KPCC News In Brief

Posts about “Politics/Public Affairs” Category

• State budget cuts would limit poor women's birth control access

  The state could save more than $34 million by ending some family planning programs. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario says some Southland women’s health advocates plan to protest those proposed cuts tomorrow.

  Patricia Nazario: The staff of Planned Parenthood doesn’t want the state’s budget trimming to touching its turf. The organization is rallying patients, volunteers, and supporters to show up for a noontime protest and an evening vigil in front of the governor’s downtown L.A. office.

  Health care activists say that for every dollar California puts into family planning and women’s cancer screening programs, the federal government matches $9.

  Last week, the governor acknowledged that every cut in state programs and services will inflict real pain. But, he added, California’s government could become insolvent unless he and Sacramento lawmakers dramatically scale back spending. Analysts say the state faces a $24 billion budget gap next fiscal year.

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  • June 2, 2009 9:49 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city fire chief retires, reflects on his time as chief

  Los Angeles City Fire Chief Douglas Barry has announced his plans to retire. He’s served the department for 34 years. At a news conference yesterday, he reflected on some standout moments during his three years as chief.

  Douglas Barry: “Sad but proud moment was the funeral that I, as the fire chief was presiding or gave a speech at for Brent Lovrien last year. I was very sad that we lost a member. I’m always sad of that.

  “As the fire chief, you kind of feel like the father figure and everyone’s kind of your children, so you kind of feel hurt when those things happen. But when I looked out across the Cathedral and saw the support of the firefighters – not just our department, throughout the region. It made me very proud to know that that connection really exists.

  “And the proudest moment is, seeing how the department has handled many of the major incidents, being it the Metrolink, the brush fires, the devastating brush fires. And even how we’ve addressed some of the issues that were highlighted when I first came in. I’m very, very proud of that, and I think that as a department, we should be proud.”

  Douglas Barry is the first African-American to lead the Los Angeles Fire Department. His last day on the job will be August 30th.

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  • May 29, 2009 10:05 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city fire chief will retire

  The chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Douglas Barry, announced today that he’s ready to retire. KPCC’s Brian Watt says his announcement follows more than three decades with the department.

  Brian Watt: South Bay native Douglas Barry attended Narbonne High School, Harbor College, and Cal State Long Beach. He spent 34 years moving up the ranks of the city fire department.

  Three years ago, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed Barry interim chief as the department was burning with racial and sexual harassment scandals. Barry believes he’s turned the department around. But he understands that some people might think controversy drove him out.

  Douglas Barry: To the contrary. Everyone, from the mayor, the City Council, the Fire Commission, the controller, and the fire department members have been extremely supportive of me and my leadership and have expressed to me their desire that I stay longer.

  Watt: Barry is the L.A. Fire Department’s first African-American chief. His announcement comes as the department prepares to address a deficit of $56 million. The tough budget year begins on July 1st, and Barry says he’ll stay on until August 30th to make some of the tough calls.

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  • May 28, 2009 11:27 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA opposes state plan to borrow city property tax revenues

  Lawmakers in Sacramento today continued to wade through more budget cut proposals from the governor. KPCC’s Julie Small reports they heard testimony on his plan to borrow $2 billion from counties and cities – including Los Angeles.

  Jim DeBoo: We’ve just closed a $530 million deficit.

  Julie Small: That’s Jim DeBoo – the City of L.A.’s man in Sacramento. He told members of the budget conference committee Mayor Villaraigosa could sign a balanced budget by the end of the week. But DeBoo also says if the state decides to borrow 8 percent of the city’s property tax – as Governor Schwarzenegger proposes – that will push Los Angeles back into the red.

  DeBoo: It could be anywhere between $85 million and around $100 million in additional deficit. If it does happen, the fear is we’d have to go look at public safety cuts. And that’s something that the mayor and the city council at least in L.A. would really, really like to avoid.

  Small: Representatives from cities across the state told lawmakers they face similar – and equally bad – choices.

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  • May 28, 2009 4:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger speaks on gay marriage ruling

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he respects the state Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the voter-approved ban on same sex marriage. The governor says he personally believes that marriage is between a man and a woman, but he also told CNN.com that he wouldn’t be surprised if Californians legalized same-sex marriage in the future.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

  Gay rights groups are planning to place an initiative legalizing gay marriage on the ballot, perhaps as early as next year.

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  • May 27, 2009 11:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Bill introduced to give state oversight of the UC

  State lawmakers introduced a bill today that would ask voters to give the legislature the power to regulate the University of California. The state constitution protects the UC from state regulation.

  The bill would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. If approved, it would strip the UC of its immunity. San Francisco Democratic State Senator Leland Yee is a co-sponsor. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that many lawmakers are angry about the high salaries paid to UC executives.

  Leland Yee: “They make more than the president of the United States. They make more than the governor of this state. It seems that their perspective, the regents perspective, of what is appropriate given these tough economic times, given their position relative to other positions in the this country and this state that are just not, not adequate.”

  UC chancellors make $300,000 to $400,000 a year – that goes up to as much as half a million with perks.

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  • May 27, 2009 4:13 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Health care advocate decries proposed cuts to Healthy Families

  One of the many programs Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing eliminating is Healthy Families. The $250 million program provides health insurance for kids in low-income families that make too much to qualify for Medi-Cal.

  Howard Kahn is CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, which administers the Healthy Families program in L.A. County. He says without Healthy Families, a quarter of a million kids in L.A. County alone would lose health coverage. And that, says Kahn, would mean that many families would no longer be able to get their kids basic primary care.

  Howard Kahn: “They are going to end up in emergency rooms. They are going to end up in both the county and the community clinics that we’ve got throughout Los Angeles. Those folks have already been seeing an increase in use because of the high unemployment rates. So we are going to have more crowded emergency rooms. That’s no way to run a health care system.”

  Kahn spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

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  • May 27, 2009 4:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Bush v. Gore lawyers team up to challenge Prop 8

  A day after the California Supreme Court upheld the state’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage, two prominent attorneys announced they’re teaming up to challenge it in federal court. KPCC’s Brian Watt says the lawyers are better known as legal adversaries.

  Brian Watt: Ted Olson and David Boies argued on opposite sides of the Bush v. Gore case that determined the winner of the 2000 presidential election. David Boies hasn’t forgotten.

  David Boies: Being up here on a platform with Ted Olson and all these lights makes me want to urge everyone to count every vote. (laughter)

  Watt: They’ve filed a lawsuit in federal district court on behalf of two same-sex couples that want to marry – and they sought an injunction to block enforcement of Proposition 8 until the case is decided.

  The suit claims that Prop 8 violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment and discriminates on the basis of gender and sexual orientation. Ted Olson said California’s “domestic partnership” option fails to provide the same benefits and protections as marriage.

  Ted Olson: That is separate, and that is not equal. It is unconstitutional.

  Watt: An attorney for the supporters of Prop 8 says the suit has very little prospect of success. Many gay marriage advocates say it’s too early for a federal lawsuit.

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  • May 27, 2009 3:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Officials give digital TV converter demo before June 12 deadline

  Starting in two-and-a-half weeks, broadcast television stations will begin using digital technology to transmit their programs. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says that if your TV is not equipped to carry the new digital signal on June 12th, you’re only going to see fuzz.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “There are some 200,000 Angelinos who haven’t made the conversion to digital TV. We’re very concerned about that because they’ll lose their ability to see the programming they’re used to seeing.”

  It’s not too late to apply for a $40 coupon that’ll help cover the cost of a digital converter box for analog TVs. You can get two per household online at DTV2009.gov.

  Anyone who needs a converter box – or needs to figure out how to hook it up to the TV – can talk to experts and check out demonstrations tomorrow at the L.A. Convention Center. The event is scheduled to run from 9 o’clock in the morning until 4 in the afternoon.

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  • May 27, 2009 3:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Health care advocates warn cuts could lead to higher costs elsewhere

  During a budget hearing at the state capital today, more than 100 people testified on proposed cuts to state medical insurance for low-income Californians. Governor Schwarzenegger suggested the cuts to help close a $24 billion deficit. KPCC’s Julie Small reports that health care advocates warned California will end up paying more for the cuts in the long run.

  Julie Small: One after another, health care activists urged the state’s budget conference committee to reject the governor’s proposed cuts. Herb Meyer, a retired Air Force veteran from Marin County, lost the use of his legs in a boating accident and spent his life savings on medical and support care.

  The 78-year-old now depends on the state’s Medi-Cal program for coverage. From his wheelchair, Meyer told legislators that the governor’s idea to cut so-called “optional” Medi-Cal benefits would hurt recipients.

  Herb Meyer: They’re going to take away their eyeglasses. They’re going to take away their podiatric care. They’re going to take away many of the things that are going to be difficult for them to get.

  Where’re they going to go? They’re going to go to emergency rooms – all this type of thing. It’s going to cost the government more money than they’re going to save in doing these things.

  Small: Meyer said he’s already lost some Medi-Cal drug benefits from the budget cuts the legislature made earlier this year. That cost him $95 of his monthly $2,000 retirement check.

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  • May 27, 2009 3:25 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cuts imminent for state services

  A hefty cut to California’s Healthy Families program is one solution Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is offering to help offset the state’s projected $24 billion budget shortfall.

  Jean Ross heads the California Budget Project. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the proposed cut would leave close to 950,000 children in the state without medical coverage.

  Jean Ross: “The governor is also proposing to scale back medical coverage for children and that would add an additional about 472,000 children to the ranks of the uninsured. So this would have a dramatic increase on the health status of California’s children.”

  If the legislature approves $5 billion in cuts the governor’s proposed to state programs, programs including universities, state parks, and prisons would be in line for program and personnel reductions. The governor’s also suggested saving more than $1 billion by eliminating the CalWORKs welfare program. The governor’s expected to propose $3 billion in additional cuts next week.

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  • May 27, 2009 2:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Bush v. Gore attornies team up for federal suit against Prop 8

  California’s ban on same-sex marriage has compelled two well-known legal adversaries to challenge the law. Attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies argued against each other in the Bush versus Gore case that determined the result of the 2000 presidential election. But Olson said they’ve joined forces to sue against Proposition 8 in federal court.

  Ted Olson: “The case we filed is not about liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican. We’re here in part to symbolize that. This case is about the equal rights guaranteed to every American under the United States Constitution.”

  They filed the suit last Friday on behalf of two same-sex couples who want to marry. Today, they filed an injunction asking the court to stop the enforcement of Prop 8 pending the case’s outcome.

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  • May 27, 2009 2:18 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Rancho Cucamonga councilman arrested on felony grand theft charges

  Authorities arrested Rancho Cucamonga councilman Rex Guiterrez today for allegedly misappropriating public money. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says the arrest is part of an ever-widening fraud and corruption probe that involves several high-profile San Bernardino County officials.

  Steven Cuevas: The felony charges against Rex Guitterez – misappropriation of public funds and grand theft – arise from his brief stint with the county assessor’s office. He quit in January when the office became the focus of an investigation into alleged fraud and corruption.

  Assessor Bill Postmus resigned soon after. An independent investigation launched by the San Bernardino County board of supervisors portrays the office as a den of political corruption, financial fraud, and drug abuse.

  Gutierrez had been Postmus’ “intergovernmental relations officer.” But investigators say he was dubbed “intergalactic officer” because he rarely showed up for work – even when he continued to collect a paycheck. The county is suing Gutierrez and several other former assessor’s office officials over money allegedly lost through rampant timecard abuse.

  Some of Guiterrez’ colleagues on the Rancho Cucamonga city council are calling on him to step down. He’s served on the council off and on over 17 years.

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  • May 27, 2009 2:17 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council postpones vote on billboard ban

  The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously today on the contentious issue of billboard expansion. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says it’s not the vote people on either side of the matter had hoped for.

  Cheryl Devall: Now that L.A.’s elected Carmen Trutanich as its next city attorney, the city council has decided to let him review a proposed moratorium on new billboards and digital billboard conversions when he takes office in July.

  A temporary ban on new billboards and supergraphics – ads that wrap around multi-story buildings – runs out next month. The city council is expected to extend that ban to September, when it’s scheduled to vote again.

  The unanimous decision to put off a final decision until September disappointed people who testified for three hours on the free speech, commercial, and aesthetic implications of limiting billboard expansion.

  Anti-sign forces object to a provision that would designate 21 “sign districts” to accommodate new billboards in areas including the L.A. International Airport corridor and Hollywood. Outdoor advertising companies don’t like the fines that plan would charge for every violation of the ordinance.

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  • May 26, 2009 4:52 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Another ballot measure might turn tide in same-sex marriage battle

  The battle in California over same-sex marriage isn’t finished – and KPCC’s Nick Roman says the result next time could be different.

  Nick Roman: This began nine years ago when voters approved Proposition 22 – a statute that said “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Last May, the state Supreme Court invalidated that measure. Proposition 8 had the same wording as 22 – but it’s a constitutional amendment not as easily dislodged by a court decision. But voters could overturn it.

  Backers of same-sex marriage intend to put a measure on the ballot – and it might succeed. Prop 22 passed with more than 61 percent of the vote. Eight years later, Prop 8 also passed – but with only 52 percent. The 22 percentage point margin of victory that opponents of same-sex marriage had with Prop 22 was down to 4.

  And even though Prop 8 passed in L.A., Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, it earned much less support than Prop 22. One more year and one more election are all that backers of same-sex marriage might need to win.

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  • May 26, 2009 4:32 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Legal scholar suggests Prop 8 not settled, despite court decision

  Legal scholar Richard Hasen of Loyola Law School suggests that Proposition 8 – California’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage – may not be settled despite the state supreme court’s decision in favor of the measure.

  Richard Hasen: “The California Supreme Court has said pretty straightforwardly that as far as the state power and state constitution goes, there’s a lot more power in the hands of voters. And that if the voters want to have the last word here, subject to the federal constitution, they can.”

  Last November, 52 percent of the voters overturned an earlier state Supreme Court decision that briefly made same-sex marriages legal in California. Hasen told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that if more change is on the way, it’ll probably happen through the ballot box in another statewide referendum.

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  • May 26, 2009 4:30 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Supporters of Prop 8 applaud state supreme court's decision

  Supporters of Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, applauded today’s state Supreme Court decision that upheld the vote. Andrew Pugno argued before California’s highest court that last year’s narrow approval of Prop 8 reflected the will of the people. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that opponents are within their rights to raise the issue in another ballot measure, but…

  Andrew Pugno: “I don’t suspect that the people of California would look favorably on being asked to vote on this yet again. We’ve already voted on it twice in the last few years, and in fact I don’t think it would be very likely to succeed in taking Prop 8 out of the constitution. Prop 8 was made a close election by the occasional young liberal voter that showed up, that is not likely to show up in those numbers for a long time to come.”

  Nine years ago, California voters approved an earlier ban on same-sex marriage by a much wider margin than they did last November.

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  • May 26, 2009 4:28 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Supreme Court nominee has reputation as tough, smart

  The scrutiny’s begun for President Obama’s pick for an upcoming vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. The president praised federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor of New York as “an inspiring woman” with varied experience on the bench. Legal Network anchor Jami Floyd has reported on cases in Sotomayor’s courtroom.

  Jami Floyd: “She’s tough, I would say hard-nosed, very smart, cuts to the issues, does not suffer fools. And she has a bit of a reputation for being prickly, but I would say if she was a man that wouldn’t be the case. I think some of it is because she is a woman and we have different expectations for women, whether it’s on the bench, at the front of a classroom, or as homemakers.”

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  • May 26, 2009 3:59 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• South LA civil rights leader applauds Prop 8 ruling

  A civil rights activist in South L.A. applauds the California Supreme Court for upholding Proposition 8. Eddie Jones is president of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Association.

  Eddie Jones : “I don’t agree with same-sex marriage. It’s been voted on already. They passed it not to happen. And I think it’s wrong to try to get an amendment to it. I think it’s wrong. The people voted on it. They said ‘no’. No means no.”

  Supporters of same-sex couples’ right to marry say they’ll bring the issue before California voters again. But they haven’t decided when.

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  • May 26, 2009 3:57 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Some support same-sex marriage, also support court's decision

  The California Supreme Court this morning upheld Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. In response, several callers on KPCC’s “AirTalk” said they support same-sex marriage, but they also support the logic of the court’s decision. Among them was John of Santa Monica.

  John: “The people actually voted on this. And the constitution is supposed to back up the rule of the people. I mean, to complain about a constitutional issue when people vote on it, it just seems redundant – it doesn’t seem right.”

  The court’s ruling also maintains the legality of about 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place between an earlier state supreme court decision that allowed them and the November election that endorsed the ban with 52 percent of the vote.

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  • May 26, 2009 3:52 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California high court upholds gay marriage ban

  By LISA LEFF
  Associated Press Writer

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – California’s Supreme Court upheld the state’s gay-marriage ban Tuesday but said the 18,000 same-sex weddings that took place before the prohibition passed are still valid – a ruling decried by gay-rights activists as a hollow victory.

  Demonstrators outside the court booed, wept and yelled, “Shame on you!” Activists said they would go back to the voters as early as next year in a bid to repeal the ban.

  In a 6-1 decision written by Chief Justice Ron George, the court rejected arguments that the ban approved by the voters last fall was such a fundamental change in the California Constitution that it first needed the Legislature’s approval.

  As for the thousands of couples who tied the knot last year in the five months that gay marriage was legal in California, the court said it is well-established principle that an amendment is not retroactive unless it is clear that the voters intended it to be, and that was not the case with Proposition 8.

  Moreover, the court said it would be too disruptive to apply Proposition 8 retroactively and dissolve all gay marriages.

  Doing that would have the effect of “throwing property rights into disarray, destroying the legal interests and expectations of thousands of couples and their families, and potentially undermining the ability of citizens to plan their lives according to the law as it has been determined by this state’s highest court,” the ruling said.

  While gay rights advocates accused the court of failing to protect a minority group from the will of the majority, the justices said that the state’s governing framework gives voters almost unfettered ability to change the California Constitution.

  The decision set off an outcry among a sea of demonstrators who had gathered in front of the San Francisco courthouse, holding signs and waving rainbow flags. Many people also held hands in a chain around an intersection in an act of protest.

  “We’re relieved our marriage was not invalidated, but this is a hollow victory because there are so many that are not allowed to marry those they love,” said Amber Weiss, 32, who was in the crowd at City Hall, near the courthouse, with her partner, Sharon Papo. They were married on the first day gay marriage was legal last year, June 17.

  “I feel very uncomfortable being in a special class of citizens,” Papo said.

  Jeanne Rizzo, 62, who was one of the plaintiffs along with her wife, Pali Cooper, said: “It’s not about whether we get to stay married. Our fight is far from over. I have about 20 years left on this earth, and I’m going to continue to fight for equality every day.”

  A small group of Proposition 8 supporters also gathered outside the court.

  “A lot of people just assume we’re religious nuts. We’re not. But we are Christians and we believe in the Bible,” said George Popko, 22, a student at American River College in Sacramento, where the student government officially endorsed Proposition 8.

  In the state capital, Republican state Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee of San Luis Obispo, the incoming minority leader, said the court’s decision “reaffirmed the principle that the people’s votes do matter.”

  The state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 last May that it was unconstitutional to deny gay couples the right to wed. For a while, that put California - the nation’s most populous state - back in its familiar position in the vanguard of social change; at the time, Massachusetts was the only other state to allow gay marriage.

  In what gay activists called their “Summer of Love,” same-sex couples from around the country rushed to get married in California for fear the voters would take away the right at the ballot box. In November, Proposition 8 passed with 52 percent approval.

  Over the past several months, as the fight went on in California, Iowa, Maine, Vermont and Connecticut legalized gay marriage, bringing to five the number of states that allow same-sex couples to wed.

  In California, gay rights activists argued that the ban was improperly put to the voters and amounted to a revision - which required legislative approval - not an amendment. But the justices disagreed.

  The court said that while the ban denies gay couples use of the term “marriage,” it does not fundamentally disturb their basic right to “establish an officially recognized and protected family relationship with the person of one’s choice and to raise children within the family.” California still allows gay couples to form domestic partnerships.

  In their 136-page majority ruling, the justices said it not their job to address whether the ban is wise public policy, but to decide whether it is constitutionally valid, while “setting aside our own personal beliefs and values.”

  Justice Carlos Moreno, who had been under consideration as President Barack Obama’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, was the lone dissenter.

  He said denying same-sex couples the right to wed “strikes at the core of the promise of equality that underlies our California Constitution.” He said it represents a “drastic and far-reaching change.”

  “Promising equal treatment to some is fundamentally different from promising equal treatment for all,” Moreno said. “Promising treatment that is almost equal is fundamentally different from ensuring truly equal treatment.”

  San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, whose office fought the ban, said: “Today we are faced with a disappointing decision. But I think we also know it could have been worse.”

  Democratic state Sen. Christine Kehoe of San Diego said that California “has lost its lead in the fight for civil rights for all people.” And Assemblyman Tom Ammiano of San Francisco warned the ruling would create “apartheid” in California.

  Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • May 26, 2009 2:50 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Possible Republican response to Supreme Court nominee

  Conservative lawmakers responded quickly to President Obama’s nomination of federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Ron Elving, senior Washington Editor for National Public Radio, told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the opposition reflects differences in judicial philosophy.

  Ron Elving: “I think that it’s fair to say that Republicans are upholding a principle of strict adherence to the document of the constitution, the letter of the law if you will, and we’ve already heard quite a number of the Republican senators who are going to be handling theses proceedings on the judiciary committee talking about applying the letter of the law and not trying to interpret what the law, that is to say the Constitution, might mean in a modern context.”

  Some Republicans have questioned the way Sotomayor, a Latina, has decided on affirmative action cases. She ruled against a group of white Connecticut firefighters who’d sued their department claiming racial discrimination.

  The Supreme Court expects to rule on that case this session. If the U.S. Senate approves her nomination, Sotomayor would replace associate justice David Souter, who plans to retire from the court this summer.

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  • May 26, 2009 2:24 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Southern Christian Leadership Conference leader praises Supreme Court pick

  The local head of the organization founded by Martin Luther King, Jr. praised President Obama’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. Reverend Eric Lee of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California said federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor would bring needed diversity to the nation’s highest court.

  Reverend Eric Lee: “Because of her background, coming from the projects, and working class family, being able to work her way through to becoming a justice, that it adds an element of compassion and understanding about the plight of people who are struggling just for a decent living, and quality of life in our country.”

  If the Senate approves her, Sotomayor – who’s Puerto Rican – would be the first Latina associate justice. President Obama announced the nomination this morning at a White House news conference.

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  • May 26, 2009 2:22 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Gay marriage proponents respond to ruling on Prop 8

  The California Supreme Court this morning upheld Proposition 8 – and the marriages of same-sex couples who wed while their unions were legal. A coalition of faith leaders and groups that support same-sex marriage rights met today in South Los Angeles to hear the ruling on Prop 8 and offer their reactions. Attorney Jenny Pizer is on the legal team that challenged the ballot measure.

  Jenny Pizer: “Proposition 8 stole our right to marry, and it advanced a pernicious idea of equality that puts every California minority at risk. Prop 8 tore our constitution. Today’s deeply disappointing decision puts it to us as a people to repair that damage at the ballot box.”

  The coalition vowed to bring the issue of same-sex marriage before California voters again. But members haven’t decided when. Pizer said the 18,000 same-sex couples who married before voters approved Prop 8 last November will demonstrate that their rights don’t threaten anyone.

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  • May 26, 2009 2:20 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• National Organization for Marriage director praises Prop 8 decision

  The California Supreme Court has ruled against lawsuits that sought to overturn Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same sex marriage.

  Proposition 8 opponents argued that the measure was a constitutional revision, rather than an amendment, and that it needed the legislature’s approval. But the court rejected that argument in a 6 to 1 ruling.

  Brian Brown praised the ruling on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Brown is executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, which supported Proposition 8.

  Brian Brown: “This was the common sense decision the court should have made. And we’re very happy with the decision and, you know, any other decision would have essentially said that the people are going to be robbed of their right to speak on an issue that’s of fundamental importance – marriage.”

  Proponents of same sex marriage are vowing to fight the decision. They say they may go back to voters as early as next year to try and repeal Prop 8.

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  • May 26, 2009 2:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State Supreme Court upholds gay marriage ban

  The state Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

  The court ruled 6-to-1 against gay rights activists who argued that the measure was a constitutional revision, and therefore needed the legislature’s approval. The court did let 18,000 same-sex marriages stand. Those couples were married after the state’s highest court legalized same-sex marriage, and before voters approved Prop 8.

  David Bowers was at the courthouse when the ruling came down. He spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  David Bowers: “Extremely disappointed. And now I’m in a group of people who are – my marriage is still held up legal. All my brothers and sisters are out here and they can’t get married. I don’t understand. I’m disappointed.”

  Gay rights activists are vowing to fight the court ruling. They’re planning protests today. In a statement, Governor Schwarzenegger said that he will uphold the court’s ruling, although he believes that someday California will recognize legal gay marriage. He also encouraged people who respond to the court decision to do so peacefully and lawfully.

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  • May 26, 2009 11:37 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Over 1,000 homecare, domestic workers protest protest proposed cuts

  A crowd of more than a thousand Southland homecare providers and their patients and supporters converged on downtown Los Angeles today. They were protesting Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts in home care services.

  Organizer Eliseo Medina of the Service Employees International Union says the governor’s May revise budget would reduce most workers’ pay from 11 or 12 dollars to 8 dollars an hour – minimum wage.

  Eliseo Medina: “They’re being a penny wise and a dollar foolish. If they force all these home care clients out of their homes, where they gonna send them? To nursing homes? They are four times more expensive than home care. This is a bad decision. What the governor proposes is gonna wind up costing them more money, not less.”

  Governor Schwarzenegger has said the huge budget shortfall – made worse by last Tuesday’s defeat of several budget ballot measures – is forcing him to make deep cuts in state programs.

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  • May 22, 2009 4:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama holding bipartisan immigration meeting, doesn't invite Lungren

  President Obama is moving forward on immigration reform. He’s called a meeting at the White House early next month with congressional members from both parties. But KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports the invitee list may be significant for who’s not on it.

  Kitty Felde: An administration official says the June 8th conference will gather lawmakers from both parties for a “substantive discussion” of immigration issues that will lead to a larger debate later this year. That same official says it would be a “small group.” Two prominent Democrats from California say they were invited: the head of the House Immigration Subcommittee Zoe Lofgren of San Jose and Nancy Pelosi’s right-hand man, Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles.

  But arguably the most experienced Republican on the issue hasn’t been invited. In 1986, it was House Member Dan Lungren’s job to round up GOP votes for the last sweeping immigration bill passed by Congress. But so far, the White House hasn’t tapped the Sacramento Republican for his institutional memory. The White House official who confirmed the meeting says he hasn’t seen the list of invitees.

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  • May 21, 2009 8:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Sole Republican vote for climate change bill is Californian

  Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman of Los Angeles scored a major victory on Capitol Hill last night. The Energy and Commerce Committee he chairs passed a major piece of climate change legislation before Memorial Day, just as he promised. The victory came with help from a fellow Californian from the other side of the aisle. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Congressman Henry Waxman: The clerk will call the roll.
  Clerk: Mr. Waxman.
  Waxman: Aye.
  Clerk: Mr. Waxman votes aye.

  Kitty Felde: By a vote of 33-25, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The measure battles climate change by promoting renewable sources of electricity. It also creates a pollution credit trading system for industry.

  The vote was largely along party lines. Four Democrats voted no and one Republican, Mary Bono Mack, voted yes. The congresswoman from Palm Springs said the issue of climate change was important enough to move the bill forward. In its present form, she said it was missing one important element.

  Congresswoman Mary Bono Mac: We would really like to see a lot more done to promote nuclear power and don’t feel this bill is doing that.

  Felde: The bill now goes to other House committees and is likely to change quite a bit before coming to the floor for a vote. Even in this committee, members considered nearly a hundred amendments to the bill.

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  • May 21, 2009 8:42 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor proposes wholesale cuts to close budget gap

  The Schwarzenegger Administration today proposed sweeping budget cuts to help plug California’s multi-billion dollar deficit. KPCC’s Julie Small reports some popular social services programs could be scrapped entirely.

  Julie Small: Among the programs the Schwarzenegger Administration proposes to scrap is CalWorks. It’s a welfare assistance program for needy families. The Healthy Families program could be gone. It’s the state’s health insurance program for teens and children in low-income families.

  Also on the “cut” list are Cal Grants that pay fees for low-income students at state-funded universities. Altogether, the cuts would save billions of dollars. A spokesman for the governor’s finance department says the state alone funds these programs, so dismantling them won’t threaten any federal funding that California receives.

  Schwarzenegger Administration officials announced the likely cuts after the non-partisan Legislative Analyst raised doubts about whether the governor’s plan to borrow $6 billion from Wall Street to plug the deficit was legal.

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  • May 21, 2009 3:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger withdraws borrowing plan, looks for cuts

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s withdrawn his plan to balance the state budget with 5-and-a-half billion dollars of borrowed money. Instead, he’s asking state agencies to forward more ideas about where they can cut. Jason Dickerson with the Legislative Analyst’s Office told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the governor was right to reverse his course on borrowing.

  Jason Dickerson: “It could well be a habit the state gets into, but the constitution of the state places fairly strict limits on debt that can be issued. And it really would be, potentially, in violation of those requirements.”

  California’s working with few good fiscal options in the face of a projected $21 billion deficit.

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  • May 21, 2009 3:38 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• State services still at risk, despite appeals for funding to federal government

  California officials are borrowing a strategy from the financial industry – trying to convince the federal government to front some cash fast because this state is too big to fail. Jason Dickerson with the state Legislative Analyst’s Office isn’t sure that approach will spare state services from major cuts.

  Jason Dickerson: “The governor’s $750 million proposal to cut Medi-Cal funding that would require approval from the federal government, that is a pretty risky proposition on which to balance the budget over the next year. We don’t know if the federal government will go along with that. But in terms of looking at selling some state assets and some state lands, rethinking how our boards and commissions work, we think that is a good idea and the legislature should look at that.”

  Federal Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s already saying that California shouldn’t rely on much more financial help from Washington.

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  • May 21, 2009 3:36 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city attorney-elect Trutanich responds to his win

  Los Angeles’ next City Attorney, Carmen Trutanich, is pledging to change the culture of the department he’ll take over soon. The former gang prosecutor has spent much of the last 20 years in private practice, and that experience will follow him into his first elected position.

  Carmen Trutanich: “We want to make this a real law office. And the only way that a real office can function and be successful is if management and those of the support for management are one – they work as a team together.”

  Trutanich defeated L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss in the fiercest contest on Tuesday’s ballot.

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  • May 21, 2009 3:29 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal stimulus money headed for Southland water systems

  There’s money on tap for water systems in California. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says that much of a $440 million federal stimulus grant will go to the Inland Empire.

  Molly Peterson: Each year, the state gets about a quarter of a billion dollars in support for water infrastructure projects. This year, the federal Environmental Protection Agency says the needs are more urgent, so the agency’s using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to pay for improvements in California and other states.

  Federal money will go to California’s water resources control board, for regional wastewater treatment and storm runoff projects. The state’s public health department will also get some of the money to upgrade local drinking water systems.

  The recent law will bring zero-interest loans to Southern California – in Riverside County, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and the Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District will get a combined $54 million. In Los Angeles County, the Upper San Gabriel Valley project is in line for $11 million.

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  • May 21, 2009 3:27 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cuts likely in state health and human services budget

  The secretary of California’s health and human services agency says difficult cuts lie ahead, given the state’s projected $21 billion deficit. Secretary Kim Belshe told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that her agency’s considering various proposals.

  Kim Belshe: “Basically we are compelled, given nature of state’s fiscal crisis, to look at every program that’s not required by the federal government. We are endeavoring to put forward proposals, though, that target resources to those who are most in need.”

  Belshe says one proposal would eliminate coverage for more than 200,000 children in the state’s Healthy Families program. The state could also drop its support of HIV and AIDS education and prevention programs. Belshe says it’s also likely that clinics will have fewer state resources to work with after the cuts.

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  • May 21, 2009 2:24 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor says voters want cuts, but not to favorite programs

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says voters spoke loudly at the polls yesterday – but he’s not sure what they said. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Governor Schwarzenegger has been trying various ways to balance the state’s budget. He says Tuesday’s election results made it clear the voters want budget cuts. But what kind?

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: You ask them about the cuts and you say, “Do you mind if you have to make an additional $6 billion in cuts in education?” They say, “No, no, no! Not education!” And then you say, “Well, how about in health care?” And they say, “Well, no, I wouldn’t go after the vulnerable citizens.” Then we say, “Well, then we have to make some cuts in law enforcement.” “I want to keep that in place!” So people don’t know themselves where they want the cuts. They just say, “Make the cuts – and you figure it out.”

  Felde: One cut proposed by the governor would cut salaries for home health care workers by $2 an hour. The union protested to the Obama Administration – and the feds threatened to take away billions in stimulus money.

  But Schwarzenegger says he “cleared up some of the confusion” in meetings with administration officials. So the state can make the pay cuts and keep federal stimulus money.

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  • May 20, 2009 4:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor says voters want cuts, but not to favorite programs

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says voters spoke loudly at the polls yesterday – but he’s not sure what they said. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Governor Schwarzenegger has been trying various ways to balance the state’s budget. He says Tuesday’s election results made it clear the voters want budget cuts. But what kind?

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: You ask them about the cuts and you say, “Do you mind if you have to make an additional $6 billion in cuts in education?” They say, “No, no, no! Not education!” And then you say, “Well, how about in health care?” And they say, “Well, no, I wouldn’t go after the vulnerable citizens.” Then we say, “Well, then we have to make some cuts in law enforcement.” “I want to keep that in place!” So people don’t know themselves where they want the cuts. They just say, “Make the cuts – and you figure it out.”

  Felde: One cut proposed by the governor would cut salaries for home health care workers by $2 an hour. The union protested to the Obama Administration – and the feds threatened to take away billions in stimulus money.

  But Schwarzenegger says he “cleared up some of the confusion” in meetings with administration officials. So the state can make the pay cuts and keep federal stimulus money.

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  • May 20, 2009 4:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Chief Bratton praises city council voting down police hiring freeze

  Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton today praised the L.A. city council’s decision to reject a proposed hiring freeze at his department.

  Chief Bill Bratton: “Right now, we have in excess of 9,900 officers – pretty close to the 10,000 mark. We will within a few months reach the 10,000 mark.

  “We fully anticipate that we will get some federal help through the COPS program – hire some officers there. So we’re in pretty good shape, all things considered, on the number of officers.”

  During KPCC’s “Patt Morrison,” Bratton rejected charges he’d threatened to retaliate against City Councilman Bill Rosendahl for supporting the hiring freeze by pulling officers from his district.

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  • May 20, 2009 3:21 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressional frontrunner Judy Chu on her primary showing

  Democrat Judy Chu won the most votes in the primary election to represent much of the San Gabriel Valley in Congress. But she didn’t land enough votes to avoid a runoff on July 14th. Chu – a member of the state Board of Equalization – described her next steps to KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Judy Chu: “I don’t think it will be necessary to do too big of a campaign. This is a very strongly Democratic district that actually came out 68 to 30 percent in the Obama-McCain election, so it has that tradition, and they couldn’t even field a Republican challenger when Hilda Solis ran.”

  The winner of the runoff will assume the congressional seat Solis vacated when she became the Obama administration’s labor secretary.

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  • May 20, 2009 3:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Primary winner Judy Chu talks about what she hopes to bring to Congress

  The candidate who won the most votes in an open primary for a San Gabriel Valley congressional seat is Judy Chu. The veteran politician pulled ahead of 11 other contenders in the race for the job Hilda Solis vacated when she became federal labor secretary. Chu told KPCC’s Larry Mantle what she hopes to bring to Congress.

  Judy Chu: “One thing that I have that is rather unique is a great deal of fiscal experience. I was chair of appropriations in the assembly. I was a member, or am a member, of the Board of Equalization, which brings in $53 billion a year in tax revenue.”

  Chu fell short of the majority she needed to avoid a runoff election on July 14th. The Democrat will face Republican Betty Tom Chu and Libertarian Christopher Agrella.

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  • May 20, 2009 2:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Sherman talks about credit card bill

  The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a bill today that would limit credit card issuers’ ability to raise interest rates without notice. But the bill does not cap the interest rates those companies can charge. San Fernando Valley Congressman Brad Sherman concedes that the bill won’t, by itself, solve the problem of credit card debt.

  Brad Sherman: “To pass interest rate limitations I think is, would be difficult through this Senate even with 59 or 60 Democratic senators. The fact that we had to work so hard and for so long just to make sure people are not gouged by sharp practices shows you that the banks are not without power here in Washington.”

  Sherman, a Democrat, is one of the co-sponsors of the bill. He spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle. The bill does prohibit credit card companies from raising interest rates after only one or two late payments. If President Obama signs the bill into law, issuers will have to wait to boost a customer’s interest rate until a payment is more than 60 days late.

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  • May 20, 2009 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa talks about state finances

  Los Angeles voters, like those statewide, rejected five ballot propositions aimed at stabilizing California’s budget. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says the state’s finances are broken – and the state is responsible to fix them.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “And while I’m disappointed that these important propositions did not pass the governor and the legislature must face the facts and make difficult choices – unfortunately we all know what’s coming. We know that the state will now try to balance the books on the backs of cities, counties, and school districts.”

  The latest version of the state budget calls for California to borrow $68 million that should go to the city of Los Angeles. Villaraigosa says he’ll lobby Sacramento legislators to borrow that money on terms that don’t disadvantage the city.

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  • May 20, 2009 2:41 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAUSD facing more cuts after statewide election

  L.A. Unified school board president Monica Garcia says the failure of a statewide ballot measure that would have secured more public money for schools has pushed the school district’s financial situation from bad to worse.

  Monica Garcia: “Yesterday’s election means that we are facing an additional cut of about $300 million. Nothing is being spared. We’re looking at whether we can afford summer school, whether or not we have to do more central cuts.”

  L.A. Unified’s superintendent will propose cuts in the next few weeks. The president of the teachers union said he’s open to discussing union concessions only after administrators make concessions of their own.

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  • May 20, 2009 2:37 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• State finance spokesman says prop failure means deeper cuts

  State lawmakers and the governor are going back to the drawing board to figure out how to fix California’s budget. Voters rejected five ballot measures intended to help close the state’s massive deficit – estimated at $21 billion. State finance department spokesman H.D. Palmer told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the propositions’ failure will mean deeper cuts.

  H.D. Palmer: “They’re going to be about $5.8 billion deeper than they otherwise would be. We don’t think this is a time for gloating or recriminations by another. It is time for very serious clear-eyed decision making to occur.”

  Governor Schwarzenegger said this morning he’d heard “loud and clear” that voters want the state to cut back without passing additional costs along to them. One of the measures voters rejected, Proposition 1A, would have extended a series of tax increases and imposed a spending cap. Schwarzenegger plans to meet with legislative leaders this afternoon.

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  • May 20, 2009 2:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Trutanich beats Weiss for LA city attorney in upset

  A San Pedro-based defense attorney new to politics pulled off an upset win against a two-term councilman in yesterday’s election for L.A. city attorney. Carmen Trutanich beat Jack Weiss with 56 percent of the vote. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Steve Cooley: The next city attorney, Carmen Trutanich.

  Frank Stoltze: At an election night party at the Universal Hilton Hotel, Trutanich thanked supporters and smiled.

  Carmen Trutanich: It’s the hardest I’ve worked to take a pay cut. But it’s worth it because my client from this point forward is the greatest client in the world – the people of Los Angeles. (clapping)

  Stoltze: Councilman Jack Weiss had run a highly negative campaign against Trutanich. Weiss said he called his opponent to congratulate him.

  Jack Weiss: I think both of us agree that the campaign is in the rearview mirror. What matters now is doing a good job covering for the people of the city and I’ve wished him the best, offered him my help.

  Stoltze: Fifty-seven-year-old Trutanich said his election meant business as usual was over at L.A. City Hall. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and most of the city council had backed Weiss. The union that represents LAPD officers spent $700,000 on Trutanich.

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  • May 20, 2009 10:31 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Judy Chu wins open primary to replace Hilda Solis in Congress

  Voters in the San Gabriel valley have elected Judy Chu to the school board, the city council, the state assembly, and the board of equalization. Now, they’re a step closer to sending her to Congress. KPCC’s Brian Watt reports.

  Brian Watt: Judy Chu ran against 11 other candidates in the 32nd Congressional District to fill a seat vacated by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. More than half the district’s voters are Latino – with about 20 percent Asian. Chu not only won the most votes, but also the competition to reach voters across ethnic lines. She promised to make immigration reform a priority.

  Judy Chu: Immigrants have been far too exploited in this society which has led to kind of a hysteria about the whole immigration issue and not a thoughtful solution.

  Watt: Her main opponent in the open primary was fellow Democrat and State Senator Gil Cedillo. But many of Chu’s supporters – including State Assemblyman Ed Hernandez of Covina – didn’t think Cedillo was local enough.

  Ed Hernandez: You know, Gil is a good state senator, but he’s not familiar with the issues of the San Gabriel Valley, which are unique. And the San Gabriel Valley is not Los Angeles.

  Watt: Because she fell short of winning a majority, Judy Chu will face Republican Betty Chu and Libertarian C.M. Argrella in a run-off in July.

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  • May 20, 2009 10:23 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County Democratic Party official comments on props failure

  Voters yesterday rejected five statewide ballot measures pushed by Governor Schwarzenegger and Democratic lawmakers as a partial fix to the state budget crisis. Eric Bauman is chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

  Eric Bauman: “I think the bottom line is the voters in California are really angry. And the voters are telling us that they want our legislators and the governor to do their job, they don’t want the people to have to do their job.

  “And it’s unfortunate because we’re facing such an extraordinary deficit. And what’s going to happen is that our legislators and the governor are going to have to figure out how to make very serious cuts.”

  The projected state deficit – without the passage of the ballot measures – is now projected to top $21 billion dollars when the fiscal year starts July 1st.

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  • May 20, 2009 10:20 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Trutanich upsets Weiss in city attorney race

  Carmen Trutanich beat City Councilman Jack Weiss in yesterday’s election for Los Angeles city attorney. The San Pedro-based defense attorney captured 56 percent of the vote. Trutanich spoke with KPCC’s Frank Stoltze at an election night party at the Universal Hilton.

  Carmen Trutanich: “The people had an opportunity to say that business as usual at City Hall is over.”
  Frank Stoltze: “You’ve said you will not be a politician. What does that mean?”
  Trutanich: “I’m going to be the guy that my dad raised as a kid &ndsah; taught me those values that I’ve lived with, and I’m going to carry them to the city, and we’re going to lead – we’re going to lead by cleanliness and integrity.”

  The union that represents LAPD officers spent more than $700,000 on radio and TV ads for Trutanich. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – who backed Weiss in the race – promised to work cooperatively with Trutanich. Weiss congratulated the new city attorney-elect, and said he didn’t regret the highly negative campaign he ran against his opponent.

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  • May 20, 2009 10:13 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor, lawmakers meet in aftermath of props defeat

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers are meeting today to determine what to do next. Voters resoundingly defeated propositions on the special election ballot that the governor said would stave off the state government’s financial doom. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad has more.

  Shirley Jahad: California voters aren’t giving state lawmakers or the governor any props. Voters kicking to the curb propositions 1A through 1E – the complicated series of measures the governor and lawmakers wanted to deal with the state budget deficit. Critics said the effort was flawed.

  Voters expressed confusion and exasperation with the whole affair. The one thing they agreed to was that state elected officials shouldn’t get any pay raises when the budget is in the tank.

  Governor Schwarzenegger issued a statement saying he “respects the will of the people.” He says he wants to move forward to address the fiscal crisis with constructive solutions. The governor has said he would cut the school year by seven days, lay off 5,000 state workers, and take money from local governments – which likely means cuts to police and fire.

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  • May 20, 2009 10:10 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California voters reject state spending cap

  LOS ANGELES (AP) — California voters have rejected a ballot measure that would have created a state spending cap while prolonging temporary tax increases.

  Proposition 1A was the centerpiece of efforts by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state leaders to fix California’s ongoing fiscal problems. It also would have strengthened the state’s rainy day fund.

  The measure’s defeat means another measure that would have restored more than $9 billion to schools cannot be enacted even if voters approve it. That measure also was trailing in early returns Tuesday.

  Proposition 1A generated the most opposition among the six measures on Tuesday’s ballot. State employee unions opposed the spending cap, while anti-tax groups criticized the $16 billion in tax increases it would have triggered.

  Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • May 19, 2009 9:40 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama administration announces steps toward electricity standards

  Officials in the Obama administration say they plan aggressive action to bring the electric power grid in to the digital age. The so-called “smart grid” would help utilities manage supply and demand on the electrical grid. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced 16 steps to create uniform electricity standards for the grid.

  Fred Fletcher chairs a national organization that’s helping to coordinate smart grid technologies between utilities. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that many Southern California utilities have been moving forward on a “smart grid.”

  Fred Fletcher: “Smart grid, most useful for those utilities that are taking on renewables, and also those that have constrained transmission systems. In California, we’re facing both. We’re bringing in a lot of renewables and our transmission grid needs to be supplemented.”

  Fletcher is also assistant general manager for Burbank Water and Power. The Obama administration hopes to put the first 16 standards in place during the next few months.

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  • May 18, 2009 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council begins debate on city budget Monday

  The Los Angeles City Council begins debate Monday on a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The city faces a record $530 million budget gap – brought on by the recession and plummeting tax revenues. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Among the most contentious issues: whether to continue hiring more police officers in the midst of the budget crisis. The city council’s budget committee has recommended a hiring freeze at the police and fire departments. That’s angered Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who’s made expanding the LAPD a centerpiece of his agenda. Police Chief Bill Bratton’s called the freeze idea “shortsighted and dangerous.”

  The budget committee’s plan also calls for laying off more than 800 city employees – in addition to eliminating more than 1,000 vacant positions. The council’s already begun the process of terminating 400 employees. In addition, the plan would impose 26 unpaid days off on city employees. City leaders and representatives of labor unions are in the midst of negotiations over possible pay cuts to avert layoffs. The unions prefer an early retirement package.

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  • May 15, 2009 7:53 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Biden visits low-income housing development in South LA

  Vice President Joe Biden praised a South Los Angeles housing and health program as a standard that should be replicated nationwide. Biden visited several apartments at Esperanza, a low-income housing development near USC.

  He said the program is one of the first to receive grant money under the Federal Recovery Act, because it’s ready to hit the ground running. Esperanza educates area renters about Asthma triggers and the dangers of lead paint.

  Vice President Joe Biden: “We know the leading indicator of a high-risk for lead poisoning is a high level of poverty. We know that if we’re truly going to really revitalize our communities and help families that are most vulnerable, we need to invest that money now.”

  Biden says Esperanza is getting $875,000 from the federal government. The program won approval last year, with high marks, but the Department of Housing and Urban Development didn’t have the money until the Recovery Act. The program’s director says she’ll use the grant to pay trained staffers who’d considered volunteering their time.

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  • May 15, 2009 4:31 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Plan to ban smoking at state beaches moves forward

  The State Senate approved a plan to ban smoking at state parks and beaches yesterday. The bill is designed to protect marine life and reduce fire danger. KPCC’s Alex Cohen has the story.

  Alex Cohen: Senate Bill 4 calls for a fine of up to $100 for smoking at a state park or beach. Democratic Senator Jenny Oropeza of Long Beach said she is not trying to punish anyone – she’s just trying to make California a cleaner, safer place.

  She referred to federal Environmental Protection Agency research that’s determined cigarette butts are the most frequently found marine debris item in the country. Oropeza added that ingestion of cigarettes by marine animals interferes with their ability to eat and digest food.

  Cigarette butts contain more than 165 chemicals and are not biodegradeable. More than 100 local governments have already passed smoking bans for parks, beaches, and piers. Oropeza’s bill now goes to the California Assembly for review.

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  • May 15, 2009 4:11 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• State Assembly speaker responds to governor's budget proposals

  The governor’s proposals for the budget leave lawmakers with some very tough choices, state Assembly speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Karen Bass: “None of us want to do this. I mean these very proposals were on the table a few months ago and we were able to cobble together the budget without borrowing from local government. If we face a $21 billion deficit, I don’t believe we’re going to be able to put those proposals aside. I believe that borrowing from local government is going to be right on the table.”

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed that the state borrow $2 billion from local governments and pay it back within three years. He says that if voters reject six budget-related ballot measures on Tuesday, California’s likely to be $21 billion in the red. There’ll be a much smaller deficit – a little more than $15 billion – if the measures pass.

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  • May 15, 2009 2:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congress introduces bill to honor Japanese-American vets

  As Memorial Day approaches, Congress is taking steps to honor two of the most decorated combat units of the Second World War. These veterans fought for their country while their families spent the war in internment camps. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: After the Japanese navy bombed Pearl Harbor, more than 1,400 Japanese-American men in Hawaii volunteered to fight for the U.S. The 100th Infantry Battalion was sent to Italy, where it became known as the “Purple Heart Battalion.”

  Nearly two out of three soldiers in the unit were killed. The Army was so impressed with the unit’s fighting spirit, it recruited Japanese-Americans from California and other mainland states and formed the equally distinguished 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

  This week, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill introduced by Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff of Burbank. It would award both units the Congressional Gold Medal.

  California Democrat Barbara Boxer introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Soldiers from these units have earned numerous awards for their valor, including 21 Medals of Honor.

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  • May 15, 2009 2:56 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor says police, fire shouldn't be cut to balance budget

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is fighting moves by the city council to freeze hiring in the L.A. police and fire departments. Some council members say the plan is necessary to balance the city’s budget. KPCC’s Shirley Jahad has more.

  Shirley Jahad: During a press conference, top brass from the L.A. police and fire departments lined up behind Mayor Villaraigosa. He blasted the plan the city council budget committee had approved.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: They voted to renege on a deal we made with the residents of the city of Los Angeles when asked to pay a little more for trash pickup in exchange for a larger police force and safer neighborhoods.

  They voted to devastate public safety by taking a thousand officers off the streets over the next two years. And they voted to undermine the fire department by removing 120 officers through attrition.

  Jahad: The city is grappling with a shortfall of at least $500 million for the next fiscal year. The mayor insists that there are other places in the budget to make cuts and ask for labor concessions.

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  • May 14, 2009 4:24 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor criticizes suggested police, fire department hiring freeze

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is blasting city council members who approved a plan to stop hiring police officers and firefighters. The city’s facing a $530 million budget shortfall. Even in this tough economy, the mayor told reporters, cops are the last category of employee to cut.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Now I know some of the critics are saying we can’t afford to pay for more police officers, that our hiring plan will bankrupt the city, that this is the fiscally responsible course of action. And I will say to them, there is nothing more irresponsible than balancing the books on the backs of cops of firefighters and giving up the fight against gangs and gun violence for the sake of short-term budget relief.”

  The L.A. City Council budget committee approved the plan that would leave 600 fewer police officers in the LAPD next year and more than 100 fewer city firefighters. The full council is scheduled to vote on the plan Monday.

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  • May 14, 2009 3:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa asks for employee concessions to save city jobs

  The city of Los Angeles may start to lay off workers as soon as July 1st if public employee unions don’t agree to concessions, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said today. On KPCC’s “Patt Morrison,” he repeated his call for union workers to accept bigger pension contributions, unpaid time off, and an end to annual cost of living adjustments, or COLIs.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “All of us can take a cut here, work together so that we don’t have to lay off people in the magnitude that we would if they’re taking COLIs, not agreeing to contribute 2 more percent to their pension funds, taking one hour a pay period, all of that. Those three things could save 2,200 jobs and the essential services.”

  The city is facing a $530 million budget gap. To close it, an L.A. City Council committee has recommended that city employees take 26 unpaid days off next fiscal year, and that the city freeze police hiring, lay off at least 1,200 workers, and cut services.

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  • May 14, 2009 3:23 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor tries to balance budget, maintain commitment to hire 1,000 new police

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is exchanging heated words with critics on the city council budget committee. They’ve urged him to freeze hiring more police officers so the city can balance its budget. Villaraigosa campaigned for mayor on a promise that 1,000 new cops would join the LAPD on his watch.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “In one fell swoop with this decision by the majority on the budget committee, we are going to eliminate a thousand officers in the next two years. It’s unacceptable and the vast majority of people in this town don’t support it.”

  On KPCC’s “Patt Morrison,” the mayor said Los Angeles is experiencing its lowest crime rate in 55 years.

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  • May 14, 2009 2:57 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Latest budget proposal to include plans to sell state property

  The governor’s latest budget proposal reportedly will include plans to sell off the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, the San Quentin State Prison, and other state-owned property. It’s estimated that California could earn up to $1 billion by selling the property, although that cash wouldn’t come in for two to five years.

  L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky calls the proposal to sell the Coliseum “ridiculous.” He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the land on which the stadium sits isn’t worth very much since it’s a park.

  Zev Yaroslavsky: “The property is worthless. No developer would buy it. No real estate person would buy it because you can’t do anything with it. So that’s the first issue – this idea that somehow several hundred million dollars can be realized by selling the coliseum is as bogus as a three dollar bill.”

  Yaroslavsky also contends that the state can’t sell the Coliseum because it doesn’t own the actual stadium, only the land. The proposal is part of the governor’s plan to close a deficit projected at $15 billion. Analysts say the deficit could reach $21 billion, if voters reject a half-dozen measures on next week’s ballot. The governor will introduce his budget proposals this afternoon.

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  • May 14, 2009 11:35 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa pushes for concessions from city's unions

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa yesterday sought to turn up the heat on the city’s labor unions. He wants concessions from them to address a $530 million budget deficit. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The mayor reminded reporters gathered in his City Hall press room that he once worked as a labor union organizer. But he said the cost of living adjustments, or COLAs, that he once fought so hard for are no longer realistic.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: At a time of unprecedented budget crisis, COLAs just don’t make sense to most people.

  Stoltze: The city faces its biggest budget gap in its history. The mayor wants unions to agree to pay cuts, and to increase contributions to pension funds to avert nearly 3,000 layoffs.

  Villaraigosa: They don’t have to happen!

  Stoltze: Union leaders say they want the city to offer workers early retirement packages. The mayor’s said L.A. can’t afford them. The City Council’s already begun the process of laying off 400 city employees.

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  • May 14, 2009 11:33 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Craigslist will drop its erotic services ads

  Operators of the Web site Craigslist said it will drop its controversial “erotic services” category. That’s in response to law enforcement officials who’d called the ads a front for prostitution. KPCC’s Alex Cohen has the story.

  Alex Cohen: “Adult services” will replace the “erotic services” category on Craigslist.org, and the site will charge consenting adults a fee for placing those ads. Employees will also monitor every posting before it appears online. Police agencies had criticized Craigslist for refusing to take those steps before.

  Pressure to remove the erotic category followed the recent murder of a masseuse in Boston. The suspect charged in her death, a medical student, told authorities he’d met the woman through Craigslist.

  Craigslist’s chief executive said the new arrangement preserves a place “for legal businesses to advertise” and incorporates the concerns of state attorneys general, free speech advocates, and millions of people who use the site.

  California Attorney General Jerry Brown said changes on the site help prevent the exploitation of teenagers. He added that Craigslist must continue to ensure that the site does not promote teenage prostitution.

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  • May 14, 2009 11:30 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Children's and mental health advocates bash propositions

  Children’s and mental health advocates say propositions 1A, 1D, and 1E attempt to balance California’s budget on the backs of children and poor and mentally disabled people. About 100 people attended a “Stop the Cuts” rally this afternoon outside the governor’s downtown Los Angeles office.

  Protester Lissette Hernandez has a toddler daughter, and a baby on the way. She told the crowd to defeat Prop 1D, because it would limit access to early-learning programs for children from working and middle-class families.

  Lissette Hernandez: “If it passes, my child will probably watch TV a lot of the day, because I will not have the money or resources to pay for a preschool program and I will be tied up taking care of our baby girl who’s due in October.”

  Jeremy Thompson is with Budget Reform Now – that’s the campaign for props 1A through 1F. He concedes that most Californians are dissatisfied with Sacramento lawmakers. But he says defeating the measures will not teach them a lesson.

  Jeremy Thompson: “To vote no on these will not hurt the legislatures at all. They’ll still go to work on May 20, only they’ll go to work looking at a $21 billion deficit if these fail.”

  Thompson says that could lead to greater public safety risks, including hospital underfunding. California’s special election next Tuesday places six budget-related initiatives before voters. The ballot measures include a constitutional amendment to establish a rainy-day fund for the state.

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  • May 13, 2009 4:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• EPA praises Port of Long Beach's Green Flag program

  In Washington today, federal officials are praising the Port of Long Beach’s efforts to control air pollution. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.

  Molly Peterson: The port’s green flag program has earned Long Beach officials a blue ribbon. The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual Clean Air Excellence Awards honor a few anti-pollution programs in each state.

  The Green Flag program encourages businesses to slow ships as they approach the harbor – that slows their ability to spew particulate matter and smog into the air. Slower ships may use less fuel, too. A business whose vessels slow within 20 miles of the port 90 percent of the time gets a break in dockage rates.

  The port of Long Beach has put more than $2 million into Green Flag. This year the program expanded to encourage slower shipping within 40 miles of the dock.

  The program’s voluntary – international maritime authorities have the most sway over ships that spend most of their time on international waters. But a few companies in the Green Flag program are returning the money they save on dockage rates to environmental programs in Long Beach.

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  • May 13, 2009 3:23 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Mayor declares fiscal emergency, paving way for furloughs

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has declared a fiscal emergency. That paves the way for him to order mandatory unpaid days off for city workers. But the mayor says those furloughs won’t be enough to close L.A.’s $530 million budget gap.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Furloughs, while they get us immediate savings, don’t address the structural issues of the size of the workforce which is impacting our budget deficit and also our future pension liabilities – reducing our workforce does.”

  The mayor said the city can avert massive layoffs if labor unions that represent city employees agree to pay cuts and contribute more to pension funds. Union leaders want the city to offer an early retirement package. Villaraigosa has said the city can’t afford it. The L.A. City Council already has voted to begin the process of laying off 400 workers.

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  • May 13, 2009 2:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County holds public hearing on budget

  Los Angeles County’s budget is tighter than ever, as the demand for services is higher than ever. That’s one message from today’s public hearing on the county budget. Elizabeth Brennan is a spokeswoman for the Service Employees International Union that represents 55,000 L.A. County workers.

  Elizabeth Brennan: “One in five county residents is on some kind of public assistance. The lines at the social services offices are long. And so how do we come to some sort of compromise when we know that at the same time the budget is very tight?”

  L.A. County supervisors are trying to close a budget gap of more than $400 million. The supervisors plan to eliminate more than 1,600 jobs that are mostly unfilled right now.

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  • May 13, 2009 2:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Linda Sanchez gives birth

  That crying you’re hearing on Capitol Hill isn’t from a lawmaker who just lost a vote. It’s from the newest addition to California’s congressional family. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde has the news on Congresswoman Linda Sanchez’ new baby.

  Kitty Felde: Only eight members of the House of Representatives have given birth while serving in office. Democrat Linda Sanchez of Lakewood became the latest to join the club of congressional moms.

  Wednesday morning, 7 pound, 14.6 ounce Joaquin Sanchez Sullivan was born. The baby’s father says mother and child are healthy and happy. The congresswoman has promised to introduce Joaquin to the 39th District soon.

  Juggling motherhood and Congress will be a challenge. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has set aside a special room for nursing mothers, but Sanchez is on a waiting list for the only child care center on the Hill.

  Another California congresswoman was the first House mother – retired L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke gave birth to a daughter in 1973. She was also the first House member granted maternity leave.

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  • May 13, 2009 2:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council expected to discuss mayor's fiscal emergency request

  Later this week, the Los Angeles City Council is expected to discuss Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s request for a fiscal emergency. The action would give the mayor the power to order furloughs and lay off city workers.

  Villaraigosa says the city could cut about a thousand jobs beginning in July if public employees unions don’t agree to salary concessions. Barbara Maynard is with the Coalition of L.A. City Unions. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle those concessions aren’t necessary.

  Barbara Maynard: “It is not needed if the early retirement program is implemented. Now at the end of the day, it might not get the city all the way to where it needs to get. It saves about 220, 240 million dollars, which is a huge step in the right direction.”

  The mayor has said such an early retirement program is not fiscally sustainable. Maynard disputes that statement. The city of L.A. faces a budget deficit of about half-a-billion dollars. The city is also expecting a $300 million drop in tax revenue.

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  • May 13, 2009 11:46 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Villaraigosa calls for city employee furloughs to balance budget

  L.A.’s mayor told a public forum today that the City Council needs to declare a fiscal emergency. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says that he warned of dire budget consequences if the city doesn’t lay off at least 1,000 employees.

  Cheryl Devall: At a Town Hall L.A. luncheon, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the financial situation in Los Angeles is so bad, the city might run out of money between November and February if it doesn’t take drastic measures. They include letting at least a thousand workers go as soon as July 1st, and requiring almost everyone else on the city payroll to take up to 26 unpaid days off during the next fiscal year.

  Villaraigosa said L.A. faces a budget hole as big as $1 billion unless it acts now. With the City Council and labor representatives, he’s crafting a buyout plan that would permanently reduce the city’s workforce.

  The mayor warned that the reduction could mean cutting many more than 1,000 jobs. High unemployment, slow housing sales, and declining sales tax revenue have meant less money for L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa’s Town Hall comments echoed his remarks when he presented this year’s city budget and called for “shared responsibility and shared sacrifice.”

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  • May 12, 2009 3:15 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Santa Monica considers how to handle water shortages

  Santa Monica’s City Council considers a formal plan to respond to water shortages tonight. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports that conservation has the city in good shape.

  Molly Peterson: Santa Monica gets water from the Metropolitan Water District. Facing drought, low rainfall, and limited supplies from other parts of California, the district voted to cut how much water it delivers to customers like Santa Monica, and to charge penalties for overuse.

  The water shortage response plan gives the city council the authority to declare an emergency and the power to ration water. Santa Monica public works isn’t recommending limits – but the city council is considering an advisory declaration. City officials say they’ve planned for dry times.

  For almost two years, Santa Monica has asked its people to use 20 fewer gallons each day. If everyone did it, that 20-gallon challenge would add up to a 10 percent reduction in the city. Since August 2007, Santa Monica has almost done that – the city’s public works department reports that water demand is down by 9 percent.

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  • May 12, 2009 3:07 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Miss California USA will continue reign, despite lingerie photos, gay marriage comments

  Miss California USA will continue her reign. Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump announced in New York that Carrie Prejean won’t lose her title. She’d come under fire after the Miss USA pageant broadcast for saying she was against gay marriage.

  Soon after, photos of a nearly nude Prejean modeling lingerie appeared online. California pageant officials say the 21-year-old blonde beauty queen failed to tell them she’d posed for those pictures four years ago. But Trump says the photos aren’t a problem.

  Donald Trump: “We have determined – and we have the absolute right under the contract – we have determined that the pictures taken are fine.”

  As for Prejean’s comment against gay marriage – Trump says it was an “honorable” response that mirrored the opinion of President Obama.

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  • May 12, 2009 11:27 AM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Iraq reconstruction official says rebuilding hampered by lack of planning

  During six years in Iraq, the United States has allocated more than $47 billion to carry out one of the stated goals of the war – rebuilding the country’s infrastructure. Stuart Bowen Jr., special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that a problem undermined those good intentions – this country had no cohesive plan to make things work before it committed to the war.

  Stuart Bowen Jr.: “The lack within the U.S. government of any system or structure for managing overseas contingency operations – if you don’t plan, unsurprisingly things don’t turn out particularly well, and that’s what happened in Iraq.”

  Bowen said that much of the reconstruction work has shifted from foreign contractors to Iraqi-run companies. That change has reduced some of the waste and corruption Bowen uncovered when he took the inspector general’s job almost five years ago.

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  • May 11, 2009 4:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor, smaller city officials discuss budget options

  Officials from Los Angeles County’s smaller cities talked about their tightening budgets with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today during a roundtable discussion in Culver City. Bill DeWitt of the Southgate City Council said his city has already asked its 350 employees to take a 10 percent pay cut.

  Bill DeWitt: “When we don’t pick up the trash, or if the potholes don’t get fixed, or if the water pipes are leaking in the street, we have to respond to that now. And if we don’t have the ability to do that because we’ve laid off people or had other problems, then that puts us in a real bad situation.”

  DeWitt and officials from other cities told the governor the state should fix its own budget woes without borrowing from the cities. DeWitt said lending the state some of Southgate’s tax revenues would push the city’s budget “over a cliff.”

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  • May 11, 2009 2:11 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Vote-by-mail deadline looms as price of postage goes up

  Tomorrow’s the last day to register to vote by mail for next week’s special statewide election. But KPCC’s Susan Valot says a change could prevent your request from getting there, if you don’t take care.

  Susan Valot: Vote-by-mail requests have to be in seven days before the election. In this election, we’re deciding whether to adopt statewide propositions that lawmakers want to use to close California’s budget gap.

  Today the price to mail a first-class letter increases by two cents, to 44 cents. That means it’ll cost 44 cents to mail in your vote-by-mail request or your vote-by-mail ballot.

  The U.S. Postal Service is required to forward all ballots to the registrar’s office in a timely manner. If you don’t put on enough postage, your ballot could end up at the registrar too late – and that could leave you out of the election.

  Postmarks don’t count to meet the deadline. If you use “forever” stamps, you’re free and clear. Those are good for first-class letters no matter how much you paid for them.

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  • May 11, 2009 11:52 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal government says state can't cut salaries of health care workers

  Federal money usually comes with strings attached. California officials are learning just how many strings the economic stimulus package carries. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: California lawmakers, trying to save $74 million, cut home health care workers’ pay by $2 an hour. Not so fast, said the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Under federal guidelines for spending California’s $50 billion in economic stimulus money, the state can’t take the money and then cut back on services.

  The feds threatened to reclaim almost $7 billion if California doesn’t restore the health care workers’ salaries. Governor Schwarzenegger has sent a letter of appeal. His Inspector General Laura Chick has spent a week in Washington clarifying more than a hundred pages of rules and regulations related to stimulus funding.

  The Service Employees International Union represented the home health care workers, and alerted the Obama administration about the cuts. That union campaigned strongly for Barack Obama. When asked whether organized labor was pressuring the administration, a Health and Human Services official replied that the department simply wanted “to ensure that all states comply with the law.”

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  • May 8, 2009 4:13 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• May 19 election could reduce $14 billion budget gap to $8 billion

  Slumping sales and real estate tax revenues mean that California’s running short on money. The state legislative analyst predicts the cash flow could dribble out by July.

  State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that she and other Democrats have already begun to examine the budget for places to cut. She added that voters will play a role in the state’s economic future by deciding on six propositions later this month.

  Karen Bass: “We went through the budget line-by-line and they had a mission: solve an $8 billion problem or solve a $14 billion problem. If the propositions fail, we will have a $14 billion hole.

  “If the propositions pass, we will have an $8 billion hole. I can tell you that my colleagues had a difficult time closing an $8 billion hole; they were not able to close a $14 billion hole.”

  The ballot propositions intended to help California close that hole are not very popular, opinion surveys say. The measures would shift money from restricted uses to the general fund and allow the state to borrow against future lottery revenues, among other changes.

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  • May 8, 2009 4:08 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Lawmakers seek loans to help with state budget

  This week, California lawmakers visited Washington, D.C. in search of short-term loans to help the state through its budget problems. Jason Dickerson, a finance specialist with the state Legislative Analyst’s Office, told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that borrowing from the federal government probably won’t help.

  Jason Dickerson: “We’re looking at a very serious budget problem given the fact that if there were already easy spending cuts and revenue increases, they’ve generally already been made. What comes next will be even more difficult.”

  Dickerson warned that credit markets are still tight and the state may not be able to borrow much money. Anything it borrows from the federal government will come with strings attached, he said. His solution is to enact more program cuts.

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  • May 8, 2009 4:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California could run out of money

  California could run out of money in a couple of months, if the prediction of the state’s chief budget analyst plays out. Jason Dickerson with the Legislative Analyst’s Office told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that fewer home sales, less consumer spending, and more unemployment have all contributed to the problem.

  Jason Dickerson: “A few weeks ago we forecast that 2009/10 state fiscal revenues would be about $8 billion less than expected. Since then, revenues in February, March, and April of this year have been less than expected. So there are very tough choices ahead as the economy continues to be very weak.”

  Dickerson said that in the coming weeks the governor and the legislature are going to examine nearly all categories of state programs for potential cuts. Five measures on the May 19th ballot are intended to address California’s budget gap, but polls of likely voters indicate that none of those propositions may pass.

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  • May 8, 2009 4:01 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Sheriff Baca lobbies for money at White House

  Los Angeles County’s top cop spent the morning at the White House, explaining a federal reimbursement program to members of the Obama administration. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca was not pleased when President Obama cut funding for SCAAP, the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.

  Sheriff Lee Baca: SCAAP is a pure reimbursement fund for local government who is bearing the brunt of criminals who are illegal being arrested and put in county jails.

  Felde: Almost one in four L.A. County jail inmates is undocumented. Baca said that during the Clinton administration, he could count on $35 million a year from SCAAP, money he could spend on crimefighting measures like putting more radio cars on the street.

  Baca said Attorney General Eric Holder was confused about the maze of federal reimbursement programs and didn’t understand SCAAP’s importance to local law enforcement. After his White House meeting, Baca said, administration officials “got it.” But the power to restore funding now shifts to Congress.

  Baca: A long, protracted fight is standard operating procedure in Washington.

  Felde: Now Baca’s making his case to key members of Congress from California.

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  • May 7, 2009 4:24 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Baca lobbies for federal money for housing undocumented immigrant criminals

  Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is in Washington, D.C. this week, looking for $20 million that disappeared. He said that during the Bush administration, a federal reimbursement to help the county pay for housing undocumented immigrant criminals behind bars dried up. President Obama hasn’t put it back into the budget.

  Sheriff Lee Baca: “We haven’t had the good days since the Clinton administration, understanding that L.A. County and other counties throughout the country are bearing the cost of illegal immigrants in the county jails.”

  Baca spent this morning with White House aides, making the case for fully funding the program. He spent the rest of day speaking to key members of Congress – it holds the purse strings for the reimbursement program.

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  • May 7, 2009 3:44 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State assembly minority leader Villines resigns from leadership

  State assembly minority leader Mike Villines resigned from leadership today. Since February, his fellow Republicans have taken him to task because he voted for a state budget that included temporary tax increases.

  During a news conference, Villines said he doesn’t regret that vote. Political strategist Arnold Steinberg told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that Villines, from Clovis in the Central Valley, probably meant it when he said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

  Arnold Steinberg: “You know, I think a lot of people don’t realize that when you’re the leader of a caucus, Democratic or Republican, it’s very intense. You’re on call to keep your members happy 24 hours a day, so they’re calling you at home, they’re calling you on your cell phone.

  “And they’re also horse trading, they’re saying, you know I’ll support you on this if you do this, and I want more office space, I want a better parking space, I want to hire one more staff person. And so when you’re the spouse and you’re the kids, you’re saying where is my dad, where is my mom all the time.”

  Assembly Republicans elected Sam Blakeslee of San Luis Obispo as their new caucus chief. Governor Schwarzenegger described Blakeslee as a fiscal hawk who’ll make sure California spends taxpayers’ money wisely.

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  • May 7, 2009 3:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican state assemblyman challenges Democrat Loretta Sanchez

  The incumbent in Orange County’s 47th Congressional District has a challenger. Details from KPCC’s Cheryl Devall.

  Cheryl Devall: Republican state assemblyman Van Tran of Costa Mesa has filed paperwork to run against Democratic congresswoman Loretta Sanchez next year. Tran’s the first Vietnamese-American in the California legislature, elected five years ago.

  He said he’s running because he believes the district is ripe for change, especially when it comes to the economy. In response, Sanchez said she welcomes a spirited debate about the issues.

  The contest pits against one another members of two major ethnic groups in Orange County’s only majority-Democratic congressional district. The 47th includes Santa Ana, Garden Grove, and parts of Anaheim and Fullerton. Sanchez won the seat against Republican Bob Dornan 13 years ago.

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  • May 7, 2009 3:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal transportation secretary delivers $67 million to LA County

  Los Angeles County’s transportation agency will get almost $67 million from the federal economic stimulus package. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the transportation secretary’s announcement today.

  Cheryl Devall: The money will push forward the Metro Gold Line extension into East L.A. In a statement, Federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that by delivering the money now, his agency is providing a boost that’ll help keep the project moving while jumpstarting the economy and putting people back to work.

  The grant under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will not increase the government’s commitment to the Gold Line project. But LaHood said L.A. County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will get the money faster through the stimulus bill.

  Next month – six months ahead of schedule – Metro expects to open the six-mile Gold Line extension with eight new stops from Little Tokyo to Atlantic and Pomona boulevards in East Los Angeles.

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  • May 7, 2009 2:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• San Bernardino official's trial moved to Orange County

  A former Inland Empire official accused of fraud will get his day his court – in Orange County. A San Bernardino Superior Court judge says Jim Erwin’s trial can take place in the new venue because of pre-trial publicity. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has details.

  Steven Cuevas: Jim Erwin is the former chief of staff for San Bernardino County supervisor Neil Derry. He resigned after his arrest two months ago on multiple perjury and fraud charges. Authorities say he took illegal gifts from a developer doing business with the county – then tried to cover his tracks.

  Erwin brokered a multi-million dollar settlement between the county and a developer called Colonies Partners. Authorities say the developer rewarded him with lavish gifts including a Rolex watch, a private jet trip to New York, and adult escort services.

  Erwin didn’t list those items in financial statements as required by law. He’s facing 10 felony counts of perjury and fraud. If a jury convicts him he could spend up to 11 years in state prison.

  The judge in the case claims that publicity surrounding Erwin’s case – and a separate case involving disgraced former county assessor Bill Postmus – could taint a San Bernardino jury. Erwin worked for Postmus until the assessor’s office also became the focus of a widening criminal probe.

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  • May 7, 2009 11:27 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California lobbies for high-speed rail funds from federal government

  In Washington, it’s always about money. California’s Assembly Speaker and several colleagues traveled to Capitol Hill this week to talk about short-term loans – and about transportation dollars. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says there could be good news for fans of high-speed rail.

  Kitty Felde: This is the year Congress starts talking about how to spend the next big chunk of transportation dollars. California has a number of ideas about how to spend the money.

  Several state lawmakers met this week with federal Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood to make their case. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she was pleasantly surprised to find the transportation secretary’s a big fan of a high-speed rail project that would connect Sacramento to San Diego.

  Karen Bass: I mean I knew California was ahead in terms of high-speed rail. But I didn’t know that we were ahead of any other state in the union.

  Felde: Last fall, California voters approved a $10 billion bond to pay for the first phase of the $40 billion project. Bass says no other state has put up that kind of money for high-speed rail projects.

  But Congress will decide how to allocate transportation money. Bass says California may enjoy an advantage – Barbara Boxer heads the U.S. Senate committee that controls transportation dollars.

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  • May 6, 2009 4:00 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Assembly speaker lobbies federal government for loan guarantees

  A few weeks ago, California’s state treasurer visited Washington, asking for federal guarantees on short-term loans. Now, state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is there to follow up with the White House Budget Office and leaders on Capitol Hill. Bass says California always seems to experience a cash crunch in July, so it has to float short-term bonds to get by.

  Karen Bass: “Because of the credit market and the economic crisis, this particular year, we actually need the federal government to co-sign on a loan for us, if you will, to guarantee our borrowing, so that the banks will be willing to lend.”

  Bass compares this to asking a better-off relative to co-sign a car loan so the bank will know it’ll get its money back. She points that out California has never defaulted on its loans. The Assembly speaker says she’s hopeful, but so far, she doesn’t have that federal signature on the dotted line.

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  • May 6, 2009 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cal Fire emergency expenditures increased in recent years

  Wildfire season seems to arrive earlier every year. Officials with California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection say it’s also getting more expensive. Cal Fire spokeswoman Janet Upton told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that in recent years, the agency’s spent double the amount it usually budgets for emergencies.

  Janet Upton: “Our state has seen more and more significant, large, complex, damaging firestorms, if you will, that almost reach the point of a natural disaster, and they are very, very difficult to control and to fight and, and thereby very expensive.”

  Most of Cal Fire’s budget comes from the state’s general fund. The agency’s set aside $200 million for emergencies, but Upton said that’s not enough to keep up with the cost of fighting multiple, prolonged wildfires.

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  • May 6, 2009 2:53 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cal Fire expresses concerns about potential budget-related cuts

  Just as fire season is upon us, the statewide fire management agency faces the possibility of staff cuts. Cal Fire’s budget is up for review at the end of this month. The agency’s Janet Upton told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that officials are hoping for the best.

  Janet Upton: “But in the interest of prudence do have to be prepared if cuts do come down the pike. That could be anywhere from 600 to 1,700 firefighters, 20 fire stations, 11 camps, maybe a Helitack base depending on the amount we are asked to cut.”

  Governor Schwarzenegger has threatened to cut many state program budgets if voters don’t pass several revenue-related ballot measures this month.

  Cal Fire has declared this Wildfire Awareness Week – and the fire that began last night in Santa Barbara County has heightened awareness of just how vulnerable the Southland is to the threat of fires.

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  • May 6, 2009 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Inspector general visits DC to learn rules of stimulus money

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s watchdog for federal stimulus money has been on the job for just a week. Inspector General Laura Chick is visiting Washington, D.C. to learn the “dos and don’ts” of spending that money. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Inspector General Laura Chick doesn’t wear a uniform, but she’s learned that like the military, the federal government is big on rules and regulations, or “guidelines” as they’re called – 125 pages of guidelines so far. Chick says it’s her job to make sure California spends its $50 billion in stimulus money well.

  Laura Chick: It’s a given that there’s going to be problems. It’s a given that there’s going to be a certain amount of bad folks committing fraud and actual criminal wrongdoing. And then there’s going to be sloppiness and mistakes. My goal is, on behalf of the governor and for the state of California, to try to find these problems as quickly as possible.

  Felde: So far, Chick is the first state inspector general in the country who’s watching stimulus dollars. She says she’s already met with U.S. attorneys eager to prosecute any wrongdoing her office uncovers.

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  • May 6, 2009 2:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California's new inspector general Laura Chick visits Washington

  California’s new inspector general is in Washington this week to review federal guidelines on how the state can spend its share of economic stimulus dollars. Inspector General Laura Chick says it’s a given that there will be problems. But she says it’s her job to find where money is misspent, tell California taxpayers, and deter future mistakes.

  Laura Chick: “I look at this money as a huge opportunity. Not just first and foremost to rev up this economy of ours, but to restore some of the public’s trust and confidence in its government. And it will be the opposite if we mess up.”

  Chick has also been meeting with inspectors general from various federal agencies to help establish ground rules about which watchdog keeps an eye on which project. California’s counting on at least $50 billion from the federal economic recovery act.

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  • May 6, 2009 2:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• City of LA moves to lay off 400 workers

  The Los Angeles City Council today took the first step toward laying off hundreds of city employees. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that the council took the action despite pleas from the city’s labor unions.

  Frank Stoltze: For two decades, Eva Mitnick’s worked as an L.A. city librarian.

  Eva Mitnick: I want to implore and urge the City Council to not go forward with plans for layoffs until all other options have been fully explored.

  Stoltze: Labor unions prefer early retirement packages to layoffs. The council’s chief legislative analyst Gerry Miller said the city’s $530 million budget gap is too big to avert job cuts.

  Gerry Miller: I see no scenario in which this wouldn’t have to happen.

  Stoltze: Councilman Bill Rosendahl joined all but two of his colleagues in voting to eliminate 1,600 city positions and begin the process of laying off as many as 400 city workers.

  Bill Rosendahl: The rubber has hit the road, folks. We are now in a very serious situation.

  Stoltze: Unless the mayor can squeeze concessions like unpaid furloughs from city unions, the council may be forced to lay off thousands of city employees.

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  • May 5, 2009 7:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council votes to extend billboard moratorium

  The L.A. City Council voted today to extend a temporary moratorium on certain types of billboards. KPCC’s Brian Watt says the vote is a sign a permanent ban is in the works.

  Brian Watt: The billboards in question are the ones that change images and flash bright lights and what’s known as supergraphics – giant signs that wrap around several floors of buildings. Westside Councilman Bill Rosendahl says they create visual blight, and, in some cases, raise safety concerns.

  Bill Rosendahl: Can you imagine if you were in one of those buildings and all of a sudden there’s a piece of canvas in front of your window, and you can’t even look out? Can you imagine if you’re driving your car on the freeway and you’re blasted by one of them? We have some real problems with this.

  Watt:So, Rosendahl says, the Council is crafting a permanent ban on such billboards in most parts of the city. Billboard companies have filed suit against Los Angeles. The council’s vote came a day after a federal judge barred the city from taking action against 18 “supergraphics” while the lawsuit moves through court.

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  • May 5, 2009 7:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council votes to begin laying off up to 400 city workers

  The Los Angeles City Council today voted to begin the process of laying off as many as 400 city workers. Chief legislative analyst Gerry Miller said the layoffs are necessary to address a growing budget deficit. Councilman Dennis Zine’s argued that the city should trim administrative fat first.

  Councilman Dennis Zine: “We do a lot of fluff in the city! We don’t need to do all the fluff!”
  Gerry Miller: “Mr. Zine, that’s exactly what the budget and finance committee is doing. But let me remind you, we have a $530 million gap for next year. What is before you today is $80 million of that. You are going to have an incredible problem in front of you in a couple of weeks.”

  That’s when the council’s scheduled to consider hundreds of millions more dollars in budget cuts. The mayor’s warned that L.A. will have to lay off thousands of city workers if labor unions don’t agree to forgo pay raises and take unpaid furloughs. Labor leaders are pushing for early retirements to reduce the number of layoffs.

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  • May 5, 2009 4:51 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• City Council votes to extend digital billboard/supergraphic moratorium

  The Los Angeles City Council voted today to extend a citywide moratorium on new digital billboards and giant signs that wrap around several floors of buildings. The temporary moratorium’s now set to expire on June 24. Westside councilman Bill Rosendahl says the council is giving itself time to craft a permanent ban.

  Bill Rosendahl: “I’m very uncomfortable rushing this kind of legislation. We’ve been assaulted dramatically by billboards. You know, in my district, 563 have popped up in the last few years. Twenty of them have flipped to digital and 30 of them were illegal.”

  The council’s vote followed a day after a federal judge issued a temporary injunction barring the city from taking action against giant billboards on 18 buildings in the city. The advertising company that installed those billboards said it did so before the moratorium took effect last December.

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  • May 5, 2009 4:11 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• City Council votes to approve Laurel Canyon Commercial Corridor project

  The Los Angeles City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency gave a big push today to a plan to redevelop the North Hollywood area around the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Victory boulevards. They voted jointly to approve the Laurel Canyon Commercial Corridor Project. Councilwoman Wendy Greuel says the area has suffered too long from blight.

  Wendy Greuel: “You drive down the street and you think, ‘What’s happening? Is anything ever going to occur on this site?’ And what we did today is say ‘Yes, we are moving forward to improve the neighborhood and create commerce there in our neighborhood and Valley Plaza.’”

  The 1994 Northridge earthquake destroyed several buildings along the corridor. The redevelopment plan would restore the Valley Plaza shopping center with a Macy’s department store, a Target, a 16-screen movie theater, and other shops and eateries.

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  • May 5, 2009 2:51 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican state assemblyman from Hesperia facing recall

  An effort to recall state assemblyman Anthony Adams is underway. The Republican lawmaker from Hesperia is under fire for his vote in favor of the recent state budget deal. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says the backlash is coming from fellow Republicans.

  Steven Cuevas: That’s because the $41 billion state budget compromise included tax increases that Republicans vehemently opposed. Adams says he knew that a vote for the budget package would put his political career on the line. He was right.

  In March San Bernardino County Republican Party forced him out as its chief. State GOP officials also voted to withhold campaign cash from Adams and five other Republican lawmakers who’d supported the budget deal.

  Adams’ opponents have five months to place the recall effort on the ballot by collecting more than 35,000 signatures from registered voters. One of the organizers is former state assemblyman Richard Mountjoy. He may run for the 59th Assembly District seat if there is a recall election. That district stretches from San Bernardino County’s high desert to the L.A. city limits.

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  • May 5, 2009 2:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Top LA County officials lobbying on Capitol Hill this week

  Los Angeles County officials are making their annual lobbying visit to Washington this week. Don Knabe, chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, says they’re fighting for the county’s share of federal economic stimulus money.

  Don Knabe: “Well, we have all five supervisors are in town and we also have a majority of our department heads. Sheriff Baca’s gonna be here. I think District Attorney Steve Cooley’s gonna be here because obviously that’s another big issue, reimbursement for the undocumented in our jails. It’s a very, very important trip. So we don’t take it lightly.”

  Knabe also paid a call on a Washington state congressman to rally support for Boeing’s C-17 cargo plane. Parts for the aircraft are built in Seattle and also in Knabe’s Long Beach district. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the military already has enough of the workhorse planes.

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  • May 5, 2009 2:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California political leaders go to DC to meet with federal government

  The Washington Nationals are in Los Angeles this week to play the Dodgers. Turns out that quite a few Angelenos are visiting Washington this week to try and score some federal dollars. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: This is the annual visit for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. County officials will make the obligatory calls on Capitol Hill and meet with Obama administration officials. On the agenda: the reopening of Martin Luther King Hospital, federal response to the swine flu, and preserving funding for Boeing’s C-17, built in Long Beach.

  Also in town this week: California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and the state’s new inspector general Laura Chick. Bass is looking for more federal investment in California. Chick is seeking guidance on ways to track the federal stimulus money already sent to the state. The Californians had better bring their umbrellas. The forecast is for rain and thunderstorms through the weekend.

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  • May 4, 2009 7:07 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Hire LA's Youth campaign helps thousands of youth find jobs

  A pot of federal stimulus dollars will help the city of Los Angeles place thousands more young people in jobs over the next year. KPCC’s Brian Watt explains.

  Brian Watt: The Hire L.A.’s Youth campaign helps people from 14 to 24 find summer and full-time jobs. The program’s placed more than 28,000 young Angelenos since it started three years ago.

  This year, the city’s receiving $20 million from the federal economic stimulus package. That’ll support more than 7,000 additional youth positions. To thank the Obama Administration, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, city officials, and hundreds of young people on the steps of City Hall.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “You will never forget that first job. You know, struggling with ‘How do I do it?’ then realizing that you can do it. Then, the light bulb coming on and saying ‘Maybe I got to go to school to improve my skills.”

  The city’s general fund already supports 2,000 youth jobs. The private sector, the L.A. Unified School District, and the Los Angeles Community College District have pledged to hire another 7,000 young people.

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  • May 4, 2009 2:34 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Heritage Foundation reacts to Obama tax plan

  The Obama administration’s proposal to close certain tax loopholes is raising the hackles of business allies. Curtis Dubay of the Heritage Foundation told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the plan would make it more difficult for companies to compete in the global marketplace.

  Curtis Dubay: “We should keep in mind that the United States is the only country in the world that taxes businesses on their worldwide income. Every other country taxes businesses on the income that they earn only within their borders. And that’s the way it should be – we should only tax income where it’s earned.”

  At present, multinational companies based in the United States are taxed only on the international profits they return to this country. The president’s economists figure that the change in policy would deliver more than $200 billion in tax revenue to the federal government during the next decade – if Congress approves it.

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  • May 4, 2009 2:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former congressman and cabinet secretary Jack Kemp dies

  The late congressman and cabinet secretary Jack Kemp developed many of his guiding philosophies in his native Los Angeles. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the life of Kemp, who died late Saturday at age 73.

  Cheryl Devall: On his way to quarterbacking for the Occidental College team and, later, for the L.A. Chargers, Jack Kemp learned how to play fair across racial lines. With the Buffalo Bills and as a leader of the American Football League Players Association, he supported his black teammates’ successful effort to move the 1965 all-star game to Houston as a protest against segregation in the original host city, New Orleans.

  Kemp continued to promote racial inclusion during nine terms in Congress, as Housing and Urban Development secretary and as running mate to Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole in 1996. Jack Kemp embraced another philosophy – supply-side economics – based on the teaching of USC economist Arthur Laffer.

  Thirty years ago in Los Angeles, Kemp organized a seminar to share what he’d learned with then-presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan. Republicans credit Kemp as one of the greatest influences on conservative economic policy.

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  • May 4, 2009 10:38 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Southern California judge possible candidate for Supreme Court

  Legal observers say a federal judge from Pasadena is one of the possible replacements for Supreme Court Justice David Souter. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Kim Wardlaw’s been on the federal bench for almost 15 years. President Clinton nominated her as a district judge in 1995 and to the appeals court three years later.

  In each case, Wardlaw won bipartisan support during her Senate confirmation. That bodes well for her should President Obama nominate her to the U.S. Supreme Court.

  Legal observers consider Wardlaw a candidate for the high court because Mr. Obama’s expressed interest in appointing a woman. She’s also 54 years old – experienced, yet young enough to serve for several decades. Wardlaw’s also a Latina, and the president’s said he wants diversity on the court.

  Wardlaw, a UCLA Law graduate, was a partner at O’Melveny and Meyers. She’s been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Her husband is attorney Bill Wardlaw – a veteran political player who’s advised former L.A. mayors Richard Riordan and Jim Hahn.

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  • May 1, 2009 4:32 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• 5 of 6 statewide ballot initiatives unpopular with voters

  A new Field Poll indicates that five of the six statewide ballot initiatives aren’t going over well with voters. Center for Governmental Studies president Bob Stern suggested that voter confusion about the budget-related measures may be one reason.

  Bob Stern: “On ballot measures voters say, well how does my favorite organization feel about this and I’ll vote that way, or if I don’t like that organization, I’ll vote the other way. But here… it’s all mixed up.”

  Stern told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that on some of the propositions, groups across the ideological spectrum – Republicans, anti-tax activists, teachers’ unions, and the League of Women Voters – are lined up on the same side of an issue. He said that makes the May 19th election pretty unusual.

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  • April 29, 2009 2:28 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pension board member resigns over alleged ethics violation

  A member of the board that oversees pension funds for Los Angeles City employees has resigned after his involvement with a political fundraiser for city attorney candidate Jack Weiss. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Pension board member Kelly Candaele said it was a mistake for him to act as one of six hosts of a Monday night fundraiser for Weiss. City ethics rules prohibit members of the pension board from engaging in campaign fundraising activities.

  A Weiss spokesman said the campaign would return about $20,000 the event raised. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who appointed Candaele to the board, called him an upstanding leader who “made an honest mistake.”

  The Los Angeles Times has reported that two other people the mayor appointed to another pension board have received letters from the federal Securities and Exchange Commission.

  That agency reportedly seeks information on any income they received from companies that did business with the L.A. Fire and Police Pension Board. The paper reports that the SEC has also asked the two about any communication they’ve had with companies linked to a criminal probe of a New York pension fund.

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  • April 29, 2009 2:10 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State of emergency declared in California due to swine flu

  Governor Schwarzenegger says the state is taking “strong and swift action” to limit the spread of swine flu. This morning, the governor declared a state of emergency in California in response to the outbreak. He says the action will strengthen the state’s response.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “What this basically does is it gives us some extra tools for our health authorities, in order to respond very quickly. And it also cuts through the red tape so that all state agencies will have to go and assist the Department of Public Health in everyway possible. We’re also joining the federal Centers for Disease Control in recommending that schools that have a student that has the virus – we will close the classrooms for one week.”

  The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 13 cases in California – 10 in San Diego and Imperial counties and three in Sacramento County. Schwarzenegger says all the cases have been relatively mild to moderate.

  The governor says the state is also working with affected communities to assess their need for antiviral drugs and supplies. Supplies are already on the way to San Diego, Imperial, Merced, and Ventura counties.

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  • April 28, 2009 11:57 AM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Labor Secretary holds town hall meeting on veterans issues

  United States Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis visited Southern California today for a town hall meeting on how military veterans are having a hard time finding jobs.

  Labor Secretary Hilda Solis: “We will make every effort to see that our veterans who are coming home, those young men and women returning home from Afghanistan and from Iraq, find full support here in the United States. That’s a commitment that President Barack Obama has. That’s a commitment that Hilda Solis has as secretary of labor.” [applause]

  The meeting took place at Union Station in downtown L.A. Solis represented East Los Angeles in Congress before the president appointed her labor secretary.

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  • April 24, 2009 3:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Democrats meet, decide whether to endorse ballot measures

  California Democrats will decide this weekend whether to endorse six budget-related measures on next month’s special election ballot. Democrats are holding their annual convention in Sacramento. John Myers of the California Report says the measures have become a “complicated mess” for the state Democratic Party.

  John Myers: “Grassroots members of the Democratic Party over the last few weeks, very unhappy with this package of budget measures. In particular, the Prop 1A spending limit which they think could hurt a lot of state services that Democrats support.

  “That has put them at conflict with the leaders. I think that’s going to play out this weekend. We’ll see whether the party takes an official position.”

  The measures were part of the budget package lawmakers approved earlier this year. In order for the party to endorse the measures, they will need to get 60 percent of the vote during a floor session on Sunday. California Republican Party leaders voted last weekend to oppose all six measures.

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  • April 24, 2009 2:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California Democrats meet in Sacramento for annual convention

  California Democrats are meeting in the state capital this weekend for their annual convention. Along with the thousands of delegates, some of the possible candidates for governor will be there.

  John Myers of the California Report says San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and California attorney general Jerry Brown will show up. Newsom officially announced his candidacy this week.

  John Myers: “Brown and Newsom are going to be quite an interesting match there to see how they work the crowd. They really do represent very different parts of the party. You know, old school, well known, and a young upstart in Newsom, and it’ll be fascinating to watch how it plays out.”

  Another possible gubernatorial candidate, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, does not plan to be in Sacramento. His office says he’ll be holding weekend meetings with L.A.’s public employee unions on the city’s budget crisis.

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  • April 24, 2009 11:57 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• City attorney candidates trade negative attacks at latest debate

  The campaign for Los Angeles city attorney took another nasty turn last night during a debate at the Westside Jewish Community Center. City Councilman Jack Weiss and attorney Carmen Trutanich are engaging in increasingly negative attacks. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The Los Angeles League of Conservative Voters sponsored the debate. It focused on environmental issues. Weiss noted Trutanich has spent much of his legal career representing companies accused of violating pollution laws.

  Jack Weiss: Putting Mr. Trutanich in charge of enforcing our environmental laws is like putting a lawyer for Phillip Morris in charge of enforcing our health laws. It makes no sense. (cheering)
  Adrienne Alpert: Ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to ask you to hold it down please.
  Carmen Trutanich: I’ve put environmental polluters in jail. He’s put them on his contribution list.

  Stoltze: Trutanich once worked in the district attorney’s environmental crimes unit. The exchange typified the evening, and mirrored attack ads on radio and TV by the two city attorney candidates and their surrogates. KABC-TV plans to show the debate at a later date. Trutanich and Weiss face off in a May 19th election.

  Link: Read KPCC’s Molly Peterson’s thoughts on the debate on Twitter

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  • April 23, 2009 11:24 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Speaker Bass cancels Assembly staff pay raises

  State legislative leaders under fire for approving half-a-billion dollars in pay raises for staff swiftly changed direction today. KPCC’s Julie Small reports they’ve canceled the raises.

  Julie Small: The 5 percent raises for more than 100 Assembly staffers didn’t go over well. Not when other government agencies have furloughed workers and cut thousands of jobs – and not when lawmakers are asking voters to approve ballot measures to hike taxes and cap spending to help balance the state budget. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said she didn’t want the raises to distract voters from the May 19th ballot measures – so the L.A. Democrat canceled the pay hikes.

  Karen Bass: I’m ruling out giving out raises to staff right now. And we are going to actually have a meeting over the next couple of days, and there might be additional measure that we make. We might decide the raises are frozen all year. We might decide there are additional measures to do to cut back.

  Small: Speaker Bass said she’d approved the raises at first to compensate for cuts to staff. The Assembly employs 20 fewer people than it did a couple years ago. Bass says staffers are doing a lot more – and some have quit because of heavy workload. Assembly minority leader Mike Villines of Clovis also canceled pay raises for Republican staffers. Villines took it one step further – and gave himself a 5 percent pay cut.

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  • April 22, 2009 10:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• EPA decision to regulate greenhouse gases sparks action

  Earth Day in Washington got an extra jolt of energy when the EPA last week decided it has the power to regulate “greenhouse gasses.” KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports the EPA decision is sparking action on Capitol Hill.

  Kitty Felde: For Earth Day, Senator Barbara Boxer’s Environment and Public Works Committee discussed how to make federal buildings more energy efficient. But the real action was over on the House side with the Energy and Commerce Committee.

  L.A. Democrat Henry Waxman is the chairman. He’s holding a week of hearings on a sweeping bill on climate change. Last Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a declaration that “greenhouse gases” are harmful.

  The finding lets the EPA regulate carbon emissions – and gives it significant authority over climate change policy. Congressman Waxman says that’s not the right way to control “greenhouse gases.”

  Congressman Henry Waxman: I think that most people recognize that it’s preferable to have Congress deal with this issue than to have the Clean Air Act and the Environmental Protection Agency have to regulate it under that Clean Air Act.

  Felde: The energy and the transportation secretaries testified that the House bill would reduce American dependence on foreign oil – and create green jobs. On Friday, Waxman’s committee hears from former vice president Al Gore – the Nobel Prize and Oscar-winning climate activist.

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  • April 22, 2009 4:47 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• New group forms to oppose Prop 1A

  Supporters of Proposition 1A launched a statewide television ad campaign today. KPCC’s Brian Watt says a new group also fired up its campaign against the ballot measure.

  Brian Watt: Californians Against New Taxes is a largely Republican group that calls Proposition 1A the most extensive tax increase in state history. The group counts former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan among its supporters:

  Richard Riordan: Proposition 1A was written off the backs of the poor in this state.

  Watt: Prop 1A would extend increases in vehicle license fees, sales, and personal income taxes. Riordan says that’s regressive. Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy said the state’s budget grows every year – but this year, the budget deficit has ballooned to its largest size ever.

  Peter Foy: You have to find ways to live within your means and balance all aspects of city government, county government, and we’re asking the state to do the same thing.

  Watt: Prop 1A’s supporters – including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – say it will fix a broken state budgeting process by placing a cap on spending – and by directing more money into a “rainy day” fund.

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  • April 22, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Feinstein responds to conservative newspaper's charges

  Dianne Feinstein has labeled a Washington Times report “inaccurate and unfair.” The newspaper suggests California’s senior senator introduced legislation that rewarded her husband financially. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: In early January, Senator Feinstein introduced a bill to send $25 billion to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – the government agency that insures bank deposits. The money was to help slow the flood of foreclosures.

  The Washington Times says two months earlier, the FDIC awarded a contract to the global real estate firm CB Richard Ellis. It’s chaired by Richard Blum – Feinstein’s husband. The FDIC wanted the firm to help it sell foreclosed properties it had acquired in bank takeovers.

  The suggestion in the Washington Times article is that the money in Feinstein’s bill would enrich her husband. A Feinstein statement says she knew nothing about the FDIC’s contract with CB Richard Ellis until the newspaper made an inquiry.

  She says the contract was awarded by competitive bid and without her knowledge. As it turned out – Feinstein’s bill to pump money into the FDIC was superseded by action taken by President Obama.

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  • April 22, 2009 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• New organization launches campaign to defeat Proposition 1A

  A new group launched a campaign today against Proposition 1A. Californians Against New Taxes calls the measure on next month’s ballot the most extensive tax increase in state history. One of the group’s leaders, Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy, talked with reporters in downtown Los Angeles.

  Peter Foy: “Continuing to tax and tax the people and put a higher burden on this state, driving jobs out of this state, is not the solution. So what our goal is, is to defeat this, and ask our legislature, ask our governor to come together and have real reforms, real reforms, real reforms that controls spending.”

  Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan also spoke against Prop 1A. The measure would extend increases in sales and personal income taxes and the vehicle license fee. Supporters say it will fix a broken state budgeting process.

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  • April 22, 2009 3:55 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State senator introduces bill against language discrimination

  In recent weeks dozens of nursing home and assisted living workers won a settlement from a company they claim disciplined or fired them for speaking Spanish on the job. A Texas woman who lives in the Los Angeles area sued her employer for discriminating against her because she speaks English, not Spanish.

  State senator Leland Yee has introduced a bill that would prohibit businesses from singling out customers or employees based on the language they speak. The northern California Democrat told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” he’s responding to behavior he witnessed as a child.

  Leland Yee: “I think all of us, as individuals, have gone through that horrific experience, embarrassing situation, distasteful experience of being told unless you speak English, don’t come in here, we’re not going to serve you, and these are memories I think all of us live with.”

  Yee said he also acted after the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association tried to impose – then backed away from – a requirement that foreign-born players on the tour speak English. He said Republicans have expressed concern that his bill will lead to lawsuits based on an honest inability to communicate across language barriers.

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  • April 21, 2009 3:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• San Francisco Mayor Newsom announces run for governor

  San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom formally announced his candidacy for governor today. He did it the high-tech way with messages on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, and in a YouTube video.

  Mayor Gavin Newsom (in YouTube video): “The state of California is nearly bankrupt and our state bond rating is now the worst in the nation. But in San Francisco our bond rating just went up because of our rainy day reserve and our sound fiscal policies.

  “What’s the difference? Well, we figured out that sound fiscal policy isn’t conservative or progressive, it’s just plain smart for everyone.”

  Newsom, who’s 41 years old, said he’d bring the same politics to Sacramento. He could face an array of seasoned candidates in next year’s Democratic Party primary, including State Attorney General Jerry Brown, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

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  • April 21, 2009 3:06 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Harman responds to allegations of influence trading

  South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman is fighting back after allegations surfaced that she was caught on a wiretap agreeing to trade influence for a choice committee chairmanship. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Three years ago, federal agents reportedly recorded a call from someone who wanted Harman to intervene in a federal espionage case against two former members of a pro-Israeli lobby group. The New York Times says in exchange, the caller promised the South Bay Democrat that a wealthy donor would threaten to withhold campaign money from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she didn’t name Harman chair of the House Intelligence Committee. The Congressional Quarterly says Harman agreed to “waddle into” the case.

  In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Harman says she’s “outraged” about the wiretaps. She urged the Justice Department to release unedited transcripts – and says she did not intervene in national security cases on which she was briefed. A political watchdog group wants Harman investigated. The Justice Department hasn’t responded. The House Office of Congressional Ethics won’t meet until the end of the month.

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  • April 21, 2009 2:39 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• First ladies of African nations in LA for health summit

  First ladies from 15 African nations are in Los Angeles for a two-day health summit to promote their work on some of the continent’s biggest challenges. KPCC’s Debra Baer says they’ll be joined at the Skirball Center by the first ladies of California and the United Kingdom.

  Debra Baer: The women from Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, and 10 other countries are part of a group called Africa Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering.

  Their goal is to improve health and education of people throughout the continent. The group works in partnership with U.S. Doctors for Africa, based in the San Fernando Valley. Its founder is Ted Alemayhu.

  Ted Alemayhu: The first ladies will speaking about what they’ve been doing under this new group called African Synergies for the past 7-and-a-half years, some of the progress and failures of their initiatives, to create awareness and to ask for help.

  Baer: That help, he says, would include resources, expertise, and partnerships with U.S. companies and non-profits scheduled to attend the summit, including RAND and Merck.

  Organizers chose Los Angeles in part because of its star power. Sharon Stone, Danny Glover, and Billy Zane – each of whom has done a lot of charity work on Africa’s behalf – are also meeting with the first ladies.

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  • April 20, 2009 5:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County says no layoffs, but budget includes cuts

  Los Angeles County’s first budget draft for the next fiscal year weighs in at nearly $23 billion. That’s more than $400 million less than what the county is spending this year – and it might get smaller still. KPCC’s Nick Roman has the basics.

  Nick Roman: L.A. County will cut nearly 1,700 jobs from the payroll during the next fiscal year. But cutting those jobs won’t require layoffs – and the county will still employ more than 100,000 people when those cuts are done.

  That’s not to say L.A. County isn’t facing a budget squeeze. County chief executive officer William Fujioka says the budget has a $300 million hole – most of which comes from the chronically deficit-ridden Department of Health Services.

  He plans to fill in the budget hole with federal stimulus dollars, some grant money and – of course – budget cuts. But Fujioka says he might be wrong about his estimate that L.A. County property tax assessments will drop only by 1 percent.

  If it’s closer to 3-percent – and it might be – he’ll have to cut the budget some more. Hearings on Fujioka’s proposed $22.8 billion budget begin in three weeks. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors will adopt the final budget a month after that.

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  • April 20, 2009 4:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA mayor unveils budget, calls for cuts, privatization

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today said the city faces its worst budget crisis since the Great Depression. He made the comment as he unveiled his proposed $7 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The mayor says that the city faces a $530 million deficit, and that he’ll be forced to lay off 2,800 city workers if labor unions refuse to forgo pay raises, take unpaid furloughs, and contribute more to pension funds.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Massive layoffs and draconian service cuts are not inevitable. But everyone including our police and firefighters must work together in the spirit of shared responsibility and shared sacrifice.

  Stoltze: The mayor’s promised to take a 12 percent cut in his own $223,000 annual salary. Union leaders say they’d prefer early retirements to layoffs. Villaraigosa’s said that wouldn’t save enough money. In his proposed budget, he also eliminates 1,300 vacant city jobs and privatizes city parking structures.

  Villaraigosa: We must also be willing to follow the same course for our zoo, our convention center, and our parking meters.

  Stoltze: Unions – and some city council members – have said they don’t like the idea of privatization, and they’ve pledged to fight it.

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  • April 20, 2009 4:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Space industry lobbies Congress

  California’s congressional delegation is getting a visit from outer space this week. A trade group that represents California’s space technology businesses is launching an effort to get more government support. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: More than $30 billion a year is spent in California on satellites, launch vehicles, and software. Janice Dunn with the California Space Authority says that’s about half of the U.S. space market.

  Dunn says her trade group is lobbying the state’s congressional members this week to keep NASA’s budget intact. Dunn says they’ll also ask the State Department to streamline exports of satellites. To keep sensitive technology out of the hands of adversaries, Congress moved licensing from the Commerce Department to State. But, says Dunn…

  Janice Dunn: In addition to not helping national security, in fact it’s proving to be a real hindrance to industry.

  Felde: Dunn says her group can cite a list of generals who say the State Department export licensing process isn’t working. Dunn says the California Space Authority is also concerned about environmental costs and red tape in the Golden State. And she says the trade group worries that California schools and universities won’t be able to supply the next generation of space engineers and scientists.

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  • April 20, 2009 4:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• LA City Council approves DWP water rate plan

  After prolonged debate, the Los Angeles City Council has approved a rate proposal from the Department of Water and Power. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says that could mean higher bills.

  Molly Peterson: The rate plan encourages conservation. Each house in L.A. has an allotment of water. As of June 1, it’ll be 15 percent smaller. Customers who stay within that amount will pay the same rate.

  If they use more, the rate for extra water jumps 44 percent. Soledad Garcia leads a group of neighborhood councils who oppose the rates. She said the decision merited more discussion.

  Soledad Garcia: Telling everyone about it after it is passed is a travesty. It’s a disrespect of the community and of the neighborhood councils to just bypass everyone to get their own agenda over and finished, that is wrong, wrong, wrong.

  Peterson: DWP Chief David Nahai said most people’s rates won’t go up if they don’t hog water. But he added that the rate plan is crucial. Earlier this week, Nahai noted that one of the city’s suppliers, the Metropolitan Water District, voted to sell less water to L.A.

  David Nahai: We anticipated that that would happen, but it’s not the only thing. We also have to consider the substantial reductions in our own exclusive water supply, from the L.A. Aqueduct and other factors, it hasn’t changed, it hasn’t improved any.

  Peterson: Nahai promised to blanket DWP customers with information right away about how the new rates will work. Those rates take effect June 1st.

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  • April 17, 2009 7:46 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA mayor appoints new environment deputy mayor

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa lost a deputy mayor to the Obama Administration this year. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says the mayor’s placed a new cowboy in the city’s top environment post.

  Molly Peterson: Until President Obama took office, the city of L.A.’s top environmental official was Nancy Sutley. Now she’s at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. So the mayor’s named David Freeman to saddle up for the job of deputy mayor for energy and the environment.

  That means Freeman will direct L.A.’s green policies at the Department of Water and Power, the Port of Los Angeles, Public Works, and other departments. Freeman is already a port commissioner. He’s got a 30 year record managing public utilities. In the late 1960s, he was the first person with responsibility for energy in the federal government.

  He’s won support from industry and environmentalists. Freeman has cultivated his Green Cowboy nickname by wearing a plastic cowboy hat – most recently, while he campaigned for the city’s solar power and green jobs initiative, Measure B. Freeman plans to resign from the harbor commission and start his new job next month.

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  • April 17, 2009 4:28 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• 90-year-old West Hollywood councilman dies

  One of the oldest elected officials in the country – 90-year-old Sal Guariello – was a member of the West Hollywood City Council. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says his colleagues are mourning his unexpected death today.

  Cheryl Devall: For more than 14 years, Sal Guariello reveled in his work as a city councilman. That elected job capped a long career as an insurance agent and many years on a range of civic boards and commissions.

  Fellow council members say Guariello also was a strong supporter of West Hollywood’s sizable Russian-speaking and gay and lesbian communities. Sal Guariello served in the U.S. Army as a medic during World War II, and he led the effort to establish a veterans’ memorial in the city he’d called home for 45 years.

  West Hollywood spokeswoman Helen Goss said he was very passionate about helping people. Voters elected Guariello to his fourth council term two years ago, and Goss said he was active on the job until a few days ago.

  During his 90th birthday party last month, she asked him how he’d lived with such gusto for so long. Guariello replied, “never stop working.”

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  • April 16, 2009 4:51 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Labor think tank makes suggestions for immigration reform

  Most federal lawmakers are in their districts this week, but policy discussions continued today on Capitol Hill. Labor leaders – including the head of the AFL-CIO and a former Cabinet member – outlined their visions for immigration reform. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Labor’s version of immigration reform includes the trio of issues Democratic lawmakers refer to most often: border security, a worker ID system, and legal status for the estimated 11 million undocumented workers in this country.

  But Ray Marshall, who was labor secretary in the Carter administration, says immigration reform must also tackle abuses in legal immigration – specifically, the guest worker program Marshall described as the “indentured worker” program.

  Ray Marshall: It’s never in the interest of a democracy to have a large number of people who are outside the protection of your laws and with second-class status and who can be easily exploited because of their indentured status – the fact that they are attached to a particular employer.

  Felde: The Economic Policy Institute, a labor think tank, recommends creating an independent federal commission to more accurately measure labor shortages and adjust the number of guest worker visas to reflect the actual need.

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  • April 16, 2009 3:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• People gather at Dockweiler State Beach to protest taxes

  Yesterday’s tax filing deadline compelled people across the country to protest the taxes they’re paying. KPCC’s Brian Watt reports on a rally at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey.

  Brian Watt: A few hundred people braved high winds that blew the sand and fluttered the American flags many of them carried. Talk radio personality Tammy Bruce let the elements underscore her point.

  Tammy Bruce: As that ocean is as turbulent and rough, let Congress look at that water and know that we are in exactly the same mood. (cheers)

  Watt: The slogans on the handmade signs reflected the mood: “Politicians Gone Wild” and “Obamanomics: All you have LEFT is CHANGE.” Fifty-five-year-old engineer Gary Aven told the crowd this was his first protest. He said he wants the government – no matter who’s running it – to be smarter with his tax dollars.

  Gary Aven: I did not like the way Bush spent. I like how Obama’s planning to spend even less.

  Watt: Aven urged everyone present to let their representatives know they don’t support the budget bill before Congress.

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  • April 16, 2009 11:54 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA mayor to deliver State of the City address

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivers his annual “State of the City” address today. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Villaraigosa will speak at Balqon Corporation’s manufacturing plant in Harbor City. Balqon makes all-electric, heavy-duty trucks capable of hauling 30-ton shipping containers in and around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The venues give the mayor a chance to highlight his green initiatives, including one that requires cleaner trucks at the port.

  Much of the mayor’s speech likely will focus on the bad economy, and the city’s projected $530 million deficit. It’s one of the worst in the city’s history. Villaraigosa’s said city workers will have to forgo pay raises, contribute more to their pension funds, and work one hour a week for free if they hope to avoid layoffs.

  The mayor’s not likely to say whether he plans to run for governor next year – as many political observers expect. He won’t take the oath of office for his second term as mayor until July.

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  • April 14, 2009 11:18 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• DWP board sends water rates plan back to LA City Council

  Some Los Angeles utility customers may pay more for water this summer. The board of the Department of Water and Power is sending a plan for new usage rates back to the L.A. City Council for approval.

  Last week the council said it needed more time to understand which customers might face higher rates. DWP General Manager David Nahai said that to prevent everyone’s water bills from rising, the city needs to act quickly.

  David Nahai: “The idea here isn’t for us to enhance revenue. The idea is to enhance conversation which is really critical at this point and it’s critical that this happen before the high-use summer months.”

  Under the plan, L.A. customers would have to use 15 percent less water to stay within a given rate. Those who exceed that amount would pay 44 percent more for extra water than they do now.

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  • April 14, 2009 11:12 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Homeland Security Secretary to meet with South Bay congresswoman

  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is in the Southland today, viewing first-hand the security measures in place at Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of L.A.

  Napolitano also plans to meet with South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman and with law enforcement and other elected officials. Harman told KPCC that she’ll talk with Napolitano about additional measures that can be taken to make L.A.’s sea and airports safer.

  Jane Harman: “The rescue yesterday by the U.S. navy of Captain Richard Phillips off the coast of Somalia tells us how agile pirates-slash-terrorists are in finding new ways to harm U.S. interests and U.S. people. And so I continue to worry about threats coming our way from Afghanistan and Pakistan, which I just visited last week, and from other parts of the world.”

  Harman said she doesn’t worry as much about piracy near the Port of Los Angeles as she does the threat of a small boat attack – such as the one against the USS Cole more than eight years ago in Yemen.

  Harman, who sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security, said she thinks the port and L.A. International Airport have become increasingly safer in recent years. She added there’s still more to do.

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  • April 13, 2009 3:19 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city labor unions present ideas to save money, jobs

  Hoping to avert layoffs, labor unions that represent Los Angeles city employees plan to present money-saving ideas for the city tomorrow. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze says union leaders are calling it an “efficiency summit.”

  Frank Stoltze: Labor leaders say city workers will present dozens of ideas. Simboa Wright is a sewer and storm drain maintenance worker. He suggests that L.A. use Astroturf instead of grass at soccer fields to save on maintenance, and that more city employees would be willing to work three 12 hour days a week.

  Simboa Wright: The detention officers at LAPD right now have a three-twelve, and it saves LAPD $2.5 million a year. So imagine what that could do if it was citywide.

  Stoltze: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says that the city faces a projected $530 million budget deficit – and that city workers will have to give up pay raises, contribute more to their pension fund, and even work for free one hour a week to prevent layoffs. Wright says, not so fast.

  Wright: We’re just not there yet. That’s exactly why we’re having this efficiency summit, so we can all work together.

  Stoltze: The mayor formally presents his budget plan on April 20th.

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  • April 10, 2009 4:33 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger asks for federal stimulus money for education

  Governor Schwarzenegger today asked the federal government for $5 billion in stimulus money for education. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that the governor hopes to reduce the number of teacher layoffs in California.

  Frank Stoltze: Public schools across the state have sent out preliminary layoff notices to 26,000 teachers to address $8 billion in state budget cuts. Governor Schwarzenegger hopes that federal stimulus money will keep some teachers working.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Education took a major hit. And I think because of that, teachers had to be laid off. So I think that this money will help us to not have to lay off as many teachers. It will also go into the classroom.

  Stoltze: The governor says public schools could get about $3 billion within weeks – if the federal government approves the state’s application. He estimates another $2 billion would come later. Most of the money would go to Kindergarten through 12th grade schools. One-fifth would go to higher education.

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  • April 9, 2009 11:49 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• California applies for $5 billion in stimulus money for education

  Governor Schwarzenegger today asked the federal government to provide $5 billion in stimulus money for education programs in California.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “When President Obama signed his stimulus package, I made it very clear that California would do everything we can in our power to get as much money from the federal government as possible. And we are today – right along with South Dakota – the first state that is applying for that money.”

  The governor said he hopes the money will reduce a projected 26,000 potential teacher layoffs in the state. Public school districts have sent preliminary dismissal notices to teachers to address $8 billion in state budget cuts.

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  • April 9, 2009 4:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Tainted money helps to sink the LA Children's Museum

  The dormant Los Angeles Children’s Museum may turn over its new location near Hansen Dam to the city of L.A. The museum hasn’t been open since it vacated its old space downtown almost a decade ago.

  Its problems worsened last month when the federal Securities and Exchange Commission accused the project’s biggest donor, Bruce Friedman, of running a Ponzi scheme. L.A. City Councilman Richard Alarcon told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that he doesn’t expect the Children’s Museum to open – ever.

  Richard Alarcon: “The future of the Children’s Museum as crafted under the current organization is very dismal at best. I don’t anticipate that there will be a Children’s Museum because I believe that the fundraising has been squelched by the scandal surrounding the Friedman Family Foundation.”

  Bruce Friedman pledged $10 million, and he’s already given $3 million. Now he’s asking the museum to return that money. Unless a new donor steps up, Alarcon said, the city of L.A. will take control of the facility and use it for another purpose.

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  • April 9, 2009 3:41 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• White House insider says immigration reform on the table

  Congress is out of town for a two-week recess. But a White House source says the president hopes to place immigration reform legislation on the table by the end of the year. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: President Obama’s point person on immigration told The New York Times the president will deliver a major speech next month to outline his plan for immigration reform.

  The president reportedly wants to meet with lawmakers this summer so they can hammer out the details and have a bill ready to go this fall. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi already has an idea of what she wants in that bill.

  Nancy Pelosi: It would of course secure our borders, it would protect our workers, prohibit the exploitation of workers coming into our country, it would unite our families. And it would have a path to legalization.

  Felde: Critics say “it makes no sense” in these times of high unemployment to make it easier for American jobs to go to undocumented workers.

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  • April 9, 2009 2:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Diamond Bar cuts deal with City of Industry, won't sue to stop stadium

  The goal line’s in sight for the football stadium project in the City of Industry. KPCC’s Nick Roman says one of Industry’s municipal neighbors won’t sue to stop the 75,000 seat stadium project.

  Nick Roman: In exchange, Industry will pay Diamond Bar – its southern neighbor – $20 million to ease the annoyances that come with a big football stadium, like traffic jams and bright lights. Twenty-million dollars is just about equal to Diamond Bar’s annual budget.

  Industry will also pay for a sports field at a Diamond Bar school – and it’ll toss money into a “community facilities fund” for parks and other amenities. The Diamond Bar City Council signed off on the deal – in part because there aren’t many options.

  Councilwoman Carole Herrera told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that “there’s no way to stop” the stadium. That’s OK with a number of cities in the San Gabriel Valley eager for the jobs a stadium will bring.

  It’s not OK with Walnut – Industry’s northern neighbor. It’ll still take a shot at blocking the stadium project in court. But it could be tougher without Diamond Bar as an ally.

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  • April 8, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Sports/Recreation

• Black Caucus members meet with Castro

  A Southland lawmaker joined other members of the Congressional Black Caucus during a meeting this week with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana. Long Beach Congresswoman Laura Richardson told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that Castro knew her name and details about her district.

  Laura Richardson: “The best part to me, of the whole conversation, was when he started talking about politics. And he said how he had watched the Presidential election – he had listened to all of President Obama’s speeches. And then he leaned forward and said, how can Cuba, how can we work together to normalize relations and help President Obama’s agenda?”

  To the distress of anti-communist Cuban-Americans, the Obama administration has indicated that it may ease travel restrictions on Americans who wish to visit Cuba. Richardson said that Castro, who last year handed over active leadership to his younger brother because of illness, looked well and was very engaged for an 82-year-old.

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  • April 8, 2009 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development talks about mortgage scam artists

  California continues to lead the nation in home foreclosures. Last year, lenders repossessed 12,000 properties in the City of Los Angeles.

  L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan toured bank-owned homes in South L.A. today. Donovan told reporters that scam artists are trying to take advantage of people seeking help with their mortgages.

  Shaun Donovan: “No one, anywhere in the country, needs to pay anything to be eligible for our assistance. Not one dime. And if somebody is asking you to pay up front, you should say no and you should get assistance that’s available.”

  Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters accompanied Donovan and the mayor on the tour.

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  • April 8, 2009 3:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA mayor and federal HUD secretary visit South LA

  During the last two years, banks have foreclosed on more than 21,000 homes in the City of Los Angeles.

  L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, federal Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, and Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters toured some bank-owned properties in South L.A. today. Waters says Washington lawmakers are working with local leaders to help restore neighborhoods.

  Maxine Waters: “In the absence of bold interventions and successful partnerships, over 8 million homes could enter foreclosure over the next four years. California has had more foreclosures than anywhere else.”

  The Obama administration’s stimulus package included billions of dollars to help local governments address the foreclosure crisis.

  With that money, the City of L.A. plans to start a new non-profit called Restore Neighborhoods L.A. It will buy foreclosed homes below cost, make them more energy-efficient, and sell them, below market value, to families who qualify.

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  • April 8, 2009 3:05 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city councilman Rosendahl discusses proposed water rate changes

  The Los Angeles City Council has returned to the Department of Water and Power a plan that could raise some customers’ water rates. Westside councilman Bill Rosendahl said the DWP proposed a new rate structure because of statewide water shortages.

  Bill Rosendahl: “What they basically presented to us today is that as we get into the summer months we have to use less water. And they’re going to have a two-tiered system. The bulk of us, if we live within a certain percentage of water usage, there’s no difference in your rate.”

  Rosendahl said that users who don’t cut back would pay a higher rate if they used more than their share. He added that the council needs more information to evaluate those new rates. Now, commissioners for the publicly-owned utility must send a modified plan back to the city council in order to change rates.

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  • April 8, 2009 3:00 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressional Black Caucus members meet with Fidel and Raul Castro

  During visits to the United States in 1960 and 1995, Cuban leader Fidel Castro made it a point to spend time in Harlem, the symbolic capital of Black America. This week, members of the Congressional Black Caucus reciprocated with a visit to the former head of Cuba and his brother and successor in Havana. Congresswoman Laura Richardson of Long Beach attended that meeting.

  Laura Richardson: “So when we walked in, he knew my name, he knew my district. So, I was quite impressed that in less than 12 hours to prepare, he knew who we were; he knew pertinent issues to our district.

  “He knew trade was critical to my district. He knew I was on the Homeland Security Committee, so talk about migration issues on the border. And he was very, very, you know, healthy, and a keen insight.”

  Richardson told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that Fidel Castro also asked what Cuba could do to assist President Obama. The president wants to loosen previous administrations’ restrictions on American travel and remittances to Cuba. Cuban-Americans in Congress say any step toward normalizing relations with the Communist nation will hamper pro-democracy activists there.

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  • April 8, 2009 2:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city council delays vote to raise water rates

  The L.A. City Council has delayed voting on a plan that could raise water rates for homes and businesses this summer. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.

  Molly Peterson: The council is considering a new rate structure for the Department of Water and Power. Right now, DWP customers can pay one rate to use water up to a certain amount – above that amount, the rate goes up.

  DWP commissioners approved a plan aimed to encourage conservation – essentially, it would impose the higher rate sooner. Customers who use 15 percent less water wouldn’t pay more. Those who don’t turn the taps off would pay a financial penalty.

  The DWP calls this shortage year pricing. Some council members called it a rate increase. They said information about the rates arrived too slowly to fully consider them.

  The DWP had hoped to put the new rates in place by June 1, but the utility needs to give customers a month’s notice. Its commissioners must now send a modified plan back to the city council before any rates change.

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  • April 8, 2009 2:47 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA county supervisors request federal government relax welfare rules

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has asked the federal government to relax eligibility requirements for welfare recipients. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: Supervisor Gloria Molina says L.A. County denied 7,000 families CalWORKs welfare assistance last month because of federal eligibility rules. The county turned down another 19,000 households seeking food stamps.

  Gloria Molina: We’ve always had people who’ve been disqualified but we’re seeing a huge escalation.

  Stoltze: Federal rules disqualify families with more than $2,000 in accessible cash resources – like a savings account – or a car worth more than $4,600. In some cases, Molina said, people who receive unemployment insurance don’t qualify for welfare.

  Molina: Right now, many of those families are watching insurance companies get bailed out, automakers getting bailed out, and they’re sitting there saying “Why can’t I get a helping hand at a time like this?”

  Stoltze: Molina said the county and federal governments likely would share the cost of increased welfare payments, if Congress and the Obama administration agree to loosen eligibility requirements.

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  • April 7, 2009 10:54 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• County supervisors approve designs for 16 acre downtown park

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved the schematic design of a 16 acre park in downtown L.A. Supervisor Gloria Molina says the park will stretch four blocks from the Music Center east to City Hall. A concrete walkway occupies most of that space now.

  Gloria Molina: “We’re going to restructure that entire area and green it – plant more trees, create pedestrian walkways, add water features, and create a very green oasis inviting to the downtown area, which is all glass and cement and steel. And create a more pedestrian orientation near not only our civic center but many of our cultural institutions as well.”

  The estimated cost of the park: $56 million. Fifty million of that will come from the Grand Avenue Project fund. That $3 billion high-rise project is stalled as developers figure out how to finance it in the bad economy. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency still needs to sign off on the park before its construction can begin.

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  • April 7, 2009 10:41 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC sheriff gives update on county jails

  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is making “substantial progress” on implementing recommendations to improve the county’s jails. That’s the word from Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and her staff. KPCC’s Susan Valot says they got county supervisors up to speed in Santa Ana today.

  Susan Valot: In November, a report from an auditing firm that examined the jails said Orange County should hire hundreds of additional jailers. Budget constraints make that impossible – but the Sheriff’s Department says it’s moving forward with other suggestions in the report.

  Assistant Sheriff Mike James told the Board of Supervisors that his department is re-negotiating contracts with food vendors to decrease the number of hot meals in the jails to one a day. That means another brown bag meal for inmates.

  James says they’re working with UC Irvine to rotate medical students through the jails. The assistant sheriff also says they’re looking into whether the county should bring in more civilian employees to work in the jails.

  James says that could save $10 million a year. Supervisor Bill Campbell questioned whether those savings would vanish quickly as those new civilian employees moved up the pay scale.

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  • April 7, 2009 4:05 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa proposes cutbacks for city employees to avoid layoffs

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today said the city will have to lay off nearly 3,000 employees, unless those workers agree to forgo pay raises. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze says that’s not all the mayor wants from L.A.’s 40,000 city workers.

  Frank Stoltze: The mayor also wants them to contribute 2 percent more of their paychecks to their retirement benefits. Right now most pay 6 percent. He’s also proposing that city workers – including police officers and firefighters – work for free one hour a week to help address a $530 million deficit.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: I’m reaching out to union leaders and asking them to come to the table and work together in the spirit of shared responsibility and shared sacrifice.

  Bob Schoonover: I think we still have a long ways to go.

  Stoltze: Bob Schoonover of the Service Employees International Union represents city mechanics, gardeners, and garbage collectors.

  Schoonover: I think we’d like to concentrate a little more on efficiency improvements.

  Stoltze: At the same time, Schoonover concedes that the city faces one of its worst-ever budget crises – and he says he remains open to the mayor’s proposals.

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  • April 6, 2009 4:46 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa says he would take pay cut along with city employees

  Because the city of Los Angeles is facing a $530 million budget gap, its mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, is urging city employees to take unpaid days off and salary cuts. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he wouldn’t be immune.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “The mayor is prepared to ensure that I’m leading by example. That everything I am asking employees to do that’ll I’ll do as well. So if, as an example, we ask employees to cut roughly 10 percent of their salary or benefits, I will take the same cut.”

  About 40,000 people work for the city. The mayor says he’ll have to lay off 3,000 of them unless they agree to the pay cuts. Employee unions would have to agree to that.

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  • April 6, 2009 4:42 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Census officials try to assuage fears of responding to the survey

  The first phase of the next year’s census is underway. Los Angeles officials hope that this time around, more Angelenos will show up in the final tally. Census office manager Esther Cepeda says fear of immigration, tax, and other authorities keeps a lot of people from filling out the once-in-a-decade survey.

  Esther Cepeda: “People fear law enforcement. But all those fears need not be there, because the census is confidential. It is completely secure. It is protected by law under Title 13. We don’t share information with the INS, with the IRS, with law enforcement, or any other agency at all!”

  Cepeda says census workers take an oath of confidentiality and penalties are stiff for leaking information – up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.

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  • April 6, 2009 4:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Retired judge supports marijuana legalization

  A bill in the California legislature would regulate marijuana the same way the state and federal governments do the sale of alcohol – not as an illegal substance but as a restricted one. Jim Gray, a retired Orange County Superior Court judge, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” he believes that approach makes sense.

  Jim Gray: “We’re facing two rather substantial problems in society. One is drug problems, and that certainly includes alcohol, cigarettes – it kills 400,000 people a year.

  “Those are substantial problems. The second problem we’re facing is money drug problems. And those are far worse than the drug problems themselves, and that’s what we can get away from.”

  Gray is a spokesman for an organization called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. California allows legal sales of marijuana when doctors prescribe it, but federal law prohibits marijuana sales for any purpose.

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  • April 6, 2009 4:07 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Census begins with pep rally for canvassers at LA City Hall

  The first wave of next year’s federal census started today. In the next few months, 140,000 temporary government workers are canvassing every street and road in the country to verify addresses. KPCC’s Brian Watt says the effort launched with a rally at Los Angeles City Hall.

  Brian Watt: Hundreds of people eager to count other people showed up for a pep talk from census office manager Esther Cepeda. She also had words for the people who’ll be counted.

  Esther Cepeda: It is important that you the community embrace the census, that you continue to spread the word. The census is here! (crowd applauds)

  Watt: Cepeda reminded everyone that the federal government determines where a lot of money goes based on the census. City Councilman Jose Huizar estimated that L.A. lost more than $200 million since the last census because many Angelenos didn’t show up in the final tally.

  Jose Huizar: When you see who were the groups that were most undercounted, it is those that need the help the most. The homeless, immigrants, people of color.

  Watt: Like a lot of cities with budget woes, Los Angeles could also use some help. Its officials hope this census will count more people so the city can count more cash.

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  • April 6, 2009 3:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• President appoints Southland minister to faith-based advisory council

  President Obama has appointed a prominent Southland minister to his advisory council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says Bishop Charles Blake leads one of Los Angeles’ largest African-American congregations.

  Cheryl Devall: About 24,000 people call West Angeles Church of God in Christ their spiritual home. In the 40 years that Charles Blake has headed the congregation, he’s expanded its ministries that include a day school, prison outreach, and a bookstore.

  Blake also supervised the construction of the West Angeles Cathedral on Crenshaw Boulevard in South L.A. In addition, he’s the presiding bishop of the 6 million member Church of God in Christ, a Memphis-based Pentecostal denomination.

  For a one-year term, Blake will join 24 other religious and nonprofit leaders to advise President Barack Obama’s faith-based initiatives. President George W. Bush established the office to lower the legal and institutional barriers that prevented government and faith-based groups from working as partners. Through the office, the Obama administration plans to emphasize neighborhood and religious leaders’ advancement of federal anti-poverty efforts.

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  • April 6, 2009 3:19 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• LA mayor proposes pay cuts, unpaid workdays for city workers

  Facing a $530 million budget deficit, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today proposed that city employees forgo pay raises and increase their pension contributions by 30 percent. The mayor said that otherwise, he’ll be forced to propose laying off nearly 3,000 employees.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “The magnitude of these cuts would mean a dramatic drop in services, and I don’t believe that should be our course. This is a better course. This saves jobs, it saves services, it makes our city government more sustainable.”

  The mayor also wants city employees – including police officers and firefighters – to work one unpaid hour a week. Labor unions that represent city workers would have to sign off on any deal.

  The mayor also said he plans to propose privatizing some city service and selling advertising space on city-owned property to deal with plummeting tax revenues. The mayor formally releases his budget in two weeks.

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  • April 6, 2009 3:17 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Feinstein reacts to Binghamton shooting

  In response to fatal gun violence incidents throughout the country, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is seeking to reinstate an assault weapons ban she’d sponsored in the early 1990s. That legislation was in effect for 10 years; it expired five years ago. Feinstein told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that she wants to strengthen the law this time around.

  Dianne Feinstein: “I’ve had this commitment for a long, long time and I would like to get it done in a way that it is permanent, it make sense, it’s prudent. It does not remove guns from people who are law abiding but it does prevent the felon, it does prevent the nut, and it does prevent the grievance killer from obtaining these weapons.”

  Opponents to a renewed assault weapons ban say the earlier version cost the Democrats seats in Congress and deepened divisions between Americans who supported and opposed gun control. Feinstein says her bill is in the preliminary stages.

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  • April 6, 2009 3:15 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Feinstein renews call for assault weapons ban

  A recent spate of violent attacks – against police officers in Oakland, immigrants in Binghamton, New York, and a family in Seattle – has prompted California’s senior U.S. senator to renew her call for a ban on the sale of assault weapons. Senator Dianne Feinstein told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that she knows Second Amendment activists in and beyond Congress will challenge her.

  Senator Dianne Feinstein: “There is huge opposition and so the killing goes on, and the clips are big so that you can fire 30 bullets in a matter of a very few seconds and kill a lot of people. I think it’s a tragic overlay of our country. It makes no sense. And we aren’t talking about taking anyone’s gun away from them; what we are talking are prudent regulations.”

  Feinstein said she hasn’t set a timeline to introduce her legislation. The first assault weapons ban she sponsored passed 15 years ago and expired after 10 years.

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  • April 6, 2009 3:12 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• White House holds fifth regional talk on health care reform

  About 600 advocates of single payer medical insurance waved signs and cheered outside the White House regional forum on health care reform in downtown Los Angeles this morning.

  Fourth-year medical student Parker Duncan spoke at the rally. At the University of California Irvine where he goes to school, Duncan said, most of his classmates want a Medi-Cal-type plan for all Americans.

  Parker Duncan: “Because that’s the world we want to work in, because it allows us to treat patients, each patient, based upon their clinical presentation, not the card or cash they carry in their wallet.”

  Inside California Endowment’s headquarters, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted the health care policy forum. It was not open to the public. Groups from San Diego, Oakland, and Clovis participated via satellite. During his welcome, the governor emphasized several points of his health care reform plan.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “The key thing is part of our reforms that we had is that 85 percent of the revenues that come in have to be spent on health care – on patients, and I think that’s very important.”

  Schwarzenegger said his plan would also require everyone to carry medical insurance for the sake of universal access to medical care.

  Single payer advocates say a bill in Congress would accomplish that – and would remove the profit margin from health care. The Obama administration has been advocating a public/private collaboration to promote medical care for everyone.

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  • April 6, 2009 3:07 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Census begins first wave of 2010 population count

  Hundreds of people, ready to count people, rallied at L.A. City Hall this morning to launch the first wave of the 2010 census. Esther Cepeda runs the census’ downtown Los Angeles office.

  Esther Cepeda: “The count is so important because funding is based on where the people are. So, if we have an undercount, we’re gonna miss, we’re gonna lose that funding. And it’s so important because right now with the city in its current budget deficit, we need all the help we can get.”

  In the first phase of the count, 140,000 temporary workers plan to verify all possible addresses by canvassing every known street and road in the country. This time around, they’ll use handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.

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  • April 6, 2009 2:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Gay rights activists hope Iowa gay marriage decision affects California decision

  The California Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision in the next two months on lawsuits to overturn Proposition 8. California voters approved that measure last November. It overturned last year’s state supreme court ruling that legalized same sex marriage.

  On Friday, Iowa’s supreme court ruled that a law in that state banning gay marriage was unconstitutional. Gay rights activists say they hope the Iowa ruling will affect California’s case. Jenny Pizer heads the National Marriage Project at Lambda Legal.

  Jenny Pizer: “One of the things that we’re hoping for here is that the clarity of the Iowa decision will reinforce to the California justices that they did something very important last year and that they should really think through – and I’m sure they will – the arguments that we presented to them in the Prop 8 litigation.”

  Pizer spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  The general counsel for the pro-Proposition 8 campaign says he doesn’t think the Iowa decision is relevant to California. He says he finds it ironic that Iowa’s supreme court would rely on a decision that voters essentially reversed.

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  • April 6, 2009 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressmen take a break from Washington

  It’s time for “spring break” on Capitol Hill. But KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says it’s a working break for many in Congress.

  Kitty Felde: It’s quiet on Capitol Hill. There are no votes, no hearings for two weeks as Congress moves through its “spring district work period.” For Republican Congressman Dan Lungren, that means talking to voters back home in Sacramento.

  Dan Lungren: We are representatives so part of our representation is trying to find out what the major concerns are in our district and how people feel about it.

  So as an example, I’m going to go home and spend the next week at home with meetings, a town hall. I will go in public forums, or public opportunities to give speeches.

  Felde: The two-week break also often means international travel. Lungren is on his way to India with other House members to discuss immigration and homeland security. Congress returns to work April 20th.

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  • April 6, 2009 10:31 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican congressmen oppose newly passed national budget

  Both the House and the Senate passed versions of the federal budget before leaving town for their spring recess. But not everyone’s happy with the 3-and-a-half-trillion dollar budget. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: It’s the budget President Obama wanted and only a handful of Democrats voted against it in either the House or the Senate. Republicans voted together – against the measure. California Congressman Dan Lungren of Sacramento says it spends too much, it borrows too much, and it taxes too much.

  Dan Lungren: As the vote was counting down in the last two minutes, an infant was heard to cry out. And I’m not sure whether the infant was in the gallery or someone brought it to the floor. And one of the initial comments was “that child has seen that tax bill he or she will have to pay.”

  Felde: The budget measures predict a deficit next year of $1.2 trillion. The budget now moves to a conference committee to work out differences between the House and Senate versions.

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  • April 3, 2009 10:11 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger appoints LA City Controller Chick to audit federal stimulus money

  Governor Schwarzenegger today appointed Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick to the newly created position of state inspector general. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports her job will be to watchdog California’s share of federal stimulus dollars.

  Frank Stoltze: The governor said California’s expected to receive $50 billion in federal stimulus, and somebody needs to monitor it.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: We found somebody that is perfect for the job!

  Stoltze: As L.A. city controller, Laura Chick’s conducted dozens of audits that uncovered waste, fraud, and misuse of tax dollars.

  Laura Chick: It’s in my bloodstream to watch and count the dollars.

  Stoltze: It’s unclear how big the new state inspector general’s staff will be. Chick said she’ll rely a lot on state auditors. She and the governor promised that California would spend its stimulus the right way.

  Schwarzenegger: We will make sure that this money is not being used for maybe swimming pools or golf parks or other frivolous pork projects.

  Stoltze: Chick starts on April 27th. She was to leave her city job July 1st because she’s termed out of office. Last month, voters elected City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel to replace her.

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  • April 3, 2009 10:07 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Police union endorses Trutanich for city attorney

  The union that represents Los Angeles police officers today announced its endorsement of Carmen Trutanich for City Attorney. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that it’s important backing for any candidate running to serve as the city’s chief prosecutor.

  Frank stoltze: Police union president Paul Weber said Trutanich has worked with LAPD officers as a former gang prosecutor and “knows what it takes to win criminal cases.” He also said L.A. needs a city attorney “who knows how to work well with others” – a veiled criticism of Trutanich’s opponent City Councilman Jack Weiss, who some officers have accused of being abrasive.

  Trutanich has spent much of his legal career as an environmental attorney who represented companies accused of violating pollution laws. Weiss is a two-term city councilman and a former federal prosecutor. He also has important law enforcement backing – from the city’s popular police chief Bill Bratton. Weiss failed to win a majority of votes in the primary despite a nearly two-to-one fundraising advantage over Trutanich. The run-off is May 19th.

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  • April 3, 2009 10:04 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Southland congresswoman weighs in on North Korean saber-rattling

  North Korea’s plans to launch what it calls a communications satellite is sounding alarms in Washington. Some military and strategic observers are concerned that the space shot actually contains an intercontinental ballistic missile.

  Congresswoman Jane Harman, chair of a subcommittee on homeland security, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the United Nations needs to exert pressure against the launch.

  Jane Harman: “The Chinese are saying they will not support increased sanctions over North Korea, they’ll veto them. I’m disappointed to hear that, but they may support increased efforts to enforce existing sanctions. May sound like a technical point, but we need China playing in this matter. Nothing will happen without the neighborhood weighing in.”

  Harman, who represents Venice and the Harbor area in the U.S. House, said she’s not sure whether China maintains under-the-radar diplomatic communication with North Korea that might help avert the launch. It could happen as early as Saturday.

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  • April 2, 2009 4:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State sales tax goes up, starting today

  No fooling – California’s sales tax rises a penny on the dollar starting today. It’s a temporary increase – in effect until at least two years from July. Nancy Sidhu with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation says the change could add to the cost of big-ticket items.

  Nancy Sidhu: “If you’re looking at a $10,000 vehicle that you might be purchasing and you take 1 percent of that, that’s an increase of $100. Just on the one 10,000 and many people spend more than that on light trucks or cars.”

  Sidhu spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Sacramento lawmakers say they needed to impose the sales tax increase so they could close the state’s $42 billion budget hole. Next month, California voters will decide whether to extend the sales tax hike another year.

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  • April 1, 2009 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Environmental conference coincides with climate change bill

  L.A. Congressman Henry Waxman today jumped ahead of scientists working on climate change plan. He introduced legislation to cut greenhouse gases just as a panel of scientists began meeting in Washington, D.C. on the same idea. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Congress had asked the National Academy of Sciences to help it craft climate change legislation. But Democrat Congressman Henry Waxman of Los Angeles didn’t want to wait.

  As scientists and academics gathered for this first climate change summit, the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee posted a draft of his proposed legislation on the committee Web site. UCLA Chancellor Emeritus Albert Carnasale – who chairs the National Academy of Sciences project – called the Waxman proposal “progress” that was “pleasing rather than otherwise.”

  Albert Carnasale: One of the concerns I do not have is that the challenge of global climate change will be met before our report is completed.

  Felde: The Waxman proposal would – among other things – mandate electric utilities get at least a quarter of their energy from solar, wind, and other renewables in 15 years. Waxman also wants to create a cap-and-trade system to regulate carbon emissions.

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  • March 31, 2009 2:35 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Gas station owners push back against new gas nozzles

  Gas station owners have been lobbying to push back a Wednesday deadline the state’s imposed for new pollution-controlling gas nozzles. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports they’ve found a new ally in the governor.

  Molly Peterson: Gas station owners are supposed to install new equipment that will prevent pumps from releasing smog-forming vapors. Independent gas station owners have been lobbying hard for more time.

  Now Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked the state’s Air Resources Board to put off enforcing new vapor recovery rules for nozzles for a year. Gas station owners say the economy’s made it tougher to get financing for big upgrades, and they say the right equipment only recently became available to meet the new standard.

  Most Southland gas stations have sought permits to upgrade nozzles; about half haven’t done it yet. Still, quality regulators have talked tough about enforcement.

  Just last week local officials sent gas stations notice of fines for lagging behind schedule – scaled, so businesses that have taken some steps to comply would pay less. A spokesman for the Air Resources Board says the agency will respond to the governor’s request soon.

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  • March 30, 2009 4:45 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama administration rejects GM, Chrysler turnaround plans

  President Obama is rejecting the turnaround plans from General Motors and Chrysler. The Obama administration is giving GM 60 days to come up with a new plan in order to receive more federal assistance.

  Chrysler officials say that company is close to a merger with Fiat. President Obama is giving Chrysler 30 days to make it happen.

  Robert Scott of the Economic Policy Institute talked with KPCC’s Larry Mantle about one of the reasons American automakers have struggled.

  Robert Scott: “They tried to be everything to everybody with a proliferation of brands and models and, as I think we were hearing earlier on in the program, that has been very costly and hasn’t been a very effective way to see the best new models that they have. So I think the administration is right in saying they do need to streamline even further, reduce the number of brands that they have.”

  In a dramatic step during the weekend, the Obama administration forced the resignation of General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner.

  Mr. Obama this morning also announced steps to encourage domestic auto sales. The administration says it will begin backing new car buyers’ warranties. The president also noted that the economic stimulus plan he signed will allow buyers of new domestic cars to deduct the cost of any sales and excise taxes.

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  • March 30, 2009 3:25 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Measure on May 19 ballot could help with California budget hole

  California’s recognition that federal stimulus money won’t be enough to close its budget gap is placing more pressure on lawmakers to promote revenue boosters on the May 19 ballot. State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said voters’ response to those propositions could determine whether California will face an $8 billion budget hole or a $15 billion one.

  Karen Bass: “I just do not believe that there is a way for us to cut ourselves out of this. I mean we can’t cut any more in this extreme fashion. The cuts are already beginning to trickle down and impacting people’s daily lives.”

  Bass told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that state lawmakers already have had to trim from just about every state-funded program and department.

  Measures on the May ballot seek to allow California to borrow from state lottery revenues, apply restricted money for early childhood and mental health programs to the general fund, and enact other budget-balancing provisions.

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  • March 27, 2009 3:40 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Afghanistan DC embassy reacts to Obama's new Afghanistan/Pakistan plan

  President Obama introduced a new strategy today to “disrupt, dismantle, and defeat” al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The president called the escalating violence and corruption in the region perilous, and vowed to help unify and stabilize the neighboring countries.

  M. Ashraf Haidari, counselor for political security at development affairs at Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington, D.C., welcomed the president’s message.

  M. Ashraf Haidari: “We have rife corruption in Afghanistan that we hope to address with this renewed commitment to Afghanistan and with increased resources that the president demanded this morning.”

  Haidari spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” President Obama said he wants 4,000 more American troops to take on a training role in the region. He called on Congress to authorize 1-and-a-half billion dollars in aid to Pakistan for each of the next five years.

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  • March 27, 2009 3:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California doesn't receive enough stimulus money to avoid further cuts

  California finance officials say the state won’t get enough federal stimulus money to avert further program cuts and tax increases. The state budget specified that California needed to receive at least $10 billion in federal money to offset its budget deficit.

  But state finance officials announced this morning that California will fall almost $2 billion short. Assembly speaker Karen Bass told KPCC she’s disappointed.

  Karen Bass: “I’m very concerned about the cuts that have already been done, let alone the idea of making more devastating cuts, in particular to education and health and human services.”

  The legislature pre-approved those cuts in case California didn’t get enough federal money. The result also means state income tax rates will go up by a quarter of a percent. It would have risen half that amount had California met the threshold.

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  • March 27, 2009 1:00 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congress reintroduces Dream Act

  Congress could take up a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year. Two L.A.-area House members have already introduced a measure that would grant permanent residency status to some undocumented soldiers and students. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Democrats Howard Berman and Lucille Roybal-Allard are co-sponsoring what they call the “American Dream Act.” It would cover about 65,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.

  The bill provides a pathway to permanent residency for those who serve in the military or attend college. And for those who go to college, the bill guarantees less expensive in-state tuition rates.

  California already offers in-state tuition for undocumented college students, but the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to that policy later this year. Congress has been considering various versions of the “American Dream Act” for eight years. Democrats say they hope its provisions will be folded into a comprehensive immigration measure.

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  • March 27, 2009 11:18 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger says he won't run against Boxer for US Senate

  The political career of California’s celebrity governor may be close to termination. Arnold Schwarzenegger has put the kibosh on rumors that he’ll challenge U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer a year from November.

  He added that he doesn’t plan to seek political office after he terms out of the governor’s mansion. Carla Marinucci, senior political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, says the governor’s partisan fans are not happy about either announcement.

  Carla Marinucci: “A lot of, at least, some Republicans are suggesting maybe the only shot at taking Boxer down would be to have someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’s a proven fundraiser, he’s a guy who could at least give her a run for her money, and the Republicans desperately need to add to their ranks in the U.S. Senate.”

  Marinucci told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that California’s first lady Maria Shriver – a Democrat and a member of the Kennedy clan – may be considering whether to launch her own political career.

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  • March 26, 2009 4:42 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Councilman Wesson proposes allowing third term for police chief

  A Los Angeles city councilman wants to relax term limits placed on the chief of police in the wake of the Rodney King beating almost 20 years ago. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: To many police officers, former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates was a cop’s cop who they could always count on to back them. To many civil libertarians and political leaders, he embodied a recalcitrant LAPD that refused to move beyond a sometimes racially biased and abusive police culture.

  Gates, who headed the department for 14 years, was a big reason the Christopher Commission recommended that the LAPD limit the tenure of any one chief to two five-year terms. The popular Bill Bratton now leads the LAPD, and City Councilman Herb Wesson wants chiefs to be allowed to serve a third term.

  He says that would achieve the goal of “meaningful accountability” while allowing “extraordinary” chiefs to stick around. The civilian police commission, appointed by the mayor, would still decide how many terms a chief gets.

  The head of the union that represents police officers is arguing that voters should elect police chiefs as they do the L.A. County Sheriff.

  Note: Wesson plans to raise the issue at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.

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  • March 26, 2009 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council approves incentives for film/TV productions

  The Los Angeles City Council approved a package of incentives today for film and TV productions to stay in the city. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has the story.

  Cheryl Devall: Even before the economic downturn, feature film and scripted television shows fled the Southland for places that offered tax breaks, lower labor costs, and other goodies to production companies.

  The departure of ABC’s popular “Ugly Betty” for New York last year was the final straw for some L.A. City Council members. A report from the council’s legislative analyst says a one-hour show like that one creates more than 180 jobs and supports another 540. It also generates upward of $3 million a year in state income and sales taxes.

  To try and keep all that in L.A., the city council has ordered city staffers to start researching local tax breaks, ways to ease parking restrictions for crews, and other incentives to lure more production. California’s also offering the entertainment industry a tax credit program that starts in July. Last year, feature film location shooting in L.A. dropped to a 15 year low.

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  • March 26, 2009 2:41 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Poll says budget-related measures have failed to gain support

  It’s likely to be a tough road ahead for the six budget-related measures on the May special election ballot. In a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, all but one of the measures failed to gain majority support.

  Julie Soderlund is a spokeswoman for “Budget Reform Now,” the group that’s pushing Propositions 1A through 1F. She cautions that it’s still early in the campaign.

  Julie Soderlund: “Mark Baldassare of PPIC was quoted this morning in the Sacramento Bee as saying this is the first time voters have really even heard about these measures. And I think that’s a lot of what you’re seeing in the polling as well, which is that people just don’t know that much about these at this point. And our job over the course of the next couple of months is to make sure that they do.”

  The one measure that appears to be passing at this point is Proposition 1F. It would ban lawmakers from receiving pay raises when the state budget’s in the red. Eighty-one percent of likely voters in the poll said they support it.

  Proposition 1A, the spending cap measure, only received 39 percent support in the survey. Opponents criticize it because it would extend tax increases. The measures will appear on the May 19th ballot.

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  • March 26, 2009 2:31 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California state treasurer asks for federal debt guarantee

  Banks, car companies, insurance groups – they’ve all come to Washington, D.C. looking for a bailout. Today, California’s treasurer came to town to ask for a little help with the bond market. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: It’s not that the state wants a direct bailout from the federal government – just a guarantee to back some of the state’s debt. A spokesman for Treasurer Bill Lockyer says so far, all that California’s heard is “thunderous silence” from Washington.

  Lockyer met with Treasury officials to make his case for federal loan guarantees. He also talked to California’s Congressional delegation. Democratic Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of Silicon Valley heads the state delegation.

  Zoe Lofgren: You know, he was talking about the state budget. He told us about the general obligation bonds that the state was able to sell, and what the cash flow needs of the state are going to be in the next year, and how he is looking to cover that.

  Felde: This week, California completed the largest sale of long term general obligation bonds in the history of the U.S. – six-and-a-half-billion dollars of debt sold on the open market. State taxpayers will pay bondholders interest rates that range up to 6 percent.

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  • March 25, 2009 4:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Secretary of State Clinton offers cooperation in fighting Mexican drug violence

  Shortly after she arrived in Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged that this country’s insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the narcotics trade – and the deadly violence along the border between the two countries during the last year and a half.

  Roberta Jacobson, the State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for North America, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that Clinton hopes to offer cooperation as well as alarm.

  Roberta Jacobson: “The secretary is well aware that Mexico is not a failed state and not in danger of becoming one any time soon. And she is going to talk with Mexican government officials about what more we can do together to join in and help in this fight.”

  This week the United States committed more federal agents to work in the border region against drug trafficking. The secretary of State plans to ask Mexican President Felipe Calderon to try and end corruption within his country’s armed forces and police. Gun battles between law enforcement and drug cartels have killed more than 7,000 people, including innocent bystanders.

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  • March 25, 2009 3:03 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State deputy assistant secretary talks about Secretary Clinton Mexico visit

  As Hillary Clinton makes her first visit to Mexico as secretary of State, the United States is focused on increasing drug-related violence at the border between the two countries. Roberta Jacobson, the State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for North America, says finger-pointing is not the focus of Clinton’s trip.

  Roberta Jacobson: “There is no doubt that we are in this together, linked together because of the demand for drugs in the United States and because by geography Mexico has become the place both through which drugs move and where some drugs are produced.

  “The secretary wanted to make sure that her message was, ‘We get it.’ We understand our role in this, and our responsibility, and we are going to talk about that openly.”

  Jacobson spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Several U.S. envoys plan to visit Mexico in the next few weeks, and President Obama’s scheduled an official trip there next month.

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  • March 25, 2009 2:57 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Chino opposes new prison hospital in Chino

  The city of Chino might join the legal fight over prison medical care in California. The state wants to stop an $8 billion overhaul of prison medical care. The plan comes from Clark Kelso, the federally-appointed receiver in charge of prison medical care. It calls for a new prison hospital at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

  The hospital would treat mentally-ill inmates – and Chino mayor Dennis Yates says he doesn’t want that in his city.

  Dennis Yates: “I’m not really against the convalescent, medical part of the proposal. It was the mental patients. And I even had several face to face meetings with Mr. Kelso.

  “Our safety resources are being strained and he wants to bring in another 2,100 prisoners to further tax our safety resources when they haven’t addressed the mess the CIM is in. Now they wanna exacerbate the problem!”

  Chino might sue to keep the hospital out. The city of Camarillo has already filed lawsuit to block the receiver from building a prison hospital there.

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  • March 25, 2009 2:31 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Animal Services reinstates spay/neuter voucher program

  Los Angeles’ Animal Services department announced plans today to reinstate its discount spay/neuter voucher program for low-income pet owners. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario has more on the department’s policy change.

  Patricia Nazario: General Manager Ed Boks says the city’s budget gap prompted his decision two weeks ago to suspend both the department’s voucher programs – the $30 coupon anybody could get and the $70 voucher for low-income families.

  The animal services department is running a deficit of close to $420,000. Ending the program would save about $150,000. But members of the L.A. City Council and animal rights activists strongly criticized the decision. A five-month old citywide ordinance requires most pet owners to spay and neuter cats and dogs.

  In a statement, Animal Services officials said the department will reinstitute only the low-income voucher program and will do so in a fiscally prudent and sustainable way.

  The $70 spay/neuter coupons are available to households with an annual income of $30,000 or less, and to senior and disabled Angelenos. Most veterinarians charge at least $100 to sterilize a pet.

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  • March 25, 2009 2:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Feinstein wants to protect desert lands from energy projects

  California Senator Dianne Feinstein is planning legislation that would designate a large area of desert land as off limits to solar and wind energy projects. That area could include hundreds of thousands of acres between the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park, off old Route 66.

  Jim Conkle heads the Route 66 Alliance. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the federal government should protect much of the area.

  Jim Conkle: “What our major contention is that that is a pristine area. Looks just like it did in the ’20s and ’30s when the Okies and Arkies were coming out to the land of milk and honey.

  “We know that 100 percent of that viewscape is not going to stay the same. There’s going to have to be wind and solar out there. What we don’t want is to have every viewscape and all of the Route 66 totally destroyed.”

  Feinstein’s bill would turn the desert land into a new national monument, and would close it off to the renewable energy projects. But the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee suggests that the proposed bill is Feinstein’s way of saying “Not in my backyard.”

  Feinstein disputes that. She says she’s a strong supporter of the energy projects. Feinstein told the Los Angeles Times that she and her staff plan to visit the area to figure out which areas should be off limits to the projects.

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  • March 25, 2009 2:11 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Feinstein wants desert lands off-limits to solar, wind energy

  Senator Dianne Feinstein is planning legislation that would create a new national monument in the Southern California desert. That means the land would be off limits to solar and wind energy projects.

  Myron Ebell is director of energy policy at Competitive Enterprise Institute. He says huge areas of California desert are already protected. Ebell told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he thinks the legislation is a bad idea.

  Myron Ebell: “I think you’re going to have to… everybody who has interests and views in California will have to be consulted. But I don’t think the answer is to try to short circuit that process by Congress passing a bill and saying ‘Oh no no no. The federal government has decided that you’re not going to build it in on federal land, you’re going to have to go somewhere else.’ Well almost 50 percent of California is federal land.”

  Feinstein’s proposed legislation would protect hundreds of thousands of acres between the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park, off old Route 66. Feinstein says that she’s a strong supporter of renewable energy, but that she thinks the projects need to be built on suitable lands.

  Feinstein says she and her staff plan to visit the desert to determine which areas would work best for the projects.

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  • March 25, 2009 2:08 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Sherman says government shouldn't have bailed out AIG

  Throughout the economic meltdown, Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman has maintained that the federal government should not bail out financial institutions like insurance company AIG, no matter how big they are. He reiterated his position to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” after today’s meeting of the House Financial Services Committee.

  Brad Sherman: “Receivership would have been and is the way to treat AIG, and it’s the way we deal in a capitalist society with insolvent institutions. We should be protecting capitalism from Wall Street, and instead, we’re protecting Wall Street from capitalism.”

  Sherman, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, represents part of the San Fernando Valley in Congress.

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  • March 24, 2009 3:41 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Sherman reacts to Geithner/Bernanke testimony

  Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s told Congress that he needs new powers to regulate companies like AIG, the insurance giant that paid its executives millions of dollars in bonuses with federal bailout money.

  San Fernando Valley congressman Brad Sherman, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, heard Geithner’s testimony before that panel today. Sherman maintains that the Treasury secretary’s words won’t change many taxpayers’ perceptions of their place in the economic pecking order.

  Brad Sherman: “They’re getting screwed on the $100 million deals, they’re getting screwed on the $10 billion deals; they understand the bonuses and that opens the door to explaining to them how this latest deal is going to screw the taxpayer.”

  Sherman spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” During this morning’s hearing, Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke told lawmakers that he’d considered suing to keep AIG from paying the bonuses, but that his legal advisors counseled against that action.

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  • March 24, 2009 3:39 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California first lady announces edible garden at state capitol

  Chew on this – California’s capitol in Sacramento is getting its own edible garden. KPCC’s Molly Peterson serves up this story.

  Molly Peterson: A week after Michelle Obama and others began to plant 1,100 square feet of fruits and vegetables on the South Lawn of the White House, California’s first lady says Sacramento’s getting in on the action. Maria Shriver’s edible garden is meant to showcase locally-grown food and how it gets to the table.

  In addition, it will emphasize California’s hot-button water issue – through efforts at conservation. Shriver will work with chef Alice Waters – herself a longtime advocate of edible gardens at public schools and in urban areas.

  All these women are borrowing from the playbook of Eleanor Roosevelt – whose victory garden during World War II helped remind Americans that they could grow their own food in lean times.

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  • March 24, 2009 3:34 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Mexican foreign minister talks about drug violence near border

  The Obama administration is trying to address the Mexican drug trade and its violent fallout. In the last 15 months, that violence near the United States-Mexico border has killed 8,000 people, including innocent bystanders. Mexico’s former foreign minister, Jorge Casteñeda, suggested that the casualty count has heightened the U.S.’ attention to the problem.

  Jorge Casteñeda: “There’s a new urgency in ending the violence, that does not necessarily mean that there’s a new urgency in ending drug trafficking. One can seriously ask if whether there is any possibility of ending drug trafficking, but there is a possibility of ending the violence.”

  Castañeda, who’s teaching politics and Latin American studies at New York University, spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

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  • March 24, 2009 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama administration unveils new toxic assets plan

  The Obama Administration has unveiled another plan aimed at ridding banks of “toxic assets.” The Public-Private Investment Program is designed to entice private investors to share in the risk associated with buying those troubled assets. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s plan cost taxpayers close to $1 trillion.

  Peter Morici teaches business at the University of Maryland. He weighed in on the plan during KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Peter Morici: “Once again Secretary Geithner is giving the bankers what they want, but it’s a very high stakes gamble this time. He’s gambling your children’s future – a trillion dollars is a lot of money to borrow and owe.”

  Federal agencies will secure up to 95 percent of the total value of the investment in matching funds or loans. That’s supposed to minimize the risk and maximize the return for private investors.

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  • March 23, 2009 2:26 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Primary election Tuesday to fill 26th State Senate District vacancy

  When Mark Ridley-Thomas won a seat on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, he left a vacant seat in the California Senate. KPCC’s Brian Watt says the election to fill that vacancy is tomorrow.

  Brian Watt: In this special primary election, eight people are competing for the 26th State Senate District seat. They include six Democrats – state assembly members Mike Davis and Curren Price Jr., financial analyst Jonathan Friedman, management consultant Mervin Leon Evans, Culver City school board member Saundra Davis, and Robert Cole, who coordinated African-American outreach for the Obama presidential campaign in California.

  One Republican – Nachum Shifrin – and a member of the Peace and Freedom Party – Cindy Varela Henderson – round out the ballot. If none of these candidates wins at least half the votes plus one, the two top contenders will complete in a runoff on May 19th.

  Whoever wins will barely settle into office before it’s time to run again – the term ends a year from November. About 850,000 people live in the 26th State Senate district. It includes Culver City, View Park, Ladera Heights, and portions of the city of Los Angeles.

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  • March 23, 2009 2:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors consider appealing sheriff pensions case

  Orange County supervisors will talk tomorrow about whether they’ll appeal a judge’s ruling in the county’s lawsuit to overturn certain sheriffs’ pensions. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the supervisors plan to hold that discussion behind closed doors.

  Susan Valot: The Orange County Board of Supervisors last year filed a lawsuit to try to ditch a pension increase that it approved a few years ago. The pension plan allows sheriff’s deputies to retire at age 50 with 3 percent of their salary for every year they’ve worked.

  But now, county supervisors say the retroactive pension increase – up from 2 percent – amounts to an illegal gift of public money. Last month, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Helen Bendix threw out the lawsuit. She ruled that the pension increase is not a gift, and that case law backs her opinion.

  But county supervisors still think their case makes a valid point. They’ll decide whether to appeal the judge’s ruling. Cities and counties all over California are watching this case. If it were to succeed, it would give them a chance to roll back their own unfunded pension liabilities.

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  • March 23, 2009 10:23 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council meetings viewable via video conference in San Pedro

  Los Angeles elected officials are inaugurating a new way this week to connect harbor-area constituents with far-off City Hall. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Incorporation into L.A. 99 years ago moved San Pedro’s city hall 25 miles north to downtown. Ever since, that’s kept many people from attending city council meetings, regardless of the urgency of the topic or the passion of their opinions.

  Harbor area councilwoman Janice Hahn wants meetings to include more voices from her constituents. So she’s helped set up videoconferences from San Pedro to city council meetings three times a week. The council will try this for the next six months.

  L.A. inaugurated similar technology in Van Nuys four years ago. Hahn’s launching the service Wednesday morning at San Pedro City Hall.

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  • March 20, 2009 4:48 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• White House starts organic vegetable garden

  Now that spring has arrived, many folks’ thoughts turn to their gardens. That includes the occupants of the White House – president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama are installing an organic garden on the south lawn.

  Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, has promoted the idea of a vegetable garden there for more than 15 years. She told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” she’s pleased Mrs. Obama took up the suggestion.

  Alice Waters: “She cares so much about children, what her family is eating, she cares about education, and it seems to have all come together in that vegetable garden, that victory garden in the White House lawn.”

  During the first and second world wars, people on the home front cultivated backyard “victory gardens” to help stretch the domestic food supply. Eleanor Roosevelt helped establish one at the White House more than 60 years ago. Mrs. Obama is scheduled to start tilling the soil of the new White House garden today.

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  • March 20, 2009 4:39 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County Republican Party chief resigns

  State Assemblyman Anthony Adams of Hesperia is stepping down as chief of the San Bernardino County Republican Party. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says Adams resigned after fellow Republicans scolded him for supporting a state budget compromise that included tax increases.

  Steven Cuevas: Adams’ vote helped to end a protracted state budget stalemate. It also alienated him from fellow Republicans. He says local GOP leaders worry that his vote would distract “from the county moving forward on its agenda.” The backlash doesn’t stop there.

  Last month, state GOP officials voted to withhold 2010 campaign cash from Adams and five other Republican lawmakers. Some voters have threatened Adams with recall. He’s also a frequent target of conservative radio talk show hosts “John and Ken.”

  The Hesperia assemblyman said he knew his vote could jeopardize his political career. But not all Republicans have turned on him. Governor Schwarzenegger will co-host a $500 a plate fundraising dinner for Adams in Glendora next month.

  Meanwhile, Councilman Ken Willis from Upland will take the reins of the San Bernardino County GOP.

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  • March 20, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Brookings Institution scholar praises Obama withdrawal plan

  As the United States marks the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq, military analysts and policymakers are debating the future course of the conflict. Michael O’Hanlon, a senior foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, praises the new president’s timeline to remove most American troops from the Iraq within the next two years.

  Michael O’Handlon: “President Obama’s plan is pretty good. I think it’s quite responsible; it’s careful. He essentially approved the middle option of the three that commanders had drawn up for him.

  “All of which, crucially, kept a residual force after the drawdown that would still provide the United States quite a bit of capability, and I don’t just mean advising and training capability, I mean actually latent combat capability if needed.”

  O’Hanlon spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” He’s the author of “Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security.”

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  • March 20, 2009 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Attorney General Brown accuses medical labs of fraud

  State Attorney General Jerry Brown sounded like a potential candidate for governor when he spoke with reporters this morning.

  The primary reason for the news conference was to accuse medical laboratories of running a fraud and kickback scheme that’s cheated hundreds of millions of dollars out of California’s Medi-Cal program. But the former Democratic governor broadened his criticism beyond that alleged malfeasance.

  Jerry Brown: “And to me, it’s an example of the kind of waste that’s in state government. It’s not just in the Medi-Cal system. It’s in the prison system and a lot of other areas.”

  Brown went on to say that as California faces successive budget deficits, it’s important to trim government waste. The attorney general’s suing seven medical labs connected to the scheme, including Laboratory Corporation of America and Quest Diagnostics. He claims that they and others have been defrauding the state for at least a decade.

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  • March 20, 2009 2:46 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Protestors demonstrate outside AIG's Century City offices

  AIG continued to take it on the chin yesterday – from the halls of Congress to the corner outside its offices in Century City. KPCC’s Brian Watt says two dozen people marched there to protest corporate excess.

  [Sound of drummer/singer]

  Brian Watt: The Service Employees International Union coordinated the peaceful protest, which grew to the drumbeat and tones of union rep Viron Moret.

  Viron Moret (singing): A-I-G: You can’t hide. I can see your greedy side.

  Watt: The marchers called the $163 million in bonuses paid out to AIG executives an example of the greed that has crippled the U.S. economy. Organizer Jono Schaffer said he was gratified that the U.S. House voted to impose a heavy tax on such bonuses. But to Schaffer, that vote only addresses part of a larger problem.

  Jono Schaffer: It’s not just one company. It’s not just one year. The average CEO in America earns 344 times what the average worker makes. It’s so far out of step with anyplace else in the world, it’s incomparable.

  Watt: The protest was one of many that unions and non-profits staged yesterday across the country outside banks and investment firms.

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  • March 20, 2009 11:43 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Army phases out stop-loss

  It’s been six years since the Iraq War began. During the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Army ordered thousands of soldiers to prolong their deployments. Now the Department of Defense says it will phase out that policy, known as stop-loss, over the next two years.

  About 10 percent of California’s National Guard troops are serving overseas. California National Guard spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jon Siepmann says the Guard hasn’t had to rely heavily on stop-loss orders.

  He says that’s because there’s has a large pool of volunteer troops to draw from – and recruitment’s steady. Still, Siepmann says, he and other military personnel welcome the Pentagon’s decision.

  Jon Siepmann: Nobody likes surprises – and so I think that ending this policy is going to enhance stability and peace of mind for our service members and their families, and that’s definitely a good thing.”

  While the Army phases out its stop-loss policy, it will pay soldiers who extend their tours of duty an extra $500 a month. The Army will maintain the right to order longer enlistments – if officials decide that circumstances warrant it.

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  • March 19, 2009 4:53 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Young protester talks about deported father during Obama visit

  A largely Latino crowd chanted and waved signs outside President Barack Obama’s appearance at the Miguel Contreas Learning Center today. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario spoke to one young protester whose father had been deported.

  Patricia Nazario: Twelve-year old Kevin Prada told the crowd that immigration officials deported his father a year-and-a-half ago after he’d tried to secure political asylum.

  Kevin Prada: Right now I don’t feel like an American citizen. I am an American citizen, but I don’t feel like one. I feel like I’m an alien from a different world. I feel like my family is from a different world.

  Nazario: Prada said his father had lived in this country for 17 years, and had operated his own gardening business in Pasadena. The seventh-grader said his big brother has assumed the responsibility for the business as he tries to complete his studies at UCLA. Prada wrote to explain his family’s dilemma in a letter to the president.

  Prada: Please, I write to you wishing for what you have promised, change. I’d like to have my dad back with me in America.

  Nazario: The young man with short black hair wore an Obama t-shirt. Prada said his dad drives a taxi in Peru to support himself, while he and his brother continue to live with their mother in Pasadena.

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  • March 19, 2009 4:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Immigrant rights advocates hold demonstrations during Obama LA visit

  Dozens of immigrant rights activists blocked traffic outside the Miguel Contreas Learning Center today, hoping to get President Barack Obama’s attention. Twelve-year-old Kevin Prada told the crowd how he felt when the United States deported his father back to Peru a year and a half ago.

  Kevin Prada: “I couldn’t stop crying for days. Just missing him more and more every day. I couldn’t go to school, because I couldn’t concentrate on my work, only my dad. My grades dropped so much. I couldn’t tell my friends, because they wouldn’t understand.”

  Prada said his father was deported after he’d tried for years to gain political asylum. Immigration advocates are calling on President Obama to stop separating families, halt federal agents’ raids on workplaces, and foster a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

  The president began his second day in the Southland touring an electric vehicle test site in Pomona. He’s convening a Los Angeles town hall meeting at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, and he’s scheduled to record “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” before he returns to the nation’s capital tonight.

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  • March 19, 2009 1:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Becerra hopeful immigration reform will pass this year

  Immigrant rights groups rallied outside a downtown Los Angeles school today to urge President Obama to end workplace raids and legalize undocumented workers. Before he arrived in L.A., the president talked with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus about immigration reform. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports that one caucus member is optimistic.

  Kitty Felde: When members of Congress get a one-on-one meeting with the president, they all have their own agenda. But for the 24 members of the Hispanic Caucus, there’s only one topic on the table – immigration reform. L.A. Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra says he left the meeting confident the president is committed to reform.

  Congressman Xavier Becerra: I believe we’re going to see something this calendar year. And depending on how well we orchestrate it and are able to get bipartisan leadership on this, it wouldn’t surprise me – especially having the president’s word – if we’re able to pass an immigration reform this year.

  Felde: Becerra says a comprehensive immigration bill would include tough enforcement, vigorous verification, and what Becerra called a “just way” to regulate those who are here without documents.

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  • March 19, 2009 1:28 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• President Obama visits Pomona electric vehicle center

  President Obama is on the final day of his two-day visit to Southern California. This morning he toured Southern California Edison’s Electric Vehicle Center in Pomona. The President said his administration would focus on putting 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on America’s roads in the next six years.

  President Barack Obama: “Because these cars of tomorrow require batteries of tomorrow, I’m announcing that the Department of Energy is launching a $2 billion competitive grant program under the Recovery Act that will spark the manufacturing of the batteries and parts that run these cars… (clapping) that will allow for the upgrading of factories that will produce them, and in the process create thousands of jobs in facilities like this one.”

  President Obama also announced a tax credit of up to $7,500 for Americans who buy the next generation of plug-in hybrids.

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  • March 19, 2009 1:26 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• California congresswoman nominated to State Department position

  The Obama administration’s already tapped Californians as labor secretary, energy secretary, and chief of the Central Intelligence Agency. Now, the president’s nominated a congresswoman from the Bay Area for a critical job in the State Department. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Democratic Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher of Walnut Creek has been nominated as undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. The seven-term lawmaker serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

  When she announced her nomination to constituents, Tauscher said, “Keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists, making sure other countries do not obtain them and, one day, I hope, ridding the world of these terrible weapons, has become my passion and, I hope, my life’s work.”

  Tauscher’s congressional colleagues still must vote to confirm her. If they do, her first task will be preparing for upcoming talks with Russia. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – or START 2 – expires later this year. Russia wants the U.S. to ratify a global treaty that bans underground nuclear testing and ends the missile shield system known as “Star Wars.”

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  • March 18, 2009 4:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Confusion over Redlands city council meeting in Washington DC

  Where’s the Redlands city council? It said it would convene its regular Tuesday meeting in Washington, D.C., capped with an appearance by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. But the council didn’t show up. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas unravels the mystery.

  Steven Cuevas: The council meeting would coincide with a trip to Washington that included a California Association of Cities meeting hosted by Senator Boxer. Redlands officials had a few “legislative and regulatory” issues to chew over with the senator.

  Because a quorum of members would be there, and because it was a public event, the council thought it’d be wise to comply with the Brown Act. That’s the law that says politicians can’t decide important stuff without inviting their constituents.

  But city councils need Senate approval before they hold public meetings in a Capitol Hill Senate hearing room. So, the Redlands council abandoned its plan. Redlands mayor Jon Harrison and a pair of councilmen instead arranged a meeting today in Boxer’s office.

  The city’s Web site announced that this would be the public meeting. Until Senator Boxer’s office got wise. A representative for the senator told the Riverside Press Enterprise that the meeting would be private.

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  • March 18, 2009 11:23 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city workers still spending on bottled water

  Los Angeles’ city controller asserts that some city employees have a drinking problem. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says it’s not the kind you may imagine.

  Cheryl Devall: Seems many L.A. city workers just can’t quit their bottles – of water. More than four years after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told them not to spend city money on the stuff, an audit indicated that various departments spent close to $185,000 on bottled water last year.

  Public works was far and away the biggest user, with a bill that neared $70,000. Controller Laura Chick echoed the mayor’s reasoning – that L.A.’s Department of Water and Power provides H2O that’s plenty good, so there’s no reason for the city to keep buying bottled water.

  She encouraged employees to drink from the tap, from coolers, or to buy bottled water themselves if they just can’t do without it. Chick’s audit showed, by the way, that the DWP reduced its bottled water consumption by a factor of 10 over four years – and that the library, the fire department, and five other agencies completely dropped the habit.

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  • March 17, 2009 5:18 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Francisco mayor Newsom campaigns for governor in the Southland

  The campaign road show that’s taken San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom throughout California lands in Santa Monica tonight. The gubernatorial hopeful told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” he’s trying to spread the word about what he’s done in his first five years as mayor.

  Gavin Newsom: “We’re the only city in the United States of America that’s put together a real health care strategy. A universal health care plan that has already enrolled 65 percent of those that were previously uninsured in our city. We’re doing universal pre-school, we’re not talking about the importance of early childhood education, we’ve advanced it.”

  Newsom’s scheduled to speak at 7 tonight in Santa Monica High School’s south gymnasium – close to the turf of another possible Democratic candidate for governor, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

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  • March 17, 2009 3:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Riverside mayor lobbies for federal stimulus money

  It seems that everybody wants a piece of the federal economic stimulus package pie. Lobbying hard for a sizeable chunk is the mayor of one Southland city hit hard by the recession. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde caught up with Riverside’s mayor, who’s on a trip to Capitol Hill.

  Kitty Felde: Riverside Mayor Ronald Loveridge says in the old days, city officials did everything they could to keep Washington out of local government. These days, with nearly $800 billion in federal stimulus money available, it’s different. That’s why he and thousands of other mayors are in Washington for the National League of Cities annual convention.

  Ronald Loveridge: Cities are trying to figure out where the lineup is and what the rules are. Some are by formula, but there’s a number of kind of competitive grants that you need to know what they are and how to compete.

  Felde: Loveridge becomes president of the National League of Cities this fall. He has three projects he’d like Washington to consider – the purchase and rehab of foreclosed properties in his city, energy grants to pay for insulation in Riverside homes, and money for regional planning. Loveridge has met with some members of Congress – and he says they’re listening.

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  • March 17, 2009 3:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Realtors association economist says tax break reduction could hurt housing

  As a real estate data firm announced last month’s 39 percent drop in Southland housing prices, experts in the field are weighing the potential effects of a provision in the Obama Administration’s budget plan.

  It would reduce the tax break for households that earn more than $250,000 a year. Leslie Appleton-Young, chief economist for the California Association of Realtors, says that change could further delay the recovery of the state’s housing market.

  Leslie Appleton-Young: “Now that we’re starting to see some leveling off and stabilization at the low end, we’re going to see some, you know, there’s financing issues at the high end and other factors, we certainly don’t need to have one more negative hurdle for a buyer or seller to be concerned about.”

  Appleton-Young spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle. She noted that while the proposed shift in the income tax bracket would affect only the top 2 percent of Americans, one-sixth of those taxpayers live in California.

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  • March 17, 2009 2:15 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Francisco mayor visits Santa Monica for town hall meeting

  San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is in Southern California today drumming up support for his run for governor. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze says he’s convening a town hall meeting with voters tonight in Santa Monica.

  Frank Stoltze: Newsom bills it as “a conversation about California’s future.” His campaign says he’ll talk about solutions to the state’s problems and field questions from the audience during the hour-long event.

  It’ll be at Santa Monica High School’s gymnasium. Newsom’s campaign expects more than 600 people. He’ll hold similar events later this week in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Palm Springs, meeting with Democratic Party donors along the way.

  The primary election isn’t until June of next year. But candidates already are scrambling for media attention and money. State Attorney General Jerry Brown and Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi are likely candidates.

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is mulling a run. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is flirting with the idea. Among Republicans, State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, and former Congressman Tom Campbell are laying the groundwork for gubernatorial campaigns.

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  • March 17, 2009 1:08 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Salvadorans in Southland react to leftist presidential win in El Salvador

  During a visit to a Salvadoran American section of Los Angeles today, KPCCs Adolfo Guzman-Lopez found emotions still running high after the dramatic results of the presidential elections Sunday in El Salvador.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: At a Pico Union strip mall, Samuel Martinez sported a smile and a bright red t-shirt relatives had sent him with a portrait of president-elect Mauricio Funes of the leftist FMLN.

  Samuel Martinez: La gente, creo yo que esta cansada de lo mismo y tiene esperanza en Mauricio Funes.

  Guzman-Lopez: The right-leaning party, he said, hadn’t delivered on its promise to improve the lives of all Salvadorans. The FMLN’s founders took up arms in El Salvador’s bloody civil war 30 years ago. The election reminds 39-year-old Martinez of the times as a kid he’d hidden under the bed as death squads roamed his small Salvadoran hometown. He said those squads killed two of his brothers.

  Jorge Palacios also sought refuge in L.A. from that violence 24 years ago.

  Jorge Palacios: Mi preocupacion es que en realidad no vaya a pasar igual que en Venezuela, me entiendes, si va a haber un cambio.

  Guzman-Lopez: Palacios echoed the right leaning government’s main attack on Funes; that, like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, the FMLN’s candidate will steer the country to the extreme left. Palacios said his home country’s president-elect should push for the legalization of Salvadorans in the United States, because stable, affluent expatriates here, he said, create a steadier flow of remittances to El Salvador.

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  • March 16, 2009 6:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County Supervisors approve money for jail overcrowding study

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved money to back a study of overcrowding in the jail system. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: For years, inmates and civil rights activists have complained about overcrowding in L.A. County’s sprawling jail system, where inmates sometimes slept on the floor. The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed a federal lawsuit. ACLU attorneys say that while conditions have improved, the jails remain “dangerously overcrowded” and that living conditions in some cases are “intolerable.”

  The Vera Institute is a nationally recognized group that helped New York City develop strategies to reduce its jail population by one third. ACLU Attorney Melinda Bird says she hopes to see similar change in L.A., including diversion programs to keep people with mental and physical disabilities out of jail.

  LINK: L.A. Country Board of Supervisors

  LINK: ACLU of Southern California

  LINK: The Vera Institute of Justice

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  • March 16, 2009 6:37 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Southland Salvadorans react to leftist presidential win in El Salvador

  Much of the Southland’s large Salvadoran population tuned in for the results of yesterday’s presidential election in El Salvador. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez found mixed opinions about the election in a Central American neighborhood in Los Angeles.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: At a Pico Union strip mall some Salvadorans worried that the victory of the FMLN, the party founded by communist guerrilla fighters, will steer El Salvador toward the radical left.

  Others, like Juan Jose Zepeda of South L.A., said the FMLN will create more jobs than the current right-leaning party in power. He added that would benefit Los Angeles.

  Juan Jose Zepeda: If they can work over there, they’re going to try to stay over there. And that’s to keep the families together, not apart like right now.

  Guzman-Lopez: Zepeda left El Salvador 28 years ago. So did millions of other refugees from the bloody violence between the FMLN and the U.S.-backed government. At the time he was just out of medical school. Now he makes a living working for a catering company.

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  • March 16, 2009 3:56 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors to get report on vote-by-mail

  Is a vote-by-mail system in Orange County’s future? KPCC’s Susan Valot says the county board of supervisors tomorrow plans to get a report on other vote-by-mail systems.

  Susan Valot: Earlier this year, Supervisor John Moorlach asked the county registrar-recorder to check into “vote by mail” systems in states where they’re well established. The registrar looked at Oregon, where voting by mail is mandatory – and Washington, where each county decides whether to use the system.

  The registrar’s report says Oregon and Washington chose the vote by mail system because it gives voters the chance to make more-informed decisions – and because it saves money. The registrar estimates Orange County could save money, too – about $200,000 per election.

  The report also says vote by mail makes it easier for the disabled to cast ballots. But Orange County’s registrar says voting by mail probably wouldn’t increase voter turnout. And critics say it could open the door to voter fraud. So far, county supervisors have no plans to give vote by mail a try.

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  • March 16, 2009 1:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Ron Silver, 62, dies

  Actor Ron Silver has died. Silver was known not only for his acting prowess, but also for changing his staunch political views. KPCC’s Steve Julian reports.

  Steve Julian: Silver came to California from New York as a good fit in liberal Hollywood. But the attacks of September 11, 2001 changed his thinking. Silver became what he called a “9/11 Republican,” supporting then-president Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  That support, he said, cost him work. But in 1988, Silver won a Tony Award for playing a take-no-prisoners Hollywood producer in David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow.” He also earned an Emmy nomination for playing a strategist for President Jed Bartlet on “The West Wing.”

  Silver’s movie credits include Ali, Reversal of Fortune, and Silkwood. He and his ex-wife Lynne had two children – his family was at his side in New York when he died at age 62 of esophageal cancer.

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  • March 16, 2009 9:32 AM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• South Bay teachers, parents, staff protest school layoffs and cuts

  Proposed cuts in California’s education budget haven’t caught up with the Lawndale School District. None of its almost 500 educators have received the kind of layoff notices the Los Angeles Unified School District sent out to thousands of its teachers earlier this week.

  To demonstrate solidarity with others at risk of losing their jobs, about 100 Lawndale teachers, administrators, and parents marched in pink t-shirts. Kindergarten teacher Rosa Maria Garcia waved a sign over her head during the rally.

  Rosa Maria Garcia: “We want to put students first. We have to have teachers and custodians and secretaries and administrators to make that happen. This is why we’re marching through our community.”

  About 1,000 educators in the Inland Empire met at the Pomona School District headquarters for a similar protest. Public education activists planned similar actions throughout the state.

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  • March 13, 2009 6:20 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• California assembly speaker Bass concerned about deepening budget deficit

  The recession has torn a big hole in the state’s carefully crafted budget plan. The California Legislative Analyst reported today that the state has a new $8 billion deficit, thanks to rising unemployment and declining tax revenues.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is one of the state leaders who, just last month, worked out a hard-fought compromise to close a $42 billion deficit.

  Assemblywoman Karen Bass: “There wasn’t any indication that revenues were going to go up, certainly, and of course we were praying that they would be stable. We did suspect that revenues would be down, but of course, we did not expect down to this extent.”

  Bass spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” She says lawmakers will begin tackling the new deficit Monday. Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said in his report that unless the governor and legislature address it soon, the deficit will grow to more than $12 billion in the next 16 months.

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  • March 13, 2009 6:15 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Waters defends actions on behalf of bank

  Is it a case of political influence for financial gain? Or is it just a lawmaker fighting for minority-owned banks? KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says L.A. Congresswoman Maxine Waters has come out swinging.

  Kitty Felde: Recent stories in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal say Congresswoman Waters pulled strings to set up a meeting last September between Treasury officials and black-owned banks.

  Waters has sent out an e-mail that says she did exactly that. She says she’s been “an outspoken advocate” for minority business, and wanted to make sure minority-owned banks could participate in the multi-billion-dollar Troubled Assets Relief Program.

  At that Treasury meeting, Boston-based OneUnited asked for $50 million in bailout money. Waters and her husband have owned at least a quarter of a million dollars in stock in OneUnited. Her husband served on its board. Treasury officials say the congresswoman did not disclose her financial link to the bank.

  But in her e-mail, Waters says her ties to OneUnited are “fully disclosed” in “official filings.” And she notes she did not attend the meeting between the banks and the Treasury officials.

  Note: Congresswoman Waters will be in her South L.A. district tomorrow (Saturday 3/14) to talk about the economic stimulus package. She’ll speak at the Inglewood Public Library at 10:00 a.m., and at Southwest College at 1:00 p.m.

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  • March 13, 2009 6:03 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly Speaker Bass discusses California's latest budget shortfall

  Barely a month after California lawmakers wrangled a budget into place, another shortfall looms. The state Legislative Analyst’s Office projects an $8 billion gap in the coming fiscal year unless California closes tax loopholes and cuts more spending.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said the only relief may arrive in a couple of months. That’s when California voters will weigh in on ballot questions on borrowing against the state lottery, and transferring restricted money for pre-school and mental health services to the general fund.

  Assemblywoman Karen Bass: “I’m really focusing on May 19th, because we have got to get these propositions passed. If we don’t, then that $8 billion figure can easily become 15. Because you know, the lottery is $5 billion, and then Proposition 10 and Proposition 63, that could be another one, one-and-a-half billion dollars. So we could be looking at a $15 billion hole if voters don’t turn out.”

  Bass told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the scenario reminds her of the movie “Groundhog Day,” in which the same events play out in a seemingly endless loop.

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  • March 13, 2009 5:58 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Only Measure B from March 3 LA election still unsettled

  The Los Angeles City Clerk’s office says it will soon finalize the results of the recent city election. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says only one race is still in doubt.

  Molly Peterson: Since the March 3 election, the clerk’s office has been tallying the last 46,000 provisional, absentee, and write-in ballots. Regardless of the outcome, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will still be the mayor. But the count could determine the fate of Measure B, the so-called Green Power and Green Jobs Initiative.

  Election-day vote counts show the initiative losing by only 1300 votes. Measure B would authorize the Department of Water and Power to put 400 megawatts of solar on property within city limits.

  The DWP’s chief, David Nahai, says the utility is already moving forward with solar energy plans. So while the outcome of Measure B might change, L.A.’s push for power from the sun will not.

  L.A.’s city clerk says she expects final certification of the vote on Thursday, several days ahead of schedule.

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  • March 13, 2009 5:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican blogger predicts Steele will stay as RNC chairman

  The new chairman of the Republican National Committee is experiencing a bumpy takeoff. Some prominent party members have blasted Michael Steele for his recent comment that abortion is “an individual choice.”

  Steele came in for criticism earlier over his verbal sparring with conservative radio talk host Rush Limbaugh. Even after all that, Republican blogger John Feehery predicts that Steele will stay in the job.

  John Feehery: “I think it’s going to be pretty hard to get out of there. I think that he’s gone through a process of, of making some early mistakes. Given that he hasn’t been on this national stage before that’s not that surprising.

  “I think he’s tried to look at the RNC itself and see how it can be made more effective as an organization. And ultimately if he’s going to be successful, that’s where the success is going to come from – the organization itself, not from him shooting his mouth off.”

  Feehery – a onetime communications director for former congressional leaders Tom DeLay and Dennis Hastert – spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

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  • March 13, 2009 2:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal receiver for California prison medical care fires top aides

  The man a federal judge appointed to oversee prison medical care reform in California fired three of his top aides today. KPCC’s Nick Roman says this happened days before a court hearing in which state officials plan to ask the judge to get rid of the receiver’s office.

  Nick Roman: Receiver Clark Kelso was appointed a year ago to supervise prison medical care fixes, in part because the former receiver went nose-to-nose with state officials too often. Some observers expected Kelso, who’d worked in state government, would be easier to work with.

  Then he told the state about his $8 billion plan to upgrade prison medical care. Ever since, the governor’s office has tried to scuttle the receiver’s office. A court hearing on that comes up next week.

  Kelso says there’s no link between its timing and his decision to fire three top aides. But he does say he made that decision to help his office work more “collaboratively with the state.” The three aides sent out their own statement. They blamed their departure on “irreconcilable differences” with Kelso. They say the receiver is going in a “new direction.”

  An attorney for inmates says he hopes the dismissals don’t mean the push for better medical care in prisons is about to stall.

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  • March 12, 2009 7:55 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County proposes timeline for restoring King-Harbor as full-service hospital

  University officials at South Los Angeles’ Charles Drew School of Medicine, across the street from the Martin Luther King/Harbor Urgent Care Center, are looking forward to its restoration as a full-service hospital. L.A. County officials proposed a timeline for that this week.

  University president Susan Kelly says it’ll take several years before the new facility can begin to train medical residents again.

  Susan Kelly: “But it could still take medical students rotating through there and nurses and physician assistants. We certainly hope that from the moment it’s opened, that it can be a rotating site for medical students.”

  Before L.A. County closed the hospital a year and a half ago, it doubled as a teaching facility for the Charles Drew medical school.

  The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is proposing a partnership with the University of California and the state. If all the parties can work out the details, King Hospital could reopen in three years with 120 licensed beds.

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  • March 12, 2009 4:45 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Maxine Waters in controversy over possible conflict of interest

  A report in The New York Times today has put new focus on an old story. It details how Congresswoman Maxine Waters helped set up a meeting last September between Treasury Departments officials and bank executives who serve low-income communities. An executive with Boston-based OneUnited pressed Treasury officials at the meeting for $50 million in federal bailout money. The Congresswoman’s husband used to serve on OneUnited’s board of directors… and owned a large amount of the bank’s stock.

  Reporter Eric Lipton wrote the New York Times story on the Treasury meeting with bank executives. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the fact Congresswoman Waters may have had a financial connection with OneUnited was no secret.

  Eric Lipton: “As of the 2008 financial disclosure form, her husband had owned stock in the institution. But I guess some of the folks at Treasury felt that they would rather had known that the meeting that she requested was going to include executives from a bank that her family had financial ties to.”

  Lipton’s report says OneUnited’s president pressed Treasury officials for bailout money during the meeting. He asked for $50 million – but got only $12 million.

  LINK: Congresswoman, Tied to Bank, Helped Seek Funds (New York Times)

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  • March 12, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Health care advocate supports proposal to re-expand King Hospital

  South Los Angeles health care advocates firmly back plans to reopen Martin Luther King Hospital as a full-service medical facility. Right now, it operates as an urgent care clinic.

  The Community Health Council’s Lark Galloway-Gilliam says the revived hospital would reduce emergency room wait times throughout L.A. County.

  Lark Galloway-Gilliam: “One of the misnomers about Martin Luther King Hospital is that it was a problem for South Los Angeles and it was far from that. The closure of that hospital has had a ripple affect across hospitals throughout the L.A. basin.”

  Since the county closed the hospital a year and a half ago, public health experts say seriously ill or injured patients have waited 12 hours or more on average to see doctors at surrounding hospitals.

  The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is proposing a partnership with the University of California and the state. If it works out, King Hospital could reopen in three years with 120 licensed beds.

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  • March 12, 2009 4:31 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Reports raise questions about Congresswoman Waters helping Southland bank

  Published reports are raising questions about Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ efforts to secure $50 million in federal bailout money for a black-owned bank with branches in the Southland. In September, the Democratic congresswoman set up a meeting between OneUnited Bank – in which her husband has invested and had served on the board of directors – and the Treasury Department.

  The bank eventually landed $12 million from the federal government. Eric Lipton, who reported the story for the New York Times, said the bank and federal agencies deny any link between Waters’ intervention and the money.

  Eric Lipton: “There hasn’t been any House ethics review or request for review, it’s sort of just coming forward. And, you know, I guess it’s an open question as to whether or not in fact she did something wrong.

  “She insists and is very comfortable with the fact, well it’s my understanding that she believes there is nothing inappropriate here. But at least there was some at Treasury who were surprised to learn of her interest in this bank after the meeting occurred.”

  Lipton told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the bank also raised about $20 million from private investors. The balance sheet for OneUnited has improved since last September, he said, and now regulators consider the bank to be reasonably well capitalized.

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  • March 12, 2009 4:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assemblyman Lieu lobbies for more federal mortgage relief

  California’s foreclosure rate is more than twice the national average. One state lawmaker from Torrance is in Washington, D.C. this week to tell top mortgage officials that homeowners here deserve a break. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: The Obama Administration plan to stave off foreclosures offers re-financing to homeowners who owe more than their house is worth. But State Assemblyman Ted Lieu says it’s available only to those who are no more than 5 percent underwater on their loans – and that knocks out too many Californians.

  Lieu says houses cost more here, so many homeowners owe much more than 5 percent of what their home is worth. Lieu’s spent the week in Washington, D.C. to meet with housing officials. The Torrance Democrat says he understands why homeowners who are current with their mortgages have little sympathy for those in over their heads.

  Ted Lieu: None of this is fair. And from my view, I’m not doing this out of sympathy. We’re doing this as a purely economic response to economic crisis.

  Felde: Lieu says he was encouraged by comments from Lawrence Summers – who heads the president’s economic council. Summers says the White House was “looking at” upping the 5 percent refinancing limit.

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  • March 12, 2009 4:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County cancels Planned Parenthood education contract

  The Orange County counsel is studying the legal implications now that county supervisors have terminated a contract with Planned Parenthood. Earlier this week supervisors voted to cancel the organization’s contract to offer health and sex education.

  Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach says he opposed it, in part, because he didn’t want to spend county money with an organization that offers abortions. Moorlach also told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he sees better uses for the money.

  Supervisor John Moorlach: “Larry, at this time in our economy as it is, I would find that the funding should go to the community clinics that are helping those in dire need with their medical issues because they have been laid off and don’t have medical insurance. I see that as a much higher priority at this time.”

  Supervisors approved the contract last year. It directed money toward a coalition of clinics. Moorlach says he didn’t realize at the time that Planned Parenthood was part of the coalition.

  None of the money directly paid for abortions. The president of Planned Parenthood’s Orange County chapter says the money in question went toward programs that he believes help to prevent abortions.

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  • March 12, 2009 2:36 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA designates Griffith Park a historical-cultural monument

  Neighbors of Griffith Park in Los Angeles are noting the park’s designation as a cultural monument today. L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge said the park’s new status gives it more protection against development and change.

  Tom LaBonge: “There’s a review now by the Cultural Heritage Commission of anything that’s proposed. There’s certainly infrastructure that will go in here.

  “But you won’t see crazy ideas that maybe were thought of before. ‘Cause Griffith Park was so big. They just said go put it in Griffith Park. And that doesn’t belong.”

  Park rangers and dozens of activists spoke at a ceremony about Griffith Park’s value for recreation and solace. LaBonge and other Griffith Park lovers unveiled a sign at one of the park’s seven entrances that describes its status as a monument. LaBonge and other city council members unanimously approved the park’s historic-cultural monument status in January.

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  • March 12, 2009 2:24 PM
  • Categories: Environment, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County supervisor announces deal to reopen MLK Hospital

  Los Angeles County officials hope to reopen Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital in three years. L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas announced yesterday that the county had reached a tentative agreement with the University of California that paves the way for the reopening of the hospital.

  Ridley-Thomas told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he hopes the tentative deal will attract a contractor that would manage the hospital’s day-to-day operations. He said the county’s had trouble with that.

  Mark Ridley-Thomas: “There was no real structure in place – now we have a well-articulated plan with the county, with the University of California, so it’s a very, very – that is to say, an entirely different proposition. And I think you will find the highest and best out there seeking to be partners with us in this effort.”

  The proposal calls for the county and the University of California to run the hospital in a public-private partnership. The county would pay all the costs for the new facility.

  The board of supervisors and the UC board of regents would still have to approve the deal.

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  • March 12, 2009 12:38 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama signs 6-month extension for E-Verify immigration verification

  The $410 billion spending bill signed today by President Obama contains a six-month extension of “E-Verify.” The database program lets employers check the immigration status of someone who’s applying for a job.

  E-Verify is voluntary. Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” the program should be mandatory.

  Gabrielle Giffords: “Two years ago, almost 400,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended in Arizona. That’s around a thousand a day. And even though the numbers are less, certainly the numbers are still the greatest in the nation. With the comprehensive immigration that we need, this is a reliable, accurate employee verification system.”

  E-Verify is one of three employee eligibility verification programs created more than 10 years ago – but so far, few employers have enrolled voluntarily. Arizona is the only state that requires employers to use E-Verify.

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  • March 11, 2009 3:58 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California foster care may be extended from 18 to 21

  California is considering whether to keep foster youth in its care past the age of 18. A bill that Assembly Speaker Karen Bass co-authored would give foster youth the option to draw on state support until they’re 21. John Wagner directs the California Department of Social Services. He spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  John Wagner: “What we’re trying to do and I think what this bill provides, an additional kind of tool for us, is to say for those who aren’t going into the military or into full-time employment and self-sufficiency that we have a number of additional tools we can help these youths succeed in life.”

  The bill would rely on newly-available federal money. Before he left office, President Bush signed legislation that provides matching federal funds to states that extend foster care until young people turn 21.

  Illinois already does that. A study released this week found that foster youth in that state were three times more likely to enroll in college – and 65 percent less likely to be arrested – than foster youth in Wisconsin and Iowa, where support ends at 18. Researchers at the universities of Washington and Chicago conducted the study.

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  • March 11, 2009 2:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State lawmakers consider extending foster care to age 21

  State lawmakers are considering a bill that would extend foster care to age 21 in California. Most foster youth in California “age out” of the system when they’re 18.

  A recent study by researchers at the universities of Washington and Chicago found that California would get back more than $2 for every dollar it spent on extending foster care.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass explains where those savings would come from.

  Karen Bass: “The savings are accrued from number one, these children not falling into the criminal justice system, not becoming victims of violence or becoming involved in gangs because gangs are a surrogate family, or getting involved in criminal activity.”

  Bass co-authored the bill that would extend foster care. She spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  The bill would use newly-available federal money to help provide transitional housing and other services for foster youth past their 18th birthday. Bass says she’s confident that the bill will win bipartisan support and that Governor Schwarzenegger will sign it.

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  • March 11, 2009 12:38 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County municipalities sell, swap or trade stimulus monies for transportation

  For Sale: half-a-million federal stimulus dollars… at a discount. Municialities from Torrance to Temple City are transacting that kind of deal. KPCC’s Brian Watt explains how they work.

  Brian Watt: In Los Angeles County, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is doling out at least $500,000 in federal stimulus money to every one of the county’s 88 cities. But each city has to spend that money on transportation-related projects. Some have turned this into an opportunity to make a deal.

  A city like Irwindale that needs the money for something other than transportation can “sell” its stimulus dollars to… Westlake Village, where city manager Ray Taylor really needs the cash to upgrade an overpass and an on-ramp along the 101 Freeway at Lindero Canyon Road.

  Ray Taylor: “We’re several million dollars short in terms of being able to pay for that, so these economic stimulus funds are a significant addition to our revenues and will help us.”

  Watt: So Westlake Village has offered to buy Irwindale’s half-million for $325,000. It’s working on a similar deal with LaHabra Heights. The cities on the selling end can deposit the money in their general funds.

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  • March 10, 2009 5:36 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Supporters gather signatures for new gay marriage proposal

  California voters may face another ballot measure about same-sex marriage soon. Secretary of State Debra Bowen said today that supporters may start collecting signatures for an initiative that would strike the word “marriage” from state law. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: Two college students are behind the referendum. Twenty-one-year-old Kaelan Housewright from California Institute of the Arts and 32-year-old Ali Shams from UC San Diego say they are heterosexual friends who want to “provide equality among all couples.”

  Their constitutional amendment would replace the term “marriage” with “domestic partnership” throughout California law. The amendment would repeal Proposition 8 – the voter-approved November measure that banned same-sex marriage.

  The two need to collect nearly 700,000 signatures by August to qualify the measure for the November ballot. They have little money, but they say they’ll use the Internet to recruit and organize signature gatherers.

  Traditional gay rights leaders have yet to back the initiative. Many of them question whether it’s too soon to present voters with another ballot question on same-sex marriage.

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  • March 10, 2009 4:48 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County cities able to buy, sell transportation stimulus funds

  When it comes to federal economic stimulus money, Southland cities are getting downright creative. L.A. County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is allocating at least half a million dollars of the windfall to every one of the county’s 88 cities.

  Each has to spend that money on transit-related projects. Cities without transportation projects looking for dough can “sell” the stimulus bucks to others that need cash for roads, bridges, buses, and trains.

  Ray Taylor, city manager of Westlake Village, says his municipality is working on two deals to direct extra cash toward overpass and on-ramp improvements along the 101 Freeway at Lindero Canyon Road.

  Ray Taylor: “So essentially, we would be buying La Habra Heights $500,000 allocation for $310,000 and Irwindale’s allocation for $325,000, or 65 cents on the dollar.”

  The Pasadena Star-News reports that other cities are making similar deals. The cities on the “selling” end can deposit the money in their general funds.

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  • March 10, 2009 3:34 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LAPD chief lobbies for money, information in DC

  More than 200 business and political leaders from Southern California stormed Capitol Hill today to lobby for their fair share of federal stimulus dollars. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says one member of the group was looking for more than just money.

  Kitty Felde: It’s become an annual rite of spring – mayors, city councilmen, and the chambers of commerce from L.A. to Palm Springs head to Washington, D.C. for meetings with California’s Congressional delegation.

  This year, more than 200 people made the trek to lobby for federal dollars – including L.A. Police Chief Bill Bratton. He wants money to hire more police officers – and he wants to tap federal information about terrorism. Bratton says a healthy economy is directly related to more cops and a safe city.

  Bill Bratton: In New York City in the 1990s, we grew our police department and what happened? The economy that was in the tank in New York began to turn around. You cannot afford to have a terrorist act or see crime increase because both of those can be very damaging to a recovering economy.

  Felde: Bratton is meeting with FBI chief Robert Mueller, as well as with lawmakers with intelligence ties – South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman and Senator Dianne Feinstein.

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  • March 10, 2009 12:45 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Business, elected leaders lobby DC for stimulus money

  Southern California business and elected leaders are in Washington D.C. this week to lobby for a slice of the federal economic stimulus package. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that more than 200 people are part of a delegation organized by the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce.

  Frank Stoltze: It’s the largest lobbying effort the Chamber’s ever organized. Southland business leaders and elected officials will meet with Obama Administration officials and members of Congress to promote the region’s ports, airports, and green technology companies. Chamber president Gary Toebben says they’re delivering a unified message.

  Gary Toebben: The overriding point is that we have the resources and the capacity in Southern California to be a leader in the economic recovery.

  Gil Ivey: Southern California is America’s recovery engine.

  Stoltze: Gil Ivey is chief administrative officer of the Metropolitan Water District. He says there’s intense competition for stimulus and other federal money.

  Ivey: Lots of people are back here – all 50 states, all governors, all cities – they’re all back here.

  Stoltze: States automatically get portions of the $787 billion federal stimulus pie based on their population. But cities, counties, and states have to compete for the rest of the money through competitive grants.

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  • March 9, 2009 6:18 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Business leaders, officials lobby in DC for Southern California

  More than 200 business leaders and elected officials from Southern California are visiting Washington D.C. this week to lobby for stimulus and other money. Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce president Gary Toebben says it’s the Chamber’s biggest delegation yet.

  Gary Toebben: “Certainly there’s never been a stimulus package like is currently being implemented. We have a heightened interest from our members and from elected officials in the five counties that are here from Southern California.”

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, and Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione are among the elected officials on the trip. The delegation plans to meet with members of Congress from California and with Obama Administration officials, including the president’s chief economic adviser, Larry Summers.

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  • March 9, 2009 5:25 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California poised to tap into federal stimulus money for education

  California’s likely to get about $2 billion for public schools, state education superintendent Jack O’Connell told reporters after he met with federal education secretary Arne Duncan. During a teleconference, O’Connell said he’s encouraged that Duncan seems to share his concern about improving the quality of teaching and learning.

  Superintendent Jack O’Connell: “I have two primary objectives here. One: make sure we qualify as a state for as much money as we’re entitled to. And two: get the money out the door to school districts as quickly as possible.”

  O’Connell assured reporters that the federal department would not delay the money. He added, though, that the one-time cash infusion would last no more than two years.

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  • March 9, 2009 3:47 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• California schools superintendent excited about relationship with new Administration

  California’s education superintendent Jack O’Connell is accustomed to delivering bad news about the state of public education. But after he met with federal education secretary Arne Duncan, O’Connell struck an optimistic tone in a teleconference with reporters.

  Superintendent Jack O’Connell: It’s clearly a new day. It’s a new day in our relationship with the federal government, and it’s very, very exciting. The conversation was focused on collaboration and focused on helping kids. I can sum this meeting up with one word: Bold.

  Not only could the state pick up a couple of billion dollars in federal education money, O’Connell said; he added that so far, he’s had three more conference calls with the new federal education secretary than he did with the previous one.

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  • March 9, 2009 3:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• UC Irvine researcher says eased restrictions on stem cell research will help his work progress

  A stem cell researcher at UC Irvine says President Obama’s executive order easing restrictions on federal money for embryonic stem cell research will help. Hans Keirstead of UCI’s Reeve-Irvine Research Center says the order helps take the politics out of stem cell research.

  Keirstead’s research led to the first federally-approved study of a stem cell therapy in humans. His study helped paralyzed rats walk again. Keirstead says that now, he’s trying to determine how stem cells can help other kinds of spinal cord injuries.

  Hans Keirstead: “It’s a different spinal cord cell type; a cell type that is lost in spinal muscular atrophy. It’s also lost in Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. And it’s also lost in chronic spinal cord injury. So we’re working in the pre-clinical phases now to make sure the product works and is safe.”

  Since word spread Friday that the president was going to lift the funding restrictions imposed during the Bush administration, Keirstead says his phone’s been ringing off the hook. He says he’s getting more calls from people with spinal cord injuries who inquire about possible future treatments.

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  • March 9, 2009 1:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Budget expert: California can use federal stimulus to avoid further cuts and higher taxes

  Budget experts are estimating that California will receive more than $50 billion from the federal stimulus package. The California Budget Project says there will be money for Medi-Cal, schools, tax credits, highway construction, and more.

  Some of the money could help California avoid further budget cuts and higher tax increases. But under state law, for that to happen, at least $10 billion of those federal stimulus dollars must be used to offset state spending.

  The state thinks it may fall short of that figure. But Jean Ross of the California Budget Project says the state can get above that threshold, and thus avoid triggering more cuts and higher taxes.

  Jean Ross: “We do believe that there is plenty of room, within the framework established by state law, to creatively use those federal funds to offset general fund expenditures and to avoid having to pull that trigger.”

  The state treasurer and finance director will hold a public hearing next week to determine whether the state can meet the $10 billion threshold.

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  • March 9, 2009 1:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County researcher praises lifting of stem cell research restrictions

  UC Irvine’s stem cell center may benefit, now that President Obama’s eased restrictions on federal money for stem cell research. Hans Keirstead is co-director of UCI’s Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. He says the eight-year ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research stunted development of the field. Keirstead ran down some of the results.

  Hans Keirstead: “…a dearth of laboratories around the nation; mature researchers not getting into the stem cell field; young researchers fearing for their job stability and not getting into the stem cell field. And it’s also resulted in a lack of confidence in the investment community, where a lot of research is actually done, in small biotechs.”

  Keirstead says the Obama administration’s executive order reopens the door to develop the stem cell field.

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  • March 9, 2009 1:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Orange County Supervisors to review audit on jail medical care

  The Orange County supervisors this week will take up an audit of a $36 million program that provides medical care in jails. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the audit makes a bunch of recommendations.

  Susan Valot: The audit suggests the Health Care Agency’s Correctional Medical Services office has mismanaged medical care in Orange County jails. To fill jobs, managers sometimes hired relatives. They also hired workers who were already on staff to second jobs as contractors. Record keeping was poor, and that problem persisted for years.

  The audit also found the jail medical staff had lots of nursing supervisors, but not enough nurses working under them. And it says the way medications are dispensed to inmates is inefficient and lacks oversight. The audit says the Health Care Agency should set up a leadership team to make changes quickly, and it should work with a local medical school to create a physician residency program in the jails.

  Auditors say the two dozen changes they’ve recommended could save several million dollars every year, although the Health Care Agency says they wouldn’t save that much.

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  • March 9, 2009 1:25 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Scientist: State in a good position to move forward with stem cell research

  California scientists say the state is well-positioned to take advantage of any new federal dollars for human embryonic stem-cell research. President Obama announced today he’s lifting restrictions on federal backing for that research. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Bob Klein of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine says lifting restrictions on human embryonic stem-cell research will help clear the way for collaboration with British scientists. He says those scientists are using embryonic stem cells to cure blindness in large animals.

  Bob Klein: They are successfully curing blindness in these animals, so we would hope to collaborate with them and California institutions, and bring that research to U.S. human clinical trials at a much earlier date, perhaps as early as 2011.

  Stoltze: Some conservative Christian groups remain opposed to the use of human embryonic stem cells for research. Carrie Gordon Earll of Focus on the Family compares such cells to human beings.

  Carrie Gordon Earll: We have prisoners that are going to die anyway. They might make excellent research subjects. But we are not going to conduct experiments on them because they are members of the human family.

  Stoltze: California is a leader in stem cell research. The state’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine has provided close to $700 million for stem cell research since voters approved its launch three years ago.

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  • March 9, 2009 1:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality, Science/Technology

• California researchers cheer Obama stem cell announcement

  California scientists applauded President Obama’s announcement today that he’s lifting restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. Arnold Kriegstein heads stem cell research at UC San Francisco. He says California already leads the field in this country.

  Arnold Kriegstein: “We’ve had training programs in place for over three years now. We have students and fellows and post-docs and junior faculty who’ve been trained specifically in embryonic stem cell research. There are training facilities.  We have, in fact, laboratories especially equipped for human embryonic stem cell work. And so we are just perfectly positioned to take advantage of both federal and state dollars now to really move these projects forward.”

  Five years ago, California voters approved Proposition 71. It created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The institute so far has provided nearly $700 million for stem cell research. It’s the largest project of its kind in the nation.

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  • March 9, 2009 12:56 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Assemblyman Lieu will ask feds to change eligibility for mortgage assistance

  A California lawmaker says the Obama Administration’s new mortgage assistance plan excludes too many troubled homeowners to address the state’s foreclosure crisis. Assemblyman Ted Lieu says he’ll meet with officials in Washington this week to ask that the eligibility for the federal program be expanded.

  Assemblyman Ted Lieu: “California actually needs to stop, or at least mitigate, the number of home foreclosures that are happening right now. In January we had over 76,000 foreclosure filings, which amounts to one every 38 seconds. Until we slow that down, we’re never going to start our economic recovery.”

  California accounts for about one third of the nation’s foreclosures. The federal mortgage assistance program requires that a person owe less than 105 percent of the value of their home. That excludes almost half the homeowners in Riverside, and about a third of those in Los Angeles who owe more than their property is worth.

  The democrat from Torrance says he’ll meeting with Fed Chair Ben Bernanke and F.D.I.C. Chair Sheila Bair, among others.

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  • March 9, 2009 12:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Feds start issuing coupons for digital TV converters again

  Remember those digital TV converter box coupons that the federal government was handing out? Thanks to some new funding, the program is back in business and the coupons are “in the mail.” More from KPCC’s Debra Baer.

  Debra Baer: The NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) says everybody on the waiting list should get their $40 coupons within three weeks. It estimated the backlog at more than two million households.

  The program ran out of coupons and money in January. Congress then delayed the TV conversion to digital broadcast from February to June 12.

  The recent economic stimulus bill included funding to continue the coupon program. People whose coupons have expired will be able to re-apply, but not just yet. The NTIA is expected to announce soon when it’ll start taking those replacement requests.

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  • March 9, 2009 12:38 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• City of LA continues to count ballots; Measure B still up in the air

  Election workers in Los Angeles continue to count votes this weekend. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.

  Molly Peterson: The city clerk’s office will first finish verifying 25,000 ballots cast by mail. Then some 12,000 provisionals and 10,000 other ballots, including write-ins, get counted in the next two weeks. That number includes one precinct in the city council’s ninth district where a poll inspector failed to show up. All told, around 46,000 votes stand between the city clerk and a final tally.

  That’s enough to change the outcome of Measure B, the Green Energy and Good Jobs initiative, which would require L.A. to own and operate 400 megawatts of solar power in city limits. It’s losing in the preliminary count by a slim margin.

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  • March 6, 2009 9:38 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• California biologists excited about federal stem cell research funding

  President Obama plans, on Monday, to lift federal funding restrictions on stem cell research. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports Southern California biologists are anxiously awaiting the move.

  Frank Stoltze: Doctor Jerome Zack is with UCLA’s Broad Stem Cell Research Center. He applauded President Obama’s expected announcement lifting funding restrictions on stem cell research, and told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that UCLA could really use the money.

  Jerome Zack: For brain type research, spinal cord injury. Others, including myself, are looking into how these cells can turn into blood cells where we could treat diseases like HIV or hemophilia, or some other diseases of the blood system. Others are looking at how these stem cells might be used to repair defects to the heart. So, there’s many diseases that can be looked at and much work being done here at UCLA.

  Stoltze: For the last seven years, the Bush Administration refused to fund human embryo stem cell research, agreeing with conservative religious groups who believe using human embryos is immoral.

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  • March 6, 2009 9:34 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• California stem cell scientists cheer Obama plan to roll back restrictions

  Biologists in Southern California say they’re looking forward to Monday’s announcement by President Obama that he’ll lift funding restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research. Jerome Zack is with the Broad Stem Cell Research Center at UCLA.

  Jerome Zack: “Well, it’s actually very exciting because the availability of federal funding is what can move research forward much, much quicker. So the fact that this money would now be available for research on additional stem cell lines would really help galvanize things.”

  Zack spoke to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Scientists believe stem cells obtained from early human embryos are capable of becoming any type of tissue in the body, and researching them could lead to insights into many diseases. Many conservative religious groups oppose federal funding of research involving human embryo cells.They believe destroying human embryos is immoral.

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  • March 6, 2009 5:53 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Controller issues tax refunds, other payments, after budget delay

  California Controller John Chiang today said he’ll release $3 billion in tax refunds, student aid, and other payments delayed by the state budget crisis. The state will send checks over the next two weeks. But as KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports, California continues to face serious financial problems.

  Frank Stoltze: Chiang says California can probably borrow enough money to cover a $630 million cash shortfall next month; but beyond that?

  Controller John Chiang: We have a huge question in the month of July.

  Stoltze: That’s the beginning of the new fiscal year, when the state always faces a shortage of cash. Chiang notes California still has the lowest credit rating of all the states. That’s in part a reflection of concerns about the new state budget.

  Chiang: Wall Street hasn’t said it’s sound. That’s a big question.

  Stoltze: Lenders will be watching closely when voters in May decide on a package of measures that would allow California to borrow against state lottery funds and shift mental health dollars into the general fund. But Chiang worries about lenders themselves.

  Chiang: When you have Citygroup falling below a dollar and people talking about issues involving Bank of America, what institutions have the wherewithal to provide the external borrowing required by the state of California?

  Stoltze: Chiang also predicts that state lawmakers soon will have to consider more spending cuts or tax hikes or both to address falling tax revenues triggered by rising unemployment and home foreclosures.

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  • March 6, 2009 5:00 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Air Resources Board chair says she can work with automakers

  California policymakers and Detroit automakers are waiting for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to decide whether the state can limit greenhouse gasses from tailpipes.

  Mary Nichols, who chairs the state’s Air Resources Board, testified yesterday at an EPA hearing on whether California should get the okay to regulate. She told a conference at UCLA today that the state can work with Detroit.

  Mary Nichols: “We also recognize that the auto industry desperately wants to find a way to move towards a more unified set of standards that deal with energy efficiency, fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, at the state and federal level. And we are working with our counterparts in D.C. to move in that direction.”

  Nichols says California also wants to see unified national standards based on the state’s own tougher rules.

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  • March 6, 2009 11:35 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• LA supervisor says stimulus fund could create 10,000 temp jobs

  There’s money in the federal stimulus package to create subsidized jobs. L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe wants to use that money to put thousands of people back to work… soon. KPCC’s Brian Watt explains.

  Brian Watt: LA County could get $100 million from the Emergency Temporary Aid for Needy Families Contingency Fund. Don Knabe, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, has asked the County’s CEO to figure out how that money can help employ people as soon as possible in public agencies, non-profits, or private companies.

  Supervisor Don Knabe: It’s a pot of money with certain restrictions on it, and we need to be active in pursuing those dollars and putting people back to work.

  Watt: The restrictions mean that the county will have to kick in 20 percent of the subsidy… and that the jobs will only last from May of this year until next March.

  Knabe: Yeah, it is a temporary job, but at least it’s a job, and it puts people back working. It’s an opportunity to learn, opportunity to train. Who knows what it may lead to?

  Watt: Knabe hopes it’ll at least lead to a break for L.A. County welfare offices. They’ve taken on a dramatic rise in caseloads.

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  • March 5, 2009 7:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Health care nonprofit director eager for federal reform plans

  During a day-long summit today, President Barack Obama urged comprehensive health care reform by the end of this year.

  Anthony Wright, executive director of the nonprofit Health Access California, says he’s eager to see that happen. Wright told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that most of the 46 million uninsured people in the United States aren’t happy with the present medical system.

  Anthony Wright: “I think most people want coverage, most people want to be able to go to get the care that they need, and most people don’t want to be at risk of financial ruin when they do so. The issue is, is it available, is it affordable, is it administratively simple? Whether it’s getting it at work, or getting it through a public program, or buying it as an individual, there are reforms we can make to make coverage more available, more affordable, more automatic.”

  In remarks to the White House meeting, the president told policymakers, consumer advocates, physicians, and business representatives that he hopes a transparent and inclusive process will produce a bipartisan consensus on how to insure everyone.

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  • March 5, 2009 6:00 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Supervisor works to get 10,000 temporary jobs from federal stimulus package

  Across the country, companies are laying off thousands of workers by the week. In Los Angeles County, Supervisor Don Knabe is trying to put as many as 10,000 people back to work.

  Knabe says that more than $100 million is available from the federal stimulus package in a fund to create subsidized employment. He’s introduced a motion that asks L.A. County’s CEO to figure out how that money can help employ people as soon as possible in public agencies, non-profits, or private companies. There is one catch, Knabe says: those jobs would last only from May of this year until next March.

  Supervisor Don Knabe: “Obviously this is not a replacement job like many of the jobs we’re losing here in California. But on the other hand, it’s at least an opportunity to put people back to work, putting a paycheck in their pocket, spending money to go get groceries. In many cases, it relieves them of having to be on the county welfare rolls.”

  Knabe says L.A. County welfare offices have seen a dramatic increase in case loads, particularly involving people who’ve never had to use the welfare system before.

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  • March 5, 2009 5:52 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• White House hosts conference on health care reform

  A day-long White House conference on health care reform today involved more than 150 members of Congress, doctors, and representatives from organized labor, business, insurance companies, and consumer organizations.

  Richard Scott, a former hospital executive who heads Conservatives for Patients Rights, said he hopes the Obama Administration will steer clear of the single-payer national health care model found in Canada and Britain.

  Richard Scott: “They do a very good job, probably, for basic care and for emergency care. Where they really struggle, every country that has a nationalized program really struggles, is on expensive treatments, because what happens is as you give more and more free care, it gets used up, the dollars get used up, and in a way to control cost, they ultimately have to ration.”

  Scott told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the free market will drive down costs; that’s one reason does not believe in government-run health care.

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  • March 5, 2009 5:14 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• IRS tracking down alleged tax evaders with Swiss bank accounts

  Here’s something to ponder during tax season. The federal Internal Revenue Service is trying to obtain the names of as many as 52,000 Americans who may be evading taxes by parking their assets in the Swiss bank UBS.

  Officials of that bank say their country’s secrecy laws protect its account information, so giving it up could land its executives behind bars. Carrick Mollenkamp is covering the story for the Wall Street Journal. He described to KPCC’s Larry Mantle how the Swiss bank courted customers in the United States.

  Carrick Mollenkamp: “From Zurich, the bankers would be dispatched into kind of high net worth areas such as Miami, and the pitch was that those accounts would be ‘domiciled offshore,’ as they call it in private banking, in Zurich or in the Caymans or easily through offshore structures that ultimately hid the income from the IRS.”

  During a Capitol Hill hearing yesterday, federal financial officials and lawmakers raked UBS executives over the coals for allegedly helping wealthy Americans avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes.

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  • March 5, 2009 4:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Nevada Senator Reid proposes federal power lines for renewable energy

  Nevada Senator Harry Reid is proposing that the federal government designate special power lines to carry renewable energy from remote places. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.

  Molly Peterson: Solar, wind, and geothermal power are plentiful in the West’s vast open spaces. But transmission lines don’t always reach the mountains and deserts.

  Senator Reid’s proposal would boost development of renewable energy sources by easing the process of connecting them to the grid. That means the federal government would claim authority over where these lines go and who will pay for them.

  For a dozen or more years, federal authorities have been strengthening their claim over power lines. Then an energy bill four years ago sped up that trend with designated national interest electric transmission corridors.

  Biodiversity activists, and conservationists for deserts and mountains, have challenged those corridors in court. But Reid’s case is bolstered by the president’s interest in a national smart grid.

  Green transmission corridors would benefit the developers of large solar arrays planned in Reid’s state of Nevada. In California, they could help spin wind projects along in the Tehachapi mountains and heat up geothermal and solar in inland deserts.

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  • March 5, 2009 3:26 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Prop 8 opponents face skepticism from California Supreme Court

  State Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism today at arguments that they should overturn Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that bans same-sex marriage. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more on the much-anticipated oral arguments in the case.

  Frank Stoltze: Gay rights lawyers argued that Proposition 8 needed two-thirds support from the legislature before the state placed it on the ballot. Justice Joyce Kennard, who’s a potential swing vote, wondered about that.

  Justice Joyce Kennard: The people are those that have created the constitution, and I think what you’re overlooking is the broad powers of the people.

  Stoltze: Chief Justice Ronald George also indicated that he didn’t think Prop 8 needed legislative approval, and that he was reluctant to overturn a voter-approved ballot measure… even if it was unfair. He noted that gays and lesbians still enjoy constitutionally protected minority status.

  Justices also considered what to do with the 18,000 gay marriages performed last summer, if the court upholds Proposition 8. Even conservative justices signaled that they believe Prop 8 failed to specify that the state should invalidate those marriages.

  They’ll issue a decision in the case within 90 days.

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  • March 5, 2009 3:18 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Attorney Starr to CA Supreme Court: Equal protection was considered by Prop 8 voters

  During arguments before the California Supreme Court for and against Proposition 8, Associate Justice Ming Chin asked Kenneth Starr, an attorney who argued in favor of the ban on same-sex marriage, how a majority of voters could impose what the court had defined as a form of discrimination.

  Starr, dean of Pepperdine Law School, responded that supporters of the ballot measure had considered the equal protection clause of the state constitution.

  Kenneth Starr: “There’s no question that the equal protection value is a very important value that the Chief Justice has noted that, in various and sundry ways, the people have looked at equal protection and they have carved out exceptions. And what I want to come to is, ‘What does Proposition 8 do?’ Proposition 8 does not in fact erode any of the considerable bundle of rights that this state has very generously provided.”

  Opponents of Prop 8 contend that civil unions for same-sex couples are a separate and unequal form counterpart to marriage.

  In November, a majority of California voters supported the ballot measure that defines marriage in this state as the union of one man and one woman. The court has 90 days to issue a ruling on legal challenges to that vote.

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  • March 5, 2009 2:47 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• National safety board concludes hearings on 2008 Metrolink crash

  The National Transportation Safety Board yesterday concluded two days of hearings on last September’s deadly Metrolink Train crash in Chatsworth. KPCC’s Brian Watt has more on the testimony in Washington DC.

  Brian Watt: On day one of the hearings, federal investigators detailed safety violations the crash brought to light. Metrolink train engineer Robert Sanchez texted on the job, missed signals, and allowed teenagers ride in the cab of the locomotive.

  Day two of the hearings focused on what rail systems can do to prevent collisions like the one in Chatsworth. Representatives of transportation unions recommended making sure that two employees ride in the locomotive cab of all passenger and freight trains.

  But safety board member Kitty Higgins recalled another Metrolink train accident that happened weeks after the Chatsworth crash, when a second worker rode in the cab. She said she’s not yet convinced that’s the solution.

  The Federal Railroad Administration said “human factors” caused more than 80 percent of the 189 train accidents throughout the country last year. Metrolink officials announced they plan to install inward-facing video cameras in all locomotives and passenger cars.

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  • March 5, 2009 11:09 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• California Supreme Court hears arguments on Proposition 8

  Many eyes and ears will concentrate on the California Supreme Court today, as it considers arguments in three lawsuits seeking to overturn Proposition 8. That’s the November measure that overturned the court’s May ruling legalizing same sex marriages. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Opponents of Prop 8 argue that it stripped gays and lesbians of a fundamental right, and therefore it revised the state constitution. Revisions require legislative approval before voters can decide on them. Gay rights lawyer Jennifer Pizer:

  Jennifer Pizer: One of the important things about this litigation is that there’s not a lot of relevant law. There’s not a lot of precedents.

  Stoltze: Supporters of Prop 8 say the measure was a proper use of California’s initiative process.

  Inside the court’s San Francisco chambers, Pepperdine Law School Dean Kenneth Starr will lead arguments in favor of Prop 8. The legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Shannon Minter, will lead arguments against it. Legal analysts call it the most closely watched California Supreme Court hearing in a generation.

  The court will issue a decision in the case within 90 days.

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  • March 5, 2009 11:05 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Two contributors to 2004 Villaraigosa campaign charged with money laundering

  The Los Angeles mayoral campaign is barely over. Now criminal charges have surfaced over contributions to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s run for office four years ago. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has details.

  Cheryl Devall: The L.A. district attorney’s office has charged two Florida businessmen with money laundering in connection with the mayor’s first winning campaign for City Hall.

  The men own a company that runs gift shops in hotels and airports. They had dinner with Villaraigsa about a year before the 2005 election and offered to contribute to his campaign. Prosecutors claim the donors laundered more than $25,000 in contributions by having their company’s treasurer reimburse employees who fronted $1,000 each.

  Villaraigosa’s campaign reported suspicions about the money to the district attorney, and the office says the mayor has cooperated with the investigation. The businessmen, Sean Anderson and Richard Manhire, face six months behind bars and up to $100,000 in fines if a jury convicts them on charges of conspiracy and improperly identifying a campaign contributor.

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  • March 4, 2009 4:42 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• EPA will hold public hearings on California tailpipe emissions rules

  For years, California and more than a dozen other states have battled the federal government over the ability to regulate auto emissions. Tomorrow in Washington DC, the federal Environmental Protection Agency will convene a public hearing on the matter. KPCC’s Julia Mitric offers this preview.

  Julia Mitric: California, the country’s largest vehicle market, has changed its laws to tighten standards for tailpipe emissions. But the EPA blocked that move during the Bush Administration.

  At President Obama’s request, the environmental agency will reconsider its earlier decision. Auto industry officials don’t want California to adopt stricter emissions rules that would force expensive design changes.

  California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols challenges the industry’s argument.

  Mary Nichols: This is not calling for them to use any new exotic technologies that aren’t out there today. In fact, based on the information they’ve filed, they’ve demonstrated that they are meeting these standards right now – for 2008, 2009, 2010.

  Mitric: Nichols says now that 13 other states also want to adopt California’s tailpipe standards, a change in the rules could affect up to half the potential car buyers in the nation. She expects the EPA to make a final decision by June.

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  • March 4, 2009 3:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Banker not sold on allowing bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages

  Housing policy experts and consumer advocates are applauding the Obama administration’s proposed changes to bankruptcy law. Pending legislation would allow bankruptcy judges to order modifications in mortgage loans well before homeowners face foreclosure.

  Robert Satnick, president of the California Mortgage Bankers Association, sees a downside to that approach.

  Robert Satnick: “Strong, solid portfolio lenders, they are going to look at this situation and say, ‘You know what? It’s just, it’s too dangerous, it’s too risky. I don’t know that I want to participate in this.” And we are going to see further drawing up of capital, making it even more difficult for homeowners to find financing or refinance capital.”

  Satnick spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” His company, Prime Financial Services, is based in Van Nuys.

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  • March 4, 2009 2:58 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman explains support for mortgage loan modification bill

  The White House has issued new details about its plan to help homeowners stay put when their payments climb too high.

  Congressman Brad Miller, a North Carolina Democrat, backed a bill that would allow bankruptcy judges to order loan modifications, and would offer incentives for mortgage lenders to make those changes before property owners risk foreclosure.

  Miller told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that many of the modifications the mortgage companies have made so far led to higher monthly payments, and forced people into default.

  Congressman Brad Miller: “If they start modifying in a way that helps people stay in their house, I’m for it. And knowing that if they don’t, a court can do it whether they want it or not; whether they like it or not. Everything we’ve done for a year and a half has been to beg the industry, or to bribe the industry, to do the right thing and modify mortgages. This would make them do the right thing.”

  Miller’s bill is called the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act.”

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  • March 4, 2009 2:52 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Attorney: Prop 8 opponents say California should not recognize existing same sex marriages

  Supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are awaiting tomorrow’s review of the voter-approved ban known as Proposition 8 in the California Supreme Court.

  Attorney Emma Ruby-Sachs, who writes for the Huffington Post, described Prop 8 opponents’ arguments on the status of the same-sex marriages that were briefly legal in the state before voters passed the measure in November.

  Emma Ruby-Sachs: “Californians who were married before Prop 8 passed would have their marriages treated the same way as if you were married in Massachusetts and moved to Arkansas. So, it’s not that we are voiding your marriage; the state of California just isn’t going to recognize it.”

  Ruby-Sachs spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle. Opponents of Prop 8 maintain that same-sex marriages performed between last June and the November election should remain valid.

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  • March 4, 2009 1:12 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Weiss taking nothing for granted as he prepares for runoff election

  There will be a runoff election to replace L.A. city attorney Rocky Delgadillo. City Councilman Jack Weiss and attorney Carmen Trutanich will run against each other in the May 19 election.

  Weiss raised far more money than Trutanich leading up to yesterday’s election. But both men will have to start from scratch with fund raising for the runoff. Weiss told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he’ll be asking his donors to support him once again.

  Councilman Jack Weiss: “I don’t take anything for granted, though. I don’t take their support for granted. I don’t take the voters for granted. It’s very important to get out there. And communicate and contact people, and that’s what I’ll be doing.”

  Trutanich is a former L.A. county deputy district attorney. He received about 27 percent of the vote in yesterday’s election, compared to Weiss’ 36 percent.

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  • March 4, 2009 1:07 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Solar power initiative failing

  With most of the votes counted in Los Angeles, a massive solar initiative aimed at putting 400 megawatts of solar under the city’s control within its borders is failing. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports on the fate of Measure B.

  Molly Peterson: The nos are leading the ayes on Measure B now, but on election night supporters were claiming victory. The so-called Green Energy and Green Jobs Initiative went to an early lead under the support of most city council members and the mayor, who appeared in a televised Yes on B spot aired just before the election.

  The measure’s backed by the union at the Department of Water and Power – whose numbers would swell if voters approved it. Ethics commission filings show the proponents’ committee far outspent opponents to the initiative.

  Campaign reports say the yes committee raised nearly a million dollars by the middle of February, much of that from local and state union groups and solar companies. Then union groups and the mayor’s own political committee kicked in 660,000 more in the final 10 days.

  The city clerk’s office says L.A.’s official election results will wait until thousands of late vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots, and disputed ballots are counted.

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  • March 4, 2009 12:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Weiss and Trutanich will face each other May 19 in city attorney runoff

  Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss and San Pedro attorney Carmen Trutanich will face each other in a May 19th runoff for city attorney. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports neither won a majority of votes in yesterday’s election.

  Frank Stoltze: Weiss is a former federal prosecutor and two-term city councilman from West Los Angeles who is closely allied with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Trutanich is a former prosecutor with the L.A. district attorney’s office and environmental attorney who is backed by District Attorney Steve Cooley.

  One key to the result of the runoff between them may be which one Deputy City Attorney Michael Amerian backs. He finished third in the race. There’ll also be a runoff in the contest to replace Weiss in his Fifth District City Council seat.

  Former State Assemblyman Paul Koretz and attorney David Vahedi were the two top vote getters among six candidates. In the race for city controller, City Councilwoman Wendy Gruel beat Nick Patsouras. She’ll replace Laura Chick, who is termed out of office.

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  • March 4, 2009 11:44 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa re-elected

  Voters in the city of Los Angeles re-elected Mayor Antoino Villaraigosa yesterday. He captured 56 percent of the vote against nine challengers. Villaraigosa thanked supporters at an election night party at the downtown Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Angelenos, I promise you this – we are going to pick up where we began. I will work as hard as you do every single day. And as a city, we will never ever stop reaching for the stars. I want to thank you Los Angeles, I want to thank you one and all.”

  The 56-year-old mayor may soon be in another race. He hasn’t ruled out running for governor next year.

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  • March 4, 2009 11:42 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Voters re-elect LA Mayor Villaraigosa

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa won re-election yesterday. He garnered 56 percent of the votes against nine relatively unknown and under-funded challengers. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Former basketball star turned entrepreneur Magic Johnson introduced Villaraigosa at an election night party at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

  Magic Johnson: The greatest mayor we’ve had in the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. [cheering]

  Stoltze: The mayor thanked supporters for his re-election. Then he turned serious.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: I know these are tough times for many of our families. Ya see, I’ve traveled around the city over the last few months and I’ve witnessed the anxiety rising.

  Stoltze: Villaraigosa sought to provide encouragement, as the city grapples with a massive budget deficit and likely layoffs.

  Villaraigosa: We’re going to rebound from this economic crisis and we will emerge stronger than ever.

  Stoltze: Where the mayor will be when the city emerges is unclear. Villaraigosa’s refused to rule out a run for governor next year.

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  • March 4, 2009 11:40 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Villaraigosa reelected, Measure B too close to call

  A solar power plan in Los Angeles is undecided after voting yesterday. Measure B would require the city’s Department of Water and Power to generate 400 megawatts of solar power, but the results are too close to call.

  Voters, however, reelected Antonio Villaraigosa to a second term as mayor. KPCC’s Steve Julian says the question is whether the mayor will serve all of his second term.

  Steve Julian: Villaraigosa has not ruled out running as a Democrat for California governor next year. Should he run, he would face two well known state politicians in the primary election – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, and state attorney general and former governor Jerry Brown. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom will run as well.

  Meanwhile, the 56-year-old Villaraigosa captured 56 percent of the vote yesterday to avoid a runoff – something voters will see in May when they decide the fate of the L.A. city attorney’s race and one city council seat. In his victory speech last night, Villaraigosa promised voters that he would work as hard every day as they do.

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  • March 4, 2009 11:25 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors approve fee to fight real estate fraud

  Orange County is beefing up its arsenal against real estate fraud. KPCC’s Susan Valot says county supervisors today added a $3 document fee to many real estate transactions to fight real estate fraud.

  Susan Valot: Last year, real estate fraud accounted for 10 percent of fraud cases brought to the Orange County district attorney’s office. So far this year, that number’s jumped to 30 percent. It might be a sub-prime loan the homebuyer can’t ever hope to repay, or maybe an offer to help a homebuyer avoid foreclosure – for a hefty fee.

  The district attorney’s office says it doesn’t have the manpower to investigate and prosecute all of those real estate fraud cases. So it asked for – and got – the document fee. It’s expected to bring in more than one-and-a-half-million dollars next fiscal year.

  That’ll go into the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution trust fund. That will pay for establishing investigators dedicated to real estate fraud in Orange County, along with a new hotline and Web site to report such fraud. The new fee kicks in next month.

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  • March 3, 2009 4:30 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors consider replacing deputies in Hall of Administration

  Orange supervisors are moving forward with a plan to replace sheriff’s deputies who provide security in the Hall of Administration. The board today got a bid from the Santa Ana Police and asked staff to return with a proposal. But KPCC’s Susan Valot says it’s not a done deal yet.

  Susan Valot: The supervisors asked the Santa Ana PD to bid on the security job. It comes a few weeks after deputies used the surveillance cameras in the Hall of Administration to zoom in on supervisors’ notes during a hearing over concealed weapons permits.

  Supervisor Chris Norby sent a clear message, saying “whoever provides security should realize they’re our servant, not our master.” The Santa Ana Police Department says for less than $600,000 a year, it can take over security at the Hall of Administration and the Hall of Records and Finance in Santa Ana.

  But the sheriff’s department does the same job now for only about $470,000 a year. And it donates another $200,000 worth of manpower. An official with the union for county workers also points out the supervisors need to meet over labor agreements and double-check local laws before they make any changes in security duties.

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  • March 3, 2009 4:26 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 8 goes before state Supreme Court this week

  California’s Supreme Court is preparing to hear legal arguments for and against the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage this week. A coalition of civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, is arguing for the court to overturn the amendment to the state constitution. Mark Rosenbaum, legal director for the ACLU of Southern California, helped to write the court challenge to Proposition 8.

  Mark Rosenbaum: “It is not about the constitutionality or legality of same-sex marriage. Many respect it as a far more profound question that goes to the nature of our democracy.

  “Proposition 8 represents the first time in the history of California, and really in the history of the republic, that the majority have voted to strip away a fundamental right, an inalienable right, from a historically disadvantaged minority.”

  John Eastman, dean of Chapman University’s School of Law, wrote a legal brief that supports the opposite argument in this case. To explain his reasoning, he quoted California Supreme Court Justice Carol Corrigan.

  John Eastman: “She says that the people are entitled to preserve the traditional understanding of marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. People aren’t being deprived of the ability to marry, they’re being deprived, or everyone in the state is saying, you can’t redefine the definition of marriage by something that has never been understood as being.”

  Eastman and Rosenbaum spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

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  • March 3, 2009 3:44 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa makes his case for re-election

  Among the many elections around the Southland tomorrow is the one that’ll decide whether Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will serve a second term. He made his case for re-election to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “I’m looking for re-election because I think I’ve laid a foundation in a number of areas. The city is safer than anytime in the 1950s, we are focused on reducing gang crime, and we’ve reduced it in double digits.

  “I said we would make L.A. the city, cleanest, greenest big city in America. We’ve talked about addressing traffic, we’ve stopped construction during the rush hour. We’ve quadrupled the number of left-hand turn signals. We filled more than a million potholes, three times the number of the previous administration.”

  Villaraigosa faces nine challengers. Some of them have criticized what they regard as his emphasis on photo opportunities over substantive solutions to the city’s problems.

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  • March 2, 2009 4:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa talks with KPCC's 'Patt Morrison'

  On the eve of tomorrow’s election, KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” asked L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa whether he’ll serve out his full term if the voters re-elect him, or if he’ll set his sights on higher office.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “I’m focused on this job, I’m focused on re-election. Down the line, I’ll obviously have to make a decision.

  “If you were confronted with the same challenge of being able to complete a term as mayor, but also the possibility of serving as governor of the Golden State of California with all the problems we are facing today, it’s not something anyone would dismiss lightly and I won’t either.”

  Villaraigosa is a former state Assembly speaker. Halfway through his only term on the Los Angeles City Council, he launched his successful run for mayor.

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  • March 2, 2009 4:28 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Alamitos mayor resigns over racist e-mail

  The mayor of Los Alamitos is stepping down. KPCC’s Susan Valot says he turned in his resignation today after coming under fire for sending an e-mail with racial undertones.

  Susan Valot: Los Alamitos Mayor Dean Grose forwarded an e-mail to several people late last month that showed the White House with a watermelon patch out front. It was titled “No Easter egg hunt this year.”

  Grose said he sent it as a joke. But some community members called the racial stereotype racist and insensitive. News about the e-mail hit the newspaper. Someone left a smashed watermelon outside Grose’s business.

  Hundreds of calls poured into Los Alamitos City Hall. Some callers were angry with Grose – but others said the issue is overblown. Grose has apologized about the e-mail.

  He was going to step down just from the ceremonial position of mayor. But now, he’s decided to resign from the City Council altogether. He says he’s doing it for the love of his community and the health and well-being of his family.

  Note: Grose is not expected to be at tonight’s Los Alamitos City Council meeting.

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  • March 2, 2009 4:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Police chief, mayor tout size of LAPD

  Los Angeles Chief Bill Bratton today announced that his department’s expanded to its largest number of officers ever. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that’s not entirely true.

  Frank Stoltze: The chief said 9,895 officers work in the police department. But that includes the 60 or so new recruits who just started class at the police academy. They won’t hit the streets for six months.

  So why the big announcement? Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa organized the news conference. He’s up for re-election tomorrow. City Councilman Jack Weiss tagged along. He’s on the ballot as a city attorney candidate. City councilmen Eric Garcetti and Bill Rosendahl – also running for re-election – also joined the news conference with the popular police chief.

  Mayor Villaraigosa denied that he was using city resources for political purposes – as the dozens of recruits and police personnel stood behind him and the chief for a photo opportunity with TV news cameras.

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  • March 2, 2009 2:06 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Zimmer and Strayer compete for LA Unified school board

  Among the races on Los Angeles ballots tomorrow is one for a seat on the L.A. Unified school board. Political scientist Raphe Sonenshein told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the contest between candidates Steve Zimmer and Mike Strayer presents voters with a pleasant surprise.

  Raphe Sonenshein: “They are both very good. And it’s rare that you can say that. People are having a terrible time choosing between them.

  “And even though, I guess Zimmer is seen as more the teacher’s union candidate, they are both pro-labor candidates. But this seems like one of those nice choices for voters to have where it’s kinda hard to go wrong.”

  Both candidates are high school teachers in the district. They each hope to replace school board member Marlene Canter, who declined to run for re-election.

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  • March 2, 2009 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Interest low for LA mayoral election

  The election for mayor of Los Angeles isn’t generating anything close to the level of excitement as last autumn’s presidential contest. Political scholar Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of USC suggested why to KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Sherry Bebitch Jeffe: “Antonio Villaragosa is perceived as being a slam dunk, and if he isn’t that may, that may affect the image people have of him as a possible gubernatorial nominee. But I don’t see the arithmetic there for a run-off.”

  Nine candidates are challenging the mayor’s re-election. Also on city ballots tomorrow – races for city attorney, controller, and the L.A. Unified school board.

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  • March 2, 2009 2:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Election serves as referendum on Mayor Villaraigosa and allies

  Three key jobs – mayor, city attorney, and controller – are in play tomorrow in Los Angeles. Raphe Sonenshein, who teaches political science at Cal State Fullerton, regards the election as a referendum on L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his allies on the City Council.

  Raphe Sonenshein: “I think what’s ended up happening is the, the trio of the mayor and then Jack Weiss and Wendy Greuel, it’s sort of, if you think things are going pretty well and want to maintain the current leadership, then it’s a plus, but it also makes all three of them the focus for any dissatisfaction people have with the direction of the city.”

  Sonenshein spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Councilman Weiss is running for city attorney and Councilwoman Greuel is in the race for city controller.

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  • March 2, 2009 12:53 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Beverly Hills investigating phony late night political calls

  Three seats are up for grabs on the Beverly Hills City Council in tomorrow’s election. Eleven candidates are competing for them. KPCC’s Brian Watt says city officials are now investigating some automatic phone calls made in “support” of one of them.

  Brian Watt: The phone calls to voters started last Thursday night around 11 o’clock and continued past midnight – not the best time for a candidate to score points. The pre-recorded message featured the voice of a woman who sounded drunk and urged voters to support first-time candidate John Mirisch.

  Mirisch is saying his campaign had nothing to do with the calls and believes that anonymous supporters of someone else placed them to discredit him. On the Huffington Post blog, Mirisch said the tactic may represent a new low in Beverly Hills politics.

  Mirisch – a film distribution executive – has opposed a proposal to build a Waldorf Astoria hotel and two condominium buildings in Beverly Hills. A narrow margin of voters approved that plan last November.

  Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker, who’s running to keep his seat on the City Council, has asked the police and other city agencies to investigate the phone calls.

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  • March 2, 2009 12:51 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• City council candidates agree, too many oversized billboards

  One of the most competitive races in tomorrow’s Los Angeles city election is for the open seat in the fifth City Council district. Six candidates are running, and one of them, Robyn Ritter Simon, said they all agree on one issue – that too many oversized billboards loom over West L.A.

  Robyn Ritter Simon: “Our community, more than any other districts, really have been bombarded – they have sprouted up all over in a very quick amount of time. Without a doubt, there is not place in our community for the vinyl wraps that go around these office buildings.

  “The public safety officials have come in and said that if occupants are inside, and there’s a fire, they would not be able to get those people out. So there is no place in our community for that.”

  Ritter Simon and candidates Robert Schwartz and David Vahedi spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” The Fifth District council seat is open because Councilman Jack Weiss is running for L.A. city attorney.

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  • March 2, 2009 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• MacArthur Foundation gives LA grant for housing

  A major foundation has recognized Los Angeles as a leader in the preservation of rental housing. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says the MacArthur Foundation has backed up the praise with a million-dollar grant to the city.

  Cheryl Devall: The money will go to L.A.’s Housing Department and Community Redevelopment Agency. They’ll try to maintain apartments that working people can afford within the city limits – especially in central Los Angeles and in Skid Row residential hotels.

  City officials hope to hang onto 1,450 units of housing in the next three years. That may seem like a drop in the bucket as tens of thousands of apartments are prime candidates for conversion to higher-rent units or condos.

  The MacArthur Foundation notes that close to two-thirds of the 4 million people who live in L.A. are renters. But city officials hope the foundation’s grant will add momentum to a coordinated five year housing plan that will preserve affordable rental housing, redevelop public housing, and foster housing development close to mass transit. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who’s up for reelection, called the grant a vote of confidence in what the city’s trying to do.

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  • February 27, 2009 2:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Bipartisan group pushes for budget reform, rainy day fund

  Governor Schwarzenegger and a bipartisan group of lawmakers yesterday began their push for a set of ballot measures designed to reform state government. The measures are part of the budget deal signed earlier this month. Voters will decide on them during a special statewide election in May. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The measures include a spending cap tied to higher taxes, and the creation of a rainy day fund. Governor Schwarzenegger:

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Our budget mess probably goes back to Earl Warren.

  Stoltze: He was California’s governor from 1943 to 1953.

  Schwarzenegger: Who was the last one that had a rainy day fund. And since then every single time when we had extra money we spent it and then in downturns we didn’t have money to draw down in a rainy day fund.

  Stoltze: Republican Assemblyman Mike Villines, who opposed the governor on the budget, and Democratic State Senator Darrell Steinberg, promised to campaign with the governor for the measures. So did the president of the California Chamber of Commerce, Alan Zaremberg.

  Alan Zaremberg: We need to make sure that for future generations, this volatility doesn’t ever happen again.

  Stoltze: The special May 19th ballot also includes a bond that would borrow billions of dollars against future lottery earnings, and a measure that would transfer restricted money from some social programs to pay for others.

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  • February 27, 2009 1:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Controller Chick reports on moving gang programs under mayor's office

  One year after the City of Los Angeles placed all its anti-gang programs under the control of the mayor’s office, City Controller Laura Chick says: So far, so good. She also says the hard work isn’t over yet. More on the story from KPCC’s Nick Roman.

  Nick Roman: Chick’s report surveys L.A.’s progress with the Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development. That’s the mayor-controlled umbrella office that manages the anti-gang programs formerly scattered across city government.

  Chick’s report says its first year has worked out pretty well, but there’s more to do. She says that for L.A.’s anti-gang programs to work, they’ll have to coordinate with L.A. County and with L.A. City schools.

  Her report doesn’t mention whether Los Angeles gang prevention programs are doing a good job at keeping kids out of gangs. That’s why the controller called for the management switch a year ago. Nobody knew which gang prevention programs worked; and they didn’t know how to figure it out, either.

  Laura Chick, who’ll leave as city controller when her term is up this summer, says that before she goes, she wants to have an anti-gang program evaluation process in place.

  LINK: Laura Chick’s Report - pdf file

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  • February 26, 2009 5:32 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor cuts ribbon on refurbished Watts school parent center

  L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa cut the ribbon today on a refurbished parent center at a Watts schools run by his Partnership for L.A. Schools. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez was there.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Parents at Gompers Middle School said they’d asked L.A. Unified for years to improve the campus parent center. No money, the district replied. When the mayor’s schools partnership began running this and nine other schools last year, its officials said they’d find the funds.

  Satellite television company DirecTV has donated $250,000 to convert the old campus woodshop into a comfy parents’ lounge, outfitted with computers, books, and DirecTV’s 80 education channels. DirecTV also is a donor to the mayor’s reelection campaign. Gompers parent advocate Lily Robinson said the center will help ensure that no parent is left behind.

  Lily Robinson: We have Spanish workshops, ESL workshops where the Spanish parents get to learn how to speak English, and it’s free. We have anger management classes for our parents, and teach them how to talk to their teens and pull back some. We have reading classes, math classes, computer classes, and we just keep going.

  Guzman-Lopez: With those skills under their belts, she said, parents will be better equipped to help their kids succeed.

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  • February 24, 2009 3:18 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Bail set for OC man accused of terrorist ties

  An Afghan national who lives in Tustin has been ordered to answer charges next month that he lied on his citizenship and passport applications. KPCC’s Susan Valot says a federal judge in Santa Ana today set the man’s bail at a half-million dollars.

  Susan Valot: Federal investigators arrested Ahmadullah Sais Niazi at his Tustin home last week. They say he lied about alleged ties to terrorism groups – including al-Qaida and the Taliban – on his naturalization and passport applications.

  Prosecutors also say Niazi lied to authorities about traveling to Pakistan to visit family. They say his sister is married to Osama bin Laden’s security coordinator. Niazi calls the charges a “conspiracy.” His family says the FBI threatened two years ago to make Niazi’s life a “living hell” if he didn’t become an informant.

  His family and a Muslim civil rights group are calling for an investigation into whether the 34-year-old was arrested because he refused to become an informant. A federal judge said Niazi will have to surrender his passport and wear an electronic monitor if he makes bail.

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  • February 24, 2009 2:38 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC grand jury sides with sheriff over concealed weapons

  The Orange County grand jury is siding with the sheriff, when it comes to concealed weapons permits. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the grand jury released a report today in Santa Ana.

  Susan Valot: Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens came under fire by county supervisors and gun-rights advocates when she planned to revoke certain concealed-weapons permits. In the end, the sheriff left her critics grumbling when she decided to bump forward the expiration dates of the permits in question.

  Hutchens is worried about permits given out for “good cause” by former sheriff Mike Carona. Hutchens says she’s found that in many cases the “good cause” wasn’t good enough to carry a concealed weapon. The grand jury says Hutchens is simply doing her job by coming up with a comprehensive policy to deal with concealed weapons permits.

  The grand jury says criticism of Hutchens is “unfounded and not warranted.” It says county supervisors, leave the sheriff alone – and let her do her job. The supervisors are required to respond to the grand jury report.

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  • February 24, 2009 1:13 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Huntington Beach introduces new 'virtual' city hall

  Huntington Beach City Hall is going virtual. Today officials there unveiled a new online system that makes it faster and easier to find the answers to city-related questions.

  The system’s called Surf City Pipeline. You type in a question – about city services, permits, and such – and the system routes your question to the appropriate person or department. The city’s Beverly Braden says the new system also allows city officials to view requests on a map to spot patterns.

  Beverly Braden: “It gives us the ability to look not only based upon a topic, but also, is there an area within town, within the city that has a specific request that seems to be more frequent in that particular area.”

  The new service launches today on the Huntington Beach city Web site.

  Link: Surf City Pipeline

  Link: Huntington Beach official city Web site

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  • February 23, 2009 2:19 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC transit officials discuss falling revenues

  With the economy hitting a few bumps, so are Orange County’s prospects for transportation projects. The Orange County Transportation Authority today is due to get an update on how Measure M projects and revenues are doing. KPCC’s Susan Valot says it’s not a rosy picture.

  Susan Valot: Two years ago, Orange County voters approved extending the Measure M half-cent sales tax for another 30 years. The money goes toward transportation projects.

  Some of those projects are moving forward. Engineers recently studied ways to speed up traffic on Interstate 5. They looked into adding lanes to the 405 Freeway, between the 55 and the 605. They synchronized light signals on Oso Parkway in South County to speed up the flow of traffic.

  But money crunchers are reeling back their sales tax forecast. People aren’t spending as much – so not as much Measure M money is coming in.

  Over its 30-year life, planners expected Measure M to bring in more than $24 billion. But that figure’s been downgraded to a little more than $16 billion – an $8 billion shortfall. Orange County transportation officials will mull over those figures when they get the official update today.

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  • February 23, 2009 10:09 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Republican base unhappy about lawmakers approving budget

  The fight over the state budget will likely carry into this weekend when California Republicans hold their convention in Sacramento. Lawmakers approved a budget this week that includes more than $12 billion in tax increases. Six GOP lawmakers voted for the budget. John Myers of “The California Report” says the GOP faithful isn’t happy.

  John Myers: “You know, this is the ideological battle between Democrats and Republicans – one of them – over taxes. And there’s a battle internally in the Republican Party as well in California over moderates and conservatives and what’s the best course of action. And I think you’re going to see a lot of tense moments at this convention.”

  Some conservatives are talking about censuring the six Republican legislators that voted for the budget. The Sacramento Bee reports a GOP committee will decide tomorrow whether to call for a Sunday vote on a censure resolution.

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  • February 20, 2009 12:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State Republicans hold annual convention; tension over budget vote

  State Republicans hold their convention this weekend in Sacramento – and there will likely be some tense moments. The convention follows the legislature’s approval this week of a budget that increased income and sales taxes.

  John Myers with “The California Report” says the Republican faithful is angry at the six GOP lawmakers who voted for the higher taxes.

  John Myers: “I think you’re going to hear a lot of that at this convention this weekend. You know, these really are rock-ribbed faithful Republicans that are showing up at the convention here in San Diego.

  “And they don’t’ believe in tax increases, and frankly we may even see a formal censure motion put forward against these Republican lawmakers. So it will be very interesting to see how they handle that pressure.”

  At least two Republicans who are exploring a run for governor are expected to attend the party convention – former eBay chief Meg Whitman and State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

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  • February 20, 2009 11:22 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly speaker wasn't sure she could hold onto Republican votes

  One of the top Democrats in the state legislature says lawmakers passed that massive budget bill just in time. Only five Republicans – three in the Senate, two in the Assembly – voted for the compromise package of spending cuts and tax hikes.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that she wasn’t sure those five Republicans would stay on board.

  Karen Bass: “In the next 24 hours, there’s going to be a Republican convention in Sacramento. Right-wing radio has been up on the air threatening any Republican that was going to vote for taxes.

  “And so I really felt that we had a window of about 24 hours, that if we did not pass the budget within 24 hours – with new leaders coming in, a Republican convention, and right-wing radio on the air threatening our members – that the situation was going to get much, much worse.”

  The crucial vote came from Republican Abel Maldonado. The state senator from Santa Maria backed the budget bill after Democrats agreed to take out a proposed gas tax increase – and agreed to put an “open primaries” measure on the ballot in two years.

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  • February 19, 2009 5:19 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city officials hope to receive millions from federal stimulus

  Los Angeles city officials say they hope to receive millions of dollars from the federal stimulus package President Obama signed this week. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that police and gang prevention programs may be among the beneficiaries.

  Frank Stoltze: The stimulus bill provides $4 billion for law enforcement programs nationwide – a quarter of that for new cops.

  Bill Bratton: One billion dollars for new police – approximately 13,000 new police – and we will aggressively compete for those additional positions.

  Stoltze: LAPD Chief Bill Bratton says that, unlike an earlier federal program to help cities hire police officers, this bill requires no matching funds. Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra of L.A. says stimulus money for transportation and other projects do.

  Xavier Becerra: To be competitive and get those monies, the federal government’s gonna want to know that it doesn’t have to foot the entire bill for a particular project, which means you gotta bring in some matching dollars.

  Stoltze: He said L.A. County is well positioned in this regard, with its recent passage of a half-cent sales tax for transportation. At the same time, cities and counties across the region face falling tax revenues and may not have enough matching funds.

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  • February 19, 2009 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Riverside County supervisor opposed tax inreases, but no alternative

  The new state budget is getting a cool reception from Inland counties. Many leaders there urged state lawmakers to pass a budget with minimal tax hikes. A proposed gas tax increase was ditched – but Californians will pay more in state sales and income taxes, and they’ll pay more to register cars and trucks.

  Riverside County Supervisor John Taviglione opposed higher taxes – but he says there was no alternative.

  John Taviglione: “No one wants to see tax hikes, but the condition of the state budget is so severe that there had to be a balance. There was no way to fix this budget without some level of tax hikes, and I have a lot of people that are going to disagree with me, but you know, enough is enough. Move on and fix the system up there so we don’t run into this every year.”

  While the state budget was stalled, Riverside County paid about $50 million from its own “rainy day” fund to cover welfare and other social service costs.

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  • February 19, 2009 2:51 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Legislature approves budget bill

  By JUDY LIN, Associated Press Writer

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The California Legislature passed a budget early Thursday to help close a $42 billion deficit, ending an epic impasse that involved several all-night sessions and threatened to throw thousands of state employees out of work.

  Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the bill, passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate and Assembly. He came out of his office after the budget vote and disconnected a large deficit clock counting the number of days - 106 as of Thursday - that the Legislature had failed to act since he declared a special session to deal with the state’s fiscal problems.

  “I’m absolutely delighted about the budget passing,” Schwarzenegger said outside his office.

  The budget deal flew through the Assembly less than an hour after it won approval by a single vote in the Senate after late-night horse trading to win over a final Republican vote. The vote marked the end of the Senate’s longest session at 45.5 hours.

  The package included a combination of spending cuts, tax increases and borrowing, intended to close a projected multibillion dollar deficit and avert fiscal disaster for the state. Some 10,000 state workers could have lost their jobs without the budget package.

  It plan California’s current fiscal year spending by nearly $13 billion from $103 billion to $90.7 billion. For the 2009-2010 bookkeeping year, which begins July 1, it sets a spending plan of $96.3 billion.

  The plan would raise the state sales tax by 1 cent on the dollar and increase the fee for licensing vehicles. The state personal income tax rate would go up by 0.25 percent.

  On the spending side, education funding would be cut $8.6 billion over two years, likely forcing schools to lay off teachers, slash salaries and postpone spending on construction and textbook purchases.

  Senate leaders secured the final vote needed from moderate Republican Abel Maldonado in late-night negotiations by agreeing to his demands for election changes, government reform and removal of a gas tax increase, giving them the two-thirds vote needed to pass the package.

  To win Maldonado’s support, legislators also agreed to ask voters to revise the state’s constitution to allow open primaries for legislative, congressional and gubernatorial elections.

  Leaders also met Maldonado’s demands to freeze legislators’ salaries in deficit budget years and to eliminate new office furniture budgeted for the state controller.

  Republicans who broke from their party in passing the tax portion of the package harkened back to former Gov. Ronald Reagan’s decision to pass tax increases during hard economic times.

  “What would Ronald Reagan do? Ronald Reagan would vote yes,” said Sen. Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield.

  Maldonado brought out a photograph of Reagan at a tax bill signing in 1972. He said he never thought he would have to defend California against members of his own party.

  “This is not about my political career. This is about the health and safety for the people of California,” Maldonado said. “My friends, this might be the end for me. This ensures it’s not the end for California.”

  For Ashburn’s support, legislative leaders included an amendment he backs that provides a $10,000 tax credit for those who buy new homes. The credit, supported by home builders, would be available starting in March and run through 2010. It would be capped at $100 million.

  Californians would be able to use the credit to offset their state income taxes over three years.

  Lawmakers also agreed to help the horse racing industry in his district - and throughout the state - by using $32 million in state funding each year to offset maintenance fees at fairgrounds.

  During the middle of the marathon budget battle, Republicans in the Senate ousted their leader over opposition to tax increases. Senate minority leader Dave Cogdill ultimately provided Democrats the first of the three necessary GOP votes.

  Assemblyman Chuck DeVore of Irvine said the tax increase will further harm the depressed economy.

  “We will be right back here in one year with the same problem,” he said during the floor debate. “No economist argues increasing taxes especially during weak economic times is going to result in people adding payroll, in people getting back to work … The opposite will happen.”

  Newly installed Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth warned about the crippling effects of passing the state’s largest tax increase in California history.

  “You may count this as a win because you got a few Republicans to vote for it,” he said. “The taxpayers of California are going to view this as a loss.”

  Associated Press writer Samantha Young contributed to this report.

  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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  • February 19, 2009 11:47 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Becerra says stimulus will improve health care

  Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra hopes the new federal economic stimulus plan will help Southland hospitals and clinics improve the region’s health care infrastructure. He spoke at a news conference today at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario was there.

  Patricia Nazario: The Los Angeles congressman says the stimulus plan provides direct dollars for Medicare programs. That means about $11 billion to California’s state-paid insurance for low and modest income families.

  Becerra says that money will go a long way toward helping working-class people with chronic asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure manage those medical conditions.

  Xavier Becerra: We want you to be able to work. We want you to also be healthy as you continue to work. One of the major components of this legislation is dollars to the states to help them make sure that they can continue to provide good health care to their citizens.

  Nazario: Becerra says the trick will be making sure that lawmakers in Sacramento don’t direct that money toward closing California’s $42 billion budget gap.

  The federal stimulus package also isolates about $20 billion to help community health clinics establish a national electronic medical records system.

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  • February 18, 2009 4:01 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Foreclosure plan lets bankruptcy judge modify loan terms

  President Obama’s $75 billion plan to stave off foreclosures uses a variety of approaches to keep families in homes. The plan includes a provision that allows a bankruptcy judge to modify terms of a home loan. That way, a homeowner who’s declared bankruptcy can keep making mortgage payments – and not lose the house.

  Business professor Thomas Davidoff at UC Berkeley’s Haas Real Estate Group says that’s a positive step.

  Thomas Davidoff: “It avoids some defaults – and moreover, it makes lenders more willing to bargain with borrowers because now they are worried about what happens in the event of foreclosure. There might be a default where they don’t get fully paid. So I think that provision, legal provisions, would right now be, on balance, a very good idea.”

  Davidoff spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” The White House says the Obama plan to slow foreclosures could help more than 7 million families. It also says the provision to allow bankruptcy judges to modify home loans will not apply to “millionaire homes.”

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  • February 18, 2009 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Stimulus package includes money for Filipino veterans

  One provision of the new federal economic stimulus package offers a one-time payment to Filipinos who fought for the United States during World War II. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says the measure’s generating mixed reviews among the Southland’s Filipinos – and beyond.

  Cheryl Devall: The stimulus bill sets aside $198 million for payouts to the surviving Filipino veterans. That translates into $15,000 for each one who became an American citizen and 9,000 for each who didn’t.

  Some vets in their eighties and older consider those amounts too little too late. The authorization arrives decades after this country failed to deliver on promised payments to Filipinos in the U.S. military who’d battled Japanese troops during some of the fiercest episodes of the war.

  Veterans and their allies note that the measure does not allow further claims for disability payments, and that it provides no money for veterans’ widows.

  While Philippine president Gloria Arroyo welcomed the payments as a culmination of “many years of struggle,” news media in the Philippines have made much of the fact that only about 15,000 of the 400,000 men who fought are still alive. All but about 3,000 of them live in the Philippines.

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  • February 18, 2009 2:35 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County pressures legislature to pass budget

  San Bernardino County is renewing its call on state lawmakers to pass a budget – fast. County chairman Gary Ovitt sent a letter to legislative leaders urging them to pass what he called a “fiscally responsible” budget. In other words: no new taxes.

  Ovitt believes tax increases would only make things worse for thousands of struggling people in his county. Spokesman David Wert says San Bernardino’s already dealing with its own fiscal crisis.

  David Wert: “Our county is facing budget troubles completely separate from whatever damage the state might do to the county. Our county has seen a 20 percent decrease in property values, the county’s single largest source of revenue. The county is looking at a, potentially a $140 million deficit for the current fiscal year and the coming fiscal year combined.”

  If state lawmakers don’t pass a budget soon, San Bernardino County could be saddled with millions of dollars in additional social service costs. Next week county supervisors will consider a resolution that formally opposes any new state tax hikes.

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  • February 18, 2009 12:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State Senate still one vote shy; Republican leader ousted

  The State Senate was in session overnight, but the effort to pass a budget culminated in the removal of the Republican leader. KPCC’s Steve Julian explains.

  Steve Julian: California is more than $40 billion in the hole. And a plan worked out by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican and Democratic leaders included $14 billion in new taxes.

  California requires a two-thirds vote to pass tax increases, and the Senate is one vote shy – one Republican vote shy. But GOP senators are so opposed to any tax increase, they ousted the leader who supported the budget package – Dave Cogdill.

  He was replaced by Dennis Hollingsworth who’s vowed not to support new taxes. This change in leadership jeopardizes the budget deal and could force a new round of negotiations.

  California doesn’t have the tax revenue it needs to pay bills. Twenty-thousand layoff notices went out yesterday, and hundreds of public works projects may be canceled.

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  • February 18, 2009 12:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• City councilman unsure how he'd vote on solar measure

  A solar initiative on next month’s Los Angeles city ballot heated up at a debate last night. Measure B would require the Department of Water and Power to develop a plan to put 400 megawatts of solar power online in L.A. within 5 years.

  But local activists have complained that voters know too little about what the initiative would do or how much it would cost. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl sponsored the debate. He said he wasn’t sure how he’d vote on Measure B.

  City Councilman Bill Rosendahl: “The risk is worth taking if you believe we have to get off coal and oil and if you believe the cost can be handled in your budget. I am not yet 100 percent certain about the cost factor.”

  The L.A. City Council voted unanimously last fall to send the question to voters. At least three councilmembers beside Rosendahl now oppose the measure. Angelenos will weigh in on the solar initiative and other questions on March 3.

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  • February 18, 2009 12:11 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• County unions agree to no pay raise amid financial crisis

  Labor unions that represent more than 17,000 Los Angeles County government employees have agreed to forgo cost-of-living and salary increases for the next year. Steve Remige of the union that represents sheriff’s deputies said the county’s plunging tax revenues prompted the move.

  Steve Remige: “Ya know, we knew that these times were going to be hard, and we felt that it was more productive for our membership to make sure that we didn’t have to go through any type of concession bargaining with the county, like a lot of the other cities and counties up and down the state are currently experiencing with their employee unions.”

  Some cities and counties are laying off workers and cutting back on salaries. In addition to falling tax revenues, Los Angeles County could face more than $1 billion in deferred payments from the state of California through August.

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  • February 17, 2009 6:13 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Alamitos City Council eyes financial cuts... including city budget

  Like most cities around Southern California, Los Alamitos is feeling the pinch of a tight budget. The city council tonight will consider making a few more cuts. And, KPCC’s Susan Valot says, city officials may target themselves.

  Susan Valot: Los Alamitos city council members need to trim about $600,000 from the budget to stay on track. The Orange County city’s dealing with decreased revenue because sales tax and other fees are down.

  The city’s number crunchers suggest converting some positions to part-time and eliminating some jobs, like the assistant to the city manager. But city leaders might also take the scissors to their own budgets. They’re considering a 10 percent cut in their pay, and they’re planning to cut their own travel budget. That could save Los Alamitos about $20,000.

  The city’s also thinking of cutting back part-timer hours in the police department. The cuts could also mean eliminating of some park programs and ditching two of the “concerts on the green” in Los Alamitos.

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  • February 17, 2009 6:02 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• County unions agree to no pay raise amid financial crisis

  Labor unions that represent more than 17,000 Los Angeles County government employees have agreed to a one-year extension of their labor contract, without any changes. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze says that means no cost-of-living or salary increases this year.

  Frank Stoltze: As tax revenues plunge and the state faces a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall, Steve Remige of the union for L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies says more pay seemed unlikely.

  Steve Remige: You know, we felt like this wasn’t a time that we needed to go to the County of Los Angeles and look for salary increases. You know, we realize that everybody is looking at the short end of the stick on this, with a lot of people being laid off, industries going under.

  Stoltze: Up and down the state, cities and counties are laying off employees or cutting salaries. Governor Schwarzenegger is threatening to lay off 10,000 state workers. L.A. County could face more than a billion dollars in deferred state payments. Remige says he’s happy to sign a one-year contract extension that keeps his union members working with the same salary.

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  • February 17, 2009 5:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Boxer speaks in Beverly Hills about stimulus bill

  California’s junior senator Barbara Boxer was in Beverly Hills today to talk about how much federal economic stimulus money is heading to California. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde says the senator talked about counting Republican votes as well as stimulus dollars.

  Kitty Felde: Senator Boxer says California can count on 10 percent of the $787 billion in the stimulus package. She also expects to see positive effects from the spending within a few weeks.

  Boxer insists that passing the package was a bipartisan effort, despite the fact that not one House Republican voted for the measure and only three of Boxer’s Republican colleagues in the Senate cast “aye” votes.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: It’s very major to get those three Republicans. And even though that doesn’t look like a lot, in a body when there’s only about, we got almost 10 percent of them. It’s major. It’s big time.

  Felde: The House, she said, was a different matter.

  Boxer: I think there is no question that in the House there was the party of hope versus the party of nope.

  Felde: Boxer says while Senate Democrats invited Republicans to work on the bill, rules in the House of Representatives let the majority write bills without the other party.

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  • February 17, 2009 5:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• County unions agree to no pay raise amid financial crisis

  Labor unions that represent more than 17,000 Los Angeles County government employees have agreed to forgo cost-of-living and salary increases for the next year. Steve Remige of the union that represents sheriff’s deputies said the county’s plunging tax revenues prompted the move.

  Steve Remige: “Ya know, we knew that these times were going to be, and we felt that it was more productive for our membership to make sure that we didn’t have to go through any type of concession bargaining with the county, like a lot of the other cities and counties up and down the state are currently experiencing with their employee unions.”

  Some cities and counties are laying off workers and cutting back on salaries. In addition to falling tax revenues, Los Angeles County could face more than $1 billion in deferred payments from the state of California through August.

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  • February 17, 2009 5:17 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California will get 10 percent of federal stimulus package

  U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer says California will get 10 percent of the money from the $787 billion stimulus package signed today by President Obama. She told reporters in Beverly Hills that the money will help stem job losses in a state where more than a million-and-a-half people are unemployed.

  Boxer will fly to Sacramento tomorrow to urge California lawmakers to pass a balanced budget. She says lawmakers have three options.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: “One is to do nothing, and that’s really not a passive act. That’s to me a very negative attack really on the people you represent. ‘Cause it means the status quo will continue. Then the other approach is to say I’ll only vote for perfect bill. But if you take that approach, nothing gets done either. So the third approach is to compromise.”

  Boxer says federal stimulus dollars will stretch out unemployment benefits, pay for public works projects, and fix schools. She says the money will also support school lunches and senior meals programs.

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  • February 17, 2009 4:34 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Garden Grove to install Amber Alert signs on city streets

  The Amber Alert is moving from highways and freeways to city streets. KPCC’s Susan Valot says soon you’ll see Amber Alert signs on two streets in Garden Grove.

  Susan Valot: The electric signs flash vehicle descriptions to alert drivers so they can help police nab alleged kidnappers fast. Right now, you see those signs only on freeways. But Garden Grove plans to install two signs by the end of this month on Harbor Boulevard at Flagstone Avenue and on Valley View Street at Tiffany Avenue.

  Garden Grove traffic engineers say Harbor and Valley View carry tens of thousands of commuters each day – so lots of people will see the signs. The city’s using federal and state money to pay for the two-and-a-half-million-dollar project.

  The signs also will be hooked into the city’s 40-camera traffic management system. When the signs aren’t being used for Amber Alerts, they’ll tell drivers about traffic jams. Garden Grove’s the first city in California to install Amber Alert signs on city-owned streets.

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  • February 17, 2009 4:26 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Lawmakers wait for one more vote on budget plan

  All that’s needed to pass a budget fix in Sacramento is one more Republican vote in the State Senate. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she has the votes in her house to pass the spending cuts and tax hikes that will close the state government’s $42 billion deficit. Bass told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that GOP lawmakers who’ve held back votes to honor a “no new taxes” pledge are way off base.

  Karen Bass: “I think the pledge that we all took when we were sworn in to be public officials should trump any pledge that you made to an organization. That is the pledge that you need to abide by – the pledge that you took your oath of office when you were sworn in on December 1st.”

  But Orange County Republican Assemblyman Chuck Devore says he’s opposed to the tax hikes in the proposed budget because they’ll hurt the economy.

  Chuck Devore: “I get e-mails. Every day, I get reports on my Facebook and my Twitter account from people who have lived in this state all their life and are in tears because of the taxes and regulations and are, are moving to places like Nevada or Texas – to name two states that don’t have income tax.”

  The budget package includes $15 billion in program cuts, more than $14 billion in temporary tax increases, and about 11-and-a-half billion in borrowing. The package also would send five ballot measures to voters in a special election in May.

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  • February 17, 2009 3:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Budget needs one more Republican vote

  California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says the fate of the budget package depends on wringing one final vote from a Republican senator. Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat, told reporters she’s confident she’s lined up the votes to pass the budget by a two-thirds majority on the Assembly side.

  During a press briefing at the capitol today, Bass rejected the idea that her party could win Republicans over if the final package of budget bills included perks for Republican senators’ districts. Bass said there’s only one reason for a senator to step forward and cast the final vote needed to pass the budget.

  Karen Bass: “The vote should be cast because we do not want California to go over the cliff. Frankly, I think we’re already over the cliff. We haven’t landed yet, but we are sliding down the mountain.”

  Bass pointed to the latest announcement from Governor Schwarzenegger – he’s preparing to lay off 10,000 government workers and halt the state’s remaining public works projects in the face of the unresolved budget crisis. Bass said the state would lose close to $400 million by shuttering those projects.

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  • February 17, 2009 2:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly speaker says some Republicans don't want budget deal

  State lawmakers are back in session today trying to reach agreement on a budget. It’s the fourth straight day they’ve met. Democratic leaders still need one more Republican vote in the State Senate.

  In an interview with KPCC’s Larry Mantle, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass of Los Angeles claimed that some Republicans don’t want to see any budget deal.

  Karen Bass: “There are several of the Republican senators who I don’t think they would be upset at all if this whole deal exploded and if the state went over a cliff. And I really hate to say that.

  “Because I think some people believe that if everything falls apart, they will have an opportunity to put it back together from their point of view. And that’s just a horrible statement to make, but it’s a true statement.”

  If the legislature fails to pass a budget today, the state will send layoff notices to thousands of state workers, and it will suspend more than 270 public works projects.

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  • February 17, 2009 2:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Even if budget passes, cutbacks will still affect state workers

  Governor Schwarzenegger plans to start the process today of laying off 10,000 state employees. The governor’s office says the move is necessary because legislators have failed to reach agreement on a budget.

  But Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Governor Schwarzenegger, told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that even if lawmakers pass a budget, cutbacks will still affect state workers.

  Aaron McLear: “There will be some kind of savings to employee compensation within this budget – furloughs, layoffs, or otherwise. And so obviously, we’re working through that with the legislative leaders, but at this point we don’t have a budget, and so we need to start the process of laying off state employees.”

  The governor’s office will also shut down the remaining 275 state-funded public works projects. McLear says the state doesn’t have the money to pay for them.

  Lawmakers are still one Republican vote shy of passing a budget that would close the state’s nearly $42 billion deficit. Most Republicans oppose the plan because it includes $14 billion in tax hikes.

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  • February 17, 2009 12:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California public works projects suspended due to lack of cash

  Governor Schwarzenegger is planning to suspend almost 280 public works projects because of the state budget impasse. Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Governor Schwarzenegger, told KPCC’s Larry Mantle the state has run out of money to pay for them.

  Aaron McLear: “What happens is they, you know, they start the process of shutting them down now. Not all of them will be shut down immediately. Some of them take some time to actually be shut down. So of course, once we have a budget, we’ll be able to start those back up. But we simply don’t have the cash to pay for them right now.”

  The governor’s office had initially allowed these projects to continue, despite the state’s cash crunch. That’s because they involved public safety, or because it would cost a lot of money to shut them down.

  The governor’s office also plans today to send layoff notices to 10,000 people. Lawmakers are meeting today in hopes of breaking the budget impasse. Legislative leaders are one Republican vote shy of the support they need in the state senate to pass the budget.

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  • February 17, 2009 12:22 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger orders layoff notices go out today

  State legislators have been told they won’t be able to leave the Capitol until they agree to a budget deal. The state faces a deficit of more than $40 billion and Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered layoff notices to go out today. KPCC’s Steve Julian reports.

  Steve Julian: A budget deal is one vote away. But the deal, as it stands, includes $14 billion in tax hikes – something very few Republicans feel they can support and still get re-elected. And one GOP vote would give the deal the two-thirds support it needs in the state Senate. Without it, the budget cannot get into the hands of Governor Schwarzenegger.

  Already, the governor has furloughed state workers – one day a month now, not two, as initially ordered – and layoff notices go out today to thousands of less-senior state workers. Also on hold are hundreds of public works projects, potentially putting thousands of construction workers out of jobs. Besides the tax increases, the bill also calls for $15 billion in program cuts and more than $11 billion in borrowing.

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  • February 17, 2009 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA uses LEDs for street lights, cheaper to operate

  The city of Los Angeles plans to retrofit 140,000 of its residential street lights with technology that uses less energy. City Council President Eric Garcetti says that light emitting diodes – or LEDs – cost less to power up than the incandescent lights L.A. uses now.

  Eric Garcetti: “We’re looking at about 10 to 12 million a year in cost savings probably. Just for switching those lights on in a different way than we do now. And we’ve been doing this with our traffic lights already which you’ve seen go from an incandescent bulb to LED. And the nicer thing too is we save costs on the labor side. These last two to four times longer.”

  Garcetti says that loans, rebates, and a citywide street lighting assessment will pay to install the new lights for the next five years. City officials say L.A. expects to repay the loans through energy cost savings in seven years.

  Former President Bill Clinton also was on hand to announce the plan. The Clinton Climate Initiative is working with L.A. and other large cities around the world to promote the use of more LED lights.

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  • February 16, 2009 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Issa unhappy about census plans

  There’s controversy in Washington over which agency will handle next year’s census.

  Representative Barbara Lee of Oakland, a Democrat, chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. She fought to transfer responsibility for the population count to the White House instead of the Commerce Department.

  Some of Lee’s motives were partisan – Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire had been President Obama’s nominee for commerce secretary until he withdrew his name from consideration last week.

  Jack Shaw, a reporter for Market News International, says Republican congressman Darrell Issa – who represents parts of Riverside and San Diego Counties – isn’t happy about other prospects for the big count.

  Jack Shaw: “Issa points out that this census, the 2010 census coming up, is extraordinarily sensitive and actually politically consequential – 435 congressional seats are allocated to states based on the census.

  “And he is very, very troubled about having this shifted from the Commerce Department, which is supposed to be neutral, to the White House, which of course just by nature is very political.”

  Jack Shaw spoke with KPCC’s Steve Julian.

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  • February 16, 2009 1:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• 3 Republicans in each house needed to pass state budget

  California’s Legislative leaders need one additional Republican vote to pass a budget. During the weekend, leaders announced they had the votes in the Assembly, but they’ve been unable to secure the final vote in the Senate.

  John Myers of the California Report says at least three Republicans in each house need to vote for the budget if it’s going to pass.

  John Myers: “We knew that was going to be the problem all along and that was the problem at the end of the day. There just weren’t enough Republicans to vote for a tax increase even when some Republican lawmakers were going to do it in exchange for a few items in the budget, a few nips and tucks or things here and there.”

  The plan calls for $14 billion in temporary tax increases, including higher gas and sales taxes. Republicans have insisted that raising taxes during a recession will further hurt the economy. The plan also includes some deep spending cuts, including $8 billion to education.

  Lawmakers are back in session again today.

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  • February 16, 2009 12:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Legislative leaders one vote away from state budget

  After their marathon weekend session, lawmakers are still deadlocked over a budget proposal. Legislative leaders are apparently seeking one more Republican in the state senate who’s willing to vote for the budget that includes $14 billion in temporary tax increases.

  John Myers of the California Report says legislative leaders have been using various incentives to rally lawmakers to their side.

  John Myers: “In Orange County, you had to get the vote of State Senator Lou Correa who is a Democrat who really is a big critic of tax increases. So Senator Correa was able to secure more public education funding for his folks in Orange County than they would have otherwise gotten.”

  Both houses of the state legislature reconvened at 11 this morning.

  The budget proposal also includes $15 billion in spending cuts and about $11 billion in borrowing.

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  • February 16, 2009 12:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Environmental groups have to wait for state money

  The state’s prolonged budget crisis has held up grant money to environmental organizations. A recent survey by the L.A.-San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council found that 40 percent of the groups the state funds for water conservation projects have laid off some employees. Nancy Steele is with the council.

  Nancy Steele: “A lot of the nonprofits are doing work that was requested in a way, you could say, by the voters when they passed these clean water clean beaches bonds, as diverse as protecting homes from flood, fires, and erosion, water conservation projects, and saving fish that are going extinct.”

  Steele says that most groups surveyed have stopped paying private contractors for work like water monitoring and coastal restoration. Those projects could start back up when the state gets a budget. But Steele says they’ll cost more, take longer, and yield fewer results.

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  • February 16, 2009 10:03 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Tuesday is deadline to register for upcoming LA city election

  The deadline to register to vote for the March 3 primary election in the city of Los Angeles falls Tuesday (February 17), says KPCC’s Debra Baer.

  Debra Baer: You have to be a U.S. Citizen, and at least 18 years old by Election Day, to register. Voters who’ve moved or changed their names need to re-register. You can do that in person at county registrar recorder’s office in Norwalk. Register-by-mail forms have to be postmarked by Tuesday. They’re available at most city and county offices; also at post offices and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

  The March 3 city primary election features 10 candidates for L.A. mayor. Whoever gets more than half the vote wins. If nobody does, the top two contenders face a runoff in May’s general election.

  Other races include city attorney, city controller, city council seats in the odd-numbered districts, and some local school district and community college board seats.

  All of that, plus five ballot measures… and just two short weeks to study your sample ballot.

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  • February 13, 2009 7:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Insurance Commissioner Poizner denounces California budget deal

  Two Republican candidates for governor are denouncing the state budget deal as they seek to burnish their conservative credentials with the GOP faithful. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Even before the governor and legislative leaders presented the deal, leading GOP gubernatorial candidates Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman were flogging it. Poizner told KPCC that raising taxes is a terrible idea.

  Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner: Our economy is extremely weak right now, and raising taxes on working class folks right now when they’re struggling to make ends meet, worrying about their mortgages and their jobs, is really just going to make matters worse. It’s like taxing misery.

  Stoltze: Whitman also said that raising taxes is a bad idea, even as the state faces a $42 billion budget shortfall, a falling credit rating, and massive cuts in social spending. She said instead that the state should cut its payroll by 10 percent, and double its twice-a-month furloughs for state workers. Poizner joined Whitman in calling for more cuts.

  Poizner: We should roll back spending to two or three years ago, which doesn’t seem hard to conceive. The state survived just fine two or three years ago.

  Stoltze: The budget deal the governor and legislative leaders worked out already calls for $15 billion in spending cuts.

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  • February 13, 2009 6:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Two counties sue Controller to get scheduled payments

  Supervisors from two counties, San Diego and Sacramento, have gone ahead with a lawsuit against the State Controller. KPCC’s Nick Roman says they’re trying to pry loose millions of dollars in scheduled payments from California’s government.

  Nick Roman: Controller John Chiang is holding that money so he has cash to pay the state government’s bills while the governor and lawmakers bicker over the budget.

  San Diego and Sacramento counties, and about two dozen others that could join the lawsuit, say that money is theirs. They’re due hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for services for poor, elderly, and disabled Californians.

  Controller Chiang says he shares the counties’ anger about the money delays. But he also says that as long as the state government is in a budget mess, he’ll pay only the bills he has to by law, like debt service.

  For their part, the counties say their lawsuit isn’t an “attack” on the Controller. They just want the money that’s coming to them.

  A budget deal this weekend could render the counties’ lawsuit meaningless… although their anger with the governor and state lawmakers might linger for a long time.

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  • February 13, 2009 6:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State agencies pool resources to compile invasive species database

  Several state agencies are forming a joint effort to combat non-native plants and animals. Money’s tight, but KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports that California agriculture managers say there’s value in the project.

  Molly Peterson: Invasive species cause different problems for different agencies. For CalTrans, weeds creep up along roadways. Fish and Game has kicked non-native mud snails out of fish hatchery waterways. And the Department of Food and Agriculture keeps watch over state crops. The ag agency’s Mike Jarvis says each department has held a piece of the puzzle.

  Mike Jarvis: Just in our department you can look at the Asian citrus psyllid. This is a pest that can spread what’s known as citrus greening disease. It has devastated tens of thousands of acres of citrus trees in Florida. If you look at the oranges, they look half orange, half green. They’re like a split down the middle. Basically the tree dies.

  Peterson: Food and Ag has $11 million in federal, state, and industry funding to protect California citrus. But few invasive species draw that much attention. Jarvis says the state’s joint effort will pool information, and small amounts of money, to create a joint database.

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  • February 12, 2009 7:32 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Specialist describes DOJ review of Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger

  If the Department of Justice approves the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, the new company will combine the world’s top ticket seller with the world’s dominant concert promoter.

  Marc Schildkraut is a mergers specialist at the Howrey law firm in Washington. He spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” about the Justice Department’s investigation.

  Marc Schildkraut: “The DOJ is going to go out and get everyone’s opinion, it’s going look to everyone in the industry to try and find out whatever they can find out about the deal. They’re going to be, probably will be getting ten of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, sometime even millions of documents from the companies.”

  The Department of Justice investigation into the proposed Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger will likely last several months.

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  • February 12, 2009 4:33 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Pascrell criticizes Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger

  As the Justice Department begins its investigation into the proposed merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, some members of congress are actively lobbying against the deal.

  The merger would combine the world’s top ticket seller with the world’s top concert promoter. One of those loudly opposing the proposal is Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell of New Jersey.

  Bill Pascrell: “We’re talking about a $21 billion industry, so I understand why they would want to control the whole caboodle. They want to control the actors, they want to control the music, they want to control the management, they want to control the world’s top acts.”

  Pascrell spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” The Justice Department’s investigation of the proposed Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger could take several months.

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  • February 12, 2009 4:31 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman criticizes proposed Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger

  Ticketmaster and Live Nation are hoping the Justice Department approves their merger. But some in Congress are vowing to fight the consolidation of the world’s biggest ticket seller with the world’s biggest concert promoter.

  Congressman Bill Pascrell is a Democrat from New Jersey. He’s been leading the charge against the merger.

  Bill Pascrell: “People just want a little entertainment, they don’t want to be ripped off, they don’t want to be bogged down by the anxiety about how much this is going to cost. They want to know what it’s going to be before they go into the situation. This is illegal scalping, there’s no two ways about it.”

  Pascrell spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” If the government approves the merger, Ticketmaster and Live Nation could control 80 percent of the $21 billion ticket sales market.

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  • February 12, 2009 4:29 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• County supervisors complain about state budget negotiations

  Lawmakers in Sacramento are getting an earful from a crowd of county supervisors from around the state. Local officials from San Bernardino, Riverside, and other counties are in the state capital to growl about the state budget mess – and how it’s thrown county budgets into chaos.

  KPCC’s Julia Mitric says they’re meeting with a small crowd of lawmakers and reporters at an office in downtown Sacramento. She says each supervisor was supposed to talk for just three minutes – but that didn’t work.

  Julia Mitric: “The county supervisors are so angry and they have a lot that they want to get off their chests. And so everyone has consistently been talking on and on about the cuts that they’re seeing in their local programs and about how fed up they are with the lawmakers and the entire budget process itself.”

  The county supervisors are especially upset about that the state budget negotiations have been carried out in private.

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  • February 12, 2009 4:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Nonprofit head argues for health care funding

  As Sacramento lawmakers iron out the details of an agreement to close California’s $42 billion budget gap, few details have surfaced about cuts in state health care programs. Anthony Wright heads the nonprofit Health Access California. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the state needs to maintain health care spending.

  Anthony Wright: “What we’re concerned about is this spending limit that would arbitrarily cap our ability to meet health care and other needs into the future, especially for health care.”

  Wright added that because the cost of medical care keeps rising and the population is getting older, it’s important for lawmakers to ensure that Californians can rely on the state for the health care they need.

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  • February 12, 2009 4:16 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Gregg withdraws nomination to become commerce secretary

  By DAVID ESPO
  AP Special Correspondent

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday, citing “irresolvable conflicts” with President Barack Obama’s handling of the economic stimulus and 2010 census. “We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy,” Gregg said in a statement released by his Senate office.

  Gregg, 61, is a former New Hampshire governor who previously served in the House. He has been in the Senate since 1993 and currently serves as the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, where he is known as a crusader against big spending.

  He was Obama’s second choice to fill the Commerce portfolio.

  New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew several weeks ago in the wake of a grand jury investigation into alleged wrongdoing involving state contracts. He has not been implicated personally.

  The withdrawal appeared to take the White House by surprise, with members of the president’s media operation learning of Gregg’s decision from reporters. An administration official said Gregg dropped out without warning for a position that he had expressed interest in just a few weeks ago.

  In his statement, Gregg thanked Obama for the nomination, and said, “I especially admire his willingness to reach across the aisle.”

  In citing the stimulus and census, he said, “Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.”

  The unexpected withdrawal marked the latest setback for Obama in his attempt to build a Cabinet.

  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was confirmed despite revelations that he had not paid some of his taxes on time, and former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle withdrew as nominee as health and human services secretary in a tax controversy.

  In his statement, Gregg said his withdrawal had nothing to do with the vetting into his past that Cabinet officials routinely undergo.

  Gregg’s reference to the stimulus underscored the partisan divide over the centerpiece of Obama’s economic recovery plan. Conservatives in both houses have been relentless critics of the plan, arguing it is filled with wasteful spending and won’t create enough jobs. Gregg has refrained from voting on the bill - and on all other matters - while his nomination was pending.

  The Commerce Department has jurisdiction over the Census Bureau, and the administration recently took steps to assert greater control. Republicans have harshly criticized the decision, saying it was an attempt to politicize the once-in-a-decade event.

  The outcome of the census has deep political implications, since congressional districts are drawn based on population. Many federal funds are distributed on the basis of population, as well.

  Both of those factors mean there is a premium on counting as many residents as possible. Historically, the groups believed to be most undercounted are inner-city minorities, who tend to vote Democratic.

  The Congressional Black Caucus and a group representing Latino elected officials had raised questions about Gregg, noting that as chairman of the Senate panel overseeing the Census Bureau budget he frequently sought to cut funds that they believe led to an undercount of minorities.

  To allay concerns over Gregg, the White House initially indicated that it might take greater control over the Census Bureau. But amid GOP criticism it has since clarified that the White House will “work closely with the census director,” and that the Census Bureau would not be removed from the Commerce Department.

  Gregg’s announcement also undid a carefully constructed chain of events.

  The New Hampshire senator had agreed to join the Cabinet only if his departure from the Senate did not allow Democrats to take control of his seat.

  New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, in turn, pledged to appointed Bonnie Newman, a former interim president of the University of New Hampshire.

  She, in turn, had agreed not to run for a full term in 2010, creating an open seat for Democrats to try and claim.

  In a statement, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Gregg “made a principled decision to return and we’re glad to have him. He is among the smartest, most effective legislators to serve in the Senate - Democrat or Republican - and a key adviser to me and to the Republican Conference. It’s great to have him back.”

  Lynch, who spoke to Gregg several hours before the announcement, said he respected Gregg’s decision to withdraw and remain in the Senate. He thanked Newman for her willingness to serve.

  A day after Gregg’s nomination was announced, The Associated Press reported that a former staffer was under criminal investigation for allegedly taking baseball and hockey tickets from a lobbyist in exchange for legislative favors while working for Gregg.

  The former staffer, Kevin Koonce, has been identified in court papers only as “Staffer F” in the sprawling corruption probe stemming from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

  Gregg said at the time that he had been told he was neither a subject nor target of the investigation, and would cooperate fully.

  Associated Press Writers Liz Sidoti in Washington and Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H., contributed to this report.

  (Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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  • February 12, 2009 2:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly speaker explains cuts to public schools

  As Sacramento lawmakers approach an agreement with the governor on the state’s budget gap, they’re coming in for criticism from educators upset about big cuts to public schools and community colleges. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s Larry Mantle why legislative leaders didn’t trim from other programs and services.

  Karen Bass: “The deficit is so large, $41 billion, there was no way to cut from one sector only, and you probably know that we’re under court order around the prisons. And so we definitely cut where we could, but this is a question of shared sacrifice, like our president said in his inaugural speech.”

  Bass said she hopes that money from the proposed federal economic stimulus package will ease the pain of state budget cuts.

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  • February 12, 2009 12:53 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly speaker says state budget not done deal yet

  Legislative leaders are meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger today to try and hammer out final details of a budget proposal.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says reports of what are in the budget are about 90 percent accurate. But she told KPCC’s Larry Mantle it’s not a done deal yet.

  Karen Bass: “Well some very technical points regarding education and a couple of other issues such as, for example, we need to call a special election, when should we do that, etcetera.”

  Voters would have to approve certain elements of the budget.

  The budget plan lawmakers are discussing reportedly would cut almost $8 billion from schools and community colleges. It also includes cuts to local public transit agencies. The plan reportedly also calls for about $14 billion in new and increased taxes, and about $12 billion in borrowing.

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  • February 12, 2009 12:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Budget agreement could cut $8 billion from public schools

  State lawmakers appear to be closing in on a budget agreement that reportedly would cut almost $8 billion from public schools and community colleges.

  The official who oversees San Diego County schools says that would deliver a world of hurt. Superintendent Randy Ward told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that, in the past, districts have cried wolf – threatening to fire teachers and then pulling back.

  Superintendent Randy Ward: “This is not one of those cry wolf situations and we are going to have quite an extensive number of layoffs. And we don’t expect many of them to be rescinded.”

  Legislative leaders will meet with Governor Schwarzenegger today to try and finalize the budget agreement. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says they still have to work out some technical details.

  The proposed budget reportedly would also cut close to $500 million from local public transit systems. The proposal also includes higher gasoline and sales taxes. It would also impose a new surcharge on personal income taxes.

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  • February 12, 2009 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Attorney reaches settlement deal with Health Net

  The Los Angeles City Attorney has reached a settlement with Health Net over accusations that the insurance company wrongfully terminated the policies of people who’d filed expensive medical claims. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: State regulators already have reached settlements with Los Angeles-based Health Net. Jeff Isaacs of the city attorney’s office argues that L.A.’s settlement is better, starting with its requirement that Health Net pay people whose policies it terminated.

  Jeff Isaacs: Six-point-three million that will be distributed to approximately 800 or so rescission victims. And it will be distributed automatically so they don’t have to do anything. And the average amount of the distribution will be close to $8,000 per victim.

  Stoltze: The state settlements include no such provision. Isaacs says the city’s deal also makes it easier to obtain reimbursement for medical costs incurred after people lost their coverage, although it caps the total amount at $3 million. Health Net also has agreed to pay $2 million in civil penalties.

  The state insurance commissioner also has announced a settlement with Anthem Blue Cross that includes reinstating the policies of 2300 people.

  In recent years Los Angeles, two state regulators, and policy holders have sued various health insurance companies over their alleged practice of dumping people who make expensive claims.

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  • February 11, 2009 6:18 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County latest to sue state over deferred payments

  The number of California counties suing the state government over deferred payments is growing. San Bernardino County joined the fray yesterday. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says the county is demanding millions from Sacramento for social services.

  Steven Cuevas: California Controller John Chiang says payments could be deferred at least a month. That gives the state government some fiscal wiggle room as it carves out what could be the final details of a long-delayed budget.

  Not having that money means around 90,000 welfare recipients in San Bernardino County will go without. The county will only cover the welfare through March. It’s already facing worker furloughs and massive program cuts. Chief financial officer Mark Uffer.

  Mark Uffer: We can get through July 1st of 2010, assuming there isn’t some catastrophic incident at the state or the federal level, or if the economy doesn’t tank further.

  Cuevas: Uffer says income from property taxes and sales taxes could plunge another 12 percent over the next year. It’s already off around 20 percent. Uffer told county supervisors the budget mess could get a lot messier.

  Uffer: There’s a huge cliff there, and we’re headed toward it. We work every day to try and fix that. But there’s no magic. We’re running out of magic. At that point, we’ll probably be in a triage mentality. And if things don’t turn around, the cliff is July 2010 (long pause)… got really quiet all of a sudden.
  Supervisor Ovitt: I was gonna say, on that light note, we’re going to open it up to public testimony.

  Cuevas: San Bernardino and Riverside counties will join several other counties in Sacramento for a noon rally to pressure lawmakers to end the budget impasse. The legislature might vote on a proposed budget before the week is over.

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  • February 11, 2009 5:11 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Blue Cross agrees to reinstate health insurance policies, and pay reimbursement and fine

  The state’s largest for-profit health provider has agreed to reinstate medical insurance policies for 2300 people in California. State regulators had accused Anthem Blue Cross of wrongfully terminating their policies. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to reinstate policies, and to reimburse any medical costs people incurred after the insurer terminated them, at an estimated cost of $14 million.

  Commissioner Steve Poizner: This is a very major important settlement here. I pushed these companies extremely hard – lots of arm twisting to get them to really help these 2300 people who are really in a desperate situation.

  Stoltze: Anthem Blue Cross will also pay a $1 million fine to the state.

  Jerry Flannigan of Consumer Watchdog called the fine an insult to Californians. He told the Los Angeles Times that it pales in comparison to what the company probably saved by cancelling the policies of people facing illnesses.

  Poizner said that in the last five years, Anthem used innocent mistakes on applications to claim people had failed to disclose pre-existing health problems… and cancel their policies. The company’s agreed to simplify applications, and to refine medical pre-screening. That could result in more rejected applications.

  Regulators have reached similar agreements with Blue Shield and Health Net, and they’re reviewing market practices by Kaiser and Aetna.

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  • February 11, 2009 4:51 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senate President Pro-Tem says budget deal may be near

  A compromise state budget deal is apparently near completion in Sacramento. But top lawmakers and the governor are not ready to call it a deal… yet. Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg told reporters in Sacramento that negotiators are ironing out the loose ends of a “common framework.” Steinberg says lawmakers and the governor are aware the public wants quick, responsible action to solve the state’s fiscal crisis.

  Senator Darrell Steinberg: “We must avert the stoppage of 142 CalTrans transportation projects, and the jobs these projects create. That’s something that’s going to occur this week. We must avert mass layoffs. We must avert IOUs. We must avert the continuing downward rating of our credit. And most importantly, we must end the fear and anxiety that Californians feel today.”

  Steinberg says budget cuts might be slightly less painful, depending on how much California benefits from a federal aid package making its way through Congress. But he says budget negotiators are not relying on a federal bailout to fix the state’s fiscal problems.

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  • February 11, 2009 4:46 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Sherman dissatisfied with bank executives

  During today’s hearing of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, Representative Brad Sherman took some of the nation’s top bankers to task for paying shareholder dividends and offering employee bonuses with taxpayer money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Sherman told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that none of the execs’ responses satisfied him.

  Brad Sherman: “The biggest concern is the report issued by the Congressional Oversight panel that showed that we got screwed out $78 billion. And I asked these CEOs, ‘Okay, you’ve got our money, you’ve shortchanged us, will you give us the shortfall?’ And eight out of eight said no.”

  Sherman, a Democrat, represents parts of the San Fernando Valley in Congress. The banking committee queried the chiefs of Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and five other institutions about the way they spent the first half of the federal bank bailout.

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  • February 11, 2009 3:00 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State budget deal must have 'spending cap' for GOP support

  The deal isn’t done yet – but the compromise state budget rumored to be near completion will have some kind of spending limit.

  John Myers – the Sacramento correspondent for “The California Report” – says without that limit, Republicans won’t vote for a budget that includes tax increases.

  John Myers: “Key to their demands for some kind of voting for a tax increase would be some kind of limitation on future state spending. And if you place a new limit or cap, as a lot of people like to call it, if you place that cap up as to how high spending would grow and you put the rest of the money in a rainy day fund, well, how do you set that cap? And is it high enough to account for future growth in services that Californians depend on, not the least of which would be public schools?”

  Myers spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” One possible formula for a spending cap would require lawmakers increase state budgets no more than the average increase seen in the previous 10 state budgets.

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  • February 11, 2009 2:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor and legislature reach tentative deal on deficit

  The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the governor and the California legislature have reached a tentative deal on the state’s $42 billion budget deficit.

  Neither side is confirming the details. But the newspaper says this version would increase the state sales tax by 1 percent, to 9-and-three-quarters percent. That’s prompted some political observers to wonder whether consumers will buy more items online – where many sites don’t charge sales taxes.

  Sacramento Bee reporter Dan Walters told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that avoidance strategy may not work for some purchases.

  Dan Walters: “You aren’t going to have a car shipped in for example. You can’t avoid the sales tax on a car. It will give us basically the highest sales tax rate in the country.

  “It’ll have some effect on retail sales – whether it’ll be a big effect or a small effect, I don’t think we will ever know how big of an effect, because retail sales go up and down with the economy. But it does raise a lot of money. A 1 cent increase in sales tax raises about five-and-a-half billion dollars a year.”

  The bill also would create a temporary, one-quarter-of-one-percent surcharge on personal income taxes, and would double the vehicle license fee. Lawmakers are still ironing out the details. They’re expected to deliver the bill to the floor on Friday.

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  • February 11, 2009 2:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State senate president pro tem says no budget deal yet

  A compromise state budget deal is apparently near completion in Sacramento. The plan calls for increasing the California sales tax by 1 percent, increasing gasoline taxes by 12 cents a gallon, and raising vehicle license fee a bit more than 1 percent. The budget deal also includes a provision to raise the state income tax across the board.

  KPCC’s Julia Mitric was at a Sacramento Press Club briefing today with Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. She says he wouldn’t confirm the budget deal.

  Julia Mitric: “As he walked up to the door of the luncheon, he said, ‘There is no deal. There’s an agreed-upon framework. There is a common framework.’”

  The budget deal – if it’s completed – could come up for a vote on Friday. That day also marks the 100th day since the governor called a special session to deal with the state’s fiscal crisis.

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  • February 11, 2009 2:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County sues state over deferred payments

  San Bernardino County has joined other California counties that are suing the state over withheld social service money. The 100-day state budget crisis is to blame for the holdup.

  But word out of Sacramento is that lawmakers could vote on a proposed budget compromise as early as Friday. San Bernardino County spokesman David Wert says that’s not stopping a coalition of counties from pressuring lawmakers to act with a public meeting tomorrow in the state capitol.

  David Wert: “If the state can solve its problems on Friday, that’s great for the counties, but so far the state’s been unable to do that. The type of announcement that was made this morning has been made many times over the last year.

  “And until something is voted on, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and the other counties need to be up there where state officials can hear the message.”

  If lawmakers don’t reach a budget agreement, San Bernardino County could lose out on a month or more of funding for 90,000 welfare recipients. That’s on top of a $140 million budget deficit the county is already wrestling with.

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  • February 11, 2009 2:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County Supervisors approve hiring freeze

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors continued bracing for the fallout from the state’s budget crisis. It approved a hiring freeze for all county jobs. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The hiring freeze includes all county departments. It excludes jobs that Chief Executive Officer Bill Fujioka decides are critical to public health and safety.

  The supervisors acted as state Controller John Chiang prepares to withhold more than $100 million in payments to the county because of California’s budget crisis. L.A. County supervisors have voted to join a lawsuit challenging the controller’s right to do that.

  In addition, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed delaying more than a billion dollars in payments to the county through August. He’s promised that the state will pay it back. A spokesman for Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky says that, given the state’s $42 billion budget shortfall and no end in sight to the recession, county officials “would be fools” to expect to see the money soon… if at all.

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  • February 10, 2009 6:46 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Experts say moving inmates onto parole/probation can work... with lots of support

  A panel of federal judges could soon order California to release thousands of prison inmates. The judges say it’s the only way to improve overcrowded prisons. They also say the state could do it through parole reform.

  Jerry Powers, the chief probation officer for Stanislaus County, says sweeping thousands of prison inmates onto parole or probation could be a disaster.

  Jerry Powers: “I’ve heard discussions about direct discharge, which would result in these offenders coming out straight into the community with no parole supervision. I’ve heard discussions about a system where they come out and they have a very short parole period. You’re talking about an order that will potentially drop these people into counties and cities with virtually no resources available to them.”

  Powers says counties would need more parole and probation officers.

  Phyllis MacNeal, who’s a parole officer in Pomona, says expanding parole can’t work without enough resources.

  Phyllis MacNeal: “Inmates potentially need programs, like drug programs, vocational programs. They need jobs. They need something to be released to on the positive level versus just shooting them out to the streets, because they will re-offend again.”

  The federal judges have told state officials to prepare plans to release more than 50,000 inmates over the next three years.

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  • February 10, 2009 5:44 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA church dedicates mass to Solis' nomination for Secretary of Labor

  The nomination of Congresswoman Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor is stalled in the Senate. During a mid-day Mass today, worshipers at downtown L.A.’s La Placita Catholic Church prayed for the process to move forward. KPCC’s Brian Watt reports.

  Brian Watt: Father Richard Estrada began the Spanish-language service by asking how many people knew Congresswoman Solis. Most in the crowd of a hundred raised their hands.

  Once the praying and singing were over, two dozen parishioners phoned members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in Washington. Sixty-two-year-old Maria Luna of Boyle Heights placed one of the first calls to support the El Monte Congresswoman she’s seen a lot at the church.

  Maria Luna: She’s working for a long time, for the poor, the workers, for the families, for the union of the families. She is very important person for us.

  Watt: President Obama’s nomination of Hilda Solis as his Labor Secretary hit a wall last week, when reports surfaced about tax liens against her husband’s business. The congregants at La Placita say the Senate should focus on Solis’ qualifications, not on her husband’s tax troubles.

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  • February 10, 2009 5:38 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Orange County joins lawsuit against state over budget deferrals

  Orange County is joining several other counties in a lawsuit against the state. KPCC’s Susan Valot says they want the state government to pay what it owes the counties.

  Susan Valot: Orange County’s budget director says if the state goes through with a plan to defer some payments for up to seven months, it would leave the county with a more than $100 million hole in its budget by the end of June.

  So the Orange County supervisors have agreed to get in on a lawsuit by several counties against the state. Supervisor Chris Norby says they’re basically suing the state for money it doesn’t have.

  Supervisor Chris Norby: We did it anyway, because we think that while they may not have it, we’ll at least be first in line once they get it. And it will send a shot to the legislature that you’ve got to resolve this one way or the other.

  Valot: The counties haven’t field the lawsuit yet. San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco counties are already on board. In the meantime, Riverside and San Bernardino county supervisors say they’ll join other county supervisors Thursday in Sacramento, to put pressure on state lawmakers to come up with a budget and keep the money flowing.

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  • February 10, 2009 5:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA church dedicates mass to Secretary of Labor-designate Solis

  Parishioners at La Placita Catholic Church in downtown L.A. sent phone calls – and some prayers – to the U.S. Senate today The church dedicated its midday mass to the congresswoman Hilda Solis. The El Monte Democrat’s nomination to be secretary of labor is stalled in the Senate.

  When mass was over, two-dozen churchgoers and labor activists phoned members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Father Richard Estrada says they should move ahead now with the Solis nomination.

  Father Richard Estrada: “Our country is in dire need of a leader, especially in the field of employment, of jobs, of the worker. And as secretary of labor, I think that President Obama picked the right person.”

  Obama’s nomination of Solis is held up in the Senate over concerns about her husband’s tax problems.

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  • February 10, 2009 3:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• 10,000 state employees to be laid off if no budget deal

  Governor Schwarzenegger said today that layoff notices will go out to 10,000 state workers Friday – unless he reaches a budget deal with the legislature. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The governor has proposed eliminating up to 10,000 jobs to save $750 million over the next year. He says he’d consider abandoning the plan if state legislators come up with another way to save the money. The state faces a $40 billion-plus budget shortfall.

  It’s unlikely all 10,000 workers would get the axe. Some could retire. The state might transfer others to positions funded by special revenue streams, not the general fund. But analysts say thousands of layoffs are likely, unless there’s a deal. Layoff notices would go to employees with the least seniority.

  California’s already forcing 200,000 state workers to take two unpaid days off a month. That amounts to a 9 percent pay cut for affected employees.

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  • February 10, 2009 2:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Angeles County considers hiring freeze

  The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors is considering imposing an immediate hiring freeze for county government jobs. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports it’s the latest fallout from the state’s fiscal crisis.

  Frank Stoltze: In a memo to supervisors, Chief Executive Officer Bill Fujioka says L.A. County stands to lose $105 million in deferred state funding this month. That total could balloon to nearly one-and-a-half billion dollars by August. It’s money the county expects to get once the state regains its fiscal footing.

  But Fujioka says the delay could cause a serious cash flow problem. That’s why he wants an immediate hiring freeze for all but critical health and safety jobs. Fujioka also wants to freeze all non-essential purchases of services and supplies. That’ll place more strain on the local economy.

  California Controller John Chiang says the state must delay some payments to counties to preserve cash for education, debt service obligations, and other payments the law requires. He says delays begin Friday, and will continue until the governor and state legislature come up with adequate solutions to the state’s cash shortfall.

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  • February 9, 2009 5:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• FCC Commissioner visits to explain digital TV transition delay

  The big transition from analog to digital television was supposed to be complete next week. But Congress has voted to delay the deadline until June. That gave millions of households not yet ready for the switch four more months to buy new televisions, subscribe to cable or satellite TV, or buy digital-to-analog converter boxes.

  Federal Communications Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein is touring the Southland to ask churches and neighborhood groups for help with preparing in more households for digital TV.

  Jonathan Adelstein: “The government does not have in place a field operation to make sure that people that can’t do this for themselves have help in their homes if they need it.

  “Not everybody wants a stranger coming into their home. They trust members of their congregation, and that’s a particularly good source of help for those that need it.”

  Adelstein spoke with pastors at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in South Los Angeles, and to more than 100 people at the West Covina Senior Center. He said Los Angeles is home to more over-the-air TV watchers – that is, viewers without cable or satellite – than any other city in the country.

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  • February 9, 2009 4:27 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Former eBay CEO Whitman to run for governor

  Add Meg Whitman’s name to the list of candidates for California governor. In a video released on her Web site, the former eBay chief executive officer said she’ll seek the Republican nomination next year. Whitman’s never run for political office. She invited viewers to offer their ideas for her campaign.

  Meg Whitman: “So I’d like to hear from you, Californians, the people who make our state so great. Tell us your story. Tell us your hopes for California. Tell us what our state should be doing better to help you and your family.

  “We need your ideas if we’re going to restore California. We need your voice. And I need your help to build a new California.”

  Fifty-two-year-old Whitman joins Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and former congressman Tom Campbell in the contest for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

  Link: Meg Whitman’s Web site

  Link: “Meg Whitman for Governor” video

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  • February 9, 2009 4:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• ACLU attorney talks about newly released immigration documents

  The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California hopes newly released documents will shine a light on what it calls illegal immigration raids and unlawful detentions.

  ACLU attorney Marisol Orihuela says internal memos a New York law professor obtained indicate that federal agents routinely robbed immigrants of their constitutional protection from unlawful search and seizure. In many cases, she says, agents arrested and deported those immigrants.

  Marisol Orihuela: “Any time the government detains someone where they take someone’s liberty away, it should be held accountable for its alleged basis for justifying that detention.”

  That professor and his students used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain internal memos about Immigration and Customs Enforcement practices.

  The memos suggest that immigration officials presented homeland security-based arguments to Congress to justify federal spending on searches for people with criminal records, but ordered raid teams to carry out broader searches. They also authorized agents to arrest immigrants who were not criminals or terrorists.

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  • February 9, 2009 4:16 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former eBay CEO Whitman announces candidacy for governor

  Former eBay chief executive officer Meg Whitman confirmed today what’s been rumored for months – that she’s running for governor. Whitman will seek the Republican nomination next year, when Governor Schwarzenegger is termed out. Research Fellow Bill Whalen of the Hoover Institution says she’ll face a tough race against Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

  Bill Whalen: “This is someone who did not even register as a Republican until 2007 – never run for office. Poizner’s run for both the Assembly and now state insurance commissioner, so he’s taken some positions. We don’t know where she is on those issues that define California politics, like immigration, like the environment, like taxes, like choice.”

  Whitman was an economic advisor to Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Former congressman Tom Campbell is also seeking the GOP nomination for governor.

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  • February 9, 2009 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama 'Hope' artist Shepard Fairey sues Associated Press

  The legal back-and-forth continues over the rights to a ubiquitous image of the new president. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says the L.A.-based artist behind the Barack Obama “Hope” poster is suing the distributor of the photo on which it’s based.

  Shepard Fairey: That’s because the Associated Press wants credit and compensation from artist Shepard Fairey for the image that became a touchstone for the Obama presidential campaign. Fairey argues that he worked with the shot by AP photographer Mannie Garcia under fair use guidelines that don’t violate the news cooperative’s copyrights.

  The lawsuit in a New York federal court also seeks to prevent the AP from using its copyrights against Fairey or anyone in possession of the poster. In theory, that would include the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., where an original of the red-white-and-blue graphic has been on display since inauguration week.

  The new court complaint isn’t the 38-year-old artist’s only dance with the law. On Saturday, Boston police arrested Fairey – who started his street art career pasting up posters under cover of night – on two outstanding warrants related to graffiti tagging. Police released him a few hours after his arrest.

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  • February 9, 2009 3:17 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former eBay exec Meg Whitman announces run for governor

  Former eBay chief executive officer Meg Whitman announced today she’s running for the Republican nomination for governor of California. Governor Schwarzenegger is termed out next year. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: In a video posted on her Web site, 52-year-old Whitman offered herself as a businesswoman who could fix Sacramento.

  Meg Whitman: Hardworking Californians are losing hope, while in Sacramento, politicians argue but never lead. We can’t stand by and let this continue. I refuse to let California fail and that’s why I’m running for governor.

  Stoltze: Whitman offered no details on how she’d address the major issues facing the state. While she served as an economic advisor to Senator John McCain during his presidential campaign, Whitman has never run for office and has only recently registered as a Republican.

  Two other Republicans are running: Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner – another former Silicon Valley executive with money – and former congressman Tom Campbell. Many in the GOP consider all three social moderates, and some in the party are actively searching for a conservative to enter the race.

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  • February 9, 2009 3:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Deal announced on stimulus; weekend vote likely

  AP Special Correspondent

  WASHINGTON (AP) - With job losses soaring nationwide, Senate Democrats reached agreement with a small group of Republicans Friday night on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama’s plan for combatting the worst recession in decades.

  “The American people want us to work together. They don’t want to see us dividing along partisan lines on the most serious crisis confronting our country,” said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of three Republican moderates who broke ranks and pledged their votes for the bill.

  Democratic leaders expressed confidence that the concessions they had made to Republicans and moderate Democrats to trim the measure had cleared the way for its passage. No final vote was expected before Saturday or Sunday.

  Officials put the cost of the bill at $827 billion, including Obama’s signature tax cut of up to $1,000 for working couples, even if they earn too little to pay income taxes. Also included are breaks for homebuyers and people buying new cars. Much of the new spending would be for victims of the recession, in the form of unemployment compensation, health care and food stamps.

  Republican critics complained that whatever the cost, billions were ticketed for programs that would not create jobs.

  In a key reduction from the bill that reached the Senate floor earlier in the week, $40 billion would be cut from a “fiscal stabilization fund” for state governments’ education costs, though $14 billion to boost the maximum for college Pell Grants by $400 to $5,250 would be preserved, as would aid to local school districts for the No Child Left Behind law and special education.

  A plan to help the unemployed purchase health insurance would be reduced to a 50 percent subsidy instead of two-thirds.

  The agreement capped a tense day of backroom negotiations in which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, joined by White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, sought to attract the support of enough Republicans to give the measure the needed 60-vote majority. Democrats hold a 58-41 majority in the Senate, including two independents.

  Uncertain of the outcome of the talks, Democrats called Sen. Edward M. Kennedy back to Washington in case his vote was needed. The Massachusetts senator, battling brain cancer, has been in Florida in recent days and has not been in the Capitol since suffering a seizure on Inauguration Day more than two weeks ago.

  In addition to Collins, Republican Sens. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Olympia Snowe of Maine pledged to vote for the legislation.

  Whatever the price tag, the compromise marked a victory for the new president, who has veered between calls for bipartisanship and increasingly strong criticism of Republicans in recent days. And it indicated that Democratic leaders remain on track to deliver a bill to the White House by the end of next week.

  Late Friday night, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said, “On the day when we learned 3.6 million people have lost their jobs since this recession began, we are pleased the process is moving forward and we are closer to getting Americans a plan to create millions of jobs and get people back to work.”

  Obama said earlier in the day that further delay would be “inexcusable and irresponsible” given Friday’s worst monthly unemployment report in a generation - 598,000 jobs lost in January and the national unemployment rate rising to 7.6 percent. And late Friday, federal regulators announced the closures of three banks, First Bank Financial Services in Georgia and Alliance Bank and County Bank in California, raising to nine the number of bank failures this year.

  “The world is waiting to see what we’re going to do in the next 24 hours,” said Reid who has spent much of the week trying to balance demands among moderates in both parties against pressure for a larger bill from liberals in his own rank and file.

  By midday, the majority leader had spoken once with Obama by phone and five times with Emanuel. He met with Collins and Specter as well as Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Nebraska Democrat who had long advocated cuts in the House-passed bill.

  Later, Nelson declared on the Senate floor, “We trimmed the fat, fried the bacon and milked the sacred cows.” He said the compromise included $350 billion in tax cuts that would reach 95 percent of all Americans.

  One Republican-proposed document that circulated earlier called for cuts of $60 billion from money Democrats want to send to the states. That money is targeted to avoid budget cuts for schools as well as law enforcement and other programs.

  Talk of cuts in proposed education funds triggered a counterattack from advocates of school spending as well as unhappiness among Democrats.

  One, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, told reporters he and others hoped that some of the funds on the chopping block would be restored next week when negotiations open on a House-Senate compromise.

  At its core, the legislation is designed to ease the worst economic recession in generations, and combines hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending with tax cuts. Much of the money would go for victims of the recession in the form of food stamps, unemployment compensation and health care. There are funds, as well, for construction of highways and bridges.

  But the administration also decided to use the bill to make a down payment on key domestic initiatives, including creation of a new health technology industry and so-called green jobs designed to make the country less dependent on imported oil.

  And Democrats in Congress decided to add additional huge sums for the states struggling with the recession, as well as billions more for favored programs such as parks, the repair of monuments in federal cemeteries, health and science research and more.

  With Obama enjoying post-inauguration support in the polls and the economy shrinking, Democratic leaders in Congress have confidently predicted they would have a bill to the president’s desk by mid-February.

  But Republicans, freed of the need to defend former President George W. Bush’s policies, have pivoted quickly to criticize the bill for its size and what they consider wasteful spending.

  The entire Republican rank and file voted against the measure in the House, effectively prodding senators to take up the same cause.

  In the intervening days, Republicans have appeared to catch the administration and its allies off-guard, holding up relatively small items for ridicule and routinely seizing on comments from Democrats critical of the House-passed bill.

  At the same time, they have stressed a desire to help the economy but have said they prefer tax cuts and spending that would have a more immediate impact on job creation.

  Privately, Democrats in Congress have been critical of Obama and his aides for failing to counter the Republicans more effectively. In recent days, the president has sharpened his rhetoric against unnamed critics of the bill whom he accused of trying to re-establish the “failed policies” of the past eight years.

  Despite the struggle, some Republicans seemed to sense the White House would ultimately prevail, and sought political mileage.

  Obama “could have had a very, very impressive victory early on,” said Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who heads the Senate Republican campaign committee. “But this is not turning out to be an impressive victory. it is turning out to be a little bit of a black eye.”

  (Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor, Erica Werner, Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Liz Sidoti and Stephen Ohlemacher contributed to this report.)

  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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  • February 6, 2009 8:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State committee on African American student improvement needs members

  Educators have largely failed to significantly improve the performance of African American students in California public schools. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez says the State Board of Education wants ideas.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: The state board’s decided to create an African American advisory committee of educators, parents, and others to share ideas and find out how some schools succeeding at raising black students’ test scores and graduation rates. State Board of Education member Greg Jones says one of the biggest obstacles is low expectations.

  Greg Jones: Most of the young people that find themselves on the bottom end of the achievement gap, whether they are African America, Latino, or poor kids, many of them live in a world of low expectations, whether it’s through their peer group, whether it’s even at home, and sometimes it’s at school.

  Guzman-Lopez: The board’s accepting applications for the committee until Tuesday, February 17. It wants people with experience in education or with African American communities.

  LINK: African American Advisory Committee (AAAC) - includes application

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  • February 6, 2009 7:43 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• State Senate committee hears from mobile home park residents in wake of fires

  The clean-up phase at Sylmar’s Oakridge Mobile Home Park could be finished by the end of the month. Former occupants will likely start rebuilding soon after that. At a public hearing in Sylmar today, KPCC’s Patricia Nazario listened to state lawmakers, residents, and fire officials talk about the safety standards that may be in place as those new homes arise.

  Patricia Nazario: Dozens of property owners from a half dozen mobile home parks took turns at the microphone in the auditorium at Los Angeles Mission College. Some were angry about safety issues they said they’d complained about for years: low water pressure at fire hydrants, overgrown trees, and shrubs too close to homes.

  But Martha Martinez and her daughter Anna Lisa, from the Oakridge Mobile Home Park, just wanted to know when they could buy new manufactured homes and return to the property.

  Martha Martinez: We’ve been waiting since November. We wanna know when can we move back in.

  Nazario: Democratic State Senator Alex Padilla said that’ll probably happen by late spring. Padilla called the hearing on safety issues because, he said, he wants to make the rebuilt neighborhoods better.

  Senator Alex Padilla: More than one way in and out of mobile home community makes all the sense in the world. That, at a minimum. Along with improved fire hydrant service.

  Nazario: …And an evacuation plan. Padilla said his proposed Senate Bill 23 covers those points. It would require parks to adopt several of the safety recommendations that mobile home park occupants and fire officials outlined at the hearing.

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  • February 6, 2009 7:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Orange County Sheriff to give update on concealed weapons permits next week

  The Orange County Board of Supervisors’ meeting will likely be packed tomorrow Tuesday. That’s when the sheriff plans to give an update on her department’s concealed weapons permit policy. KPCC’s Susan Valot reports.

  Susan Valot: Gun rights advocates have blasted Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens because she wants to tighten guidelines for concealed weapons permits. Hutchens considered revoking the permits, but county supervisors were concerned that revocations would show up in federal criminal databases, and raise suspicions about people whose jobs rely on security clearance.

  Now, the sheriff’s thinking of moving up the expiration dates on the permits. That way, they’d expire and not show up on the permit holder’s record. But gun rights advocates don’t like that, either.

  When Sheriff Hutchens talked to county supervisors about concealed weapons permits last month, an official with her department used surveillance cameras to zoom in on the notes and Blackberry messages of county supervisors. The supervisors, and some free speech advocates, were extremely angry. This’ll be the first time the sheriff’s addressed the board since then.

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  • February 6, 2009 7:10 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County tax assessor Postmus resigns

  San Bernardino County’s embattled tax assessor Bill Postmus abruptly resigned this afternoon. The move comes a month after he was charged with drug possession, and a week after some voters launched a recall effort. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas reports the resignation probably ends a once-promising nine-year career in politics.

  Steven Cuevas: Before he was assessor, Bill Postmus was chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. The young Republican raised thousands of dollars for George W. Bush’s presidential bids, and he was considered a shoe-in in for higher office.

  But his career began to unravel last year. A grand jury accused him of fraud and corruption. The District Attorney started looking into questionable real estate deals and allegations that Postmus traded county jobs for political favors. Rumors circulated of a methamphetamine habit and stints in rehab.

  Last month, Postmus was charged with felony drug possession. All the while, he refused to quit as assessor, even as the county hired a special prosecutor to look for ways to remove him from office.

  In his letter of resignation, Postmus said he’ll vacate his office next week. He cited his battle with substance abuse for his resignation.

  In a statement, Bill Ovitt, who chairs the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, hoped Postmus could overcome his problems.

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  • February 6, 2009 7:01 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Activists demand U.S. Border Patrol records of immigration raids

  Rain or shine Saturday morning, dozens of immigration activists are planning to march from Riverside City Hall to the city’s U.S. Border Patrol office. They want details about recent immigration raids in the area. Several Border Patrol officers claim the agency has imposed an arrest quota. Immigration activist Emilio Amaya is with the San Bernardino Community Service Center.

  Emilio Amaya: “We have noticed increased activity by the Border Patrol since the beginning of last year in Lake Ellsinore, Perris, Temecula… so its been going for at least a year now. We wanna get numbers on how many people have been arrested under this quota system, and we wanna know for sure if this is policy and practice.”

  The Border Patrol says it doesn’t have an arrest quota, but says it will investigate the allegations. The agency refuses to give out arrest figures for the Inland area. This week, day laborer groups submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to get that information.

  The “Stop the Raids” march begins at the steps of Riverside City Hall Saturday morning at 10.

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  • February 6, 2009 6:52 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State Senate committee holds public hearing on fires that damaged mobile home parks

  Dozens of mobile home park residents who lost their homes in last year’s wildfires spoke directly to lawmakers today at a public hearing in Sylmar.

  Democratic State Senator Alex Padilla said he’s especially concerned about safety conditions at Sylmar’s Sky Terrace and Oakridge mobile home parks. He said low hydrant pressure and few exits created serious problems for fire fighters at the Marek and Sayre Fires.

  Senator Alex Padilla: “It’s lost on me why there’s not a current requirement that these mobile home parks don’t have better emergency preparedness plan and specific evacuation plans. So, I have introduced a bill that would require every mobile home park community in the state of California to have an evacuation plan.”

  Padilla said he wants to rush federal emergency aid money to the area and help speed along the debris cleaning process, so people displaced from the mobile home parks can begin rebuilding no later than early summer.

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  • February 6, 2009 6:46 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Oakridge Mobile Home Park residents allowed in ahead of debris removal

  The Oakridge Mobile Home Park in Sylmar will be open through Sunday. City officials are allowing former occupants one last look for valuables before the debris-removal process begins.

  Eric Baumgardener, with the Emergency Management Department, says the City of Los Angeles’ public works department will probably select a contractor next week.

  Eric Baumgardener: “The process is using a list of on-call contractors the city deals with normally for debris removal and emergency abatement issues. So, it’s a smaller list than normal public bids.”

  Baumgardener says that list includes a couple dozen pre-qualified and pre-screened contractors. City officials chose that route to streamline the process… and to allow people whose units are still standing in Oakridge Mobile Home Park to begin moving back into their homes soon.

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  • February 6, 2009 6:31 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• DMV customers unprepared for office being closed due to furloughs

  The twice-monthly state employee furlough kicked in today. Not everybody had heard the news that, because of California’s cash crunch, most state offices are closed on the first and third Fridays of every month. Early this morning, KPCC’s Brian Watt visited the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Culver City. So did a few customers.

  Brian Watt: A steady trickle of motorists pulled into the empty parking lot outside the dark DMV office. Some of what they said before they drove off is not suitable for broadcast.

  Sergio Cornejo: It’s terrible. It ruins my weekend. I was hoping to take out my car…

  Watt: Sergio Cornejo of Culver City works as an audio video technician.

  Cornejo: I had a four-wheel-drive Blazer that I actually wanted to actually take out this weekend and play with it, but because of this, we can’t.

  Watt: But Cornejo cut the state some slack for trying to save money.

  West L.A. artist Semere Ab had brought in a beat-up car for recycling. He took the Friday closing in stride, and said the state could be establishing a healthy trend.

  Semere Ab: I think it should be permanent; not because of economic reasons, but I think people should work only four days a week .

  Watt: That would allow more time for family and creativity, he said. But most state workers who have no choice but to take the day off would probably prefer to get paid.

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  • February 6, 2009 6:25 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• State insurance commissioner announces AAA So Cal rate cut

  The state insurance commissioner has announced a rate reduction for drivers covered by AAA of Southern California. Commissioner Steve Poizner says the rate cut of more than 5 percent will save the average policyholder about $100 a year.

  Steve Poizner: “This is great news because it will infuse $101 million into the Southern California economy. Of course, that couldn’t come at a better time given the tough economic conditions.”

  Consumer groups are not cheering. Doug Heller is with Consumer Watchdog. It wanted the commissioner to cut AAA’s premiums by 13 percent – more than double what he approved.

  Doug Heller: “We’re still being overcharged. Commissioner Poizner did not go to the mat for consumers on this rate cut and he always should be looking out for consumers, especially at a time like this, in these tough financial times.”

  The consumer group says it will formally ask the state Department of Insurance to reconsider the size of the rate cut. An executive with AAA applauded the commissioner’s decision.

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  • February 6, 2009 5:24 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• People show up to find DMV now closed on 1st and 3rd Fridays

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s Friday furloughs of state employees started today. That means all Department of Motor Vehicles offices are closed.

  This morning, “Chris” – a 25-year-old from Manhattan Beach – drove to the DMV in Culver City. He got there early to update the registration on his car before he went to work. He took the closure in stride.

  Chris: “Just like every other business, they’re cutting back due to the economy and budget cuts, and they just don’t have the hours to have everybody in there. It’s frustrating, obviously, because the DMV is the last place you want to go, and when you show and they’re not open, it’s not fun. But I understand why they did it.”

  Some state agencies were granted waivers from the Friday furlough – Employment Development offices remain open, and state parks will close on a less popular day of the week.

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  • February 6, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Union workers in support of Employee Free Choice Act march in LA

  Hundreds of union workers marched in Los Angeles yesterday in support of the federal Employee Free Choice Act. The bill would allow people in a given workplace to organize by signing cards that authorize union representation.

  Greg Good, a spokesman for the pro-labor L.A. Alliance for a New Economy, explained why his organization supports the bill.

  Greg Good: “This, a landmark piece of legislation that’s going to help insure that, that, essentially more workers have the opportunity for good, middle-class jobs in this country, and the way it’s going to do that is, is to really afford them the choice to join the union through majority sign-up.”

  Many business leaders regard that alternative to secret-ballot union elections as an insidious end-run. Brian Worth, an independent electrical contractor who heads the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, wants Congress to reject the bill.

  Brian Worth: “This is a bad deal for workers because it exposes them, as part of a card-check campaign, to intimidation and coercion. I don’t think it takes any great stretch of the imagination, I mean, to know what it would be like to be the last person that the union needed to get a card signed.”

  Brian Worth and Greg Good spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” The Employee Free Choice Act is likely to pass in the U.S. House, but opposition may stall it in the Senate.

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  • February 6, 2009 4:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayoral debate being held, Villaraigosa won't attend

  The National Association of Equal Justice sponsors a mayoral debate tomorrow at Holman United Methodist Church in South Los Angeles. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that the incumbent refuses to attend it – or any other debate with his opponents in the March 3rd election.

  Frank Stoltze: Nine candidates are challenging Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The mayor’s campaign says none are serious, so he feels no obligation to debate them.

  Only attorney Walter Moore has raised a significant amount of money – $200,000. That still pales in comparison to the mayor’s 2.7 million.

  Los Angeles Times writer Steve Lopez has chastised the mayor in his column. So has activist Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Urban Policy Roundtable in South L.A.

  Hutchinson, who does not support the mayor’s re-election, describes Villaraigosa’s refusal to debate as the “height of arrogance” and a “slap in the face of city voters.” He says this should be an election – not a coronation.

  The mayor – who won election four years ago on promises of transparency and openness – hasn’t said much about that criticism and, a spokesman says, certainly won’t show up for the debate at Holman United Methodist Church.

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  • February 6, 2009 3:56 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• DMV now closed 1st and 3rd Fridays

  Most state offices are closed today under Governor Schwarzenegger’s furlough order. Some Californians found out the hard way. Sergio Cornejo showed up at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Culver City this morning.

  He hoped to register his four-wheel-drive Blazer so he could “play with it” this weekend. But the posted signs told him the office is now closed on the first and third Fridays of the month.

  Sergio Cornejo: “Well, it’s terrible. It’s terrible but I guess we gotta do what we gotta do, and we just gotta stick with it. Any way to save money and back off from whatever the state and the country owes.”

  The DMV has also reduced the number of offices open on Saturdays.

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  • February 6, 2009 12:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State parks workers won't be taking Fridays off

  Close to 300,000 state employees are taking a mandatory, unpaid day off tomorrow. Governor Schwarzenegger ordered the furlough because California’s running out of money. Among the few state workers who will keep working on Fridays are staffing the state parks, the governor’s spokeswoman Lisa Page told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Lisa Page: “Parks is actually included in the 10 percent of the employees that do have exception to this first and third Friday. They’ll be able to take their furloughs at another time so that our parks can remain open.”

  Fridays are a typically busy day for state parks. The governor estimates that two unpaid days off a month – the equivalent of a 10 percent pay cut for California public employees – will save the state about one-and-a-half billion dollars through June of next year.

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  • February 5, 2009 5:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State worker furlough takes effect Friday

  If you were planning to deal with the Department of Motor Vehicles or the unemployment office tomorrow, better make another appointment. California’s budget rut means that many state workers will take a mandatory, unpaid day off. The California Report’s John Meyers told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” there’s still a lot of confusion about what that will look like throughout the state.

  John Meyers: “I wish we had a global list of what was going to be closed. I mean a lot of reporters have been asking that. The one that people have obviously been talking about a lot, where they get a lot of impact, is obviously the DMV.

  “Those offices from what I can tell are pretty much going to be closed every other Friday now. But what I hear from officials is that your best bet is to pick up the phone and call, and if it rings and rings and rings, there’s your answer.”

  A judge said today that some state employees – including those in the treasurer’s and attorney general’s offices – may not have to abide by Governor Schwarzenegger’s furlough order. The governor’s office says the state will save one-and-a-half billion dollars through June 2010 if its employees take two unpaid days off every month.

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  • February 5, 2009 4:16 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city controller's office releases report criticizing DWP

  A new report from the Los Angeles city controller’s office criticizes decision-making and management at the Department of Water and Power. More on the story from KPCC’s Molly Peterson.

  Molly Peterson: L.A.’s city charter mandates a wide ranging audit of the DWP every five years. This report from a consulting firm found that most goals from five years ago still need work – but that internal politics make it hard to know who’s responsible.

  The DWP has set ambitious goals to obtain more of its energy from renewable sources. But the new study concludes that the Department of Water and Power at this point hasn’t figured out how much customers would pay to switch from cheaper coal to more expensive solar, wind, and geothermal power.

  L.A. City Controller Laura Chick, who commissioned the report, said it showed the public utility shouldn’t be run by political projects and initiatives but by good business judgment and good government.

  Chick used the report’s release to voice her opposition to Proposition B – a measure that would add hundreds of megawatts of power to Los Angeles and hundreds of jobs to its water and power agency. Proposition B goes before L.A. voters next month.

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  • February 5, 2009 3:18 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Judge rules Defense of Marriage Act illegally denies benefits

  A judge has ruled that the gay spouse of a federal employee does have the right to receive federal benefits – and that the federal Defense of Marriage act unconstitutionally denies the same-sex spouse the right to those benefits.

  Judge Stephen Reinhardt was ruling on a discrimination claim filed by an attorney with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Robert Iafolla wrote about the case for the L.A. Daily Journal and spoke with the attorney who filed the claim.

  Robert Iafolla: “He told me that he went into this just trying to get benefits for his spouse, you know, just like any of his other coworkers, and the fact that Reinhardt went this extra step and ruled on the constitutionality of DOMA. He was very pleased.”

  DOMA is the Defense of Marriage Act. Another judge issued a similar ruling in another case involving a Ninth Circuit employee, but he didn’t go as far as Reinhardt in declaring the law unconstitutional. Both judges issued their decisions as part of internal hearings within the Ninth Circuit, so it’s unclear what precedent – if any – these rulings will set.

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  • February 5, 2009 2:16 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Employee Free Choice Act supporters march from downtown LA to Westwood

  Hundreds of union workers are marching from downtown Los Angeles to Westwood in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. The proposed federal legislation would make it easier for workers to organize.

  Forty-one-year-old Sal Zamora said he’s participating because after he spent 16 years in prison, the Iron Workers Union helped him become a contributing member of society.

  Sal Zamora: “And a lot of my brothers in the union have been able to start a new life. Our business agents will do anything to help someone that wants a better life.”

  Workers from about 40 different unions are participating in the march.

  Organizers say California U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer supports their cause – but they’re not so sure about her fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein. The marchers paused this afternoon to call Feinstein’s office to urge her support.

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  • February 5, 2009 2:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Union members march in support of Employee Free Choice Act

  Hundreds of union members and their supporters are marching across Los Angeles today. They want Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. The federal legislation would make it easier for workers to join unions.

  One marcher, nurse Deirdre Kirkwood, worked in the neo-natal intensive care unit for 7 years at a hospital in Riverside. She says the hospital fired her about a year ago when she began trying to organize a union for registered nurses.

  Deirdre Kirkwood: “They gave me no reason other than that I was an at-will employee. I had no contract, therefore, they could fire me, legally. It’s against federal law to fire someone for forming a union. But there’s not really much justice attached and that’s one reason why we need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.”

  Now Kirkwood works for another hospital that has a union contract. The march began near downtown Los Angeles and ends this afternoon at the Federal Building in West Los Angeles.

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  • February 5, 2009 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California's Healthy Families program welcomes new funding for children's insurance

  California’s Healthy Families program is in the clear for the next four-and-a-half years. President Barack Obama has signed bipartisan legislation that stabilizes federal funding for that program and for similar, low-cost health insurance plans for children across the country.

  About 70,000 uninsured kids and teenagers in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties stand to benefit from the new law. Richard Brown, who teaches public health at UCLA, says it’ll allow families who earn a little above the federal poverty level to qualify for health, dental, and vision care coverage.

  Richard Brown: “The poverty level for a family of four is around $19,000 a year, today. So, this would enable us to raise it to three times that level. When you think about the cost of housing in California, the cost of transportation, that is not a lot of money to, then, go out and buy health insurance.”

  Brown co-wrote a new study (released Wednesday) on uninsured children and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. It dissected areas of the Inland Empire by senate, assembly, and congressional districts, and estimated the numbers of uninsured children based on income in those areas.

  LINK: UCLA Study

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  • February 4, 2009 6:02 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Riverside County sues state over deferred payments

  Riverside County is suing the State of California. It wants lawmakers in Sacramento to pony up millions of dollars in delayed funding for social services. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has details.

  Steven Cuevas: The state held up scheduled payments to the 58 counties when February began. The move temporarily saves the state billions in cash as it fumbles with a $40 billion budget gap. Riverside County lost about $35 million a month for student aid, welfare, and other social services. The only way those programs will get funded now is if the county puts up the dough. Not likely.

  Supervisor John Tavaglione: That will eat up our reserves (snaps fingers) like that!

  Cuevas: Supervisor John Tavaglione says Riverside County has its own $90 million budget crisis to deal with. It could lay off nearly 300 workers by summertime. Tavaglione say the county’s lawsuit is meant to spur state lawmakers into solving the budget stalemate.

  Tavaglione: We needed to tell them to start working together, stop playing partisan games. If they intend to defer payments, fine. We will cut back on those programs and we are not going to backfill on those programs based on their inability to pass a budget, and their inability to make cuts where necessary and their inability put money away for a rainy day because they’re in a habit and that’s why they’re in the mess they are in.

  Cuevas: Riverside County’s lawsuit might not be the last volley fired across the state government’s bow. L.A. County is threatening to withhold property tax revenue it’s collected… calling the move its own “Boston Tea Party.”

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  • February 4, 2009 5:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• ICE spokeswoman defends federal policy

  Published reports indicate that the initial targets of federal immigration home searches - people with criminal backgrounds - constitute a small proportion of those detained and deported.

  In five years, close to three-quarters of the people the raids captured across the country did not have criminal records. Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended the practice.

  Virginia Kice: “These are people who’ve had their day in court, who’ve had an opportunity to go before an immigration judge, who’ve been ordered deported, and who’ve failed to comply with those orders. These are the people that these teams are targeting.”

  Kice spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Federal immigration agency records indicate that administrators broadened the intent of the searches without consulting Congress. A law professor and his students obtained the records through Freedom of Information Act requests and leaked it to the New York Times.

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  • February 4, 2009 4:11 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County considers legal action against state over payments

  Los Angeles County is considering how it can prevent the state from withholding money for health and human services programs. State controller John Chiang is deferring payments to L.A. and other counties for at least a month because of the state budget crisis.

  Riverside County supervisors voted yesterday to take legal action that could force the state to keep making payments to the county. L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky says his county is exploring a similar option.

  Zev Yaroslavsky: “We have directed our county counsel, our county attorneys to develop a strategy, a legal strategy by which we could go into court and seek to compel the state to meet its obligations to us.

  “And we will work with other counties and other local governments up and down the state. That’s one of the things we do, and we will pool our resources because we’ll all in the same boat.”

  For now, the county plans to compensate for the money the state’s withholding by dipping into its reserves. But yesterday, L.A. County supervisors explored another option – they threatened to withhold tax revenue that the county owes the state. Yaroslavksy says he doubts that will happen because he doesn’t think it would be legal.

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  • February 4, 2009 12:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Standard and Poor's lowers California's credit rating

  The back-and-forth over the budget in Sacramento has led Standard and Poor’s to cut California’s credit rating to a less-than-satisfactory “A.” That places the Golden State in a tie with Louisiana for the worst credit risk in the country. Christopher Thornberg with Beacon Economics suggests that the picture can only brighten from here.

  Christopher Thornberg: “When you sit down and look at the numbers, you know, we’ve already cleared up some of the mess – maybe we have a $10 billion gap right now, maybe a $12 billion gap left – this is less than 1 percent of our state economy.

  “This is not a big number. The problem here is not that we can’t fix it, the problem is that we’re not fixing it. And of course the closer and closer that we get to running out of cash, the riskier and riskier our bonds are.”

  Thornberg spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” In its report, Standard and Poor’s said that despite California’s strong economic fundamentals, the prospects for an imminent recovery look unlikely.

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  • February 3, 2009 5:23 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor's Web site features deficit clock

  Like the billboard-sized national deficit clock in New York’s Times Square, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Web site offers a pint-size version that displays some pretty staggering numbers.

  State finance department spokesman H.D. Palmer says the Web site clock calculates California’s mounting debt every day lawmakers fail to agree on a budget.

  H.D. Palmer: And in terms of the lost savings that we’re getting by delaying action on a budget – that’s a calculation that shows just how much, what the cost is of not being able to get a budget agreement taken care of.”

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sacramento lawmakers have been meeting behind closed doors trying to figure out how to close California’s $42 billion budget gap.

  Budget clock widget
  Office of the Governor

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  • February 3, 2009 1:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Daschle withdraws as nominee for HHS secretary

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination on Tuesday to be President Barack Obama’s Health and Human Services secretary, dealing potential blows to both speedy health care reform and Obama’s hopes for a smoother start as president.

  “Now we must move forward,” Obama said in a written statement accepting “with sadness and regret” Daschle’s surprise request to be removed from consideration. A day earlier, Obama had said he “absolutely” stood by Daschle in the face of problems over back taxes and potential conflicts of interest.

  Daschle, the former Senate Democratic leader and a strong backer of Obama’s presidential bid, said he would have been unable to operate “with the full faith of Congress and the American people.”

  “I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction” to Obama’s agenda, he said.

  Obama had given Daschle two jobs - to be White House health czar on top of the post leading the Health and Human Services Department - and Daschle is relinquishing the czar post too. The developments called into question whether Obama will be able to move as quickly as he has promised on sweeping health care reform - one of the pillars of his first 100 days agenda.

  “It really sets us back a step,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “Because he was such a talent. I mean he understood Congress, serving in the House and Senate he certainly had the confidence of the president.”

  Daschle’s stunning statement came less than three hours after another Obama nominee also withdrew from consideration, and also over tax problems. Nancy Killefer, nominated by Obama to be the government’s first chief performance officer, said she didn’t want her bungling of payroll taxes on her household help to be a distraction.

  Daschle was the third high-profile Obama nominee to bow out. Obama initially had tapped Bill Richardson to be Commerce secretary, but the New Mexico governor withdrew amid a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors.

  Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Daschle’s former Democratic colleagues had rallied to his defense in the wake of questions about his failure to fully pay his taxes from 2005 through 2007. Last month, Daschle paid $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest.

  “Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged,” Obama said. “He has not excused it, nor do I. But that mistake and this decision cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country.”

  “I was a little stunned. I thought he was going to get confirmed,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel that would have voted on Daschle’s nomination. “It’s regrettable. He’s a very good man.”

  Daschle also was facing questions about potential conflicts of interests related to the speaking fees he accepted from health care interests. Daschle also provided advice to health insurers and hospitals through his post-Senate work at a law firm.

  It all proved too bitter a pill for senators to swallow, even for a former member of their club. Last week, the Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner as Treasury secretary despite his tax problems.

  The controversy also has undercut Obama’s promise to run a more ethical, responsible and special interest-free administration.

  The withdrawal came after Republicans and major newspapers had been questioning Obama’s initial decision to stick with Daschle.

  Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina said Obama was “losing credibility” with his statements in support of Daschle. “Part of leadership is recognizing when there has been a mistake made and responding quickly,” the Republican said.

  In an editorial, The New York Times described Daschle’s ability to move “cozily between government and industry” as a cloud over any role he might play in changing the nation’s health care system.

  The Chicago Tribune opined that “Daschle is dispensable” and suggested that “to proclaim high standards and then suspend them exposes Obama to charges that he is either hypocritical or obtuse.”

  In a letter released Monday, Daschle sought to explain how he overlooked taxes on income for consulting work and the use of a car service. He also deducted more in charitable contributions than he should have. He also met with Senate Finance Committee members behind closed doors.

  “It was completely inadvertent, but that’s no excuse,” he said. “I apologize to President Obama, to my colleagues and to the American people.”

  (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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  • February 3, 2009 10:41 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAPD Chief Bratton endorses Jack Weiss for City Attorney

  Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss won a key endorsement in his campaign for City Attorney today. The current City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo is termed out in July. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Weiss received the backing of Police Chief Bill Bratton. The chief called Weiss, a former federal prosecutor and chair of the city council’s public safety committee, a “crime fighter” who knows how to take on gangs and guns.

  Not all in law enforcement like Weiss. Sheriff Lee Baca and District Attorney Steve Cooley have endorsed Carmen Trutanich, a former deputy district attorney. In a jab at Weiss, Cooley said the city attorney should be “independent,” not an “overly ambitious partisan politician.”

  Weiss has raised $1.5 million; Trutanich less than half that. Deputy City Attorney Michael Amerian has raised about a quarter million dollars in his bid for the top job. A total of five candidates want the post. If no one wins a majority of votes in the March 3 election, the top two will face off in May.

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  • February 2, 2009 5:50 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Consumer Safety commission grants businesses an extra year on lead testing compliance

  Federal regulators postponed rules that would have forced companies to check children’s products for harmful chemicals, including lead. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.

  Molly Peterson: Starting next week, the makers of kid’s clothes and toys were supposed to guarantee that their products are lead-free. Now the manufacturers have another year.

  The Consumer Products Safety Commission is calling the deferral a clarification. It’s the latest of many. When Congress passed the ban last year, it also passed along to the Commission the lobbying it had been getting from all sides.

  Outcry from thrift stores has prompted regulators to exempt them from testing every article of clothing for lead. Environmentalists successfully pushed to keep the ban and testing in place for children’s cribs, jewelry, and some toys that could break. Small businesses complaining the ban is cumbersome are seeking exemptions from having to comply with it.

  All that’s adding up. Congressional leaders, including Representative Henry Waxman of Los Angeles, are calling for clearer communication so businesses and consumers will know what’s in the ban, what’s out, and what’s still in doubt.

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  • February 2, 2009 1:41 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• City Attorney Delgadillo: L.A. law enforcement driving gangs out... to other places

  Law enforcement officials in the city of Los Angeles say this year could be a “tipping point” in their fight against gangs. They’re promising to devote more resources to the effort, and to work more closely with gang intervention workers. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: In the city of Los Angeles, gang crime declined 23 percent in the last five years.

  City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo: Ya know, for the first time in my law enforcement career, with respect to gangs, it feels like we’re winning.

  Stoltze: City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo credits gang injunctions, more police resources, and a new commitment to improving intervention and prevention programs. Delgadillo says he found out at a recent conference that some gang members are fleeing the city.

  Delgadillo: Prosecutors from across the state – San Diego, Barstow, Fresno, Bakersfield – all came up to me and said, “Stop what you’re doing in Los Angeles because you’re sending them to us.”

  Stoltze: That’s not to say gangs don’t continue to dominate some neighborhoods. Indeed, while Police Chief Bill Bratton has pledged to reduce gang violence another 15 percent this year, he’s also said gangs are here to stay in the city of Los Angeles.

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  • January 30, 2009 6:20 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Attorney General Brown says he'll fight state furloughs

  Governor Schwarzenegger has expanded his state furlough program to include employees of constitutional officers… including the State Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. But one of those officers thinks the furloughs are illegal. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Leave it to a lawyer to challenge an official order from the governor. California’s top counselor, Attorney General Jerry Brown, issued his own legal opinion about the current governor’s plan to give state employees two days off a month without pay.

  In a written statement, Brown, a former governor, said he believes Thursday’s state Supreme Court order okaying furloughs does not apply to constitutional officers, including employees in his office.

  State Treasurer Bill Lockyer sent his own letter to State Controller John Chiang, asking to exempt the Treasurer’s office from the furloughs for the same reasons.

  Attorney General Brown said his department would take “appropriate legal steps” to fight the proposal. He added that his office would find other ways to cut its budget.

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  • January 30, 2009 6:15 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State parks seek waiver to governor's order

  The governor’s cost-saving order to close state agencies two Fridays a month starts this week. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports that California state parks have asked to stay open.

  Molly Peterson: Fridays are popular with park-goers in California – and that means more funds for the department’s operation. So, Cal Parks has requested a waiver of the governor’s order.

  Closing on the first and third Fridays of the month would force the department to grant refunds for standing camping reservations and reduce its revenues from fees. Instead, the department wants to shut down on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, when fewer people go to the beach or for a hike.

  Cal Parks isn’t the only agency in a pickle. The state’s unemployment offices say they’re expecting logjams from the governor’s furloughs at a time when more people are coming through their doors.

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  • January 30, 2009 5:22 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• RNC chooses 1st African-American chairman

  The Republican National Committee has chosen its first African-American chairman, former Maryland lieutenant governor Michael Steele. Jon Fleishman, vice chairman of the California Republican Party, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” what he thinks what Steele may offer the GOP.

  Jon Fleishman: “He’s become a kind of a national figure within the party as someone who’s been focused on a message of what we’re for and what we need to be about in order to be a successful party and regain the majority.”

  Steele prevailed over four other candidates for the party leadership. He regards himself as a conservative, but Republican insiders say he was the most moderate contender for the job.

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  • January 30, 2009 5:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Attorney General Brown raises most campaign money

  The Sacramento Bee reports California Attorney General Jerry Brown has raised the most campaign money among Democrats considering a run for governor next year. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: Even though he hasn’t formally said he’ll run, Jerry Brown is becoming a leading contender in next year’s Democratic Party primary for governor. And his fundraising proves it.

  The 70-year-old politician who already served as governor once has $4 million in cash on hand. That’s three times the amount of rivals San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi.

  Newsom’s campaign tells the Sacramento Bee he’s raised his money over a shorter period of time. Garamendi’s campaign maintains he’s got a “solid financial foundation.”

  The money race could get tougher if U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein or state schools Superintendent Jack O’Connell jumps into the race. And Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - who is up for re-election in March - reportedly hasn’t ruled out a run for governor.

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  • January 30, 2009 5:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California legislature may vote on budget next week

  California’s legislature reportedly may vote on a budget next week. Legislative leaders are still negotiating over how to close the state’s $42 billion deficit.

  The debate has centered on spending cuts and tax raises, but Assemblyman Roger Niello told KPCC’s Larry Mantle another important issue is budget reform. Niello and other Republicans have been calling for a cap on state spending.

  Roger Niello: “What we need is a restriction on our ability to grow spending in good times so that we force ourselves to have reserves. That is an ongoing need. We believe it needs to be in the constitution, which means that the voters would have to approve it.”

  Niello told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that he wants a permanent cap and would not be satisfied with a temporary one. Niello is vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she’s hopeful the legislature will vote soon on a budget.

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  • January 30, 2009 3:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California legislators not counting on government stimulus

  The U.S. Senate is scheduled to begin debating next week on the economic stimulus bill. The version the House passed this week would direct $32 billion to California, but it’s unclear whether that will remain in the Senate version.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that she and other legislative leaders are not counting on that money to close the state’s massive budget deficit.

  Karen Bass: “We anticipate and we have to be prepared for a deficit that might reappear again. In other words if revenues continue to go down, after we close the $42 billion deficit, then that’s where the federal stimulus money would come into play.”

  Bass says she and other legislative leaders have been meeting with the governor every day to try and reach a budget deal. She hopes the legislature will vote on a budget soon.

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  • January 30, 2009 2:56 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Lands Commission: No new drilling off California coast

  The State Lands Commission has rejected a proposal that could have allowed new drilling off the Santa Barbara coast.

  Last year Central Coast environmental groups announced they would support a bid by Plains Exploration to drill new oil wells. In exchange, the company agreed to end operations within 13 years. Commission member and state Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi said that didn’t persuade him to get behind the deal.

  Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi: “I am not convinced that the main benefit of this bargain is achievable or enforceable. In addition to that, this issue goes far beyond the California coast. It is precedent setting.”

  California’s Lands Commission hasn’t approved proposals for new offshore drilling in more than 40 years. Garamendi said that voting for the proposal would send the wrong message to federal authorities, and to other states.

  LINK: California State Lands Commission

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  • January 29, 2009 6:51 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. city leaders promise more sophisticated gang intervention efforts

  Los Angeles city officials promise more focus on gang prevention and intervention under a set of initiatives unveiled today. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The mayor’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development Director Jeff Carr says L.A. intends to better identify kids who need help.

  Jeff Carr: So now our prevention is focused on the kids that – through a whole research-based screening system – are targeting the kids that really are most at risk of joining a gang, not just any kid that lives in the neighborhood.

  Stoltze: The city’s setting up a new training academy for gang intervention workers. It’s dismantled the Bridges program and refocused resources on the 12 most violent neighborhoods.

  Carr: I mean, this is radically different than what the city’s done in the past.

  Stoltze: LAPD Chief Bill Bratton promises that police will work more closely with gang interventionists, many of whom are former gang members. He said he’ll also assign more officers to gang crime, and add a unit to seek out gangsters’ cars for traffic violations. The chief predicted that the combined efforts would serve as a “national model.”

  Note: Chief Bratton pledges the new anti-gang initiatives will lead to a 15percent reduction in gang crime this year.

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  • January 29, 2009 6:40 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Controller says nearly $3 million in tax refunds could be delayed

  California’s severe cash shortage means that close to 3 million people won’t get tax refund checks next month. The state must use the money – nearly $2 billion - to pay off a huge backlog of bills.

  Hallye Jordan is a spokeswoman for state Controller John Chiang. She says he’s spent much of his career helping people figure out how to file their taxes and get refunds fast. So…

  Hallye Jordan: “For him to have to now delay these 30 days is painful and frustrating. He’s angry that’s he’s being forced into this situation because of a lack of any solutions from the Legislature and the governor. This goes against everything he’s pushed for for years.”

  The money will begin to flow back into the state treasury once the governor and top lawmakers come up with a solution for the California’s $42 billion budget deficit. But nobody knows how fast the state can replenish its cash reserves, so Jordan says tax refund delays might continue beyond February.

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  • January 29, 2009 4:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Sacramento Superior Court judge favors governor's furlough plan

  The governor’s plan to impose two unpaid days a month on state employees got a go-ahead from a judge in Sacramento today. KPCC’s Julia Mitric has the story.

  Julia Mitric: The Sacramento Superior Court judge ruled in a lawsuit public employee unions had filed challenging the legality of the furlough order. Judge Patrick Marlette determined that the state’s budget crisis counts as an emergency situation - and that gives the governor the authority he needs.

  Unions including the Professional Engineers in California Government are maintaining that the judge is out of bounds. They plan to appeal the decision - and to ask the court to suspend the furlough order. It’s scheduled to take effect next Friday.

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  • January 29, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Court ruling favors governor's furlough plan

  California’s budget crisis is emergency enough for the governor to order state employees to take two unpaid days off every month. That’s what a Sacramento Superior Court judge has ruled in a lawsuit those workers had filed challenging the legality of the furlough order.

  Unions including the Professional Engineers in California Government plan to appeal the decision. The furlough’s scheduled to take effect next Friday. If that happens, union representative Bruce Blanning says anyone who relies on state services will notice.

  Bruce Blanning: “Whether it’s keeping a state office open so you can renew your driver’s license - or whether it’s getting projects ready to go out to construction and create construction jobs. So it affects everybody.”

  State Controller John Chiang also opposed the governor’s plan in court. But after the judge’s ruling he says he’ll follow the court’s order. Chiang says the cuts to workers’ salaries won’t solve the California’s serious cash shortage - he’ll still have to delay state tax refunds and college grants starting next week.

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  • January 29, 2009 4:28 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. City Council votes to continue pachyderm forest habitat

  At least 400 construction jobs connected to the Los Angeles Zoo’s Pachyderm Forest Exhibit will continue for now. The L.A. City Council voted today to move forward with the project and keep Billy the elephant at the zoo. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario has more on the reaction in council chambers after the vote.

  Patricia Nazario: Council members voted after two hours of debate and emotional testimony from hundreds of people for and against the planned Pachyderm Forest habitat. Councilman Tom LaBonge summarized what their decision means.

  Councilman Tom LaBonge: We move forward with the project as planned and as voted on by the people of Los Angeles. (sound of applause)

  Nazario: That was the side of the aisle where Billy’s handlers, zoo officials, and some construction workers were crammed into the pews. On the other side of chambers, and the issue, was a crowd that included pop icon Cher. The singer spoke to reporters after the council vote.

  Cher: I’m furious! These people &ndash I can’t say that they’ve killed these 14 elephants since 1975, but, you know, if someone was under my care and they died, I’d be responsible, and it would be a huge thing.

  Nazario: The council didn’t base its vote on Gita, the 50-year-old Asian elephant that died almost two-and-a-half years ago at the L.A. Zoo. The animal had suffered from years of foot disease and arthritis. Instead, lawmakers decided that most fisically responsible option was to continue with construction.

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  • January 28, 2009 6:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger says it's either furloughs or layoffs for California state workers

  Governor Schwarzenegger says the unions for state workers have a choice: Accept his order to furlough their members for two days a month, or risk layoffs.

  The governor says his order will conserve cash until lawmakers work up a balanced budget for this year and next. He told reporters in Sacramento today that unless he gets the furloughs, he’ll have to lay off state workers.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Labor has the choice. They can help us in making the decision on how we save the $1.4 billion. Our recommendation was furloughs, where everyone takes a little haircut, rather than laying people off.”

  The governor’s order requires state employees to stay home two days a month, unpaid, beginning next week. Public employee unions and the State Controller are challenging the governor in court. A ruling on the furlough order could come this week.

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  • January 28, 2009 5:46 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Lofgren comments on being named House Ethics Committee chair

  The latest Californian named to head a congressional committee is Democrat Zoe Lofgren of San Jose. Lofgren talked with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” about her new job as chair of the House ethics committee.

  Zoe Lofgren: “The real value of it is to make sure that the public is able to have confidence in their system of government, that they know there’s a watchdog that’s going to make sure that they can rely on the people that they elect, that’s why it’s so very important.”

  Lofgren has to deal with a delicate case right off the bat – the ethics committee is investigating allegations of financial wrongdoing by one of Congress’s most powerful members: Democrat Charles Rangel of New York.

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  • January 28, 2009 4:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council votes to continue pachyderm forest habitat

  The Los Angeles Zoo is on track to open its new elephant habitat in about a year and a half. The L.A. City Council voted today to continue construction on the $42 million Pachyderm Forest project.

  For 14 years, Vicky Guarnett has worked with elephants at the zoo including its present occupant Billy, and Gita, a female that died there two and a half years ago. Guarnett said after the council vote that the zoo offers its animals world-class veterinary care.

  Vicky Guarnett: “How can I tell somebody that they’re not gonna lose their grandfather? How can I tell someone they’re not gonna lose a loved one at 40 from cancer? You can’t guarantee anything. Gita was well taken care of, well loved, and she was 52 years old when she passed away with heart problems.”

  Hundreds of people – including Bob Barker, Cher, and Lily Tomlin – crowded the city council chambers to speak against the Pachyderm Forest. Some who testified also urged the zoo to move the Billy to an elephant sanctuary with more room than the six-acre enclosure under construction.

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  • January 28, 2009 4:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Campaign launched to get more to claim earned income tax credit

  A campaign is on in the Southland to get more qualified low-income families to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Families with two or more children who earn around $40,000 a year or less can get almost 5,000 of those dollars back.

  But they have to file for it, and 20 percent of eligible Californians don’t. Alicia Lara of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles says that’s because many taxpayers don’t know it applies to them.

  Alicia Lara: “A lot of people think that it’s like welfare or something like that. And what people need to understand about Earned Income Tax - it’s something that you put into the system and earn back. It’s your money, and so, by not filing, you’re leaving money - your own money - on the table.”

  The United Way is working with government agencies and non-profits throughout Los Angeles to spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit – and to provide free income tax assistance to those who qualify. More information is available online at EITC-LA.com.

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  • January 28, 2009 3:00 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Gabriel Valley congressman talks about problems with stimulus

  The Obama administration’s economic stimulus bill isn’t perfect, admits Adam Schiff, a Democrat who represents much of the San Gabriel Valley in Congress.

  Adam Schiff: “The basic challenge here is – I think we’re trying to do two things at one time, some of which is in conflict with the other. And that is, we want to immediately create jobs; we want to immediately stimulus the economy.

  “And in terms of infrastructure, that means that we want to put money in things that are shovel-ready, that are ready to go. At the same time we want to make investments in the country that will lead to long-term economic growth and prosperity.”

  Schiff told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the 800-plus billion dollar bill is better than doing nothing to address the recession. Republicans in Congress tend to disagree - very few plan to support the bill when it comes up for a vote.

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  • January 28, 2009 2:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County hires prosecutor to investigate assessor

  San Bernardino County is increasing the pressure on embattled assessor Bill Postmus. He was arrested last month on drug charges - and his office is the target of a fraud and corruption probe. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says county supervisors have hired a former federal prosecutor to investigate ways to remove Postmus from office.

  Steven Cuevas: John Hueston was lead prosecutor three years ago in the trial of the top bosses at failed energy giant Enron. Now he’ll lead the probe of Assessor Bill Postmus. San Bernardino County supervisors are looking for sufficient grounds to remove him from office.

  David Wert: One of the causes for action would be neglect or abandonment of duties.

  Cuevas: County spokesman David Wert says the county can remove an elected official from office who’s been convicted of a felony - or who’s violated a law related to the duties of the office.

  Wert: So, whatever the board comes up with has to be defensible in court, which is why the board would need a special counsel to actually make the findings, because these are things that county may have to defend in court.

  The law intentionally makes it very difficult for an elected body to overrule the voters of the decision they made on Election Day by electing him into office.

  Cuevas: The county investigation of Bill Postmus is expected to last about six weeks. His legal troubles will persist longer than that. Postmus faces felony drug possession charges.

  Prosecutors say a raid of his home and office last month turned up methamphetamine. Last year, a grand jury accused Postmus of using his office for partisan politics – and rewarding cronies with jobs.

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  • January 28, 2009 2:40 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC Republican congressman Campbell opposes stimulus bill

  Congress is likely to approve an $800 billion economic stimulus package - but only because the Democratic majority will vote in its favor. John Campbell, a Republican who represents much of South Orange County in Congress, echoes others in his party who believe the package doesn’t do enough to rescue the economy.

  John Campbell: “In words or in a phrase, I think is just not stimulative. I actually support a stimulus package. I supported the rescue package back in October, and certainly from the perspective of California, but all around the country, this economy is terrible. The government does need to take action to try to make this recession shallower and shorter.”

  Campbell spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Other Republicans argue that the money is going primarily to Democratic priorities. President Barack Obama has urged bipartisan support for the package, saying “we’ll invest in what works.”

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  • January 28, 2009 2:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Attorney general files motion to terminate health care receivership

  State Attorney General Jerry Brown is calling for an end to federal oversight of the state’s prison health care system. Brown described federally-appointed prison receiver Clark Kelso’s $8 billion proposal for new, improved prisons as boondoggle the state can’t afford.

  Jerry Brown: “And what the receiver’s become is a parallel government, operating virtually in secret, not accountable, not subject to public scrutiny. And the result of that is this wild spending – that far exceeds what the constitution requires and far exceeds what California is capable of.”

  During a state capitol press conference today, Brown conceded that Kelso has helped to improve the quality of medical care for inmates in recent years. But he insists it’s time for the state to reassert its responsibility for prison health care. Brown has filed a motion in federal court to terminate the federal receivership.

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  • January 28, 2009 11:57 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Republicans among House members meeting with Obama

  The House of Representatives takes up President Obama’s economic stimulus package tomorrow. The president went to Capitol Hill today to see if he could win over Republican lawmakers. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde spoke with one California congressman who was in that meeting.

  Kitty Felde: During more than 20 years in the State Legislature, Tom McClintock built a solid reputation as a fiscal conservative from Thousand Oaks. He’s in Congress now – and lives in the Sierra foothills.

  But he’s the same fiscal conservative - so it’s not surprising that he opposes President Obama’s economic stimulus package. But McClintock says he welcomed the president’s visit to Capitol Hill to seek advice and counsel from Republicans in Congress.

  Congressman Tom McClintock: We’re certainly going to do everything we can to assist him in crafting something that will get bipartisan support, but what’s coming up on the House floor.

  Felde: Even before President Obama stepped foot on a snowy Capitol Hill, Republican leaders made it clear GOP members would vote against the stimulus package unless it’s revised. McClintock says he might shift his position if the president tosses in bigger cuts in corporate and capital gains taxes.

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  • January 27, 2009 3:18 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Automakers resistant to stricter EPA regulations

  President Barack Obama has asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency to review a Bush administration ruling over state auto emission controls. In California and a dozen other states that want to regulate greenhouse gases by imposing stricter emission standards, officials praised the new president’s move. The response isn’t as enthusiastic in the country’s auto capital, said Neal Boudette, Detroit bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal.

  Neal Boudette: “In public, it’s pretty muted, and the automakers, especially GM and Chrysler, are not exactly in a position right now to protest too loudly in public because GM and Chrysler are getting loans from the federal government. And they’re hoping the Obama Administration will continue to help them and increase that help.”

  Boudette told KPCC that the auto industry fears more regulation and increased confusion among potential car buyers. For years, the auto industry has fought the states on this issue.

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  • January 26, 2009 5:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Economic observers see bank nationalization

  Under the Troubled Asset Loan Program, Citigroup and Bank of America have absorbed close to $90 billion in federal assistance. Some economic observers claim this falls just short of nationalizing the banks.

  Joseph Mason, who teaches finance and banking at Louisiana State University, recalls that the United States did nationalize banks to help restore consumer confidence during the 1930s.

  Joseph Mason: “The nationalization of the banking system lasted on the order of about 25 years; it did help us get out of the Great Depression.”

  Mason told KPCC that there is a downside to nationalization - it could contribute to sluggish economic growth after the crisis subsides.

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  • January 26, 2009 4:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Supporters of Pachyderm Forest exhibit rally at LA City Hall

  The tug of war continues over the fate of the L.A. Zoo’s new elephant habitat. More than 100 supporters of the Pachyderm Forest rallied today on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall. Zoo officials and employees and building trades union members called on the City Council to move forward with the $42 million exhibit.

  It’s about a third finished now. Opponents - including some animal rights activists – say the exhibit will be too small even for the one elephant left at the zoo. Joshua Sisk, a zookeeper, said those opponents really don’t want any animals in captivity.

  Joshua Sisk: “We’re talking about a group of people here that for the most part have never worked a day of their life with elephants, have never done research on elephants. Most of them- a lot of them have never set foot into our zoo. So please, trust the people who have dedicated their lives to caring for these animals, and trust that they are doing their jobs.”

  The L.A. City Council’s Committee on Art, Parks, Health and Aging is scheduled to meet tomorrow to decide whether the city will continue building the new habitat.

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  • January 26, 2009 3:41 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger responds to Obama EPA order

  Environmentalists and elected officials are praising President Barack Obama’s effort to reverse his predecessor’s policy on limiting auto emissions. The new administration wants to give states including California a waiver to the federal rules so they can try to control greenhouse gases. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger added his voice to a chorus of approval.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “There was a promise made to the people of the America by President Obama and the promise has been kept. That we have just instructed the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington to move forward with the waiver and to complete, you know, all the work, and that we want to get this done, and we want you and the other states to have this waiver. And I then told them that it would be great to actually do this nationwide.”

  Under the Bush administration, the federal agency declined to grant the waiver to California and 13 other states. Along with the auto industry, an EPA undersecretary maintained that the waiver would create an unwieldy patchwork of state emissions regulations. Environmental advocates contend that allowing California to set its own standard will compel the rest of the country to meet the same guidelines.

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  • January 26, 2009 2:37 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Waxman to focus on food safety

  In addition to his work on key committees that deal with health care and energy policy, L.A. Congressman Henry Waxman also expects to focus on food safety. Jack Shaw of Market News International explained how the issue dropped onto Waxman’s plate.

  Jack Shaw: “The Government Accountability Office recently issued a report saying that the federal oversight of food safety is abysmal and is getting worse. This is the third year in a row that the GAO has cited this as a big problem.

  “And Waxman is chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He has this issue under his jurisdiction, so he is starting to get the ball moving and trying to see what he can do on the matter.”

  Waxman said last week he hadn’t set a timeline for food safety legislation. Jack Shaw joins KPCC every Monday morning to talk about California’s congressional delegation.

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  • January 26, 2009 12:43 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Boxer response to Obama directing EPA on waivers

  President Obama this morning directed the Environmental Protection Agency to re-examine whether several states, including California, should get waivers from the federal Clean Air Act. California needs the waiver in order to enact tough statewide auto emissions standards. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer shared her response with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Barbara Boxer: “If I could sum it up in a word, I’d say ‘hooray.’ This is music to my ears. This is what we’ve been fighting so hard for. Every scientist, every professional, and the EPA said California has a right to this waiver, in the past we’ve never been denied a waiver. So President Obama is living up to his promise.”

  Environmental regulators in the Bush administration had rejected the waiver request. They argued that it would create a patchwork of state regulations. But critics accused the Bush administration of making environmental policy on the basis of politics, not science.

  At least 13 other states want to follow California’s lead in imposing the strict emissions standards.

  Automakers are also fighting the California regulations in court.

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  • January 26, 2009 12:33 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County faces budget deficit

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors this week considers how to address a $36 million shortfall in the current budget. Like most municipalities, the county is facing falling tax revenues and increasing costs because of the recession. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The county’s chief executive officer proposes making up for most of this year’s shortfall by transferring money from a reserve fund. That means there would be no cuts in county services.

  It may be impossible to avoid service cuts in the fiscal year that starts July 1st. County number crunchers project a $173 million shortfall next year, thanks to a drop in revenue from the sales tax, deed transfer tax, and vehicle license fee.

  The sales tax estimates don’t include the December holiday season. Those numbers come in next month, and they could push the projected shortfall even higher.

  Costs are up too: rising unemployment is forcing more people to go on welfare; market losses by the county’s retirement funds will translate into a “sharp rise” in contributions for retirees. To address the increasingly bleak outlook, the chief executive officer has asked department heads to prepare budget cuts of up to 5 percent next year.

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  • January 26, 2009 10:09 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAUSD won't move forward with layoff plans

  New teachers at L.A. Unified can breathe easier today. School district superintendent Ramon Cortines says he won’t move forward with plans to lay off more than 2,000 teachers in response to proposed state budget cuts. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: In a statement, Cortines offered two reasons for the decision. About 2,000 teachers are interested in early retirement. That would save the district money. Cortines also said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged last week to allow school districts more flexibility in the way they use some state education funds.

  Last week, L.A. Unified’s school board gave Cortines the authority on a split vote to lay off up to 2,290 teachers. The district may have to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from its current budget. Teachers who’ve spent just a couple of years on the job, with less job security than tenured teachers, would have been laid off.

  Public school districts including L.A. Unified aren’t out of financial jeopardy yet. Sacramento lawmakers continue to debate how to best close a multibillion dollar budget gap in this year and next year’s budgets. That’s likely to push administrators to cut support services for classrooms, increase class sizes, and lay off instructors.

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  • January 23, 2009 12:26 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Jane Harman: Guantanamo closing will take away terrorist recruiting tool

  As a group of retired U.S. military generals and admirals looked on, President Obama today signed executive orders to close the detention camp at Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba within a year.

  South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman says that gesture will signal the world that the United States is trying to live up to the values it professes.

  Congresswoman Jane Harman: “Let’s understand that Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups have had a huge recruiting tool in recent years because they could point to abuses perpetrated by the United States and say to prospective terrorists: ‘Look, these folks are not different from the societies in which you live, and you should feel free to condemn them. And train to attack them.’ And when that changes, we begin to win the argument with the next generation.”

  Harman, chair of the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Terrorism Risk Assessment, spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Foreign policy experts have noted that closing the detention center leaves the new Administration with the problem of deciding what to do with the men who have spent years in custody there.

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  • January 22, 2009 1:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Harman applauds Obama orders on Guantanamo, interrogation

  President Obama signed an executive order this morning to close the prison camp at Guantanamo within a year. A second executive order requires the CIA to close all its existing detention facilities. It also orders United States personnel to follow the U.S. Army Field Manual when they interrogate detainees.

  South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman chairs the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Terrorism Risk Assessment. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle she applauds these changes.

  Congresswoman Jane Harman: “It is thrilling to see this Administration line up so quickly behind ending the stain on the United States’ reputation from conducting a lot of our post 9/11 activities, as the former vice president said, ‘on the dark side.’”

  The executive order on Guantanamo sets up a review process to determine what to do with the detainees housed at the prison camp.

  Obama also signed a third executive order. It creates a special task force to review how the U.S. will handle detainees going forward.

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  • January 22, 2009 1:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama administration sending encouraging signals about arts

  Beyond the emphasis on music and poetry during the inaugural celebrations, creative people are hoping that the new president will promote the arts and culture in a substantive way.

  Robert Lynch, a longtime arts administrator who heads Americans for the Arts, said he believes the administration’s sending encouraging signals so far.

  Robert Lynch: “The hallmark of how President Obama comments on the arts over the last years is that he is not just talking about the White House itself, he’s talking about the entire country. He’s talking about the arts being part of every school district, inner city schools, impoverished neighborhoods, wealthy neighborhoods - the towns and cities across the country.”

  Lynch spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” As he acknowledged during his first speech as president, Barack Obama faces a very long list of domestic and international priorities - and an economy in recession.

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  • January 21, 2009 5:06 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Hollywood blogger talks about Obama commitment to arts

  One of the new president’s many stated commitments is a higher profile for the arts and culture. Hollywood blogger Sharon Waxman told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the federal government needs to renew its investment in the arts.

  Sharon Waxman: “It’s been a long time since the government even been willing to pay any attention to any, either to high culture or low culture. We’re not talking about performances at the White House; I’m sure there were lots of those. I’m really hoping that we’re going to see an Obama administration that takes a much more activist kind of role in what the arts mean in our culture, in our society.”

  Sharon Waxman is editor-in-chief of TheWrap.com, a Web site covering Hollywood and the media that launches next week. She’s a former entertainment reporter for the New York Times.

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  • January 21, 2009 5:03 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Judge releases juror notes in trial of ex-OC sheriff

  The federal judge who oversaw the corruption trial of former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona has released a couple of notes by jurors. KPCC’s Susan Valot says they sent the notes to the judge during deliberations.

  Susan Valot: A juror sent one of the notes two days before the jury acquitted Carona of all but a single charge of witness tampering. The note said that another juror “wishes to acquit” and “wants to party with Carona and his women.”

  The juror told Judge Andrew Guilford there were certain jurors “who slept all through the presentations, who have not written down one single word in their trial notebooks, but, who have suddenly ‘come alive’ and just want to acquit.”

  Another juror asked to talk to the judge about a matter the juror thought should be brought to his attention. The note did not say what the juror was talking about.

  Judge Guilford questioned both jurors, and told the panel to continue deliberating. He released the notes at the request of prosecutors. Carona’s attorneys say they might use the notes in their appeal of his witness tampering conviction.

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  • January 21, 2009 3:06 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State legislator says fed aid won't fix state budget crisis

  They went to Washington, D.C. for the Obama Inauguration - but the state legislature’s top Democrats stuck around an extra day to talk with California’s congressional delegation.

  Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg told reporters on a conference call that he’s confident Congress will pass an economic stimulus package by mid-February. He says it could bring billions to California.

  Darrell Steinberg: “If it’s 10, if it’s 12, if it’s 8 – it will be a huge help, but not a substitute for the deficit reduction work we have to do directly in Sacramento.”

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass - who also met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill – says California will not get bailed out by the federal government. She says deep cuts to state programs will still be part of any budget solution, as will new taxes.

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  • January 21, 2009 3:01 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Corrections Department says prisoner medical transfer unnecessary

  The court-appointed federal receiver for California’s prison health care system wants 7,000 inmates transferred from Central Valley prisons into facilities where they can get better medical care.

  Scott Kernan, undersecretary for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, contends that won’t be necessary. He says the department has transferred inmates when the receiver says they need medical care.

  Scott Kernan: “It is not a unique situation that we transfer inmates that the receivership identifies. Where I think they went too far is to identify wholesale without any reasonable analysis of the inmates’ medical conditions - 7,000 offenders is what appears very nonsensical to us.”

  Kernan spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” The state has been reluctant to release $8 billion federal receiver Clark Kelso says the corrections department needs to build adequate medical facilities for inmates.

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  • January 21, 2009 1:40 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State shoots down prison medical proposal

  The state corrections department is shooting down a proposal by the man in charge of improving prison health care in California. Federal Receiver Clark Kelso wants to transfer up to 7,000 sick inmates in the Central Valley to facilities with better medical care. Kelso spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Clark Kelso: “In particular we’ve got four facilities right in the middle of the state where I just can’t hire doctors and keep them on staff. And we need to move the inmates from those facilities to facilities that are closer to urban areas where I am able to keep doctors and nurses on staff.”

  Kelso made the request in a court filing yesterday. A spokesman for the state department of corrections and rehabilitation says the proposal is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer dollars.

  Kelso’s court filing is the latest salvo in an ongoing battle with the state. Kelso has been fighting to get $8 billion to build new medical facilities. The governor and lawmakers have balked at the plan amid California’s budget problems.

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  • January 21, 2009 1:38 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Skid Row students watch Inauguration, ask Obama to go to work

  Hundreds of children gathered on the playground of a Skid Row school to watch President Obama’s inauguration on a Jumbo-tron TV. These students at Para Los Ninos Charter School spoke with KPCC’s Frank Stoltze.

  Nick: “Now he’s officially the president because he already took the oath. So now he can move into the White House for four years until they can re-elect him or elect a new president.”

  Yancy: “I think that he needs to help us with the economy because lots of parents and families are losing things like their homes.”
  Frank Stoltze: “Has your family been affected by the economy?”
  Yancy: “Yeah, my mom is losing jobs.”

  Julio: “Like, I think he needs to help all the Latinos and African Americans, like, by giving them legal papers so they can move in and also get better jobs.”

  Nick, Yancy, and Julio attend Para Los Ninos Charter School on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles.

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  • January 20, 2009 5:40 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• African Americans gather at church hall to watch Inauguration

  Hundreds of African-Americans at First AME Church in South Los Angeles shared applause, laughter and cheers during President Barack Obama’s Inauguration today. That was especially true as civil rights leader Reverend Joseph Lowery concluded his benediction. Here’s the moment:

  Reverend Joseph Lowery: “And in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black would not have to get back. (Audience gasps) When brown can stick around. (Applause) When yellow will be mellow. (Laughter) When the Red Man can get ahead, man. (Cheers) And when White will embrace what is right. (Screams and applause) Will all those who do justice and love mercy say, “Amen.”
  Audience: “Amen.”
  Lowery: “Say Amen.”
  Audience: “Amen.”
  Lowery: “And Amen.”
  Audience: “Amen!”

  Note: KPCC’s Patricia Nazario captured the moment during this morning’s prayer breakfast at First AME Church. Obama spoke at the iconic South L.A. congregation a year and a half ago… long before he’d become the Democratic Party’s nominee. Back then he asked worshippers to help him win the White House.

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  • January 20, 2009 3:08 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Local Mexican American reflects on presidential Inauguration

  Some Southland Latinos reflected on the historic nature of the Obama Inauguration as they watched Spanish-language TV broadcasts of the event. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Mexico City native Marco Antonio Amaro watched the Inauguration over a plate of “bistek ranchero” at his favorite Long Beach restaurant.

  Television Translator: Por fin llego a las paredes de la Casa Blanca.

  Marco Antonio Amaro: Porque ya se rompieron todas las barreras de que no existe la democracia aqui.

  Guzman-Lopez: Amaro said the Inauguration of the first African American president leads him to believe more strongly in this country’s promise of equality. He supported the new president’s campaign, he said, after his college-educated son told him of Barack Obama’s academic credentials and drive to succeed. Amaro hopes the new president is able to improve the economy and carry out immigration reform.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:42 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Assemblyman Lieu is thankful his kids will grow up with an African-American president

  One California lawmaker who shivered through President Barack Obama’s inauguration is state Assembly Member Ted Lieu. He said he was inspired by what this day might mean for his children’s generation.

  Assemblyman Ted Lieu: “I keep thinking that my two young children, five-and-a-half and three, they’re going to grow up seeing an African-American president and think that’s completely normal. And that is such an amazing gift, and I’m just so happy for today.”

  Lieu, a Democrat who represents parts of Los Angeles, Torrance, and Venice, said he’ll speak with federal lawmakers while he’s in DC to push for swift passage of an economic stimulus package. The infrastructure bond measures California voters approved in November won’t go into effect until federal matching funds are in place.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Director of Nixon Library weighs in on Obama presidency

  Several dozen people gathered at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda today to watch the Inauguration on a big screen TV. It’s one of only a handful of presidential libraries across the nation that held an Inauguration viewing party. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the location was fitting.

  Susan Valot: If you look at the end of Richard Nixon’s presidency, there are some similarities to today: an unpopular president, an unpopular war, the need for a country to unite and move forward. Tim Naftali is the director of the Nixon Library and Museum. He says today and Nixon’s era both represent periods of history when the country is desperate for change.

  Tim Naftali: The previous administration leaves under a cloud and is very unpopular. And when there are unpopular presidencies, the country is desperate for a healer. Gerald Ford was a healer and moved the country forward. And I have a great deal of hope and a great deal of expectation that Barack Obama will be another healer who will also move us forward.

  Valot: Naftali says that desire to move forward crosses partisan boundaries.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Assemblyman Lieu says Obama's speech was somber call to action

  State assembly member Ted Lieu, who represents parts of Los Angeles, Venice, and Torrance, described President Obama’s inaugural address as exceptional… and somber. Lieu said he heard a message for Californians in the president’s call for action.

  Assemblyman Ted Lieu: “I think it’s important that he tell us that we need to get to work and to stop being childish. I thought that was one of the best statements that he made. And that’s what we need to do here in California, is to get together and pass a budget.”

  Before he returns to California to work on the state budget, Lieu plans to attend tonight’s western regional inaugural ball.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pastor Rick Warren counsels humility during inaugural invocation

  Amid the celebration that marked President Barack Obama’s Inauguration, Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren reminded those present not to lose sight of humility when they fall short.

  Rick Warren: “When we focus on ourselves. When we fight each other and we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.”

  The new president chose Warren, one of the country’s most influential evangelical ministers, to offer the invocation after the two became friends during the long campaign for the White House.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:12 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• California Latinos watch presidential Inauguration in Spanish

  Spanish-language television broadcasts allowed Latino immigrants across the Southland to hear today’s presidential Inauguration with simultaneous translation. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez listened in.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Both televisions at El Rey Bakery in Long Beach amplified the new president’s inaugural address among trays of Mexican sweet bread and carne asada.

  President Barack Obama: Our challenges may be new…
  Translator: Nuestros desafios pueden ser nuevos…

  Guzman-Lopez: Virginia Moran, a beautician in Long Beach, stopped in with her husband to buy some coffee and bread. She lingered awhile to watch the address.

  Virginia Moran: Tengo fe en el. Ojala que saque el pais. Porque esta mal.

  Guzman-Lopez: Moran said she trusts that President Barack Obama can help lift the country out of its economic doldrums. Business at her beauty shop has fallen off, and her 24-year-old son lost his job at a print shop last week.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:08 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Dianne Feinstein notes historic nature of Obama presidency

  The chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, noted the historic nature of President Obama’s Inauguration during her welcoming remarks to the largest crowd Washington DC has ever seen.

  Senator Dianne Feinstein: “Future generations will mark this morning as the turning point for real and necessary change in our nation. They will look back and remember that this was the moment when the dream that once echoed across history from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial finally reached the walls of the White House.”

  The first American president of African descent mentioned in his inaugural address that barely 60 years ago his father, a Kenyan student, would probably have been refused service at many restaurants in the District of Columbia.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren delivers inaugural invocation

  The pastor of Orange County’s Saddleback Church, Rick Warren, delivered the invocation at this morning’s Inauguration.

  Warren told the listening crowd that Barack Obama’s election as the nation’s first black president represents a “hingepoint of history.”

  Rick Warren: “We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.”

  Warren is a nationally known evangelical minister. He was a controversial choice to deliver the invocation. Gay rights and liberal groups have been upset at Warren over his support of Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage in California.

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  • January 20, 2009 2:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Speaker Bass says Obama Inauguration signifies hope in perilous times

  California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass is in Washington, DC for the Inauguration ceremony and festivities.

  Assemblywoman Karen Bass: “I think it just signifies tremendous hope in perilous times. We’re going to have a new face, a person who’s coming in who believes in grass-roots involvement and is already mobilizing the people that were involved in his campaign to help support the change that we need to bring about in our country. And I think he’s the type of person and type of leader that understands that it’s not some celebrity or some hero that saves the day, but the day is saved through the involvement of millions of people around the country, and I think he’s going to be a catalyst for that.”

  Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat, was an early supporter of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. While she’s in Washington she plans to meet with the new president’s transition team, and to ask for help with California’s looming budget gap.

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  • January 20, 2009 1:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Skid Row resident finds inspiration in Obama's Inauguration

  Today’s Inauguration of President Obama inspired people at every level of society. Jonathan Bibbens has seen a lot. He was in Birmingham, Alabama when a bomb killed four young girls at the 16th Street Church in 1963. Now, he lives in a Skid Row shelter, struggling with addiction and trying to find a job.

  Jonathan Bibbens: “Obama inspires all of us to look deep within ourselves and try to draw from within that God-given spirit – that if we look deep enough, we’ll tap into some resource that will allow us the opportunity to pull ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get on the move to a better life.”

  Bibbens says he watched “every minute” of the Inauguration on a TV at the Weingart Center, a non-profit that provides services to people on Skid Row.

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  • January 20, 2009 1:47 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Dianne Feinstein speaks on historical significance of Inauguration

  California Senator Dianne Feinstein welcomed the crowd at this morning’s Inauguration. She said the freedom of a people to choose its leaders lies at the root of liberty.

  Senator Dianne Feinstein: “Those who doubt the supremacy of the ballot over the bullet can never diminish the power engendered by nonviolent struggles for justice and equality, like the one that made this day possible. No triumph tainted by brutality could ever match the sweet victory of this hour and of what it means to those who marched and died to make it a reality.”

  Feinstein went on to say that future generations would mark this morning as the turning point for real and necessary change in our nation.

  Feinstein made these remarks in her role as chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

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  • January 20, 2009 1:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly speaker recalls finding temperamental kinship with Obama

  State assembly speaker Karen Bass says she found a political kindred spirit early in Barack Obama’s campaign for president. She says that’s because their leadership styles are very similar.

  Assemblywoman Karen Bass: “Consensus-building. Bringing people together from both sides and striving to reach compromise and not personalizing. And I love the ‘No drama Obama’ because I’m a no drama person too.”

  Bass, a Democrat from Los Angeles, traveled to Washington for the inaugural festivities. When she returns to Sacramento, she’ll resume budget talks with other legislative leaders and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California’s budget deficit could exceed $40 billion by next year.

  Tools

  • January 20, 2009 1:38 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Californian says Inauguration weather proves an old quote true

  Sam Hall Kaplan, a commentator for KPCC’s “Off-Ramp,” watched the Inauguration from the edge of the national Mall in Washington DC.

  Kaplan says no one seemed to mind the extreme cold today. He found symbolism in the weather.

  Sam Hall Kaplan: “A racist evangelicus (sic) once said, ‘A black man become president? Only when hell freezes over.’ And indeed, hell froze over this morning on the Mall, and a black man became president.”

  Kaplan attended the ceremony with his wife, kids, grandkids, and in-laws. His 105-year-old mother watched from home. He says he phoned his mother this morning, and she joked that he should make sure to go to the restroom before he set out for the event. Most spectators on the Mall arrived there hours before the ceremony.

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  • January 20, 2009 1:30 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Glendale resident attends Inauguration with daughter, savors historical moment

  Christopher Murray of Glendale watched the Inauguration ceremony from near the World War II monument on the national mall.

  Christopher Murray: “Murray: I have my 9-year-old daughter with me, and even though she might not understand it now, at some point when she’s my age, she’s going to look back and say, ‘I was there.’ And there’s very few points in our nation’s history when people remember something positive and remember where they were.”

  Murray, whose father Don Murray starred in the groundbreaking political drama “Advise and Consent,” decided just last Friday that he needed to attend the Inauguration in person. He said that despite the cold and the long lines, everyone’s smiling and in a good mood.

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  • January 20, 2009 1:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Glendale resident attends Inauguration with daughter, savors historical moment

  Christopher Murray of Glendale watched the Inauguration ceremony from near the World War II monument on the national mall.

  Christopher Murray: “I have my 9-year-old daughter with me, and even though she might not understand it now, at some point when she’s my age, she’s going to look back and say, ‘I was there.’ And there’s very few points in our nation’s history when people remember something positive and remember where they were.”

  Murray, whose father Don Murray starred in the groundbreaking political drama “Advise and Consent,” decided just last Friday that he needed to attend the Inauguration in person. He said that despite the cold and the long lines, everyone’s smiling and in a good mood.

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  • January 20, 2009 1:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Young Californian at Inauguration talks of history, service

  California’s senior U.S. Senator, Diane Feinstein, presided over the inauguration ceremonies, and plenty of her constituents were in the audience.

  17-year-old Joe Kellner made the trip from Petaluma. He spoke with KPCC’s John Rabe a few minutes after the ceremony.

  Joe Kellner: “I wanted to see history, and I knew that I would never forget it. It’s something that I’ll be able to tell my grandchildren.”
  John Rabe: “Obama talked about everybody working together to bring America back up. Do you plan to volunteer, do you plan to get involved in that effort to do what he was talking about?”
  Kellner: “Oh, yeah, of course. I already volunteer around my town, like the food kitchen, the homeless shelter. And that’s what it takes, it just takes… everyone has to make an effort.”

  In his Inaugural Address, President Barack Obama called upon Americans to take responsibility toward reversing “our collective failure to make hard choices.”

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  • January 20, 2009 1:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pasadena resident espresses hope for more cooperation in Obama Administration

  Charlotte Butler, who lives in Pasadena, says she’s looking forward to the Obama administration because she believes the new president is a team player, and she believes he’ll use that skill to improve the domestic economy.

  Charlotte Butler: “My first big hope for him is to have the best, warm reception when he gets the Cabinet, and the Senate comes together, although we’re leading in the Senate. He’s reaching out to them. I want them to reach back out to him and say ‘Barack, you are our new president, what can we do to make this situation better?’”

  Butler says she also hopes the branches of government will cooperate better under a new administration.

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  • January 20, 2009 12:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Southern Californian says Obama faces tough challenges

  Southern Californians who couldn’t travel to Washington for the Inauguration say they’ll closely watch President Barack Obama’s first days in office. Delbert Mathis of San Bernardino says Obama will face serious global and domestic challenges.

  Delbert Mathis: “I hope he’ll just level things out and get things back to normal where people can work and live and enjoy life. That’s going to be a difficult task with all the wars and different things going on in different countries. Going to be hard so maybe locally it will get better.”

  Mathis grew up in Pasadena, where he says his friends and family are overjoyed at the start of a new presidential administration.

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  • January 20, 2009 12:47 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Guerrilla Gardeners volunteer on MLK Day

  L.A.’s Guerrilla Gardeners routinely weed, water, and plant plots in the Hollywood and Silver Lake neighborhoods. On this national day of service they signed up more volunteers than usual. One of the first-timers – a white-haired woman named Donna – brought a jade plant to adorn a patch of dirt along Sunset Boulevard.

  Donna: “I’m out here because the president-elect wants Americans to give back and give back to their community, and it’s a great sentiment. And I wanted to support him and I wanted to support my community!”

  She says President-elect Obama has inspired her to keep volunteering in her civic backyard during the months ahead.

  Tools

  • January 19, 2009 4:26 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Secret Service spokesman says security not about race

  The U.S. Secret Service has offered protection to Barack Obama and his family since May of 2007 – earlier than for any presidential candidate in history. That said, agency spokesman Malcolm Wiley told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” the reason for that level of security wasn’t only about race.

  Malcolm Wiley: “It would almost be a disservice to previous presidents to say that because Barack Obama is an African-American president that we are substantially changing the way that we do security. As an agency we always have to prepare at the highest level no matter who the president is.

  “And so the fact that he’s an African-American really doesn’t change what we do a whole lot. Within that top tier there may be adjustments that we make, but it’s not even possible for us to go to a higher level because we are always at the highest level.”

  That includes metal detector screening for people who plan to stand along the route of the inaugural parade.

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  • January 19, 2009 4:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Secret Service spokesman talks about inauguration security

  The Obama inauguration isn’t just one of the largest events ever in the nation’s capital, it’s a major deployment for domestic security personnel. U.S. Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that his agency has formed 23 subcommittees to look at every aspect of the inauguration.

  Malcolm Wiley: “Each of those subcommittees just has one particular piece of the puzzle. For instance, there is a subcommittee for airspace security. And that particular subcommittee is staffed by people from the federal government, and from the military, and from local and state government who are just looking at that one particular aspect of security preparations. And so, I give you that number just to let you know that we are looking at everything. Anything that could possibly happen, we are planning for.”

  Wiley’s agency has designated the swearing-in and parade a national special security event. People who hope to line the parade route will have to pass through metal detectors first.

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  • January 19, 2009 4:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• 8-year-old talks about Obama inspiration

  President-elect Barack Obama has made improving education an important goal of his administration. He may be surprised to know he’s already inspired students like 8-year-old Cheyenne Clark of Los Angeles.

  Cheyenne Clark: “And I’m so happy that Obama becomes the president because that speech that he said, it was so touching. I love that speech where he says “‘yes we can.’ Because when I think I don’t know a answer to a test, I think of his speech ‘yes we can’ and I just write my answer down.”

  Clark was one of thousands of people who turned out for the annual parade saluting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Vendors who sold t-shirts, bobble-head dolls, and other items bearing the likeness of the first African-American president lined the parade route along Martin Luther King and Crenshaw boulevards in South L.A.

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  • January 19, 2009 4:17 PM
  • Categories: Education, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• 8th grader talks about Obama inauguration

  The inauguration of America’s 44th president is less than 24 hours away. Some Southland visitors to the nation’s capital are braving the cold to witness the historic event. Fourteen-year old Theodore Tinker from Chatsworth is in Washington, D.C. with his eighth-grade American history class. He checked in with KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Theodore Tinker: “This is an amazing feeling. I really feel that I am here when history is being made. I’m glad that I get to go here with the rest of my school.”

  Tinker attends Lawrence Magnet Middle School in Chatsworth. He said he can’t wait to tell all his friends about his experience at the Inauguration when he gets back home.

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  • January 19, 2009 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• MLK parade attendee talks about significance of Obama inauguration

  The annual Martin Luther King Day parade in south Los Angeles took on special significance this year for Zenora Hicks, on the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration.

  Zenora Hicks: “I’m not just proud to be an African-American, I’m proud to be an American because our president comes from two sides of the world. He’s not just African-American, he comes from two different people, and that’s what being an American is all about. And that’s what I want to show my children. And it gives everyone in this world a fighting chance to be someone.”

  This year’s parade featured marching bands from Compton, Inglewood, and Dominguez high schools, Korean folk dancers, and appearances by LAPD Chief Bill Bratton and L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca.

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  • January 19, 2009 4:11 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Wilmington residents emotional ahead of Obama inauguration

  The prevailing mood in and around the nation’s capital as the inauguration approaches seems to be respect for the historical moment, and also a kind of relief, says KPCC’s Shirley Jahad.

  Shirley Jahad: “For instance I was in Wilmington, Delaware when the president-elect’s train went by, there was a short rally there. And people were joyous and excited, but just under the surface, I’d ask a couple of questions and they would start tearing up. They’d start crying. This happened with half a dozen people.

  “Men, women, black, white, younger, older. And when I talked to one woman, she had voted for President Bush in the past, now she’s voted for Obama and through her tears when I asked her why she was crying she just expressed in her terms, in her words, ‘it’s a great country, and we messed it up, and now we have to revive it.’”

  We’ll be hearing more from KPCC’s Shirley Jahad and Brian Watt in Washington, D.C., and also from KPCC listeners throughout the Southland, on the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

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  • January 19, 2009 1:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State controller optimistic about budget deal

  State controller John Chiang says he’s optimistic that the legislature and governor will agree soon on a budget deal, after they see how the budget delay is affecting Californians.

  Chiang confirmed on KPCC’s “AirTalk” that starting February 1st, the state will suspend more than $3.5 billion in payments. That includes tax refunds, grants for college students, and disbursements to counties.

  John Chiang: “I am going to pay payments as required by the California constitution, federal law, and court order. Top of the priority would be education payments, followed by debt service. I have to manage California’s cash so that we do not default, which would have even worse ramifications.”

  Chiang says that if the state continues at its current spending pace, it will be $346 million in the red on February 27th.

  Los Angeles County says it will continue to cover welfare payments to more than half a million local recipients, if the state suspends those payments.

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  • January 19, 2009 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Historian warns against comparing Obama with past presidents

  During transitions from one administration to another, it’s tempting to draw comparisons between leaders. Presidential historian John Robert Greene warns against doing that.

  John Robert Greene: “The moment will speak for itself. Barack Obama could probably just stand there and stare at the crowd and the moment would fling him into his first hundred days without saying a word – less is more. And I think we are going to hear a un-Kennedy-like address tomorrow; a very laid back patient and prudent type rather than a call to arms.”

  Greene noted on KPCC’s “AirTalk” that John F. Kennedy gave a passionate inaugural address 48 years ago that “demanded things happen overnight,” and that historians at the time judged him harshly for it. Greene thinks Obama – whom he described as a moderate – is wise to play down expectations.

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  • January 19, 2009 12:53 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Food bank president hopes inaugural address mentions hunger

  The Obama administration will officially begin work this week on some of the greatest challenges to face the country in recent memory. John Knapp, who heads the Food Bank of Southern California, ranks hunger as the biggest problem.

  John Knapp: “We’re seeing a fatigue, a donor fatigue, a feeding fatigue. It’s increasing at an alarming rate in the last six months.”

  Knapp says he and the 700 churches and charities he supplies food to are straining to keep up with a near 40 percent increase in the number of people who need help. He says 500 people who helped elect Barack Obama have also lent a hand to the food bank.

  Knapp: “We’re getting a tremendous amount of volunteers from the Obama campaign. He has told all of his precincts, I guess, in different areas, ‘go to a food bank and start volunteering.’ Never seen that before, under any administration.”

  Knapp says he’s hoping the president-elect mentions the problem of hunger in his inaugural address on Tuesday.

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  • January 19, 2009 10:27 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Food bank president hopes Obama addresses hunger

  Churches and charities are straining to keep up with increasing numbers of people who need help feeding themselves and their families. KPCC’s Debra Baer reports that the head of one of the region’s largest food banks harbors high hopes for tomorrow’s inaugural address.

  Debra Baer: The Food Bank of Southern California distributes about half a million pounds of food a day from its Long Beach warehouse to almost 700 churches and charities. Food bank president John Knapp says that amount isn’t enough to keep pace with a near 40 percent increase in requests for help this winter. He says he hopes President-elect Barack Obama will focus the nation’s attention on the problem.

  John Knapp: “I hope in his inaugural address he mentions the word ‘hunger’ because very few people mention the word ‘hunger.’ It’s a national disgrace. I believe it’s the biggest problem facing our country. The wars are terrible, foreclosures are terrible, but if you can’t eat, everything literally falls apart.”

  Knapp says Obama has already done something no other recent president-elect has done. He urged his election campaign volunteers to help out their local food banks. Close to 500 have lent a hand to sort food at the regional facility in Long Beach.

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  • January 19, 2009 10:24 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Shepard Fairey thanks wife for making Obama portrait possible

  From alley walls in downtown Los Angeles to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., the work of Los Feliz-based artist Shepard Fairey has taken quite a journey. Fairey created a high-contrast, red-and-blue poster of Barack Obama that’s become an icon. During the weekend, the National Portrait Gallery displayed that image on a wall marked “New Arrivals.” At the unveiling ceremony, Fairey had some important people to thank.

  Shepard Fairey: “My wife, Amanda, (laughter, applause) for granting me the time right before we were having our second child to make this illustration with our childrens’ future in mind. I mean, I’m glad everyone else could share in all this, but really, I did it for my kids.”

  Fairey also thanked Barack Obama for restoring his hope for American politics. The artist is staying in the nation’s capital for a few days to see Obama sworn in – and to attend an inaugural ball.

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  • January 19, 2009 10:13 AM
  • Categories: Arts, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama image by Shepard Fairey hung in National Portrait Gallery

  Los Angeles-based graphic artist Shepard Fairey created a red and blue image of Barack Obama that became an icon. Now, an original is hanging in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. At a ceremony at the gallery during the weekend, Fairey thanked his family for its support, and Barack Obama for his inspiration.

  Shepard Fairey: “Mainstream politics are something I’d lost faith in to a large degree. Um, sorry, politicians who are present. Hope’s a perfect word, because Obama restored my hope that this country could live up to its potential. And he’s a great leader, but it’s about all of us. And my poster was a grassroots effort, we all were involved in it. And we all need to continue to be involved.”

  Fairey is sticking around Washington for a few days to see Obama sworn in, and to attend an inaugural ball.

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  • January 19, 2009 10:08 AM
  • Categories: Arts, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County pastor Rick Warren will be in D.C. to give Inaugural invocation

  Orange County Pastor Rick Warren will take center stage at Tuesday’s presidential Inauguration when he offers the invocation. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Warren heads Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, one of the largest evangelical congregations in the country. The 54-year-old pastor is unique among evangelical leaders in his call for Christians to work with people of other faiths on global poverty, AIDS, and climate change. In a recent talk, he compared himself with President-elect Barack Obama.

  Rick Warren: The point I want to make is, here are two guys who said, “We have to restore civility to civilization.” I don’t know if you’ve noticed this or not, but the world is getting ruder. It’s getting more hateful.

  Stoltze: Some gay rights activists call Warren hateful for his opposition to same-sex marriage, and his reported refusal to allow gay men and lesbians to join his church. They say they’ll wave rainbow flags in protest during his inaugural prayer.

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  • January 16, 2009 7:33 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Former Mexican foreign minister says Mexico is not a failed state

  A new report from the U.S. Joint Forces Command warns that Mexico could face a “rapid and sudden collapse” because of high levels of violence, corruption, and the widespread influence of drug cartels.

  Mexico’s former foreign minister Jorge Castaneda told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he takes issue with the report’s conclusions.

  Jorge Castaneda: “I think that whatever the drawbacks, the defects, and the insufficiencies of Mexico state capability today and over the last 70 or 80 years, the Mexican state is nothing near to being a failed state.”

  Castaneda concedes that drug violence and corruption plague Mexico. But he maintains that his country could effectively manage those problems by creating a national police force.

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  • January 16, 2009 5:07 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA-based photographer says shooting Inauguration completes circle

  Los Angeles-based photographer Bruce Talamon makes a living taking stills of actors on movie sets. But on Inauguration Day, he knows the lights, cameras, and action will all be in Washington, D.C. – focused on Barack Obama. So he’s there, too, ready to capture an historic moment from up close.

  Bruce Talamon: “I was assigned by Time Magazine in 1984 to cover Jesse Jackson. 24 years later, this is sort of completing an interesting circle because I don’t think there were a lot of people who thought that Reverend Jackson would get the nomination. Now, here, you’ve got the completion of what started. So for me, it’s kind of nice to be here.”

  Talamon and nine other photographers are collaborating on a book about the inauguration.

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  • January 16, 2009 4:53 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Inauguration visitors face likely long walks in cold temperatures

  Preparations for next week’s presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. will create challenges for District natives and out-of-town visitors. KPCC’s Brian Watt runs down some of the circumstances spectators will face.

  Brian Watt: “There are going to be two Metro stops that are closed that are normally open, and even the Metro system here has printed up a special pamphlet for people who are going to be using the Metro and the bus system to get around on Inauguration Day. And it actually suggests getting of the Metro to people who can, and walking from distances as far away as three miles. We’re talking about Virginia. The Rosslyn station stop.”

  Brian says this is taking place in freezing weather; today’s high temperature is 22 degrees. We’ll be hearing more from him and from other Southland visitors to the Inauguration in the days ahead.

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  • January 16, 2009 1:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Inauguration attendees arrive early, plan to stay late

  For more than a month, it’s been hard for out-of-towners who want to attend next week’s Inauguration to book flights to the Washington D.C. area. KPCC’s Brian Watt says that’s meant a lot of people arrived several days before the event and plan to stay some days beyond.

  Brian Watt: “The people who are coming early probably figured out that it was a little bit cheaper to show up five days before the Inauguration, four days before the Inauguration to get a cheaper flight, and maybe even stay some time after the Inauguration, because flying in two days before and leaving two days after was a very, very expensive proposition. So a lot of those people have just lined up serious tourism itineraries to keep themselves busy in between now and Inauguration Day.”

  Through Tuesday and beyond, we’ll bring you first-hand reports from Brian, KPCC’s Shirley Jahad, and other Southland travelers to the Inauguration in the nation’s capital.

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  • January 16, 2009 12:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Construction workers prepare Inauguration stage

  Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the area where President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office next Tuesday. KPCC’s Brian Watt visited the Capitol Plaza in Washington, DC.

  Brian Watt: “There’s a lot of rope being put in place, carpets being laid; there are actually some photojournalists that are here in advance to sort of start figuring out their camera angles. There are at least 20 construction trailers on the south side of the capitol on the lawn, which has sort of been the base of operations for a whole team of people who put this kind of thing in place every four years.”

  Brian Watt also says that authorities are also beginning to tighten security around the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol building.

  Brian and Shirley Jahad will be on hand for President-elect Obama’s swearing-in and inaugural speech in the nation’s capital next Tuesday. You can listen to live coverage on KPCC.

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  • January 16, 2009 12:41 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayors from Orange County, Baja, California meet to discuss regional issues

  Mayors from Orange County and Baja, California met yesterday in Anaheim to touch base on issues that affect both sides of the border. KPCC’s Susan Valot says tourism and the economy are the major issues.

  Susan Valot: The idea behind the meeting is to work together to solve regional problems. For Mexico, it’s an image problem. Stories of increased drug-related violence have scared away tourists.

  Enrique Perez of the Rancho Santiago Community College District put the cross-border meeting together. He says tourism in Mexico plays a role in Orange County’s economy.

  Enrique Perez: When there’s a perception in Baja that you cannot travel there, that you can’t do business there, obviously the economy of Baja goes down. Well, here in Anaheim, we get a lot of tourism from Baja. We get a lot of shoppers at Main Place and at South Coast Plaza. When their economy goes down because we’re not traveling there, they’re not coming up.

  Valot: The mayors of four Baja cities, including Tijuana and Rosarito, say they’ve improved security in their cities. They’ve bumped up police pay so cops might be less inclined to take payoffs from criminals. And the mayors plan to bring their police for training at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department training facility.

  Mayors from both sides of the border hope to meet annually, just like the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

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  • January 16, 2009 12:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor's press secretary elaborates on proposed lawmaker pay freeze

  During his annual State of the State address, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested that the state suspend lawmakers’ pay until they work out a budget he can accept.

  His press secretary, Aaron McLear, told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that since other state employees and functions are facing cutbacks and furloughs, the legislature shouldn’t get paid either.

  Aaron McLear: “His point is simple: If we’re unable to get the job done for the people, to deliver a budget which is due on June 15th every year, then the leaders of this state should have some consequences, right? I mean, it’s the people who are suffering, the people who are getting their taxes increased and their programs cut. Well, the folks who are making that happen ought a have some consequences, and that’s the point he made today.”

  During a brief speech delivered without the usual ceremonial flourish, the governor compared a prospective $42 billion deficit with a rock upon the state’s chest that must be removed. Legislative leaders have said they’re making progress toward adopting a budget that’ll meet with the governor’s approval.

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  • January 15, 2009 6:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican Senator Tony Strickland on proposed pay freeze for legislators

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s suggestion that lawmakers go without pay until they work out a budget is prompting mixed responses in Sacramento. Democratic Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has said she doesn’t think that’ll be necessary because legislative leaders are close to a compromise.

  Republican State Senator Tony Strickland told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that something needs to spur lawmakers to get the job done.

  Senator Tony Strickland: “You know, we didn’t need to be here, but that’s old news. We’re leaders, and I think great leaders rise through the difficult times, when you look at our history of our state and our nation. So the governor is right, this does need to be the year of political courage. And there’s not a Democrat problem or a Republican problem; it’s a California problem. People would like for us to fix these problems, and we need move forward recognizing that no one’s going to everything that they want.”

  The projected $42 billion budget deficit was the only subject of the governor’s abbreviated State of the State address.

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  • January 15, 2009 6:54 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger's press secretary discusses State of the State address

  This year’s State of the State address was one of the shortest anyone can remember; a scant dozen minutes in which Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger outlined California’s lingering budget problems. His press secretary, Aaron McLear, spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Aaron McLear: “We’re in difficult times right now, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to be talking about all these bold visions and all these bold proposals that he had. And as you know, this is a guy with just boundless ambition, so for him to temper that in a State of State speech is difficult. But we have a $42 billion deficit, and really it doesn’t make any sense for leaders of the state to do anything until we get our fiscal house in order.”

  In his speech, the governor suggested that state lawmakers take a pay cut until they can work out a budget he’s willing to sign. Legislative leaders contend the move won’t be necessary, because they’re making progress toward that goal.

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  • January 15, 2009 6:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Legislative leaders praise governor's tone, priorities in State of the State address

  Leaders in the state Senate and the Assembly say Governor Schwarzenegger’s brief State of the State address hit the right tone. Usually the speeches are about the governor’s policy goals. Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines says that, given the current circumstances, it was good that Schwarzenegger honed in on the budget.

  Assemblyman Mike Villines: “I think he’s totally right. I think this is a historic time; there’s really no other thing for us to focus on, for any of us, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green, whatever you are. And it’s gotta be done so we can turn around and say, ‘What can we do?’ optimistically.”

  Senate Democratic Leader Darrell Steinberg says he agreed with the Governor’s statements about current, meaningful budget negotiations.

  Senator Darrell Steinberg: “The governor, I think, sought to reassure Californians and we want to reassure Californians that we’re going to solve this problem, and the fact of the matter is we’re downstairs every day making significant progress…”

  Legislative leaders largely agree that the tone of budget meetings with the governor is improving. Democrats have said there could be a budget deal by the end of the month. They’re working to solve a $40 billion plus budget deficit before the state runs out of cash.

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  • January 15, 2009 6:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Lawmakers react to Schwarzenegger's State of the State address

  Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are cool to Governor Schwarzenegger’s suggestion that they forfeit pay if they don’t pass a budget on time. He presented the idea in his State of the State address today.

  Democratic Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she could have done without that part of his speech.

  Assemblywoman Karen Bass: “His suggestion about us forfeiting pay – I kind of joked and said maybe he would be willing to share his royalties. But I don’t believe it’s going to come to that, so I don’t believe it will be necessary.”

  Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill says cutting pay as punishment won’t necessarily produce a better budget.

  Senator Dave Cogdill: “To just get out a budget on time doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I think we were sent here to do our best to make sure the budgets we approve are the right budgets for the state of California as we see it…”

  Democratic and Republican leaders have been meeting with the governor every day this week on budget negotiations. They need to remedy a $40 billion plus shortfall.

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  • January 15, 2009 6:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino County assessor arrested for drug possession

  Authorities arrested San Bernardino county assessor Bill Postmus this morning on drug charges. Postmus has been at the center of an ongoing fraud and corruption investigation. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has more on the arrest.

  Steven Cuevas: Investigators discovered the drugs during a search of the Postmus home in Rancho Cucamonga. The 37-year-old assessor was arrested and booked on drug possession charges. Susan Mickey is with the San Bernardino County district attorney.

  Susan Mickey: I cannot tell you what they were looking for, but I can tell you that during the service of the search warrant illegal drug paraphernalia was found.
  Cuevas: And actual drugs, methamphetamine?
  Mickey: Correct.

  Cuevas: Investigators seized a computer hard drive and other items from the assessor’s office in San Bernardino. They also served search warrants at locations in two counties.

  Mickey: There were six locations: Highland, San Bernardino, Apple Valley, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, and Rancho Santa Margarita.

  Cuevas: Bill Postmus has been under investigation since a grand jury last year said he misused his office for political activity. Last week, Postmus acknowledged a prior battle with drugs - but said he was clean and sober. Postmus is scheduled for arraignment next week.

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  • January 15, 2009 3:32 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• USC professor praises Attorney General-designate Holder

  Before she joined the law faculty at USC, Heidi Rummel worked in the U.S. Justice Department with Attorney General-designate Eric Holder. Rummel told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that she trusts Holder’s integrity.

  Heidi Rummel: “The thing he said to us when he swore us all in was, ‘No matter what, do the right thing, and if you’re put into a position where you can’t do the right thing, come see me, you know, as the head of the whole office.’

  “And he meant it, and I saw him do that in certain cases. And I think that’s more of the kind of person he is, and I think that’s a very important quality, and something we need, in someone who’s going to change the direction, hopefully, of the Justice Department.”

  Rummel heads USC Law School’s Post-Conviction Justice Project. Eric Holder - a former Justice Department official in the Clinton administration – faced the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing today.

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  • January 15, 2009 3:04 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger delivers short state of state due to budget crisis

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today delivered one of the shortest “State of the State” addresses in California history. In a message that lasted about 15 minutes, the governor told lawmakers at the state capitol that he was skipping the usual litany of accomplishments and goals.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “It doesn’t make any sense for me to talk here today and stand in front of you and talk about education or infrastructure, or water or health care reform and all those things when we have this huge budget deficit. I’ll talk about my vision for all those things and much more as soon as we get the budget done.”

  The governor says the biggest obstacle to that is stubbornness by Democrats and Republicans.

  Schwarzenegger: “Ours has become a system where rigid ideology has been rewarded, and pragmatic compromise has been punished. And where has this led us? I think that you would agree that in recent years, California’s legislature has been engaged sometimes in civil war.”

  State Controller John Chiang commended the governor for recognizing that solving the budget crisis will take “courage and collaboration.” The controller has warned lawmakers repeatedly that the state government could face a cash shortage next month.

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  • January 15, 2009 1:50 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Environmental agency chief responds to State of the State address

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says California cannot address other policy issues until lawmakers come up with a budget he can sign.

  The chief of the California Resources Agency, Mike Chrisman, says that means the state has no money for local environmental initiatives.

  Mike Chrisman: “All of our grant programs, recent general obligation bond programs that funnel dollars for local projects, parks projects, wildlife mitigation projects, and others. All those expenditures have been put on hold as a result of the state budget crisis.”

  Chrisman says his agency and others will close on the first and third Fridays each month until the governor and legislators agree on a plan to pay for state salaries and programs.

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  • January 15, 2009 12:37 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger delivers brief, blunt State of State address

  Governor Schwarzenegger compared California’s massive budget deficit to a “rock upon our chest.” He also said the state wouldn’t be able to focus on other important issues until it solves the budget problem.

  The governor made the comments this morning during a very short State of the State address. Schwarzenegger told lawmakers that in order to solve the state’s fiscal crisis, they would need to sacrifice.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Of course no one wants to take money from our gang fighting programs, or from MediCal, or from education. Of course not. No one wants to pay more taxes or fees. But each of us has to give up something, because our country in an economic crisis, and our state simply doesn’t have the money.”

  He warned lawmakers that the state faces insolvency within weeks if they fail to close the widening deficit. It’s estimated at $40 billion over the next year-and-a-half.

  The budget crisis prompted changes from State of the State tradition. This year’s speech was only 12 minutes long, and the governor delivered it at 10 in the morning. He usually makes the address in the evening.

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  • January 15, 2009 12:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Rialto couple arrives in cold DC for Inauguration

  The crowd expected at next Tuesday’s Obama Inauguration could top four million people. Some from the Southland have started heading to Washington, DC already, including KPCC’s Brian Watt.

  Brian Watt: It was 27 degrees and snowing when my red-eye flight landed at Washington’s Dulles Airport. At baggage claim, I met the Dickersons, a married couple from Rialto where they work as realtors. Durnee Dickerson said they have a full itinerary to fill the five days until Barack Obama’s Inauguration.

  Durnee Dickerson: We’re gonna drive out to a little town called Bucktown, which was Harriet Tubman’s birthplace, and we’re actually gonna do a two-mile hike on the underground railroad.

  Watt: But their most important stop before Inauguration Day is at the office of L.A. Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Yolanda Clark Dickerson says they’ll pick up tickets to the swearing-in ceremony.

  Yolanda Clark Dickerson: I received a letter saying that out of 10,000 people, there were 198, and I was one of the few to get two.

  Watt: A journey that starts on the Underground Railroad continues on Pennsylvania Avenue.

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  • January 15, 2009 10:51 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Obama transition team consults with scientists about ocean policy

  Two of President-elect Obama’s nominees for top environmental posts testified in Washington to a Senate committee today. Nearby in Maryland, scientists met to discuss what the next administration might do about ocean policy. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: Barack Obama’s transition team has been consulting with what some call a green team of environmental and energy scholars. Some of them also study the deep blue. A federal initiative gathered about 60 people from around the country, including Linwood Pendleton of the Coastal Ocean Values Center. He says a proposed economic stimulus plan could influence ocean policy.

  Linwood Pendleton: “Recognition now about the importance of oceans that way fits really well into Obama’s plans for investing in infrastructure and thinking about jobs. So it’s not just the ocean as gosh, isn’t that a fascinating place. This is the ocean: half the nation’s GDP originates from these counties.”

  Peterson: Pendleton says participants in the federal ocean initiative will offer more formal advice to President Obama later this spring.

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  • January 14, 2009 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• House passes twice vetoed children's health insurance bill

  The U.S. House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for four years. President George W. Bush had vetoed similar legislation twice. After today’s vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California took the president to task for that.

  Nancy Pelosi: “President Bush said that we could not afford this legislation – that we could not afford to insure American’s children. Forty days in Iraq equals over 10 million children in America insured for one year. We certainly can afford to do that. We look forward to bringing this legislation to President Obama’s desk as one of the first bills that he will sign.”

  The bill passed 289 to 139. It will pay the $32 billion cost of extending the insurance program by boosting federal cigarette taxes to one dollar a pack.

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  • January 14, 2009 3:21 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman says Obama should close Guantanamo soon

  One of the most pressing foreign policy matters facing the incoming president is how soon to act on his campaign promise to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

  Congresswoman Jane Harman – chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence - says that should happen very early in the Obama administration.

  Jane Harman: “It is not too hard to close Guantanamo. I would argue that it is essential if we are going to stop the erosion of our moral authority and standing abroad and, and stop giving a huge recruiting tool to al-Qaida.”

  Harman, whose district includes Venice, El Segundo, and Wilmington, spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Earlier this week, President George Bush told reporters that he does not believe the United States’ moral standing among nations suffered during his eight years in office.

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  • January 14, 2009 2:10 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Sex Offender board chair argues for changes to Jessica's Law

  A state panel reports a spike in the number of homeless sex offenders since voters approved Jessica’s law two years ago. A provision in the law says that sex offenders can’t live within 2,000 feet of places where children gather, such as schools or parks.

  A report by the Sex Offender Management Board is urging changes to those restrictions. The board’s chairwoman, Suzanne Brown McBride, spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Suzanne Brown McBride: “Part of what the management board is interested in trying to do and our recommendation to the legislature is to not just figure out where you don’t want offenders to live – that’s pretty easy to do and we can come up with a big list - but it should be specific to the kind of offense.”

  The report says there’s no evidence the tough restrictions have increased public safety, and argues that the rules could push offenders back into criminal behavior if they end up homeless.

  State Senator George Runner of Lancaster – an author of Jessica’s Law – says he doesn’t think the corrections department is doing all it can to find housing for the offenders.

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  • January 14, 2009 1:50 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Clean Air Project director criticizes Bush environmental policy

  In the waning days of the Bush administration, the president’s defenders and critics are surveying its high and low points. John Walke, director of the Clean Air Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council, finds it hard to absolve the White House position on global warming.

  John Walke: “President Bush spent eight years fiddling while the planet burned. Not only taking no action to combat global warming but watching global warming pollution rise steadily, repudiating international treaties that lowered our standing in the world.

  “And allowing the auto industry and power plant industry to continue to pollute without taking anything other than voluntary actions that just did not work.

  Walke spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” The Bush administration has promoted a gradual approach to climate change, saying that mandatory restrictions on industrial emissions would harm the nation’s economy.

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  • January 14, 2009 1:36 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Jessica's Law increases number of homeless sex offenders

  A state panel is urging changes to Jessica’s Law - the voter-approved law that restricts where paroled sex offenders can live in California. A report by the Sex Offender Management Board says those restrictions have greatly increased the number of homeless sex offenders.

  Republican state senator George Runner of Lancaster was an author of Jessica’s Law. He says the corrections department isn’t trying hard enough to find housing for those offenders.

  George Runner: “We don’t fully believe that corrections at this point is doing all they need to be doing in order to direct people to housing. We think at times they just find it easier just to go ahead and register them as transient.”

  Runner spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  The report by a branch of the state corrections department also said there’s no evidence that the residency restrictions enhance public safety.

  The law bars registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks, and other areas where children gather.

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  • January 14, 2009 1:32 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Jurors continue deliberations in OC sheriff corruption trial

  The jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Orange County sheriff Mike Carona are back at the deliberation table. KPCC’s Susan Valot reports.

  Susan Valot: This is the fourth day of deliberations. The jury got the case Thursday afternoon. They’re sifting through more than 50 pages of juror instructions and two month’s of testimony and evidence about whether Carona accepted thousands of dollars in bribes.

  So far, the jury’s been pretty quiet. On Friday, they sent a couple of notes out to the judge. One of the notes asked if they could have a list of exhibits with titles. Another asked for a list of alleged “overt” acts after October 25, 2002.

  Prosecutors need to prove criminal activity took place after that date or they’ll miss the statute of limitations. The jury hasn’t sent out any more notes since Friday. They had Monday off.

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  • January 14, 2009 12:25 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama science meetings focus on oceans, economy

  President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team has been consulting with scientists about U.S. ocean policy this week. Linwood Pendleton of the Coastal Ocean Values Center is one of several Californians attending a meeting in Annapolis, Maryland this week. He says some of the discussion there has focused on the role oceans play in the country’s economy.

  Linwood Pendleton: “The ocean is this infrastructure that links so much of what’s going on in all parts of the country, whether it’s pollutants that run down the Mississippi from way up into the heartland, or overbuilding on the coast, or overfishing on the Outer Continental Shelf.”

  Leaders of a federal ocean initiative plan to make recommendations to the next president based on the meeting – and on recent science.

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  • January 14, 2009 12:12 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• LA public school teachers may face layoffs

  Public school teachers in Los Angeles may face layoffs. The board of education yesterday gave the district superintendent permission to lay off nearly 2,300 instructors. KPCC’s Steve Julian has more.

  Steve Julian: This year’s L.A. public school budget is more than $400 million leaner than last year’s, but cuts at the state level could force an additional quarter-billion dollar loss in funding. Laying off probationary teachers and other employees could save the district more than $137 million.

  But AJ Duffy, the head of the teacher’s union, urged the school board to not take money from teachers, or out of classrooms. Superintendent Ramon Cortines said he hopes the threat of layoffs will put pressure on California lawmakers to help districts across the state.

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  • January 14, 2009 10:51 AM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Women serve as chair, vice-chair of OC Board for first time

  The Orange County Board of Supervisors made a little history today. KPCC’s Nick Roman says you might not have noticed it unless you’d been observing Orange County politics for many years.

  Nick Roman: The chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors is mostly a traffic cop. You hold the gavel. You run the meetings. Among five equals, you’re a little more equal. The vice-chair one year typically gets to be the chair the next - and that’s how it worked this time.

  The outgoing chair - Supervisor John Moorlach - handed the gavel to vice-chair Patricia Bates. Moorlach then nominated Supervisor Bill Campbell to take over as vice-chair. But Campbell declined. He’s chaired the Board of Supervisors before - and he said each supervisor should get an opportunity to do it.

  So as vice-chair, he nominated Janet Nguyen, the board’s youngest member - and the first Vietnamese-American county supervisor in the nation. The other board members agreed - and they chose Nguyen.

  Women have served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors for only 30 years. This is the first time they’ve served together as the chair and the vice-chair.

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  • January 13, 2009 4:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors approve work furlough policy

  Orange County supervisors today cleared the way for social services workers to take work furloughs. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the board unanimously approved a new work furlough policy.

  Susan Valot: The new policy allows for Orange County agencies to require workers to take unpaid time off - up to one day off per two-week period. The policy goes into effect at the end of this month.

  It clears the way for the county’s Social Services Agency to force thousands of its workers to take two unpaid weeks off this year to save money. The Social Services Agency is the same one that just sent out pink slips to 210 employees.

  Social services workers say the move leaves children vulnerable. They say the county ought to be looking at trimming executive perks or dipping into reserves instead of layoffs and furloughs.

  County Executive Officer Tom Mauk says the county can’t dip into its reserves, except for emergencies, “or else we’ll be back to 1994.” That’s the year the county declared bankruptcy - a bankruptcy it’s still paying off.

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  • January 13, 2009 4:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly cuts its budget by 10%

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says the Legislature’s lower house will “share the pain” of the state’s fiscal crisis. The L.A. Democrat is cutting the Assembly’s own budget by 10 percent.

  Karen Bass: “What that means in some instances is vacancies, people will not be re-hired, we won’t do expansions, etcetera. But we’re going through the fine details of that now too, but our commitment is a 10 percent reduction in our own expenses.”

  The cuts will yield about $15 million. The money will be re-directed to fire protection, higher education, and other state programs. Bass and Democratic Senate Leader Steinberg spoke briefly to reporters during a break from budget negotiations with Governor Schwarzenegger and Republican legislative leaders.

  Steinberg says the Senate has already reduced its administrative budget – but he’ll look for ways to cut more spending, including a volunteer furlough program for Senate staff.

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  • January 13, 2009 2:31 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Weekly Standard editor regrets Bush handling of surplus

  A week before President George W. Bush leaves the White House, political observers are weighing the high and low points of his eight-year administration. Matthew Continetti – associate editor of the conservative Weekly Standard – said he regrets the president didn’t take advantage of the surplus he inherited when he took office.

  Matthew Continetti: “We don’t have much leeway with these deficits because spending was never controlled during prosperous times. And I think you could even say that some of the tax cuts, the first round of tax cuts in particular in 2001, because they lowered revenues, you know, that was at a time of prosperity when I think the most effective, in fact, the Keynesian way of looking at the economy says that the tax cuts are most effective when there’s a downturn.”

  Continetti told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the Bush economic legacy creates problems for the incoming Obama administration. He said it’ll have to figure out how to raise revenue and tamp down budget deficits amid a recession.

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  • January 13, 2009 2:28 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California Republican Party official says Bush distorted party principles

  As cabinet nominees for the Obama administration line up for their confirmation hearings, observers of the Bush administration are reviewing its successes and shortcomings.

  John Fleischman is a Southland-based official with the California Republican Party. He pointed to the education-focused No Child Left Behind law as an example of how, in his opinion, President Bush distorted his party’s principles.

  John Fleischman: “That’s a classic example of how George Bush embraced federal preemption, and taking to the federal level the kind of oversight that should exist at the local level. So I would actually argue that the No Child Left Behind was a horrible legacy to leave us.

  “Because we want to lower federal taxes, lower federal spending, and move responsibility for the creation of standards and the creation of programs to the 50 states and not to the federal government.”

  Fleischman told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that a true Republican would have concentrated on reducing the size of the federal government and returning more authority to citizens.

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  • January 13, 2009 2:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Billboard moratorium introduced in Assembly

  A Southland assemblyman wants to freeze construction on new electronic billboards through the year 2012. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says critics of the signs contend they distract drivers too much.

  Cheryl Devall: A billboard moratorium would allow time for more thorough research on perceived hazards, said Assemblyman Mike Feuer. He’s introduced a bill in Sacramento that would outlaw new electronic billboards - and the conversion of existing billboards to digital displays - for at least three years.

  Various nonprofit and government studies are trying to determine whether the bright, ever-changing signs jeopardize traffic safety. In his district that includes West Los Angeles and West Hollywood, the digital billboards and oversized ads that wrap the sides of buildings have sparked controversy.

  Advertising companies say a media-saturated landscape forces them to compete harder than ever for attention. They’ve challenged similar local billboard restrictions on First Amendment free speech grounds.

  Last week a federal appeals court ruled against that argument and upheld the City of Los Angeles’ limit on outdoor advertising - including a three-month moratorium on new billboards.

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  • January 13, 2009 1:49 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Christine Todd Whitman critiques President Bush's priorities

  On the day of George W. Bush’s last formal press conference as president, his former Environmental Protection Agency chief reviewed the administration’s record. Christine Todd Whitman told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that she’d hoped the president would have set different priorities.

  Christine Todd Whitman: “He should’ve gone after immigration reform rather than Social Security. I absolutely agree with him on that. I think that was a mistake. Really, a very big mistake, because he had an opportunity to do something there. You had bills in both Houses, bi-partisan bills in both Houses, and we could’ve moved something along.”

  Whitman, a former governor of New Jersey, led the federal EPA for two years during President Bush’s first term. Now she heads her own environmental and energy consulting firm.

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  • January 12, 2009 6:06 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Richard Perle defends Bush's approach to war on terror

  As we near the end of George Bush’s presidency, we’ve been talking to people in and out of government about Mr. Bush’s legacy. Richard Perle is a leading neoconservative who served on a Pentagon advisory committee during President Bush’s first term. Perle defends the president’s foreign policy, although he says Mr. Bush could have done a lot better in one particular area.

  Richard Perle: “Bush may have been the worst president in my life time in explaining what he was doing, explaining why and how. Often he didn’t think it necessary to offer an explanation, so people were left to conclude whatever they could, based on the facts as they saw them. In that sense, he failed in one of the crucial requirements for the presidency.”

  Perle spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

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  • January 12, 2009 5:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Bush defends government response to Hurricane Katrina

  President Bush acknowledged the federal government could have done better, but mostly he defended his and the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina three-and-a-half years ago.

  Mr. Bush said he had thought long and hard about whether he could have done something different, such as land Air Force One in New Orleans or Baton Rouge shortly after the flooding began. But President Bush told reporters he believes that also would have generated criticism.

  George W. Bush: “Law enforcement would have been pulled away from the mission. And then your questions I suspect would have been, ‘How could you possibly have flown Air Force One into Baton Rouge and police officers that were needed to expedite traffic out of New Orleans were taken off the task to look after you?’”

  At the time, many people criticized President Bush for flying over the devastation. Critics also said the federal government responded too slowly to the disaster.

  But Bush forcefully responded to those critics this morning. He argued that rescuers moved 30,000 stranded people from roofs right after the storm.

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  • January 12, 2009 1:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressional oversight panel criticizes monitoring of bailout money

  A congressional oversight panel has accused the federal Treasury Department of not adequately monitoring $350 billion in taxpayer money it lent to financial institutions through the Troubled Assets Relief Program.

  Economist Christopher Thornberg said it isn’t easy to determine where every dollar goes.

  Christopher Thornberg: “Realistically, the concept of tracking this money, it’s just silly.”

  Joseph Mason teaches business at Louisiana State University and the Wharton School. He said Treasury officials have never articulated what they’d use the troubled asset money for.

  Joseph Mason: “We’re still making up policy as we go along based upon some made up understanding that’s only in the treasury secretary’s head about the causes of this crisis, and so far that hasn’t worked very well.”

  Mason and Thornberg spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Members of a congressional oversight panel say the Treasury’s lack of oversight has hindered its ability to restore confidence in financial markets. They’re calling for more transparency and for stricter regulations on banks and other lending institutions.

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  • January 9, 2009 5:22 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Carona jury continues deliberations

  The jury in the federal corruption trial of former Orange County sheriff Mike Carona hasn’t reached a verdict yet. But KPCC’s Susan Valot says the panel did send a note to the judge this morning.

  Susan Valot: Like yesterday, the jury in Santa Ana met for about four hours but did not reach a verdict. The 11 men and one woman are trying to decide whether Carona is guilty of accepting thousands of dollars in cash and gifts in exchange for political favors.

  The case centers around charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and witness tampering. The jury’s asked the judge if it can get a list of “overt acts” that happened after October 25, 2002. That’s the date that marks the statute of limitations.

  Prosecutors listed 64 “overt acts” that happened both before and after that date. At least one such act is needed for a conviction. The jury also asked the judge for a list of the exhibits, with titles. The judge gave the jury both lists.

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  • January 9, 2009 5:19 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County certifies East LA cityhood petition drive

  L.A. County officials have certified a petition drive to form a city in unincorporated East Los Angeles. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports that people there are looking forward to their next steps.

  Molly Peterson: The county commission that handles local government formation certified the effort Wednesday. State Senator Gloria Romero has represented East L.A. for a decade. She says more than enough people signaled their support for cityhood.

  Gloria Romero: And the numbers we got back from the people of L.A. was an overwhelming si se puede. Yes we can.

  Peterson: Now, Los Angeles County will require East L.A. to analyze whether it can it thrive as an economically viable city. That’ll take $100,000 and several months.

  The area is a densely-packed home to 140,000 people, mostly Latinos. East L.A. Residents Association treasurer Gustavo Camacho says cityhood advocates want the kind of public services they see in neighboring areas.

  Gustavo Camacho: As communities around us progress, they provide a bigger quality of life for their residents. Unfortunately, East Los Angeles has always been seen as a donut hole. Where all communities around it grow, but this community hasn’t been able to grow at same pace others have.

  Peterson: Cityhood in East L.A. isn’t a new idea – its last effort failed 35 years ago. Just six years ago, voters in L.A. County rejected the most recent incorporation effort, in the Hacienda Heights area.

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  • January 9, 2009 5:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• President's economic policy advisor talks about 9/11 influence

  The events of September 11, 2001 left an indelible mark on President George W. Bush’s first year in office. Allan Hubbard, the president’s former assistant for economic policy, spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” about the way the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon influenced the Bush administration’s economic policies.

  Allan Hubbard: “9/11 obviously became… and the war on terror became the number one priority of the president, but he continued to pursue his economic goals; also including free trade, dealing with the biggest fiscal challenge in the country, which is the entitlement.”

  Hubbard said that despite the current recession, he believes that during the last eight years the president and his administration have done an excellent job handling the nation’s economy. Hubbard is now chairman of E&A Industries, an Indianapolis-based firm that acquires manufacturing companies.

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  • January 9, 2009 4:38 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Race is on for Hilda Solis' congressional seat

  As Labor Secretary-designate Hilda Solis faced a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing today, a couple of Southern Californians announced they’ll run for her seat in Congress. Here’s an introduction from KPCC’s Patricia Nazario.

  Patricia Nazario: The first is Democratic state senator Gilbert Cedillo. The East L.A. native has represented the Alhambra, Maywood, San Marino, Vernon, and South Pasadena in Sacramento for eight years.

  Cedillo, a grandfather, is the highest-profile contender for the 32nd District congressional seat. That district stretches across East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley.

  Cedillo’s most identifiable opponent, for now, is 26-year-old Emanuel Pleitez. The son of a single mom was born and raised in East L.A. Pleitez graduated from Wilson High School in 2001 and from Stanford University two-and-a-half years ago. He took time off from college to work on Antonio Villaraigosa’s city council and mayoral campaigns.

  Pleitez plans to formally announce his candidacy for Solis’ seat at his old high school. He’s already started to form his campaign out of his best friend’s parents’ home in El Sereno, while they’re gone to work.

  Note: Cedillo launched his campaign today. The Pleitez announcement is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

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  • January 9, 2009 4:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• East LA moves toward cityhood vote

  The East Los Angeles Residents Association is declaring its independence today. The group’s president, Oscar Gonzalez, says it has gathered enough petition signatures to move the question of independent cityhood closer to a vote in another year or so.

  Oscar Gonzalez: “I think that what people want is access to local government. Why not East L.A.? We’re a county of 10 million residents. And we believe that we just have outgrown the size of the representation that we’re presently being provided.”

  Gonzalez says forming unincorporated East Los Angeles into a city would improve roads, reduce crime, and provide better services for kids and seniors. People who live in East L.A. will work to raise money for a comprehensive financial analysis, to determine whether the proposed city would be economically viable.

  Six years ago, voters in L.A. County rejected the most recent incorporation effort, in the Hacienda Heights area.

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  • January 9, 2009 2:30 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Non-profit founder explains dire need for medical aid to Gaza

  As the death toll in Gaza rises, international charities are working to establish a humanitarian corridor for the delivery of relief supplies. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario says one of the organizations preparing to help Palestinians is based in Southern California.

  Patricia Nazario: Operation USA is preparing at least 15 tons of medical supplies – gauze, syringes, and bandages – for shipment within the next couple of weeks.

  The organization’s founder, Richard Walden, says Gaza needs immediate help because it lacks a sophisticated first-aid infrastructure.

  Richard Walden: “Twenty years ago, it was a piece of desert, that was made into a large refugee camp, that became a territory. It doesn’t have all the things that a city or a province would have in another country, where you’d have long-standing people who’ve lived there.”

  Nazario: Walden says Culver City based Operation USA has conducted worldwide disaster relief since he started the organization 30 years ago.

  More information about its partner organizations and the pending relief effort in Gaza is online at OPUSA.org.

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  • January 8, 2009 7:28 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Prop 8 supporters file lawsuit challenging state campaign finance laws

  Supporters of Proposition 8 have filed a federal lawsuit that challenges the state’s campaign finance laws. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: The Yes on 8 campaign says the ballot question’s opponents have harassed Californians who supported the ballot measure that defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

  A lawsuit filed in federal court in Sacramento lists phone calls, vandalism, death threats, and other incidents as evidence that the state’s campaign finance laws are unconstitutional.

  California requires people who donate $100 or more to ballot campaigns to make public their names, addresses, and phone numbers. Yes on 8’s claim aims to end that practice. It argues that donors’ First Amendment right to speak in the public arena free from threat is more important than the state’s interest in disclosure.

  Opponents of Prop 8 used campaign finance records to target supporters in Los Angeles. The manager of El Coyote restaurant in Hollywood,who’d donated to the Yes side, resigned after protesters gathered outside and threatened a boycott.

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  • January 8, 2009 7:24 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Poll: Most Americans willing to pay taxes for infrastructure

  Most Americans are willing to pay a little more in taxes to upgrade schools, roads, and other public works projects. That’s the finding of a poll commissioned by a group called Building America’s Future.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg head the organization. Its survey found that 81 percent of Americans are prepared to pay one percent more in federal taxes for re-building efforts.

  Governor Schwarzenegger says the poll results don’t surprise him because Californians have overwhelmingly supported bond measures for projects like that.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “The people are willing to pay for it. They want to have their infrastructure kept up. They want to have the infrastructure kept up, they want to have new roads and new schools. They don’t want to have their kids in overcrowded classrooms…”

  Schwarzenegger also had positive words for President-elect Barack Obama’s re-building proposals, particularly those that involve renewable energy.

  Building America’s Future conducted the online poll of 800 adults late last month.

  LINK: Building America’s Future

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  • January 8, 2009 7:20 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture, Transportation

• State legislative analyst worried about borrowing in Schwarzenegger's budget plan

  Reasonable, but risky. That’s how the state’s non-partisan legislative analyst describes Governor Schwarzenegger’s latest budget proposal.

  Mac Taylor says the plan is a “good faith effort.” He agrees with the Administration that the state faces a $40 billion shortfall. But Taylor is worried about the borrowing in the governor’s plan.

  Mac Taylor: “So you’ve got at least $23 billion in ‘09; 10 that you have to finance through the credit markets, and given the status of those markets at the time, that could be very difficult for the state to do, to access that credit in the coming year.”

  Taylor says he’s also concerned about the legality of “revenue anticipation warrants,” another expensive type of borrowing the governor wants to use.

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  • January 8, 2009 7:16 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Local non-profit prepares to send emergency relief to Gaza

  A Southland non-profit that specializes in disaster relief is joining several international charities to donate first-aid medical supplies to Gaza.

  Culver City-based Operation USA is preparing at least 15 tons of gauze, syringes, and bandages for shipment within the next couple of weeks. Its founder, Richard Walden, says the organization needs financial contributions to buy more supplies. He expects some resistance because people on both sides of the conflict harbor very strong reactions.

  Richard Walden: “But on the other hand, a lot of people see it for what it is. It’s a humanitarian crisis rather than an ethnic or religious war. We’re not looking at the merits of either side’s positions. We’re looking at the fact that thousands of people have been injured.”

  Operation USA is partnering with the International Red Cross, World Vision, Save the Children, and other groups to ship emergency supplies to Gaza.

  LINK: Operation USA

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  • January 8, 2009 7:11 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• LA City Councilman Smith proposes smoking ban for outdoor restaurants

  The City of Los Angeles is looking to limit second-hand smoke exposure near restaurants. Councilman Greig Smith’s proposed ordinance would ban smoking at eateries with outdoor seating areas. He told KPCC’s “AirTalk” who would be subject to fines.

  Councilman Greig Smith: “The person that is committing the violation is the person that we would cite, if we cite anybody. Unless the restaurant is notified by people, ‘Hey, there’s people out there smoking, please tell them to stop,’ and they say, ‘No, we’re not going to do that.’ Then we would make also the establishment liable.”

  Smith said the law would apply within 10 feet of any establishment that serves food, except bars with outdoor seating and other adults-only venues. The L.A. City Council could approve the ban by this summer.

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  • January 8, 2009 7:08 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• US participates with other nations in new anti-piracy patrols

  A new international anti-piracy force has set sail under American command. It’s starting patrols next week to counter a surge of activity by Somali pirates. Commander Jane Campbell with the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet described the mission to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Commander Jane Campbell: “We are authorized to go in and interdict if we see somebody in the act of piracy; and quite frankly, just given the size of the area, we’re not going to be there, even with this new task force – be able to be everywhere in what is basically a 1.1 million square mile area.”

  Campbell’s fleet is based in Bahrain; it’ll participate with more than 20 nations to combat piracy. Last year, pirates targeted more than 100 ships and commandeered more than 40 off the coast of Somalia. At present, those pirates are holding 315 members of commercial ships’ crews as hostages.

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  • January 8, 2009 6:59 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council considers smoking ban for outdoor restaurants

  The Los Angeles City Council’s considering whether to expand L.A.’s smoking ban to outdoor dining areas. It would prohibit smoking within 10 feet of outdoor establishments that serve food.

  A similar law in the city of Calabasas has logged fewer than 20 violations in two years, said Calabasas City Councilman Barry Groverman. He explained some of the medical reasons for a smoking ban to KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Councilman Barry Groverman: “Cigarettes are – first of all they’re filtered, and second they’re very hot. When you breathe off of a cigarette, it’s very, very hot and it causes a reaction in the lung that causes you to cough, so cigarette smokers tend to smoke shallow. When you’re outside, that heat effect is gone, it’s cooler, room temperature, and it gets very deep into the tissue of the lung; and the lung surgeons can actually identify the distinction.”

  Calabasas was the first Southland municipality to enact outdoor smoking restrictions. If the L.A. City Council approves it, a ban with exceptions for bars and other adult-only venues could be in place by summer.

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  • January 8, 2009 6:51 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Heal the Bay: Too many toxins getting into LA waters

  The environmental group Heal the Bay says regulators aren’t doing a good enough job of keeping toxic substances out of L.A. waters. State and federal laws require industrial plants to test for how wastewater affects aquatic life. In a new report, Heal the Bay scientist Charlotte Stevenson says polluters are failing those tests without penalty.

  Charlotte Stevenson: “Water that is toxic to aquatic life is being discharged into L.A.’s waterways, and likely this is really just sort of the tip of the iceberg, because the lack of action by the state has probably caused this laxness on toxicity enforcement throughout the entire state.”

  Stevenson says California needs clearer standards to measure how toxic wastewater is. State regulators say that they’re working on those, and that in the meantime they’re enforcing water quality rules as well as they can.

  LINK: Heal the Bay

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  • January 8, 2009 6:44 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Corruption case against ex-OC sheriff goes to jury

  After more than two months of testimony and arguments, the jury finally today began deliberations in the federal corruption case against former Orange County sheriff Mike Carona. The jury got the case around noon. KPCC’s Susan Valot has been in the courtroom in Santa Ana.

  Susan Valot: Prosecutors spent the morning rebutting the defense’s closing arguments. Defense attorneys say the prosecution’s main witnesses are liars. They say the evidence just isn’t there to convict Carona. But prosecutors say it is there.

  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Sagel repeatedly told the jury that the “truth is the truth” – as laid out in the secretly recorded conversations between Carona and his former assistant sheriff Don Haidl. Sagel said on those recordings, Carona and Haidl try to come up with a cover story to hide a conspiracy to use Carona’s position as sheriff to make money.

  Sagel pointed out that not once during the several hours of tape does Carona get up and say he didn’t know what Haidl was talking about – or question statements Haidl made about money and gift exchanges. Eleven men and one woman will decide whether to convict Carona.

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  • January 8, 2009 5:12 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador refugees can still re-register

  The re-registration deadline ended last month, but natives of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador may still qualify for temporary protected immigration status. More on the story from KPCC’s Patricia Nazario.

  Patricia Nazario: U.S. Immigration officials say people may qualify – if they can demonstrate good cause for failing to file during the re-registration period. Before that period ended on December 30th, hundreds of people from Central American countries applied at consulates in Los Angeles and Santa Ana.

  To qualify for the exception, foreign nationals must submit documents that prove they lived in the United States eight years ago. That’s when earthquakes in their native countries prompted the U.S. government to extend protected legal residence to these immigrants.

  Their renewal applications must also include a letter, along with any evidence that helps explain why they didn’t complete the process last year.

  It costs $350 to renew work permits. Applicants who cannot pay the fees can request fee waivers. Immigration officials will consider applications case-by-case.

  Link: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

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  • January 8, 2009 4:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State schools superintendent responds to proposed budget cuts

  A state proposal to save money by trimming five days from the school year doesn’t sit well with California’s superintendent of public instruction.

  Jack O’Connell told KPCC’s “AirTalk” he doesn’t believe the state is going to save $1 billion, as the governor’s administration claims.

  Jack O’Connell: “Here’s the reality – these districts have collective bargaining agreements already. So, we have a thousand school districts in the state, and I don’t believe you’re going to see a majority of these school districts be able to renegotiate and suddenly in the middle of the year reduce funding for these five days.”

  The state finance department spokesman has said that no school district will be forced to cut days from the academic year for budget reasons.

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  • January 8, 2009 1:08 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• State superintendent opposes shortening school year

  The state schools superintendent is criticizing a budget proposal that would allow school districts to shave five days off of their school year. The proposal by Governor Schwarzenegger would give districts the option of reducing their school year from 180 days down to 175 days to save money.

  State Superintendent Jack O’Connell told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that cutting school days is not the way to go.

  Jack O’Connell: “We know we’re going to have to postpone the purchase of much needed textbooks, and computers, and technology, and professional development for our professional educators - all of them really necessary for our students. But to deny our student a learning opportunity that every other class has had since we increased to 180 – I want more learning opportunities for our students, not fewer.”

  O’Connell also argues that such a move could put students in poor areas at a further disadvantage, since wealthier districts might be able to pay for the extra five school days on their own.

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  • January 8, 2009 1:02 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Defense attorneys say allegations against Carona are false

  Defense attorneys in the federal corruption trial of former Orange County sheriff Mike Carona yesterday went over the allegations for the jury - one act at a time. It took them all day to finish up their closing arguments. KPCC’s Susan Valot was in the Santa Ana courtroom.

  Susan Valot: Carona’s attorney Jeff Rawitz detailed the allegations, and then went over why Carona was not guilty of any of them. The defense’s main theme – the prosecution’s chief witnesses lied.

  They say former assistant sheriff Don Haidl - who secretly recorded conversations with Carona - has every reason to lie because it could mean a lighter sentence for him. Haidl’s already pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. Attorney Rawitz told the jury Haidl’s stories are “preposterous” – and that Carona never would have risked his up-and-coming political career for such a small return.

  The defense also hammered the prosecution for not calling to the stand another key witness: former assistant sheriff George Jaramillo. They say without his testimony, there are gaping holes in the prosecution’s case. Prosecutors will get a chance to address that - and other issues - with their rebuttal before the case goes to the jury.

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  • January 8, 2009 12:54 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger says he'll talk budget with lawmakers again

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’s restarting stalled budget talks with legislative leaders to get a quick deficit-cutting deal finished. The state government is on the verge of paying out IOUs if it doesn’t close some or all of a budget deficit that could reach as high as $42 billion over the next year and a half.

  The governor says neither Democrats nor Republicans in Sacramento have done enough to solve the crisis.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “It’s not enough for Republicans just to say that, ‘We wanna see first the cuts before we even talk about revenues.’ And it’s not enough for Democrats to say, ‘We wanna first see extra revenues before we talk about cuts.’ Our state needs both in order to weather this crisis.”

  Democrats passed an $18 billion deficit reduction package that the governor rejected. He’s proposed his own bigger package that included enough spending cuts, revenue increases, and borrowing to cover the deficit. But so far, he’s had no takers from either the Democrats or the Republicans.

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  • January 7, 2009 6:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Home Depot on decision to drop Sunland-Tujunga store

  Community activists in the northeast San Fernando Valley are celebrating today. Home Depot is dropping a long-term effort to build a store in Sunland-Tujunga.

  Opponents had mounted an intense campaign against the store, saying it would drive small hardware stores out of business and hurt the local environment. Home Depot spokeswoman Kathryn Gallagher talked about why the company is giving up.

  Kathryn Gallagher: “It’s twofold. Given the steps required by the city as well as the current economic landscape, and both of those just point to the fact that it just simply doesn’t make sense, business sense, for us to pursue this project.”

  Gallagher spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” As part of its decision not to pursue a store in Sunland-Tujunga, Home Depot is dropping a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles.

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  • January 7, 2009 2:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Anti-Home Depot campaign wins victory in Sunland-Tujunga

  Home Depot is dropping its effort to build a store in Sunland-Tujunga in the San Fernando Valley. The company says it no longer makes business sense to pursue the store, given the recession, and the cost of complying with the city of L.A.’s environmental regulations.

  Community activists fought a long battle against Home Depot. They felt it would kill small hardware stores and harm the environment. Joe Barrett is chairman of the No on Home Depot Campaign.

  Joe Barrett: “The site is surrounded by homes on three sides and there’s an elementary school less than 500 feet away, and the type of traffic that Home Depot attracts is industrial in nature, a lot of trucks.

  “And what we really needed, and what our community plan calls for, is a neighborhood retail center that serves the needs of the community, and we never felt like Home Depot fit that profile.”

  Barrett spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Home Depot operates 13 stores in Los Angeles.

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  • January 7, 2009 2:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Leader of anti-Home Depot campaign celebrates victory

  A long battle between Home Depot and community activists in the San Fernando Valley is over. Home Depot is giving up on its plans to build a store in Sunland-Tujunga. The company blamed city regulations and the overall economy.

  Opponents objected to the store on the grounds that it would drive small hardware stores out of business and bring too much heavy truck traffic to the area. They want the site to be a pedestrian-friendly shopping center with such things as restaurants, bookstores, and theaters. Joe Barrett is chairman of the No on Home Depot Campaign.

  Joe Barrett: “If we don’t have the right development on that site, then we would have to live with the consequences for about two generations, and that’s how long Home Depot holds the lease to the property.

  “So, we felt, even if we have to get a vacant site for a while, that ultimately it’s better if we work towards getting the right type of development there.”

  Barrett spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” In giving up its plans for a Sunland-Tujunga store, Home Depot dropped a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles.

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  • January 7, 2009 2:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Teachers union head: LAUSD layoffs would drive away district's future teachers

  The L.A. teachers union is reacting angrily to the possibility of large-scale teacher layoffs. The LAUSD says budget problems may force it to lay off more than 2,000 of its newer teachers this year. AJ Duffy is president of United Teachers Los Angeles.

  AJ Duffy: “These are the teachers of tomorrow, and if you get rid of them now, they are gone forever. They will not come back to this district. They will go to Florida. They will go to Illinois.They’ll go to any other place where they can get a job, or worse than that, they’ll go to another profession. What we are looking at here is the total devastation of public education in California, and that is a tragedy.”

  Duffy spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” LAUSD says if it moves forward with the layoffs, 1700 elementary school teachers and 600 middle and high school math and English teachers would receive pink slips.

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  • January 7, 2009 1:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican Assemblyman DeVore says tax hikes unnecessary to balance budget

  The day after Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed another Democratic budget plan, Republican assemblyman Chuck DeVore insisted that the state can close its deficit without hiking taxes. He claims that California has more government than it can afford.

  Assemblyman Chuck DeVore: “You’d only have to go back to a budget four years ago, the budget of 2004-2005, and if we adopted that budget we’d be in balance. That’s how much government has grown. The budget four years ago was $78 billion. Now, were people dying in the streets four years ago? Were our children not being educated four years ago? Of course not.”

  DeVore spoke on KPCC’s AirTalk. Democratic state lawmakers tried for a second time to advance a spending plan that raised some taxes and cut other state spending. They’d hoped to approve it without any Republican support. State Republicans and anti-tax groups are suing over that budget strategy because they say it’s illegal.

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  • January 7, 2009 12:56 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger spokesman says Democrats' spending cuts insufficient; budget stalemate continues

  The state budget is the focus of Governor Schwarzenegger’s press conference this afternoon. Yesterday, Schwarzenegger vetoed a Democratic budget proposal that included a mix of spending cuts and tax hikes. Democratic leaders suggest he bowed to pressure from anti-tax groups. The governor’s spokesman Aaron McLear denies that.

  Aaron McLear: “We’re not really sure what those comments refer to. The governor’s been very clear from the outgo that he needs to have economic stimulus to create jobs, and he needs to reduce government spending before he can support any proposal. The Democrats yesterday sent down same proposal they passed three weeks ago, which for a variety of reasons was unacceptable to the governor, and not good enough to for the state.”

  McLear told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the Democrats’ spending cuts don’t go far enough. In response, Democrats say they couldn’t accept some of the governor’s economic stimulus proposals.

  Republicans have filed a lawsuit along with anti-tax groups against the Democratic budget proposal. They say it’s illegal because it raises taxes with only a simple majority vote of the legislature, not the two-thirds vote state law requires.

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  • January 7, 2009 12:27 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Senate leader Steinberg "perplexed" about budget stalemate

  The Democratic leader of the State Senate says he’s “perplexed” as to why Democrats have been unable to reach a budget agreement with Governor Schwarzenegger. Yesterday he vetoed the Democrats’ $18 billion budget plan.

  Senate President Pro-tem Darrell Steinberg maintained that Democrats had met the governor more than halfway on his proposals to stimulate the economy. But Steinberg told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that his party was unwilling to go all the way.

  Senator Darrell Steinberg: “What the governor wanted was a plan that allowed him and his reps to set aside any environmental permit if they deemed it to be an obstacle to expediting the transportation project. We believe that is simply bad public policy.”

  A spokesman for the governor says the Democratic proposal raised taxes but didn’t cut spending enough.

  Republicans and anti-tax groups have filed suit to stop the plan. They insist the plan is illegal because it would raise taxes without requiring a two-thirds vote.

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  • January 7, 2009 12:05 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Riverside County passes restrictions on public protesting in residential neighborhoods

  Riverside County supervisors today unanimously approved an ordinance to limits protests outside a private residence. The action was inspired by a recent demonstration that targeted a secluded Church of Scientology complex near Hemet. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has more.

  Steven Cuevas: Activists held the protest last October outside a gated Scientology compound called “Golden Era Productions.” Security guards were seen on video roughing up a protestor after he walked onto edge of the property.

  Critics claim the facility is an interrogation center for recalcitrant Scientology members. Scientology officials insist it’s just the Church’s media production wing, though some Scientologists do live there. They say the occasional protests infringe on their right to privacy.

  Riverside County supervisors approved the measure as an “urgency” ordinance, so it’ll take effect immediately. It bars protestors from getting within 50 feet of a targeted residence’s property line. That would make public demonstrations near the Scientology compound nearly impossible. The main road that leads to it is surrounded on both sides by church-owned land. The church now says it’ll allow protests inside a designated area outside the compound’s front gates.

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  • January 6, 2009 6:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Groups sue to block California Democrats' tax plan

  Anti-tax groups and dozens of Republican lawmakers are suing to block a plan Democrats passed last month to raise taxes. The package passed without Republican support or a two-thirds legislative vote. The coalition says that makes it illegal.

  Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association says the Democrats’ move would set a dangerous precedent if it’s allowed to stand:

  Jon Coupal: “What the legislative majority has attempted is clearly a change in state law for the purpose of changing revenue, and we are confident that the courts will agree with us.”

  Coupal says the group filed the legal challenge today in California’s Third District Court of Appeals. The governor has threatened to veto the plan anyway, so it may never become law.

  Democrats say their plan is legal because it cuts and raises equal amounts of taxes. They also say they voted to increase other fees – not taxes – that don’t require a two-thirds vote.

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  • January 6, 2009 5:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assemblyman Feuer proposes harsher drunk driving penalties

  A Southland state lawmaker wants to test a program that would inflict harsher penalties on drunk drivers. Assemblyman Mike Feuer has introduced a bill that would require anyone who’s been convicted of a drunk driving offense to install a breath analysis device in his or her vehicle. Feuer says the technology will help prevent deaths.

  Mike Feuer: “It works because this puts the driver in the habit of driving in sober condition. We’re trying to reduce the rate of recidivism in California among drunk drivers.”

  The devices are like a breathalyzer that links into a car’s ignition system. A driver blows into it. The car won’t start unless the driver’s alcohol level is below the legal limit of 0.08. Courts maintain discretion over whether or not to require the devices.

  Feuer’s bill would create a pilot project for the new penalty in four California counties. The California Highway Patrol reports that during the holidays its officers arrested almost 3,000 people for driving under the influence.

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  • January 6, 2009 4:42 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• New TV energy efficiency rules to take effect

  It’s pretty easy to find energy-efficiency labels on refrigerators, microwaves, and computers. But not so much on TVs. Art Rosenfeld is a member of the California Energy Commission. Now that wide-screen plasma and LCD televisions are so popular, he said, the state should require stores to sell only the most efficient models.

  Art Rosenfeld: “TVs are the fastest-growing consumer of electricity in your house and it’s time to put labels and standards on them.”

  Rosenfeld spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Doug Johnson, who directs technology policy for the Consumer Electronics Association, told Patt that his organization objects to mandatory efficiency rules.

  Doug Johnson: “Convergence, innovation, and transition from analog to digital have driven a lot of energy savings in our industries, but the California Energy Commission is really viewing the whole situation through regulatory lenses. And that’s not really the way to look at the electronics sector.”

  Johnson argued that market-oriented, voluntary, and consumer-focused programs like Energy Star are more effective ways to promote energy efficiency. California’s new rules would go into effect a couple of years from now.

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  • January 6, 2009 3:52 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County Board of Supervisors approves anti-gang program

  A new, inter-agency effort to curb gang violence won approval from Los Angeles County’s board of supervisors today.

  Supervisor Gloria Molina told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that one of the target groups for this anti-gang program will be kids who’ve spent time in probation camps.

  Gloria Molina: “Some anti-gang programs are as simple as an after-school program. Others are simple mentoring programs. We’re going to have a very comprehensive program accessing this child’s ability to finish school; accessing their ability to get onto a job after school.”

  The pilot program will take place in the Florence/Firestone, Pacoima, Harbor Gateway, and Monrovia/Duarte areas of L.A. County. The supervisors’ approval doubled the number of areas the program will affect. There’s no firm estimate for what it’ll cost.

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  • January 6, 2009 3:39 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino county assessor won't seek office again

  San Bernardino County’s assessor has all but ended a once promising career in politics. Bill Postmus today told county supervisors he will not run for a second term – or pursue any other public office. The decision comes amid allegations of fraud, corruption, and drug abuse. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has details.

  Steven Cuevas: In an emotional address to the supervisors, Postmus said he will serve out his term - and will not run for re-election next year. The 38-year-old Republican also admitted he’s been battling a drug problem. He apologized for “mistakes” he’s made during his tenure as county assessor.

  Postmus was once a powerful force in Inland GOP politics. When he was 30, he was elected to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on a pledge to root out corruption. He moved on to become the county assessor - and looked like a shoe-in for state or federal office.

  But earlier this year, a grand jury report alleged Postmus used the assessor’s office for political activity. A former assistant faces felony charges as part of a criminal probe. Postmus has not been charged.

  County supervisors have considered taking steps to root him from office. But a staff report says doing that could cost San Bernardino County more than a million dollars - and could take a year. By then, Postmus would have nearly finished his term as assessor.

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  • January 6, 2009 3:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Air regulators demonstrate cleaner-burning earthmovers and tractors

  Federal and state air regulators used a Puente Hills landfill to demonstrate cleaner-burning earthmovers and tractors as new air pollution rules take effect. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: The money for the construction equipment came from $1 million in fines the federal Environmental Protection Agency collected. South Coast Air Quality Management District director Barry Wallerstein says new filters in that heavy equipment could cut most soot pollution from diesel tractors.

  Barry Wallerstein: As we have a debate in the state about moving forward with infrastructure projects, and cutting through so called red tape, by using these types of devices, it’s a way to assure the breathing public they won’t be subject to highly carcinogenic exhaust.

  The demo wasn’t just for the public. EPA’s Wayne Nastri says it’s also meant to promote to a skeptical construction industry the new technology that state and federal air quality rules demand.

  Wayne Nastri: We’re able to show that this can work quickly, this can get out there, and that the immediate benefits are there.

  The Associated General Contractors of America, a trade association for the construction industry, still fights the rules for cleaner engines. The organization says that California’s lost 120,000 construction jobs in the last two years, and that tighter air rules won’t help. The state air board will convene a hearing on off-road diesel equipment regulations later this month.

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  • January 5, 2009 6:43 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Angeles civic leaders encourage people to patronize art

  Los Angeles civic leaders kick off a month-long effort Tuesday to encourage more people to enjoy the region’s visual and performing arts offerings. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: L.A.’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the city’s convention and visitors bureau are calling January L.A. Arts Month. They want to introduce, or re-introduce, people to the wide variety of arts offerings in the region.

  Events include modern dance performances at downtown L.A.’s Seventh and Figueroa shopping center, and shining a spotlight on low-cost and free cultural offerings.

  Organizers say it’s also a way, in this economy, to keep arts dollars circulating in the region and to keep people employed in the process.

  A study last year indicated that the creative economy in Los Angeles supports one million jobs and generates close to $100 billion in annual revenue.

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  • January 5, 2009 6:18 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Long Beach city council considers sale or lease of municipal airport

  In closed session Tuesday, the Long Beach city council is set to discuss the sale or lease of its airport. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: The bad economy’s pushed Long Beach’s budget almost $16 million into the red. The city’s considering ways to cut spending and generate revenue. Investment banks have approached the city about selling or leasing its 84-year-old airport.

  Long Beach Councilwoman Gerry Schipske thinks the city should continue to run the facility.

  Councilwoman Gerry Schipske: With the economy being what it is, this is not the time for infrastructure to be purchased on the cheap. We as a council, local government, should be focusing on our particular budget and how we’re going to live within our means, and we should not be selling off city assets.

  Guzman-Lopez: Schipske urges plenty of public discussion about a possible sale or lease before she and her council colleagues make a decision.

  Federal officials 12 years ago opened up sale or lease of up to five municipal airports. No airports have changed hands.

  Following a two-year process, Chicago’s city council last October approved a 99-year lease of Midway Airport to a private operator for a $2.5 billion payment. Federal officials are reviewing that proposal.

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  • January 5, 2009 5:56 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Prop 8 backers accuse Attorney General Jerry Brown of undermining citizens' rights

  Backers of the voter-approved amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman accuse California’s attorney general of inviting constitutional revolution.

  KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the flare-up over legal arguments the state Supreme Court’s considering on Proposition 8.

  Cheryl Devall: Last month, California’s Supreme Court agreed to review legal arguments for and against Prop 8. Not long after, state Attorney General Jerry Brown offered his opinion.

  He rattled opponents of the ballot question by saying that it neither requires a legislative vote to become law, nor violates the separation of government powers.

  Brown’s other main argument bothers Prop 8 proponents almost as much. He suggests that although the same-sex marriage ban is a properly enacted constitutional amendment, it violates the state constitution because it denies what he calls “inalienable or natural rights.”

  At the state Supreme Court’s invitation, the organizations ProtectMarriage.com and Yes on 8 filed a brief that said Brown’s take on this law “overrides the precious right of the people to determine how they will be governed.”

  The court will determine its argument after the opposing sides complete their legal briefing at the end of the month.

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  • January 5, 2009 5:45 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. mayor, police chief tout sixth straight year of lower crime rate

  In the year just past, crime fell in the city of Los Angeles for the sixth straight year. City officials give most of the credit to the LAPD and its chief, Bill Bratton. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said L.A. bucked a national trend of rising crime rates, thanks largely to Bratton.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: His strategy of putting cops on the dots, of really more strategically focusing on crime and where the crimes trends are.

  Stoltze: Bratton’s also been more willing than previous chiefs to work with federal law enforcement agencies, and he’s benefited from a larger police force than his predecessors. Some criminologists say the lower crime rate is also the result of the gentrification that’s transformed dozens of neighborhoods in the city.

  There were 381 murders in L.A. last year, the lowest in four decades. Violent crime fell by four percent, property crime by two percent.

  The drop in crime is good news for the mayor, who’s up for re-election in March.

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  • January 5, 2009 5:38 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• President Bush establishes national monuments in Pacific Ocean

  During his final weeks in office, President George Bush says he’s establishing national monuments in three remote areas of the Pacific Ocean. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more on the marine conservation effort.

  Molly Peterson: The order will immediately protect 195,000 square miles of ocean near Rose Atoll in American Samoa, around islands near the equator in the central Pacific, and close to some of the uninhabited Mariana Islands.

  That last protected area includes the Mariana Trench - a canyon that reaches 32,000 feet below the ocean floor. That’s deeper than Mount Everest is tall.

  Corals and underwater volcanoes occupy these ocean preserves. Beyond rare geology, they’re also home to species like whales and the world’s largest land crab.

  It’s the second time the Bush administration has conserved a big swath of the Pacific this way. Two years ago, the president protected areas of the Hawaiian Islands from fishing, oil extraction, and tourism.

  Naming these areas as monuments will end oil and gas extraction there, but some fishing, tourism, and research may still happen. It’ll be up to the Obama administration to hammer out many of those details.

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  • January 5, 2009 5:11 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Jack Hanna speaks on Pachyderm Forest

  A widely-recognized animal handler has weighed in on the Los Angeles Zoo’s elephant controversy. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has the story.

  Cheryl Devall: The proposed Pachyderm Forest exhibit has generated plenty of comment from people who contend it’s not big enough for the single Asian elephant that lives at the zoo, let alone others that might join it. Animal rights activists say elephants belong in free-range sanctuaries, not zoos.

  Among the high-profile humans who want to stop construction on the $42 million L.A. habitat are former game show host Bob Barker, actress Lily Tomlin, and actor Robert Culp.

  Now Jack Hanna, who’s introduced exotic species on “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Good Morning America,” has sent a letter to the L.A. City Council. He maintains that the zoo’s exhibit will set a new standard for the care of elephants in captivity. A Council committee has until January 24th to decide how to settle the matter without setting off a stampede of protest.

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  • January 5, 2009 4:21 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• RAND's Treverton comments on Panetta as CIA director

  President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for CIA director, former California congressman Leon Panetta, is generating mixed reviews. Some commentators point out that Panetta - White House chief of staff in the Clinton administration - lacks national security experience. But Greg Treverton of the RAND Corporation’s Center for Global Risk and Security, described Panetta as…

  Greg Treverton: “Somebody who comes to this afresh, particularly with the experience that Panetta’s had as chief of staff, someone who knows what presidents need and can use, that can be very valuable. It can also be valuable in restoring the morale of the CIA in a period where it has taken some beating and may continue to take some beatings on the Hill.”

  Treverton, also a former vice chair of The National Intelligence Council, spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

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  • January 5, 2009 4:05 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Israeli consulate spokesman on humanitarian aid in Gaza

  Israeli officials say they are doing all they can to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Shahar Azani is a spokesman for the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles.

  Shahar Azani: “Israel is continuously flowing into the Gaza Strip truckloads of human aid. The saddening fact is that we are aware on the ground that Hamas is preventing such trucks from entering Gaza, since at the end of the day it does not serve its– what we call the media goals, for them to be able to portray a situation of horrid emergency.”

  Azani spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” A spokesman for the United Nations in Jerusalem says that Israel needs to do more to allow large quantities of food, medicine, and fuel into the Gaza Strip.

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  • January 5, 2009 2:48 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• UN spokesman on humanitarian aid in Gaza

  Human rights and relief groups are criticizing Israel for creating a humanitarian crisis with its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israel says it is allowing aid into Gaza, but that Hamas is not letting all of it in. Christopher Gunness is a spokesman for the United Nations Relief Agency in Jerusalem. He says Israel needs to allow far greater quantities of aid into Gaza.

  Christopher Gunness: “We need to open up the crossings, we need to get fuel in so the generators can run, and so the power plants can run, we need to get wheat flour in industrial quantities to avoid a deepening of this humanitarian crisis.”

  Gunness spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” He says about a million Gazans have no electricity, and about a quarter of a million have no water. He estimates there’s enough wheat flour for several days.

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  • January 5, 2009 2:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA crime drops for 6th straight year

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said today that in the year just ended, crime in the city dropped for the sixth straight year.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Unemployment is up, the housing market is down. And throughout the United States, these trends have translated into more homicides and higher crimes rates in many large cities and urban centers. But not here. Our city continues to experience low crime rates not seen since the Eisenhower administration.”

  There were 381 murders in the city of Los Angeles last year - 15 fewer than in the year before. The mayor and LAPD Chief Bill Bratton credit the drop in crime to better allocation of police resources, more officers, and increased cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies.

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  • January 5, 2009 2:33 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Rabbi says Israeli attacks on Gaza are justified

  The continued fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza has a leading Southern California rabbi especially concerned. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario explains why.

  Patricia Nazario: Rabbi Marvin Hier at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in West Los Angeles defends Israel’s attacks on Gaza. He says Israel has a right to defend itself from rocket attacks launched by Hamas. He blames the Palestinian militant group for inciting the current conflict. Rabbi Hier is worried Hamas might turn to suicide bombings.

  Rabbi Marvin Hier: Jerusalem, the major cities have not been immune when Hamas, in the past, has threatened terrorist attacks. They’ve blown up buses and restaurants in the heart of Jerusalem. As a father and grandfather, I have a personal concern about this.

  Nazario: Rabbi Hier says his son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren live in Jerusalem.

  Hier: Now, I’ve told them not to take the bus, not to take any city buses for the next few weeks, for sure not.

  Nazario: Rabbi Hier says he speaks with his son’s family in Jerusalem every day, several times a day. Those conversations, he says, give him some peace of mind.

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  • January 2, 2009 5:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• UN relief group faces obstacles in Gaza

  A week of back-and-forth airstrikes and rocket launches between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza has thrown daily life into chaos for hundreds of thousands of people – Christopher Gunness of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees told KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Christopher Gunness: “It’s not much fun right now walking through the streets of Gaza - it’s absolutely terrifying. Every time I phone up a friend or colleague in Gaza I hear children screaming in fear in the background. It is very difficult to distribute aid given the sheer level of terror which is now endemic among the population of the Gaza strip tonight.”

  Gunness said his agency is having a hard time distributing food because there’s no fuel for the trucks, and travel through the area is extremely dangerous.

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  • January 2, 2009 2:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Conditions in Gaza worsen

  On the seventh day of open conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement in Gaza, authorities have reported more than 400 deaths. Christopher Gunness of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that conditions in the region are getting worse.

  Christopher Gunness: “Well the humanitarian situation right now is disastrous. At least a quarter of all those killed are civilians, which by any standards is a hugely disproportionate number of civilian casualties.

  “The hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, they have now reached breaking point. A colleague said to me in Gaza, if your foot is blown off and it’s not life-threatening you’ll get sent home – if your foot’s been blown off and it is life-threatening, well if you’re lucky you will get seen.”

  Demonstrations for and against the Israeli airstrikes are taking place in Los Angeles today. A Pro-Israel rally was held outside the Federal Building in Westwood. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators plan to gather outside the Israeli consulate this afternoon at 4:30.

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  • January 2, 2009 2:27 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• New law allows restaurants to buy from farmers

  Some of the new laws that take effect today may sound obscure, says Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Weintraub, who keeps track of lots of them. But, he told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison,” one of these laws could affect your next restaurant meal.

  Dan Weintraub: One of my other favorites is this bill that allows chefs to buy restaurant fare directly from farmers and allows farmers to sell their products at their own farms, which begs the question, why did we have a law prohibiting chefs–
  Patt Morrison: Yeah…
  Weintraub: – from buying food from farmers. (laughs)
  Morrison: Sounds like a no-brainer.
  Weintraub: It’s amazing some of the stuff that is on the books.

  Amazing but true – and as of today, that prohibition falls in California.

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  • January 1, 2009 1:34 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor's aides issue budget plan

  Aides to Governor Schwarzenegger today unveiled the latest plan to close California’s $41 billion budget deficit. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The plan covers the next 18 months. It includes earlier proposals – raising the state sales tax from 5 to 6.5 percent, and reducing the public school year by one week to save money. Spending cuts top $17 billion. One new proposal: borrowing almost $5 billion from the private sector.

  The governor’s finance director reiterated that the state faces a major fiscal crisis as the bad economy causes tax revenues to plummet. He said California will run out of money in February unless the legislature enacts deep spending cuts and raises taxes. So far, Republican legislators have refused to go along with tax increases.

  Governor Schwarzenegger, who’s declared a fiscal emergency, was absent from the budget briefing. Aides said he’s out of state – but they refused to say where, citing security and privacy concerns.

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  • December 31, 2008 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Attorney general files lawsuit over Endangered Species Act

  State Attorney General Jerry Brown is taking on Washington again - this time over the 35-year-old Endangered Species Act. Brown told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he’s filed a lawsuit to block new regulations the federal government used to interpret the law.

  Jerry Brown: “Because George Bush at the last minute is sabotaging, or attempting to sabotage, the Endangered Species Act by freezing out important scientific analysis.”

  The federal interior department issued no comment about the lawsuit. President-elect Barack Obama has already pledged to try and reverse the regulations the Bush administration’s put in place during its final days.

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  • December 31, 2008 2:08 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Salvadoran refugees get immigration renewal for 18 months

  Time’s running out for Salvadoran nationals who wish to renew their legal residence in this country. Their immigration documents must be postmarked by midnight tonight.

  Hundreds of people waited in line for hours at El Salvador’s consulate in Los Angeles. Thirty-five-year-old Marvin Gutierrez was one of them. He said that money’s tight, even though he holds down two full-time jobs at a couple of grocery stores.

  Marvin Gutierrez: “I work in the produce department.” Patricia Nazario: “When do you sleep?” Gutierrez: I sleep like three or four hours every day and that’s it. I’m not working today. It’s my day off.”

  Gutierrez spoke with KPCC’s Patricia Nazario at the Salvadoran consular office near downtown L.A.

  The U.S. government’s granting its sixth extension for temporary protected status following a pair of major earthquakes that rocked El Salvador eight years ago. About 230,000 Salvadorans in the U.S. will benefit.

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  • December 30, 2008 4:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Muslims start fundraising for Gaza

  Southern California Muslim leaders today sharply criticized Israel’s attacks on Gaza. They also announced a $3 million fundraising effort to provide humanitarian aid to the 1.5 million Palestinians who live in Gaza. Mostafa Mahboob is with the aid group Islamic Relief.

  Mostafa Mahboob: “The situation there is very dire. The United Nations and other aid agencies have claimed before the current crisis that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was the worst in 30 years.

  “And now with this ongoing escalation, the need is tremendous on the ground. And we’re urging the public and communities across America to please open up your hearts and your pocketbooks to support the humanitarian needs on the ground in Gaza.”

  Mahboob spoke during a news conference at the Islamic Center of Southern California.

  Israel has said it launched its bombing campaign in response to rocket attacks from Gaza. More than 350 Palestinians have died. Many are said to be civilians. Four Israelis have died.

  Link: Islamic Relief USA
  Link: Islamic Relief Worldwide

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  • December 30, 2008 3:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Muslims ask US to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza

  Southern California Muslim leaders today described Israeli attacks on Gaza as “barbaric.” Hussam Ayloush heads the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He said concerned people should urge the Bush Administration to pressure Israel to stop the attacks.

  Hussam Ayloush: “We’re hoping that the American public will respond to the cries, to the images of pain, blood, murder that we’re seeing. No one can deny – with the access of Internet – no one can deny seeing the great injustice that is happening today in Gaza. Those who don’t respond should ask themselves what made me remain neutral in the face of this tragedy.”

  Muslim leaders also announced a $3 million fundraising effort to provide aid to the 1.5 million Palestinians who live in Gaza. Israel has said its bombing there is a response to Hamas’ rocket attacks.

  The four-day Israeli campaign has killed more than 350 Palestinians. Many are said to be civilians. Four Israelis have died in the latest conflict, says the Associated Press.

  Link: Council on American-Islamic Relations

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  • December 30, 2008 2:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County warns against home reassessment scam

  Los Angeles County officials say con men are targeting unwary homeowners amid the housing value crash. KPCC’s John Rabe reports.

  John Rabe: Here’s how L.A. County Assessor Rick Auerbach says it works: you want to get your property taxes lowered because your home’s value has dropped since you bought it. You get an official looking letter in the mail, offering to file a reassessment request form with the county. You pay between a hundred and two-hundred dollars for that form to be filed. And… you were scammed.

  Auerbach says first of all, his office is already going to be reassessing half-a-million residential properties this coming year. So you may not have to do anything at all. But if you want to make sure, you can file a simple form on your own, for free.

  Auerbach says these letters may violate laws requiring a disclaimer that the solicitation doesn’t come from the government. And he adds at least one of the companies involved is already under investigation in other counties.

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  • December 30, 2008 1:53 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Immigration renewal deadline approaching for Salvadoran refugees

  The clock’s ticking for Salvadorans who want to remain in the United States legally under their temporary protected status. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario says the deadline falls tomorrow at midnight.

  Patricia Nazario: Salvadorans who lived in the United States when a pair of major earthquakes hit their homeland almost eight years ago must renew their immigration papers.

  The U.S. government is extending their temporary protected status for another 18 months. Immigration officials started getting the word out last fall. But El Salvador’s economic minister in Washington, D.C., Carmen Tobar, said most Salvadorans haven’t had the money to hire legal help.

  Carmen Tobar: What we do as a government, we offer, free of charge, advice, and we complete all the forms and all the information. They are sure that this information is right.

  Nazario: Tobar added that the economic downturn has caused many Salvadoran nationals to procrastinate. The application and work permit fees can cost more than $400 a person. Those who miss the deadline risk deportation.

  U.S. Immigration officials say about half the 230,000 Salvadorans eligible for temporary protected status have submitted their applications.

  Note: Salvadoran consular offices in Los Angeles and Santa Ana are staying open until 7 tonight - and until midnight tomorrow – to handle applications.

  Tools

  • December 29, 2008 5:17 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Deadline looms for Salvadoran immigration renewal

  Salvadoran nationals who lived in the United States when a pair of major earthquakes hit their homeland almost eight years ago are eligible to keep their special legal status.

  The U.S. government is granting its sixth extension for temporary protected status, said El Salvador’s economic minister in Washington, D.C., Carmen Tobar.

  Carmen Tobar: “And the State Department makes an assessment in that country in order to see if the conditions are normal, are back again, if the nationals can go back to the country.”

  Tobar said their homeland’s infrastructure is still too weak to accommodate an estimated 230,000 Salvadorans if they returned from the United States.

  They have until tomorrow to renew their immigration papers and avoid risking deportation.

  Salvadoran consular offices are offering free help to complete the forms. Those offices in Los Angeles and Santa Ana plan to stay open until 7 o’clock tonight and until midnight tomorrow.

  Tools

  • December 29, 2008 3:31 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• New LA parking meters cost drivers more

  The city of Los Angeles’ move to replace thousands of parking meters for electronic models with higher rates reflects a new approach to thinking ab