Government 101

Does the city of Los Angeles need another layer of bureaucracy? Zocalo Public Square commentator Joe Mathews says it does, if that new office is dedicated to helping residents understand and work with the rest of the bureaucracy. The city is considering setting up an office of civic engagement, whose mission would be to boost government knowledge and create more opportunities for people to participate in public decision-making. It’s a modest proposal, but Mathews says it’s an important step toward giving Angelenos a voice in policy debates that affect their lives.