor of Los Angeles, his office was responsive, regularly provided quotes, and he did a long sit-down interview with me and one of our interns at the time. I\u2019ll post links to that coverage with this podcast. If you run into me on the street and want to ask who I\u2019m voting for, I\u2019m happy to tell you\u2014but not here. Similar questions came up about Phil Brock, Eric Garcetti, and others. I know it\u2019s an AMA, but nonprofit rules still apply, and I take them seriously. Question two: What surprised you most in your first year as editor? Damien Newton Tomorrow marks my one-year anniversary as editor. I\u2019m not easily surprised by politicians saying one thing and doing another\u2014but something did surprise me. My predecessor, Melanie Curry, would listen to entire California Transportation Commission meetings. I tried to do that, and honestly, I can\u2019t sit through the self-congratulation. The first few hours are often commissioners thanking each other and legislators endlessly. It\u2019s mind-numbing. I usually don\u2019t start listening until later sessions. That said, the CTC does important work, and we cover it\u2014sometimes positively, sometimes critically. I just can\u2019t sit through all the applause. Question three: Thoughts on upcoming ballot measures? Damien Newton It\u2019s early, and we don\u2019t know all the details yet. My gut feeling is that the Uber-backed ballot measure we covered recently is probably bad\u2014maybe because Uber is pushing it. It claims to be about safety, but it caps what lawyers can recover in crash-related lawsuits. That doesn\u2019t strike me as a meaningful safety measure. I\u2019m skeptical. In contrast, Bay Area transit funding measures\u2014even without full details\u2014are likely necessary. Transit agencies face real fiscal cliffs. The state\u2019s one-time infusion helps, but long-term funding will require local taxes. Federal help isn\u2019t coming. We\u2019re going to have to do this ourselves. Question four: Which California city is doing the best job on safer streets? Damien Newton \u201cBest\u201d depends on how you define it. Oakland and San Francisco deserve credit for speed cameras. Santa Monica is rapidly building a connected bike network and expanding camera enforcement. Long Beach has also been a leader among mid-sized cities. There\u2019s a pattern\u2014though not universal\u2014that cities with younger councils tend to be more progressive on transportation. I can tell you who\u2019s doing the worst: Los Angeles. The city is actively resisting implementation of a voter-approved street safety ordinance. Guerrilla crosswalks exist because residents are filling the void left by inaction. Question: What can regular people do to influence transportation policy? Damien Newton Know who your elected officials are. Join local bike and transit advocacy email lists. When it\u2019s time to email or call, flood the inboxes. Communicate constantly\u2014not just about legislation, but about broken signs, unsafe streets, and poor DOT performance. Legislators often hear from fewer constituents than you\u2019d expect. A lesson from Santa Monica: organized community opposition can outweigh formal city council support. That influence works both ways\u2014mobilized people can move policy. Question: Least understood transportation issue in California? Damien Newton E-bikes. People confuse them with electric motorcycles. Cities don\u2019t know how to regulate them, and the state hasn\u2019t provided enough guidance. The result is a confusing patchwork of laws. We ran an op-ed on this recently and plan to cover it more deeply in a future podcast. Question: Biggest transportation issue lawmakers overlook? Damien Newton The connection between transportation, air pollution, and climate change. Many lawmakers think technology alone\u2014EVs, futuristic transit, high-speed rail\u2014will solve it. I\u2019m generally supportive of EVs and autonomous technology (not Tesla), but they won\u2019t get us all the way there. We need more walking, biking, and transit now. Question: How are your kids doing? Damien Newton They\u2019re great. They\u2019re 13 and 16 now. I don\u2019t post photos anymore, but time really flies\u2014I was editing Streetsblog Los Angeles before my son was born. Magic wand question: What would you change? Damien Newton If I could wave a magic wand, I\u2019d get ICE out of Los Angeles, California, and beyond. Transportation and urban policy are deeply tied to who feels safe using public space. That\u2019s my answer. Closing Damien Newton If you stuck with me for 26 minutes of me talking to myself\u2014thank you. Email me anytime at damien@streetsblog.org with story ideas or questions. Thanks for supporting Streetsblog, helping us hit our 2025 fundraising goal, an ","author_name":"StreetSmart","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/StreetSmart","html":"