Research
Development and Its Discontents
The struggle to improve living standards while protecting the environment
Features
Research
The California Surplus: What to Do With All This Money?
With California flush, is this the moment to take on tax reform?
Table Talk
Eric Garcetti: Reflections from L.A.’s mayor
Crime and COVID, rising homelessness and restive politics — Garcetti looks back on nine years as chief executive of Los Angeles.
Research
The power of work: Labor in L.A.
Organized labor is redefining California’s culture and politics
Research
COVID’s Losses: Lives, Jobs, Hope
The unequal toll of a devastating year and the challenge ahead
Profile
Barbara Lee: A Life of Service and Action
From her childhood in El Paso to representing California’s East Bay: unyielding dedication to progress
Table Talk
Table Talk online: How Trump Lost. How Biden Won.
UCLA political scientist Lynn Vavreck reflects on the 2020 campaign
Research
COVID-19’s Quiet Toll on Children
When COVID hit, calls for service for troubled children dropped. That’s a good thing, right?
Table Talk
Adam Schiff: Political Warrior
Congressman Adam Schiff has watched with horror as Donald Trump assaults democratic norms. Schiff speaks with Blueprint.
Research
Closing Note: Hope in the Ruins
This year of crisis has upended politics, public health and policing, among many other walks of life. It now moves to an election.
Table Talk
Joseph E. Stiglitz: A Nobel Laureate Reflects
One of America’s leading economists discusses taxes, growth, the minimum wage and basic fairness.
Research
Homeless Prevention
The best way to address homelessness may be to prevent it. But how to do that?
Research
Housing: One size does not fit all
Housing advocates bump up against politics in the attempt to confront one of California’s most difficult problems
Research
Special Report: Long Beach Faces Climate Change
One city’s efforts to move beyond debate over climate change and begin preparing for its effects
Table Talk
James Fallows: America Up Close
James and Deborah Fallows traveled America to examine the strength of its towns and cities. They report back.
Research
Special Report: The Video
A look at the story, in video, behind the efforts by Long Beach to address climate change
Profile
Karen Bass: On Truth, Power, Public Office
Karen Bass is a native of Los Angeles and a rising force in Congress
Research
Trump in the Media: Authentic, Messy and Oddly Effective
Donald Trump knows how to grab the limelight. Then what?
Table Talk
David Axelrod: Institutions — and truth — put to test
The political strategist and CNN commentator discusses the state of American politics
Profile
Evelyn Blumenberg: Seeing with Fresh Eyes
New thinking on homelessness — the demands of urgency
Research
Reconsidering the Single-Family Home
Has the single-family home outlived its usefulness? A UCLA professor dares to question
Research
Inequality Is Not The Issue. Growth Is.
Professor Lee Ohanian argues that economic growth, even if it exacerbates inequality, can lift all boats.
Sketches
Landscape
Whither the California electorate?
As California prepares to re-elect Gavin Newsom, Angelenos face a choice for their future
Editor's Note
Editor’s Note
California is big, diverse and complicated. The challenge of governing this state is huge.
First Person
A Year Without A Game
The pandemic took away my favorite form of exercise — but also something more important
First Person
Governing Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez on governing through crises
First Person
The Struggles of Family
Zachary Slobig on the combined effects within his family of COVID-19 and national policing protests
First Person
The Performing Arts
Singer and songwriter Eva B. Ross on the virus and the performing arts
Side Note
Closing Note: Hope in the Ruins
This year of crisis has upended politics, public health and policing, among many other walks of life. It now moves to an election.
Landscape
The fight for freelancers
Lawmakers from California to New York grapple with freelancers in the new economy
Landscape
Unions Battle for Survival
Americans like unions, but labor is on the defensive. A note from the front
Takeaway
Closing Note: Start with Truth
The crying need for truth in an era of lies, distortions and stupidity
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look”
Rick Meyer begins a new column in this issue of Blueprint. “A Lighter Look” presents some of Meyer’s less-serious observations on American government and politics.
Takeaway
The Other Side of Discord
Is there a solution to discord? It’s not just about being polite.
Editor's Note
Federalism: New Tests of an Old Idea
Welcome to Blueprint’s look at federalism in the Age of Trump.
Takeaway
Battle lines drawn: Now what?
In the clash over California and national values, the stakes are high and the research compelling.
Editor's Note
The Dangers of an Unequal Society
With our second issue, Blueprint moves its focus to income and wealth inequality, subjects at the center of modern American politics.