Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Damien Talks

#DamienTalks Episode 12: Transportation Funding with Commissioner Yvonne Burke

Today #DamienTalks with Yvonne Burke, former LA County Supervisor and current commissioner for the California Transportation Commission, about transportation funding issues in California. With the legislature due to come back soon to discuss the ongoing transportation funding crisis gripping the state, Burke lays out the case that California needs to find a way to raise more funds for transportation.

Yvonne_burke

It's hardly a secret that California has been retreating from meeting its transportation needs, leaving cities and counties struggling to raise funds to fill the void. The question: is how does understanding that translate to building public support for a funding increase, be it a new tax, a fee, or some other unexplored funding mechanism?

On a personal note, it's pretty amazing to have a Civil Rights figure such as Burke on our podcast. For anyone that doesn't know, in addition to being a local political leader, Burke was the first African-American woman to represent the West Coast in Congress.

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Thanks for listening. You can download the episode at the Damien Talks homepage on Libsyn.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

The Week In Short Videos

Slip lanes, e-bike incentives, and a bonus video from NYC.

January 16, 2026

Santa Monica Parking Enforcement Vehicles to Use AI Cameras to Ticket Bike Lane Violations

Similar to on-bus AI cameras for bus lanes, but with two new wrinkles: cameras will be on city cars, and will detect bike lane blockers

January 16, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

I never thought about what happens if you violate the same law, on one trip, in multiple jurisdictions.

January 16, 2026

Papan Wants to Draw a Legal Line Between E-Bikes and Electric Motorbikes

Pretty sure the pictured bike should never be referred to as an e-bike.

January 15, 2026

$3 Million Now in the Bank to Support Signature-Gathering Effort for Regional Transit Measure

Transit funding advocates have the money. Now they just need almost 200,000 signatures.

January 15, 2026

Monrovia’s ‘Haiku Park’ is Now Open

Satoru Tsuneishi Park honors the acclaimed poet once incarcerated in an internment camp.

January 15, 2026
See all posts