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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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)

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.)

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.)

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.)

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.)

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.”

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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

  Tools

  • 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.

  Tools

  • 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 about parking. Amir Sedadi, who runs parking management and regulations for the city, told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that stowing your car close to your destination is not a right but a privilege.

  Amir Sedadi: “We need to start changing some behavior by providing the on-street spaces which are the most sought after spaces at a little bit higher prices and encourage people to if they are going to stay longer to then, walk a little bit longer, or park in off-street facilities and provide that turn-over for all the businesses that are also suffering.”

  The new meters also will charge more for the most coveted street spaces. L.A. officials predict that the new meters could generate $18 million a year for the city.

  Tools

  • December 29, 2008 3:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• LA converts to new parking meters, charges more

  The city of Los Angeles is switching 6,000 of its parking meters from the coin-operated variety to multi-space machines that accept credit and debit cards. The change will bring LA in line with many cities that have adopted the new meters - and it’ll cost drivers more. Donald Shoup, who teaches urban planning at UCLA, said it’s about time the city caught up.

  Donald Shoup: “Prices in parking meters of Los Angeles haven’t really changed since 1990. That’s over about 18 years from now. And I think it shows that L.A. has left its parking meters kind of out in the rain and has not paid attention to the market price of parking.”

  Shoup - author of “The High Cost of Free Parking” – told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that higher parking rates could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by causing drivers to skip unnecessary trips by car.

  Tools

  • December 29, 2008 1:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• City of Irvine marks anniversary of growth-plan approval

  As big as the city of Irvine is today, it’s hard to believe that a scant 50 years ago, most of it was still a ranch. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says it reached a pivotal point in its development on December 28, 1971.

  Cheryl Devall: At the end of the 1950s, the owners of the Irvine Company had begun to open small areas of their sprawling property to construction.

  The University of California’s acquisition of 1500 acres for its new campus in 1959 jump-started that development. The university’s architects and Irvine Company staff drafted blueprints for a new live-work community that would eventually house 50,000 people.

  Within a little more than a decade, many Irvine occupants were feeling the need for elbow room. Those who lived in the villages of Culverdale, the Ranch, Turtle Rock, University Park, and Walnut voted 37 years ago this Sunday to incorporate, and to expand Irvine beyond the original master plan.

  Within 18 years, the city did grow, to almost three times the population that plan had envisioned. Now, Irvine’s the fourth biggest city in Orange County. Irvine anticipates 200,000 people on just under 70 square miles within the next dozen years.

  Tools

  • December 26, 2008 4:03 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Hutchinson remembers Eartha Kitt's activism

  Admirers are remembering entertainer Eartha Kitt as a self-made woman who defied the racial and gender stereotypes of her era. Kitt died yesterday at age 81.

  Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable interviewed Kitt for the LA Free Press three decades ago; he described his memories of that conversation to KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Earl Ofari Hutchinson: “She was really a multi-faceted person. She spoke many languages. She was quite a philanthropist, a quiet activist for social causes. When King wanted something, the March on Washington and other demonstrations, she was always there. So, her legacy is a full-bodied legacy that I just feel that we just really have to pay tribute to the legends and the giants that did so much for the cause of peace and social justice.”

  During a White House luncheon at the height of the Vietnam War, Kitt denounced President Lyndon Johnson for sending Americans off to die. For years after that, she had difficulty finding bookings in the United States, so she lived and worked abroad.

  Tools

  • December 26, 2008 3:54 PM
  • Categories: Arts, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• City of L.A. looks to increase parking meter revenue

  Drivers may have just gotten a holiday break from feeding the parking meters, but the city of L.A.’s about to draw a lot more money from that revenue stream. Details from KPCC’s Cheryl Devall.

  Cheryl Devall: Los Angeles is in the process of changing out 6,000 parking meters. The city’s transportation department expects those meters to boost annual revenues by $18 million.

  Here’s how: they’ll accept credit or debit cards and coins. On many of them, you may end up paying for more time than you need. That’s because the minimum charge if you’re using a card is $1. If you’re running out of time, these smart meters can send a text message to your cell phone, and you can feed the meter with the phone, too.

  Another change: On these meters you’ll have to pay for parking until 8:00 in the evening, not the traditional 6:00 cutoff time. That by itself could rack up a lot of parking ticket revenue.

  The city’s describing this as an experiment. If the new meters live up to expectations, they could become the standard on all 40,000 metered parking spaces in L.A.

  Tools

  • December 26, 2008 3:47 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Script supervisor shares holiday wish for the world, Obama

  Some people want a flat screen TV this holiday season. Others prefer cash. Fifty-five-year-old Patty Fullerton wants something you can’t put your hands on. She shared her most urgent holiday wishes with KPCC’s Brian Watt.

  Patty Fullerton: “I want peace in the world. That’s what I want. And I want Barack Obama to have a fresh start.”
  Brian Watt: “All right. Any advice for President Obama?”
  Fullerton: “No. Just be himself and get it done.”

  Patty Fullerton is a script supervisor for films and television shows. She lives in Canyon Country.

  Tools

  • December 24, 2008 3:30 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• High schooler Washington offers advice to Obama

  The economic slowdown weighs on the minds of local high school students. Fifteen-year-old Jasmine Unique Washington at Animo Film and Theater Arts Charter High School in South L.A. says she wants President-elect Barack Obama to restore the country’s economic prosperity. She offers this advice about how to begin

  Jasmine Unique Washington: “Create jobs for Americans that have a fair wage and will support a family.”

  Washington wants Obama and his economic advisers to prevent American companies from shifting jobs to developing countries.

  Tools

  • December 24, 2008 1:27 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Reported maintenance lapses at San Onofre plant raise concerns

  The public disclosure of apparent maintenance lapses at the San Onofre nuclear power plant has prompted attention from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Commission spokesman Victor Dricks spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Victor Dricks: “The plant is being operated safely. None of these equipment problems rose to the level that would jeopardize plant safety or pose any risk to the public, but we are concerned about what we see here as a pattern of underlying themes, and it’s something that we have directed their attention to and are very closely monitoring.”

  Dricks’ agency is increasing its inspections at the Southern California Edison facility south of San Clemente. Crews there discovered in March that a battery used to power safety systems had been disconnected for four years.

  Tools

  • December 23, 2008 5:43 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Yorba Linda adjusts evacuation policy after series of rain storms

  Yorba Linda officials say they’ll stop ordering evacuations near burned-out canyons when flash floods are forecast. The new policy will start with the storm that’s moving into our area now.

  For the first few storms of the season, Yorba Linda ordered everyone out when the rain came down. But so far, none of the storms triggered major mudslides or landslides. Yorba Linda Mayor Mark Schwing says he’s concerned because this is the fourth storm of the season.

  Mayor Mark Schwing: “The hills are saturated now. They’re not, you know, there’s not enough time between storms to dry out. And we’ve got rain coming tonight and tomorrow, maybe a little bit by the weekend. And every little bit of rain is just more saturation in these hills.”

  If the hills do get overly saturated and do give way, then the city will issue evacuations. That’s when they’ll send police with loudspeakers through the neighborhoods.

  Tools

  • December 23, 2008 4:04 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• High schooler suggests priorities for President-elect Obama

  For people lucky enough to have jobs, there’s still the nagging question: Is there enough money in the paycheck to cover food, rent, and other necessities… especially if you clean hotel rooms, park cars, or sew jeans in the garment industry?

  Fifteen-year-old Celine Gonzales attends Animo Film and Theater Arts Charter High School in South Los Angeles. She’d like the next president to address the economic squeeze.

  Celine Gonzales: “My advice to President-elect Barack Obama would be to work on the regulations of the business here in the United States, in order to better have some regulations on the companies, so there would be more jobs for Americans, that they would be able to make a living wage on, like, a humble job.”

  Gonzales says she also wants Obama to invest in schools, and especially in arts education.

  Tools

  • December 23, 2008 3:40 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Court orders CA health agency to comply with a 2002 law on AIDS insurance

  The state’s public health agency must meet a deadline for offering medical insurance to Californians with the virus that causes AIDS. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the order from Los Angeles Superior Court.

  Cheryl Devall: This order reinforces the court’s finding earlier this month that California hasn’t moved quickly enough to extend Medi-Cal coverage to non-disabled people with HIV.

  The insurance program for the poorest Californians had only covered people with full-blown AIDS, despite a six-year-old state law that broadened Medi-Cal to those who’d tested positive for the virus that causes the immune system deficiency.

  In its most recent ruling, the court has ordered the state Department of Health Care Services to take specific steps toward offering that coverage, including outreach that will encourage eligible people to enroll in Medi-Cal, and to report back to the court on its progress within 120 days.

  While AIDS activists maintain that expanding coverage to HIV-positive people will save treatment costs by catching the disease in its early stages, the court’s order takes place amid California’s fiscal emergency, during which most state agencies will have to cut budgets and services.

  Tools

  • December 23, 2008 11:46 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. Controller Chick says city may have to privatize some services

  Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick says the city may have to privatize some of it services to address a growing budget deficit. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: In a report released Monday, Chick listed golf courses, animal shelters, and the maintenance of city cars as services that might be privatized. She highlighted airports too; likely Palmdale or Van Nuys, not L.A. International Airport. A spokesman for the mayor said the city’s already looking into privatizing its parking facilities.

  Chick said “dire circumstances sometimes lead to drastic measures.” L.A. faces a more than $400 million shortfall in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

  The city’s powerful labor unions – some of the mayor’s and the controller’s biggest political supporters – have opposed any efforts to privatize. They argue that private companies pay lower wages than the city, and that there would be a loss of good jobs.

  Tools

  • December 23, 2008 11:04 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger prods lawmakers on budget from beside the 405

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held a news conference today alongside the 405 freeway in West Los Angeles. KPCC’s Brian Watt says the governor was nudging state lawmakers to pass a budget he can accept.

  Brian Watt: Freeway traffic: Southland motorists know it well, and Governor Schwarzenegger used it to highlight the budget stalemate’s impact on infrastructure projects. Nearly $4 billion in funding is on hold right now, said the governor, and that’s jeopardizing 2,000 projects all over the state. That includes a 10-mile carpool lane on the 405 north of L.A. International Airport.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Now, this would reduce 23,000 hours of congestion every day. And now this project has been… cannot move forward. So instead of seeing cranes here, and instead of seeing of bulldozers here, and instead of seeing more construction workers here, we see more gridlock.

  Watt: Schwarzenegger spoke over the shouts of more than a dozen sign-carrying protesters. The environmental and labor activists urged him to sign the budget proposal Democrats in the legislature passed last week. He’s threatened to veto it. State Assembly speaker Karen Bass calls that threat the single biggest obstacle to progress on the state’s road construction projects.

  Tools

  • December 22, 2008 3:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Report says state budget cuts on social services will hurt economy in long run

  To close a crushing multi-billion dollar budget gap, state lawmakers are proposing cuts to everything from education to roads. But a new report from the Sacramento-based California Budget Project says slashing social programs will do more than hurt low-income and newly unemployed Californians at a bad time.

  Project director Jean Ross says slashing food stamp, Medi-Cal, and Cal-Works programs will damage the economy, too.

  Jean Ross: “The worst thing you can do during an economic downturn is to cut back on that flow of dollars. And as a result families buy less, have a tougher times making ends meet, and so would ask lawmakers that they be creative in devising strategies to address the budget gap, and that they minimize the cuts to low income families.”

  The California Budget Project instead recommends that state lawmakers impose carefully chosen tax hikes. Jean Ross says that’s better than cutting deeply into safety net programs during a bruising recession.

  LINK: California Budget Project

  Tools

  • December 22, 2008 2:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Law school dean Eastman criticizes Attorney General Brown's Prop 8 challenge

  In response to state Attorney General Jerry Brown’s plan to urge a California Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, Chapman University Law School dean John Eastman took issue with Brown’s premise that the prohibition overturns a basic human right.

  John Eastman: “Marriage to whomever you want has never been a fundamental right; marriage to somebody of the same sex has never been a fundamental right; marriage to a sibling has never been a fundamental right; marriage to somebody under eighteen has never been a fundamental right. And to say that the voters of the this state don’t have a say on such a fundamental policy question as that is to really undermine the very basic notion of government by consent.”

  Brown has asked the state’s high court to invalidate Proposition 8 because, he said, the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish constitutional rights without compelling justification. Prop 8 supporters have also filed court papers defending the same-sex marriage ban.

  Tools

  • December 22, 2008 2:11 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Legal scholars debate Attorney General Jerry Brown's Prop 8 challenge

  Legal scholars are pondering state attorney general Jerry Brown’s decision to challenge the legality of Proposition 8, the voter-approved constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage. Erwin Chemerinsky is founding dean of the UC Irvine law school.

  Erwin Chemerinsky: “The key here is, is this an amendment or a revision? I think there is a very reasonable argument that it’s a revision, because it’s changing a fundamental right. Jerry Brown had entirely the power, the discretion, even the duty to tell the California Supreme Court that he believes that it’s unconstitutional, and that’s all he did.”

  John Eastman, dean of Chapman University law school, maintained that Brown was out of bounds when he argued that a ballot referendum cannot overturn the right to marry.

  John Eastman: “It was so bad it was an embarrassment. I understand there are people in this state that want to do everything they can to try and undo the will of the people expressed in Proposition 8, but his defense of his legal position was laughable.”

  Eastman and Chemerinsky spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Tools

  • December 22, 2008 1:37 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• U.S. Census Bureau relases numbers on demographic movement

  The U.S. Census Bureau has released the latest look at how people are moving about the country. KPCC’s Steve Julian has more.

  Steve Julian: Nevada had been one of the nation’s fastest growing states for most of the past quarter century. No longer. It’s in the 8th spot this year.

  The fastest growing state is now Utah, where the population climbed by 2.5 percent from July 2007 to July of this year. Arizona is now the second-fastest growing state, followed by Texas, North Carolina, and Colorado.

  Only two states, Michigan and Rhode Island, saw a drop in population. California is still the most populous state, followed by Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

  Tools

  • December 22, 2008 1:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Schwarzenegger orders hiring freeze, worker cuts

  By JUDY LIN

  Associated Press Writer

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday ordered a state hiring freeze and payroll cuts to conserve cash as California struggles to deal with a $42 billion budget deficit.

  The governor issued an executive order that requires state agencies to reduce payroll by 10 percent, which could lead to massive layoffs. He also ordered the state’s 235,000 employees to take two days off a month without pay, starting Feb. 1.

  Schwarzenegger also issued an executive order calling lawmakers back into session to deal with the budget for the third time in two months. On Thursday he announced he would veto an $18 billion Democratic deficit-cutting package that he said didn’t do enough to address the financial crisis.

  In a letter to state workers, Schwarzenegger said California must take emergency steps that will require sacrifices from everyone.

  “It is imperative that state government look inside itself and be part of the solution,” the governor wrote. “We simply have no other choice.”

  Labor officials said they were considering filing a lawsuit to prevent job losses.

  “We definitely think we have grounds for filing an unfair labor charge,” said Jim Herron Zamora, a spokesman for the Service Employees International Union, Local 1000, the largest state employee union. “Our contract doesn’t allow him to do this.”

  Officials warn that the state will run out of cash in February unless Schwarzenegger and lawmakers can reach a deal to close the budget gap with spending cuts, revenue increases or a combination of both.

  Schwarzenegger ordered all state employees to take two days off a month without pay or take a similar salary cut to achieve $1.3 billion in savings through the next fiscal year.

  On top of that, the governor directed agencies that get their money from the state’s largest budget account, the general fund, to achieve a 10 percent payroll savings. Officials said that could lead to an undetermined number of layoffs.

  Department of Personnel Administration spokeswoman Lynelle Jolley said any workers who lose their jobs as a result of the order could seek employment at other state departments that use special state funds.

  “We’re hoping we can do this with the least number of layoffs possible but the goal is to address this imminent cash crisis,” Jolley said.

  Lawmakers adjourned for the holidays Thursday after Democrats pushed through a package of spending cuts and tax increases using a creative maneuver to bypass Republican opposition.

  Schwarzenegger’s decision to veto the package left Democratic leaders scrambling to save their plan. They argued that it met some of his demands for speeding up public works projects and selling surplus state property.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, said it was “mind-boggling” that the governor would throw away a package that begins tackling the state’s fiscal problems because it didn’t contain exactly what he wanted.

  “It’s like a child telling Santa if you don’t bring every single item on the list, then stay out of my chimney,” Bass said. “I am hoping that the governor over these next few days will really reconsider saying he will veto the budget.”

  Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said they would remain at the Capitol to negotiate with the governor or his staff, but would not call the other 118 lawmakers back until a deal could be reached.

  Under the governor’s special session declaration, lawmakers have 45 days to send the governor bills that address the budget crisis. If they fail to do so, the Legislature may not act on other bills.

  The governor had sought what he said was assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure, broad authority to relax environmental regulation on public works projects and more toll roads. Democrats allowed only partial waivers for a limited number of road projects and for certain state properties up for sale.

  Additionally, Schwarzenegger requested deeper cuts than Democrats were willing to offer, such as reductions in welfare and senior assistance programs, greater flexibility to reduce school spending, and the elimination of two of 14 state employee holidays.

  Environmental advocates also questioned why the governor would toss aside the only deficit-cutting legislation to reach his desk since he declared a fiscal emergency on Nov. 5. Paul Mason, deputy director of the Sierra Club in California, suggested that by demanding environmental exemptions, the governor was betraying his public image as a crusader against global warming.

  Associated Press Writers Samantha Young and Steve Lawrence contributed to this report from Sacramento and Garance Burke contributed from Fresno.

  (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 7:01 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Judge moves to block implementation of mandatory algebra for eighth graders

  A judge in Sacramento tentatively ruled today that mandatory algebra plus eighth graders does not equal good policy. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez adds up the story.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Algebra’s the branch of math that uses letters and symbols to represent numbers and values. It’s useless for understanding state education politics.

  This summer California’s state Board of Education, at the behest of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, voted to require algebra testing for all eighth graders. They argued that it’s good for kids, and that the state would avoid losing some federal money.

  The California School Boards Association sued to block the mandate. It said the state was ill-equipped to meet the requirement.

  The state superintendent of schools contends that it’ll cost about $3 billion to enroll and test all eighth graders in algebra. Public schools are facing $2 billion in mid-year cuts.

  In her tentative ruling, the Sacramento superior court judge said the state Board of Education acted outside its jurisdiction and without public input.

  The president of the state board promised an appeal if the injunction becomes final. He said more stringent requirements will lead to higher student achievement.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 5:09 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County transportation officials line up possible projects

  If President-elect Barack Obama is able to push through a comprehensive economic stimulus plan, Orange County’s roadways and railways could see some of the windfall. At least, that’s what county transportation officials hope. KPCC’s Susan Valot says today they unveiled what they’d do if they get the money.

  Susan Valot: Orange County Transportation Authority officials say the top project on their list is widening the 57 Freeway. That’ll cost $140 million, but officials point out it would generate more than 5,000 jobs.

  In all, OCTA has a list of projects that totals more than $2 billion. It includes building a parking structure at the Metrolink station in Tustin, improving railroad grade crossings throughout the county, and widening Alton Parkway in South County.

  Transportation officials say investing in infrastructure, like roads and bridges, is critical for turning the economy around. Their projects would create nearly 56,000 jobs. But it all hinges on what’s in President-elect Obama’s stimulus plan… and whether federal lawmakers pass it.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 5:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Founder of nonprofit Homeboy Industries praises Solis pick for Labor

  The next head of the federal Labor Department has a soft spot for Los Angeles’ gang intervention non-profit, Homeboy Industries.

  Father Gregory Boyle, who founded the rehabilitation program 20 years ago, says that throughout her political life Hilda Solis has been a friend to his cause.

  Father Gregory Boyle: “…and a model, especially, to Latinas who look at her and see what she’s accomplished. She’s been a very prophetic voice in the Congress. I anticipate she’ll be the same in this cabinet.”

  President-elect Barack Obama today announced he’s chosen the Latina Congresswoman from El Monte as his Secretary of Labor.

  LINK: Homeboy Industries

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger announces further state layoffs, cutbacks

  Governor Schwarzenegger told state employee unions that to save some cash, they’ll face unpaid furloughs for two days every month beginning in February. The governor’s also ordering a 10 percent cut in the state workforce. That could result in thousands of layoffs.

  Jon Haveman with Beacon Economics, a research and consulting firm, told KPCC that these moves could further darken California’s ominous employment outlook.

  Jon Haveman: “This year we’re down about 150,000 jobs. And next year, I won’t be surprised if it’s also an equivalent number. So we’re talking about, in a decline, about 300,000 jobs in the state.”

  Haveman predicted that by the end of the coming year, the state’s unemployment rate will edge toward 10 percent. California officials announced an unemployment rate of almost 8.5 percent for last month.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 3:53 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• City of Hemet imposes city-wide layoffs

  The city of Hemet is the latest local municipality to impose layoffs. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas says the axe is even falling on once-sacred cows: The police and fire departments.

  Steven Cuevas: Hemet is laying off four police officers. By some city’s standards, that might not seem like much. But the Hemet PD has only about 80 cops on the payroll.

  It already slashed two dozen positions through attrition and a hiring freeze. The latest cuts take effect in 30 days. Many officers are already looking for work elsewhere.

  The city of 70,000 will also close one of its fire stations. It has only five. Nine city workers will also get the axe. Two dozen others have been offered early retirement incentives. The Hemet City Council wants all departments to trim spending by as much as 25 percent.

  The city’s budget woes are tied to a drop in development fee income, and declining revenue from property and sales taxes.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 3:47 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Highland Park resident praises Solis' work as congresswoman

  President-elect Barack Obama has given the nod to Southland Latina Congresswoman Hilda Solis to head the Labor Department.

  Angelenos are proud of her success story. Beth Steckler from Highland Park described the Democratic representative from El Monte as a fighter.

  Beth Steckler: “She’s carried that Green Jobs bill, and she did that before Obama was elected. I really think that idea of transforming – using the economic stimulus and job creation to transform our energy system is a really good idea, and I think she understands that.”

  Solis is a leader in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and political observers regard her as pro-union.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 3:42 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Solis accepts Labor post; credits upbringing with shaping her values

  East L.A.’s Congresswoman Hilda Solis is president-elect Barack Obama’s pick for Secretary of Labor. This morning she introduced herself to national reporters who are just learning her story.

  Labor Secretary-designate Hilda Solis: “As a daughter of immigrants raised in La Puente in the San Gabriel Valley, near the beloved East Los Angeles, I learned at a very young age the value of hard work, public service, and commitment to family. That’s why I share President-elect Obama’s belief in an America where, if you work hard, anything is possible.”

  Southland organized labor leaders are praising the appointment. Solis is the daughter of union members who came to this country from Mexico and Nicaragua. She’s focused on workers’ and immigrants’ rights during her years in Congress and the California legislature.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 3:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama selects Congresswoman Hilda Solis for Labor Secretary

  President-elect Barack Obama has nominated Southland congresswoman Hilda Solis as his Secretary of Labor.

  Obama praised Solis as a champion of the middle class.

  President-elect Barack Obama: “For the past eight years the Dept. of Labor has not lived up to its role either as an advocate for hard working families or as an arbiter of fairness in relations between labor and management. That will change when Hilda Solis is Secretary of Labor. Under her leadership, I am confident that the Department of Labor will once again stand up for working families. I’m confident about that because Hilda has always been an advocate for everyday people.”

  Solis said she learned the value of hard work growing up in La Puente as the daughter of immigrants. She added that she’d work to enforce federal labor laws and to strengthen worker protections.

  Solis was the first Latina to serve in the California state senate. For eight years she’s represented East Los Angeles and parts of the San Gabriel Valley in Congress.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 3:30 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• City of Redlands imposes city-wide layoffs in face of budget gap

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan to order state workers to take unpaid leave is nothing new. At least one Southland city has already moved ahead with furloughs in an effort to close its own ballooning budget gap. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has more.

  Steven Cuevas: About 400 city employees are being ordered to take two weeks of unpaid leave through the end of the fiscal year in June. The furloughs could save the city around half-a-million dollars.

  Redlands is trying to face down a budget deficit that approaches $3 million. It has around twice that in reserves, but that money’s supposed to be saved for emergencies like earthquakes or fires, not a bad budget.

  On top of the furloughs, most city offices in Redlands will be shut down on Fridays. They’re already closed every other Friday.

  Unions representing city workers agreed to the cost-saving actions. The cuts do not affect the Redlands police and fire departments… for now. The city is negotiating similar cuts with those unions. It might offer early retirement packages, too.

  The culprits behind Redlands’ budget collapse are the same as in other cities: Property values have fallen sharply. Development has slowed to a crawl. Sales tax revenue is down.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 3:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Blagojevich denies wrongdoing, vows to fight charges

  Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich reiterated today that he has no intention of stepping down from his job amid allegations he’d tried to sell the open seat of former U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

  Governor Rod Blagojevich: “I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. That I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong.”

  Federal prosecutors contend that the governor had hoped to cut a deal for a lucrative job with whomever he appointed to succeed Obama in the Senate. The president-elect and a host of elected officials have urged Blagojevich to resign. This week, the Illinois Supreme Court rejected a claim that the governor was unfit to hold office.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama names Southern California congresswoman Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor

  President-elect Barack Obama named Southern California congresswoman Hilda Solis as his Secretary of Labor this morning.

  Solis said she’ll work to strengthen unions and support the nation’s diverse workforce..

  Hilda Solis: “I look forward to working with President-elect Obama to reinvest in workforce training, build effective pipelines to provide at-risk youth in underserved communities with sustainable skills, and support high-growth industries by training the workers that they need. This includes promoting green-collar jobs.”

  Solis said those jobs would help to combat climate change as they offer economic security to working families.

  Voters just elected Solis to a fifth term in Congress. She represents a district that includes East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Solis also served in the state legislature for eight years.

  Tools

  • December 19, 2008 1:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Environmentalist applauds Obama's selection of Hilda Solis

  A prominent environmental activist calls Congresswoman Hilda Solis a true grass-roots hero. Van Jones of Oakland wrote “The Green Collar Economy.” He says Barack Obama’s choice for Secretary of Labor has championed environmental justice throughout her career.

  Van Jones: “She understands that the environment is about the planet, but it’s also about people. She thinks holistically. She thinks about health, she thinks about work, she thinks about the environment as one thing. And that’s why Hilda Solis is such an extraordinary leader. And it’s not just that she’s the first Latina in that position. It’s not that she’s brown. It’s that she’s green, too. She’s the first green person in that position.”

  Jones credits Solis with co-sponsoring the first piece of federal legislation that funded training for jobs that promote energy conservation and efficiency. Jones appeared today at a downtown Los Angeles forum on building a sustainable, eco-friendly economy.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 5:40 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Journalist: Solis pick could bring immigration issues back to the fore

  President-elect Barack Obama’s reportedly picked Southland Congresswoman Hilda Solis as Labor Secretary. She represents the largely Latino 32nd district that includes much of the San Gabriel Valley.

  Harold Meyerson of the American Prospect magazine told KPCC that her appointment may help push immigration, an issue that didn’t surface often during the presidential campaign, back into the national spotlight.

  Harold Meyerson: “Hilda Solis, both in the California State Legislature and in Congress, has been a very strong proponent for immigrant rights on the job, in the community. Certainly supports what I guess people call ‘earned amnesty.’”

  Voters just elected Solis to her fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The president-elect may announce her appointment as soon as tomorrow.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 5:31 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Boxer says green technology could create jobs

  The new Congress meets the first week of January, but U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer says global warming legislation will take a backseat to an economic stimulus package.

  Boxer heads the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee. She says she agrees with L.A. Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman, who chairs the House committee tasked with global warming legislation, that tackling “greenhouse gas” will strengthen the economy.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: “Henry Waxman and I see the world very much the same way in terms of mobilizing this nation to fight global warming, creating a lot of jobs in the process, making the country energy efficiency; leading to the development of technologies that we can export around the world will make us a great leader in this century.”

  In the short run, Senator Boxer says there is a “green” side to the proposed economic stimulus package, such as building new schools with solar rooftops.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 4:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Culver City councilman cautiously optimistic on economic stimulus

  This week, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer promised Southern California cities that economic help was on its way from Washington. But she says a stimulus package now in the works won’t be passed for at least a month.

  Culver City Councilman Micheal O’Leary is cautiously optimistic.

  Councilman Micheal O’Leary: “As a new politician, I listen to politicians like the general public still. I’m skeptical till I see results. But I’m confident that I heard that there is concern at federal and state level for what’s happening at the local level. I will hold all full judgement till I see the results.”

  Councilman O’Leary says he believes cities are more responsible when it comes to dispensing federal funds than Washington, especially when the feds eliminate the red tape.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 4:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Loyala Marymount Professor praises Solis for bridge-building

  President-elect Barack Obama’s apparent choice for Labor Secretary is Southland Congresswoman Hilda Solis. Fernando Guerra, director of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, praised the selection. Guerra told KPCC that in L.A. and in Washington, Solis has tried to create bridges between immigrants, business, and organized labor.

  Fernando Guerra: “The reason that labor has been able to sustain itself, and even incrementally grow, here in Los Angeles County is because of their focus on the Latino community and immigrants. And you know, she’s been at the forefront of that. I think this appointment talks about how, if labor is to prosper, it has to be able to bridge and make immigrants part of the movement, an integral part of the movement. And also make the environmental movement part of the labor movement.”

  Guerra also is a member of the Southern California Public Radio board. Solis, who grew up in a Mexican-Nicaraguan household, is the only Congress member of Central American descent.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 4:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Journalist praises commitment of Labor Secretary-designate Solis

  The next federal Labor Secretary may hail from the San Gabriel Valley. President-elect Barack Obama has reportedly chosen Congresswoman Hilda Solis as the next member of his Cabinet. He may make the announcement tomorrow.

  Harold Meyerson, editor-at-large for the American Prospect magazine, covered Solis when he was executive editor of the L.A. Weekly. He told KPCC that Solis is one gutsy elected official.

  Harold Meyerson: “Hilda Solis took her own campaign funds, which she had raised, and funded the signature gatherers to put an initiative on the ballot to raise the minimum wage in California. They got the signatures, the measure was put on the ballot, and it passed. And politicians really don’t normally dig into their own campaign kitties to do something for the general good, apart from their own re-election.”

  Solis has represented her largely Latino district in Congress for eight years. Before that, she spent eight years as a legislator in Sacramento.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 3:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Greenhouse gas legislation must wait for economic stimulus

  On Capitol Hill, two committees likely to tackle global warming issues are headed by Californians. Barbara Boxer chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee on the Senate side. Henry Waxman will chair Energy and Commerce on the House side. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde spoke with Senator Boxer about legislation on global warming.

  Kitty Felde: If you were counting on the new Congress to immediately push for a cap-and-trade system on carbon, or to impose stricter rules on “greenhouse gas” emissions, you’ll be disappointed. Senator Barbara Boxer says Congress has a different priority.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: I think the very first thing we’re going to do is this economic recovery package. And in that package, there’ll be a lot of things that will lead us to reduce carbon. Such as … making buildings like this very energy efficient, putting solar rooftops on schools. Things like that are going to be the way we cut down on carbon. But the actual cap-and-trade legislation is going to wait just a little bit until we see what President-elect Obama wants.

  Felde: Senator Boxer says the president-elect has told her he wants to “think about” whether he wants a flexible cap-and-trade program, or a plan where Congress spells out all the details.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 3:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Commerce Department refuses to revive 241 toll road project

  Surfers and environmentalists are cheering today. The U.S. Commerce Department has refused to revive the proposed tool road extension in South Orange County. The California Coastal Commission voted down the project 10 months ago, and KPCC’s Nick Roman says this ruling looks like the end of the road.

  Nick Roman: The appeal to the Secretary of Commerce was a long shot, but it looked as if it might have a chance when the backers of the 241 toll road extension filed it. They claimed the six-lane road that would run close to San Onofre State Beach was key to national security.

  At a Commerce Department hearing in Del Mar in September, the toll road backers said it provided another evacuation route in case of a nuclear emergency at the San Onofre reactors. And they said no other road project could relieve jammed traffic along Interstate 5 in South Orange County.

  But the Commerce Department ruled that at least one other project could ease traffic. And it said claiming it was a good evacuation route didn’t make the toll road extension vital to national security. So the Coastal Commission’s decision stands, and the 241 toll road extension is dead… maybe. The toll road agency might go to federal court to keep the project alive.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 3:51 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Obama to choose LA Congresswoman Solis for labor secretary

  The next federal labor secretary may be Southland Congresswoman Hilda Solis. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says President-elect Barack Obama could announce his decision as soon as tomorrow.

  Cheryl Devall: It’s one of the last cabinet-level appointments Obama has to make. Labor also could be one of the most important, given the persistent downward trends in employment and the economy.

  In Congress, Hilda Solis has represented her largely Latino district - spanning much of the San Gabriel Valley – for eight years. She spent the previous eight years in Sacramento, where she began in the state assembly and moved to the California senate. Her upbringing in a Mexican-Nicaraguan home helped attune her to immigration concerns - another likely focus of the next secretary of labor.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 1:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democrats vote on plan to cut deficit through taxes

  State lawmakers today will cast their votes on the latest plan to reduce the state’s widening budget gap. Republicans and anti-tax groups are already threatening to block the Democratic plan in court if it passes and becomes law. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that she’s confident it will withstand a legal challenge.

  Karen Bass: “We vetted this. This is not something we cooked up in the last few days. This is an idea that we have been working on for months and literally the original idea started a couple of years ago, so we have had it vetted legally a number of times.”

  The complicated plan would raise some taxes and cut others as part of what Democrats say is a revenue neutral approach. Another part of the Democrats’ strategy is to replace state gasoline taxes with a fee that’s 13 cents a gallon higher.

  Democrats say the approach requires only a simple majority vote - not the two-thirds backing that would require Republican support. Governor Schwarzenegger had insisted that Democrats include about 15 items related to economic stimulus before he signs the proposal. Bass told KPCC that Democrats are meeting him halfway.

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 1:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Legislature votes on tax increase to close deficit

  The Assembly and Senate are scheduled to vote today on a Democratic plan to narrow the state’s budget deficit. The plan is an attempted end-run around Republicans, who’ve opposed the tax increases in previous Democratic plans.

  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the plan will only require majority support, instead of the typical two-thirds vote tax hikes need.

  Karen Bass: “Given that we do not have those votes we have to look long and hard - and , if you will, we discovered a couple of loopholes where we can actually cut taxes in one area, raise them in another, so that we are able to use a majority vote.”

  Bass contends that the plan would close almost half of the state’s estimated $38 billion deficit. But Republicans and anti-tax groups are planning to challenge it in court, if it passes the legislature and if Governor Schwarzenegger signs it. Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines said yesterday that the new plan relied on “trickery.”

  Tools

  • December 18, 2008 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Angeles City Council cuts budget

  The Los Angeles City Council has approved a combination of cuts in city services and fee increases to address a $130 million budget deficit. City officials say plummeting tax revenues fueled by the bad economy prompted the move. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has the story.

  Frank Stoltze: City Council President Eric Garcetti said most departments face a three percent cut in their budgets. The city will cut police and fire departments by one percent.

  Councilman Eric Garcetti: The pain is really spread pretty evenly. It’s in everything from a few less library books to trimming some hours at our parks and some of our maintenance, being able to hold off on the purchase of some of our police cars.

  Stoltze: The council also decided to pay for a $20 million legal settlement with a bond issue; to sell surplus city property; and to bump spay and neuter fees from $28 to $40 dollar per pet. Garcetti predicted bigger cuts in July.

  Garcetti: I think it’s very difficult to look at this coming year without facing layoffs in the city, or at least attrition, in which we don’t hire people after people retire.

  Stoltze: The city faces an estimated $400 million shortfall in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 6:45 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• As projects are put on hold, senator urges California lawmakers to balance budget

  U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer came to Culver City today to reassure local officials that “help is on the way.” A federal stimulus package that Congress is expected to pass early next year could provide money to build highways, schools, prisons, and other projects.

  But Boxer said the money isn’t coming right away. The California Democrat Boxer also had a message for Sacramento lawmakers: Get your “budget act together.” Now.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: “And I just call on every representative and every state senator to put the state first, regardless of your party or anything else; we are at that point where we have to set aside almost everything else to make sure that we save our state and that we keep our state whole.”

  About the same time Boxer was speaking, a board chaired by State Treasurer Bill Lockyer voted to cut off all state funding for those same projects until June. Lockyer says the state can’t sell bonds until its budget is balanced.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 5:08 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Sacramento Democratic deficit plan doesn't need GOP votes

  Democrats in Sacramento say they’ve found a way to bust the impasse with Republicans over the best way to fill in the state government’s growing budget deficit. They’ve crafted a complex 18-billion dollar plan that they say doesn’t need Republican support.

  Democrats have proposed tax increases to fill in the deficit, but Republicans have refused to provide enough votes to get any proposal the needed two-thirds support. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she and her fellow Democrats think they can get around that.

  Karen Bass: “We have what we believe is a significant solution, taking care of 44 percent of the problem, through a way of raising revenue with majority votes.”

  Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg say lawmakers will vote on the package tonight.

  They say they only need Democratic votes because the package of tax and fee hikes won’t increase the overall amount of tax coming into California’s general fund. One provision eliminates the state gas tax that goes to transportation projects - but replaces it with a 39-cent-per-gallon fee.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 4:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council passes new gun laws

  A package of measures intended to get illegal guns and ammunition off the streets got the Los Angeles City Council’s approval today. One ordinance bans the sale of 50-caliber ammunition. The state already bans the sale of 50-caliber firearms. Council President Eric Garcetti:

  Eric Garcetti: “I mean this is longer than someone’s finger. It isn’t just two-and-a-half times the size of a .22. The impact of this is exponential. These don’t just kill people. They wreak havoc through bulletproof vests.

  “They can tear through anything and there’s no reason to buy them except to kill human beings. And we do hope with a sympathetic Congress and White House now that this will be an example nationally of what we can do nationally as well.”

  The City Council also approved an ordinance that allows landlords to evict tenants who illegally possess guns within 1,000 feet of their property. Another requires licenses for ammunition vendors. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa helped to craft the proposals, and promised to sign them into law.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 4:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa praises selection of Cortines as LAUSD superintendent

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today lauded the selection of Ramon Cortines as superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that Cortines gives the mayor a key ally in his effort to reform the district.

  Frank Stoltze: The mayor smiled when a reporter asked what he thought of Cortines’ selection as superintendent. Cortines used to work for the mayor.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Congratulations to Ramon Cortines! I said when we first hired him as our deputy mayor for education to lead our education reform effort that he was the best of the best.

  Stoltze: The mayor reportedly lobbied for the ouster of former Superintendent David Brewer. Two years ago, the school board selected Brewer without consulting Villaraigosa. Last week, the board bought out Brewer’s contract. The mayor suggested that the new schools chief will be a better political fit.

  Villaraigosa: Ramon Cortines has the urgency and the commitment to partner with me.

  Stoltze: Under a deal struck with the district, the mayor’s non profit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools already supervises 10 L.A. Unified campuses, including three high schools.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 3:03 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Strapped California puts infrastructure projects on hold; Boxer says new year should bring relief

  Finance officials in Sacramento today put road, rail, and bridge projects in California on hold. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer says without a state budget deal, he can’t sell bonds. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde says Senator Barbara Boxer added her voice to the chorus calling for a speedy budget agreement.

  Kitty Felde: Boxer says there will be federal money eventually to help with road and school construction. It’ll be part of an economic stimulus package Congress is expected to pass in the new year.

  But for the time being, she says it’s up to the state to get its house in order by balancing its budget. Senator Boxer said banks need to do their part to get projects back on track by lending again.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: There’s no reason, with the overnight rate almost at zero right now, and the fed getting ready to buy up treasuries so that they can pour more money in, why we can’t step up to the plate for a state like California where we voters have voted to pay back these bonds in the future.

  Felde: Boxer was in Culver City to deliver a statewide report on the recession’s effect on California. She cites a statewide unemployment rate of more than 8 percent, the highest in 14 years, as another reason to get California’s building projects back on track.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 2:01 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Ramon Cortines ponders challenges of being LAUSD Superintendent

  The new Superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District officially takes over on January first. Ramon Cortines has a three-year contract to run a district that is facing huge budget cuts. He’ll be nearly 80 when he finishes his term, but he told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that physically, he’s up to the challenge of the job. Cortines said he does wonder about being mentally up to it, however, because:

  Ramon Cortines: “These are not quick fixes; there are no pat answers. This means you need to be creative, innovative, you need to think out of the box, you need to be logical, it needs to be reasonable, and it’s always got to be practical.”

  Cortines served as L.A.’s public school superintendent back in 2000, and he also headed up the school systems in New York and San Francisco. He said he’s already working on how to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the budget.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 1:27 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Congressman Becerra turns down Obama administration job

  Los Angeles Congressman Xavier Becerra will not join President-elect Obama’s administration. Becerra was the leading candidate to become U.S. trade representative.

  Becerra told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the next president will have a lot of important issues to deal with, including the economy. Becerra suggested that he could wield more influence if he remains in the House of Representatives.

  Congressman Xavier Becerra: “The issue of all these priorities that President-elect Obama would have, I thought would make it more difficult in the short term to try to deal with trade the way I could deal with so many other issues if I remained in the House. So that was one of the considerations I had in making my decision.”

  Voters just elected Becerra to his ninth term in Congress. He’s set to become vice chairman of the House Democratic caucus. Becerra’s also a senior member of the House Ways and Means committee.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors change restaurant health inspection signs

  Orange County restaurants won’t post A’s, B’s, or C’s at the door. And they’re not going to display color-coded health inspection signs either. KPCC’s Susan Valot says county supervisors in Santa Ana yesterday did approve a small change to the current health inspection placards.

  Susan Valot: It’s really tough to tell how well an Orange County restaurant fared in its most recent inspection. The current signs include an orange circle with tiny print that looks the same from a distance – whether the restaurant passed with flying colors or barely scraped by.

  County supervisors agreed to add the words “pass” or “re-inspection due” in bolder type, so customers can determine the rating at a glance. Supervisor John Moorlach voted for the measure, but said he’s disappointed the county didn’t take the restaurant grading a step further with an A-B-C system. He says he’s gotten lots of letters from constituents about it.

  John Moorlach: They really appreciate a letter grade when they go to L.A. County or other neighboring counties, and how helpful that is when they’re traveling or when they’re making a food establishment decision, because a lot of times, it is rather spontaneous.

  Valot: Supervisor Chris Norby voted against changing the current system. He says it’s fine the way it is. The new placards will start showing up in Orange County restaurants next October.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 12:31 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• City council considers budget cuts

  The Los Angeles City Council considers several possible fee increases and budget cuts today. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze says the council members have to address an $86 million budget deficit.

  Frank Stoltze: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s proposed raising spay and neuter fees for city pets, and selling under-used fire stations and libraries. But his most controversial proposal is to negotiate a voluntary retirement plan with the city’s union employees. He’s threatening layoffs if the unions don’t go along.

  Some city council members are asking why L.A. should raise fees, force retirements, or lay off employees as the city expands its police department. The LAPD is in the midst of a five-year plan to hire 1,000 new officers. The mayor repeatedly has said he won’t slow down that expansion.

  LAPD chief Bill Bratton argues that his department is doing its part to save money. He says it returned nearly $7 million to the general fund from the LAPD’s overtime account, and it’s not buying 53 new cars. Seventy percent of the city’s $7 billion budget is related to police, fire, and emergency management services.

  Tools

  • December 17, 2008 12:27 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California considers report recommendations on hazardous chemicals

  Efforts to rethink the way California manages hazardous chemicals are getting a boost from a newly released report. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports on the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative.

  Molly Peterson: The new report, a summary of recommendations, is the product of more than a year of talks among scientists, manufacturers, and consumers.

  California environmental managers are promoting policies that scrutinize chemicals – and their potential hazards – more closely, and earlier, than at present.

  Maureen Gorsen, director of the state agency that monitors toxic chemicals, led the initiative.

  Maureen Gorsen: These ideas are less than 10 years old, and what we’ve been doing for 30 years at the Department of Toxic Substances Control is basically managing waste.

  Peterson: Some suggestions in the report have made their way into bills the legislature’s already debating. Other recommendations are complicated.

  Listing a product’s chemical ingredients online sounds like a simple idea, but California protects trade secrets, too. Lawmakers and agencies will have to wrestle with those and other competing interests as they move forward with the initiative.

  Tools

  • December 16, 2008 6:11 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LAUSD school board appoints Cortines for three-year superintendent term

  L.A. Unified’s board of education today voted unanimously to replace Superintendent David Brewer with veteran educator Ramon Cortines, Brewer’s top deputy. The three-year appointment follows a contentious effort to remove Brewer two years before his contract was up.

  Cortines thanked board members and told them he’s determined to help L.A. Unified through upcoming budget cuts. He said he also hopes to boost graduation rates.

  Ramon Cortines: “And I’m not going to promise you that we’re going to do all these wonderful things in the next six months; what I do promise you is that I will work hard, that I will work with this board of education.”

  Board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte said she’s still concerned that Brewer’s ouster was unfair. Earlier this month, the school board bought out that superintendent’s contract.

  The school board approved a $250,000 yearly salary for Cortines, the same pay he’s gotten in his current job. He becomes superintendent on January 1.

  Tools

  • December 16, 2008 6:08 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino moves to oust county tax assessor Bill Postmus

  The San Bernardino County board of supervisors is taking action to remove a top official from office. The board’s agreed to hire a legal team to oust the county’s embattled tax assessor. Details from KPCC’s Steven Cuevas.

  Steven Cuevas: The supervisors took action amid allegations of corruption and drug abuse against assessor Bill Postmus. Earlier this year, a grand jury report alleged that Postmus had improperly used his office promote his political ambitions. A former assistant county assessor faces multiple felony charges in connection with the continuing criminal probe. Postmus has not been charged with a crime.

  As the allegations piled up, Postmus took an extended medical leave for what he said was chronic back pain. Several county officials allege that Postmus was being treated for addiction to prescription painkillers and methamphetamine. He has since returned to work.

  Postmus used to be a star of the Inland GOP. With promises to root out corruption, he won a board of supervisor’s seat when he was just 30. Removing him from office could take a couple of years, and could cost county taxpayers a million dollars in legal fees.

  Tools

  • December 16, 2008 6:05 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. County to send 112 deputies to Obama inauguration

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved a scaled-back plan for sheriff’s deputies to help with security at President-elect Obama’s inauguration next month. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: For sheriff’s officials, helping to protect people at the inauguration of the President of the United States seemed like a good idea.

  Larry Waldie: We want to help out. We feel it’s an honor to do this, and a privilege.

  Stoltze: Undersheriff Larry Waldie said Washington D.C. police requested the help, and agreed to pay the cost of sending 350 L.A. deputies. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky scoffed. He said the offer wouldn’t cover indirect costs in tough fiscal times.

  Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky: The employee benefits, the health benefits, the retirement contributions, which is what, about 25-30 percent on top of the salary.

  Stoltze: Supervisor Mike Antonavich worried about public safety in L.A. County during the deputies’ four-day visit to D.C. next month.

  Supervisor Mike Antonavich: I just don’t think we should shortchange our citizens by participating at this level. I would support a smaller number.

  Stoltze: So supervisors agreed to send 112 deputies to the inauguration – about one third of the requested number. L.A. is one of 90 law enforcement agencies around the country sending personnel to help with security during Obama’s swearing-in. Authorities say they expect a record four million people in the nation’s capital for that event.

  Tools

  • December 16, 2008 5:58 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County sends sheriff's deputies to inauguration

  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved a plan to send 112 sheriff’s deputies to Washington, D.C. next month. They’ll help with security during the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca had proposed sending 350 deputies. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky argued that none should go.

  Zev Yaroslavsky: “I just don’t think it’s appropriate. And I don’t think most taxpayers in Los Angeles County think it’s appropriate – however good the reason is and however important the need is – that to take 350 Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and uproot them, take them out for four days and move them to Washington and move them back, is a disruptive thing to the organization.”

  Sheriffs officials said Washington, D.C. police would pick up the cost of sending the deputies to the inauguration. Officials also promised that L.A. would not reduce street patrols during the four days those deputies will be in the nation’s capitol. More than 90 law enforcement agencies around the country are sending personnel to help with security during Obama’s swearing-in.

  Tools

  • December 16, 2008 3:17 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama names education secretary

  President-elect Barack Obama named Arne Duncan as his education secretary this morning. Duncan currently runs the nation’s third-largest public school system, in Chicago.

  Veronica Anderson edits a publication about public education improvement efforts in Chicago. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that, for the most part, Duncan is a collaborative leader.

  Veronica Anderson: “He’s tried to tackle the tough problem of raising performance in the lowest scoring schools, he’s tried to do something about high schools, and he’s had some success around teacher quality and principal leadership issues, doing some things to change the way the district hires teachers and supports them once they are on the job.”

  Anderson says that Duncan has had run-ins with the Chicago teachers union over his promotion of charter schools and some other changes he’s instituted. The U.S. Senate will need to confirm Duncan’s appointment.

  Tools

  • December 16, 2008 12:33 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Energy Secretary-designate Chu on his selection

  Two of the four people President-elect Obama named to his environmental team are from California. Energy Secretary-designate Steven Chu teaches physics at UC Berkeley, and is head of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Chu said he has a strong commitment towards alternative energy.

  Steven Chu: “In our current economic crisis, people are losing their jobs and homes, companies are collapsing. Some say we have to concentrate exclusively on re-establishing the health of the economy. I look forward to being part of the president-elect’s team which believes that we must repair the economy and put us on a path forward towards sustainable energy.”

  Obama said that by picking Chu to head the Energy Department, he’s sending a signal that his administration will, in his words, “value science.” Mr. Obama has criticized the Bush administration for letting politics trump science on some issues.

  Tools

  • December 15, 2008 5:00 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Some praise Iraqi reporter who threw shoes at Bush

  A lot of people are talking about Sunday’s shoe throwing incident in Iraq. During a news conference in Baghdad, an Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at President Bush - a very serious insult in Iraqi culture.

  Reaction in Iraq has been mixed, but the reporter seems to have struck a nerve among critics of the U.S. L.A. Times reporter Tina Sussman spoke with KPCC from Baghdad.

  Tina Sussman: “The interesting thing is the amount of support for this man. He’s been hailed as a hero. He seems to have achieved, you know, martyr-like status. And even people who say that his behavior was rude, a lot them also say that they can really sympathize with his behavior and that he did something that a lot of people here would actually like to do but have never had the chance to do.”

  The AP reports that the shoe throwing reporter, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, was kidnapped once by militants, and detained on another occasion by the U.S. military. Thousands took to the streets in the Shia neighborhood of Sadr City to demand his release.

  Tools

  • December 15, 2008 4:48 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama volunteer talks about weekend planning meeting

  Over the weekend, supporters of President-elect Obama held meetings throughout southern California as part of a national day of discussions about the way forward for their movement. Marta Evry of Venice went to a meeting at L.A. Trade Tech.

  Marta Evry: “The very first thing that we are going to do with our group in Venice, is we are organizing around a food bank. That’s completely non-partisan and we are having Republicans involved in this.

  “So, there are ways for us to connect and so, when we do get into partisan issues, we will know these people through our other work and we will be able to talk to each other and educate one another.”

  Evry spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Tools

  • December 15, 2008 2:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Angeles looks at major budget cuts

  A Los Angeles City Council committee Monday will begin looking at how to reduce a $90 million budget deficit. The mayor wants cuts in place in two weeks. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: To address the deficit, Mayor Villaraigosa has proposed raising the fee to spay or neuter pets from $28 to $40, delaying the city’s plan to install left turn arrows, and selling “under-used” fire stations and libraries.

  The mayor also wants to issue a $20 million bond to pay for major lawsuit settlements. That could cover a possible settlement with hundreds of immigrant rights marchers who fell under the batons of LAPD riot police in MacArthur Park last year.

  Villaraigosa says the budget deficit grew $30 million in the past three weeks alone, mainly because of plummeting property and sales tax collections. The city’s overall budget is $7.1 billion. The L.A. city budget could face a $400 million deficit in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

  Tools

  • December 12, 2008 5:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senate leader Steinberg promises swift action toward balanced budget

  Democratic State Senator Darrell Steinberg is the new president pro tem of the state Senate. He wants to work on health care, energy, and water issues, but he’ll find it hard to do much of anything until he helps broker a deal to balance the state budget. Steinberg promises to keep the pressure on lawmakers to reach an agreement soon.

  Senator Darrell Steinberg: “Our goal here, and in fact our commitment, is by the end of December, even if it means working through the holidays, which I hope isn’t the case, that we will take a $17- to $18-billion chunk out of this problem.”

  Steinberg spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Tools

  • December 12, 2008 1:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• CA Senate President Pro Tem lays out policy goals for health care, renewable energy, water

  The new president pro tem of the state Senate spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk” today. Sacramento Democrat Darrell Steinberg said that besides dealing with the gaping budget deficit, he has other policy goals.

  Senator Darrell Steinberg: “First of all, I think we need to get children’s health care done in California within the first 120 days. Secondly, renewable energy. This is of course an issue which is not only crucial to meeting our climate change goals in California but it’s also, I think, the new economy.”

  Steinberg said he also wants to increase water availability. He hopes to get a water infrastructure bond on the ballot in 2010.

  Tools

  • December 12, 2008 1:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• California to adopt new, stricter air pollution rules for trucks and buses

  California is expected today to adopt what would be the country’s most comprehensive rule to get the dirtiest trucks and buses off the road, starting in 2010. KPCC’s Steve Julian says trucking firms are vehemently opposed.

  Steve Julian: California has the dirtiest air in the nation, so the goal is to get rid of the vehicles that cause that pollution.

  But the California Trucking Association maintains that, in a recession, it’s unfair to force them to replace their vehicles, or outfit them with pollution filters or new engines. The cost to businesses, school districts, and transit agencies statewide is estimated at $5.5 billion.

  Air regulators, however, say the cost would be spread over 16 years. They add that the cost is dwarfed by the tens of billions in health benefits to people who incur asthma and suffer heart attacks from breathing dirty air. The State Air Resources Board says the requirements would prevent 9400 premature deaths over 20 years.

  Tools

  • December 12, 2008 1:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Lawrence Berkeley National Lab director Shank praises likely Obama energy secretary Chu

  President-elect Obama’s apparent choice for energy secretary has a strong interest in pursuing alternative energy as a way to fight climate change. UC Berkeley Physicist Steven Chu is a Nobel Prize winner and former Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. His predecessor at the lab was Charles Shank.

  Charles Shank: “Steven Chu is a remarkable person. He is one of the best scientists of our age. And he has such a range of interest and excitement, that he has moved into many different fields. He’s become passionate about energy, and I think that’s probably why he’s off to where he’s going.”

  Shank spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” He said Chu will face a big challenge learning to navigate the Washington bureaucracy.

  Tools

  • December 11, 2008 4:10 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Ex-Lawrence Berkeley Lab chief lauds likely Obama energy secretary Steven Chu

  President-elect Obama’s apparent selection of Steven Chu as energy secretary signals a new direction for the government’s energy policy. Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, is a strong advocate of alternative energy.

  Charles Shank preceded Chu as director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. He says Chu will face a steep learning curve when he tries to implement his agenda.

  Charles Shank: “I think that he’s going to be drinking from a fire hose to figure out just exactly how it is to tame that bureaucracy and work with President Obama administration and with the Congress.

  “This is a major challenge and it’s something which there are few people I know that could possibly do that, and I think that Steve is definitely one of them.”

  Shank spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” He called Steven Chu “one of the best scientists of our age.”

  Tools

  • December 11, 2008 4:05 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Air Resources Board passes greenhouse gas reduction plan

  State air regulators have passed a blueprint for California’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction laws. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: The Air Resources Board passed what policy wonks call a “scoping plan.” It’s a road map toward an aggressive goal. The state’s planning to cut greenhouse gas emissions within 12 years to their level 18 years ago, with the aim of slowing global warming.

  The devil’s in the details, though, and much of the public comment before the vote focused on whether and how to implement a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases.

  Advocates for people who live near fossil fuel emitters – a big source of greenhouse gases – are worried about health effects from pollution. They say the air could stay dirty in those neighborhoods while polluters pay for carbon reduction projects somewhere else.

  Some air board members said they’d also like to consider an alternative, a carbon tax on emitters. The governor isn’t sure the politics of that option will work. Economists who studied what the board approved say Californians should keep an eye on the costs - some of which are very uncertain.

  Tools

  • December 11, 2008 3:40 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• 'Jamiel's Law' fails to qualify for March ballot

  Supporters of a proposed ballot initiative that would allow Los Angeles police to arrest illegal immigrant gang members say they’ve failed to qualify the measure for the March ballot. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Supporters of the measure call it Jamiel’s Law. Seventeen-year-old Los Angeles High School football player Jamiel Shaw was fatally shot on his way home earlier this year. In connection with the shooting, police arrested a gang member who was illegally in the country.

  The proposed measure would have modified Special Order 40, which prohibits LAPD officers from stopping people solely based on their immigration status. It would have allowed officers to target and arrest gang members who are illegally in the United States.

  Supporters needed 74,000 signatures from registered voters to qualify the measure for the March ballot. They say the city clerk has informed them they fell well short.

  Police Chief Bill Bratton and immigrant rights advocates opposed the measure. They said that police already arrest illegal immigrant gang members who commit crimes, and that changing Special Order 40 could lead to racial profiling. Supporters, including Jamiel Shaw’s parents, say they’ll keep trying to qualify the measure for future ballots.

  Tools

  • December 11, 2008 2:15 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama and Health and Human Services secretary nominee Daschle differ on health care mandates

  President-elect Obama wants to reform the health care system, and his choice for secretary of Health and Human Services will lead that effort. Former Senator Tom Daschle says fixing health care is the nation’s greatest domestic challenge.

  Gerald Kominski teaches health policy at UCLA. He says that Daschle’s positions on health care reform are mostly consistent with Obama’s, but the two differ on the issue of mandates.

  Gerald Kominski: “The president-elect would prefer to have mandates for insurance only on children. Whereas Senator Daschle and Senator Clinton have both proposed mandates for the entire population - not just for children. But this is, I think, a minor philosophical difference that can probably be hashed out in the political process.”

  Kominski spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Tools

  • December 11, 2008 1:16 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• California air regulators consider new rules to limit truck pollution

  State air regulators meeting in Sacramento today will be talking about cutting global warming and cutting air pollution from diesel trucks. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: The California Air Resources Board released a study this week that said that the longer truck drivers are behind the wheel, the greater their risk of lung cancer.

  Air regulators say tightening rules about how much diesel trucks can spew would save the state billions of dollars in health care costs, not to mention thousands of lives.

  The proposed rule would install particle traps on trucks’ exhaust pipes in the first years, then phase in tougher controls over 15 years. But truckers say they’re feeling financial pain over this proposal. Even small retrofits can cost upwards of $10,000 a pop, and clean trucks, the kind the state will eventually require, cost up to $200,000.

  Air regulators say California needs to control pollution from diesel engines so it can meet federal air standards and protect federal highway money. But lobbyists for the trucking industry are vowing to fill the air board’s air time with plenty of public comments against the proposed rules.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 8:05 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• City of Norco gives $1 million lifeline to a pair of struggling auto dealers

  As Washington lawmakers debate a multi-billion dollar bailout for Detroit automakers, the Riverside County city of Norco has signed off on a lifeline of its own for a pair of struggling car dealers. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has details on the deal.

  Steven Cuevas: Whatever you do, don’t call it a bailout.

  Jeff Allred: Right, it’s a temporary line of credit for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

  Cuevas: Jeff Allred is Norco’s city manager. He says Norco Mazda and Frahm Dodge each got a half-million dollar line of credit to offset slack sales. The money will cover the dealers’ basic operating costs until the credit market thaws and car sales pick up. In a small city like Norco, with annual sales tax income of only about $5 million, these modestly-sized car dealerships are simply too big to fail. City manager Jeff Allred.

  Allred: The auto dealers in Norco provide up to 40 percent of our sales tax revenues. So this should be viewed as an investment, using redevelopment money to protect general fund revenues. Norco is dependent on revenues from auto dealers to provide services like police, fire, park maintenance, trail maintenance.

  Cuevas: It’s not the first time Norco has extended lines of credit to auto dealers. But the other times were for a lot less, and the money was typically invested signs and lighting. Now, all those bricks and all that mortar are the collateral the Norco will use to secure the million-dollar lifeline.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 5:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Interfaith immigrants' rights coalition launches week on rights

  On this International Human Rights Day, Los Angeles area immigrants’ rights activists and interfaith leaders launched a week of events to teach immigrants about their rights in the legal system. More on the story from KPCC’s Brian Watt.

  Brian Watt: At Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in downtown L.A., Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish clergy blessed the first educational tool: business-size cards in seven languages that spell out undocumented immigrants’ basic rights when officers confront them. Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis runs the L.A. Archdiocese’s Office of Justice and Peace.

  Oscar Solis: The best protection against human rights violations being experienced by many immigrants is to know their rights.

  Watt: The group plans to distribute a million cards. Jorge-Mario Cabrera of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles expressed hope that a new political climate will yield new immigration policies.

  Jorge-Mario Cabrera: We do recognize that it’s not necessarily going to be a priority for the new administration. The economy is – for all of us. But immigration should be there.

  Watt: The coalition also plans to host a forum with immigration attorneys early next week.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 4:48 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• LA City Council votes to rename a park for Randy Simmons

  A square block of green in the San Fernando Valley will become a memorial to the first LAPD SWAT officer killed in the line of duty. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the Los Angeles City Council’s unanimous vote today.

  Cheryl Devall: West Valley Park between Vanowen and Archwood streets in Reseda will become Simmons Park. The children’s play area in that park already bears the name of officer Randal Simmons, who died last February during a standoff at a house in Winnetka. It’s an appropriate tribute to the 51-year-old officer, said Councilman Dennis Zine, who introduced the motion to rename the entire park.

  Along with his full-time policing job, Simmons was a minister at Glory Christian Fellowship International Church in Carson. There, he emphasized outreach to children and young adults including a carnival and an annual holiday toy giveaway. A city council aide said a formal rededication of the park will take place within weeks.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 4:22 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Prosecutors wrap up case against former OC sheriff

  Federal prosecutors today wrapped up their public corruption case against former Orange County sheriff Mike Carona. KPCC’s Susan Valot reports it’s the defense’s turn now.

  Susan Valot: Prosecutors have spent the last six weeks building their case against Carona. It centers around conversations that ex-assistant sheriff Don Haidl secretly recorded with his former boss as part of a plea deal.

  Prosecutors claim that a decade ago, Carona got Haidl to fund his first run for sheriff with illegal campaign contributions. Prosecutors also say Haidl floated money to keep alive the law firm of then-assistant sheriff George Jaramillo.

  They say Carona steered potential clients to the law firm - among them, the widow of a sheriff’s deputy - and that Carona got a fee for referring the case. Prosecutors say while he was sheriff, Carona also doled out concealed weapons permits and reserve badges in exchange for campaign donations.

  Now, defense attorneys will make their case. It’s not clear whether Carona will testify. The trial may not wrap up until the new year.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 4:16 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• GOP strategist says Schwarzenegger out of touch with his own party

  The struggle over the state budget got even more complicated today. Governor Schwarzenegger said the deficit has now grown to nearly $15 billion. Schwarzenegger’s budget plans have so far been stymied by the members of his own party in the legislature. GOP strategist Arnold Steinberg says the governor needs to overcome his differences with his fellow Republicans.

  Arnold Steinberg: “Ultimately the chief executive bears responsibility for bringing his own party to the table. But this is a governor who actually once joked that he can’t remember the first names of some of the legislature and they have to wear name tags, but it’s not just a petty matter of lack of personal rapport, he simply hasn’t addressed some of their philosophical or ideological concerns.”

  Steinberg spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Schwarzenegger says he wants to meet with Republican and Democratic leaders tomorrow to discuss the budget mess.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 3:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic strategist says GOP upping the ante in budget fight

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that the state’s budget deficit has ballooned by another three-and-a-half billion dollars, to nearly $15 billion. State lawmakers continue to bicker over how to balance the budget.

  Republicans are sticking to their opposition to new taxes. They want spending cuts and limits, and they want to relax environmental and labor laws to stimulate business. That has Democratic consultant Bill Carrick worried.

  Bill Carrick: “They have upped the ante beyond anything we have ever, you know, debated in these impasses before. So, it’s going to be very difficult. I have a lot of difficulty seeing what the end game is for anybody in this, the governor, the Democrats, or the Republicans. It’s just hard to figure out where this is going. It’s in uncharted territory”.

  Carrick spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Governor Schwarzenegger wants to meet with the legislative leaders of both parties tomorrow.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 3:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger says lawmakers should give up weekends until Christmas to solve budget gap

  The holidays are approaching, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’s willing to give up his weekends until Christmas to work on this budget crisis. He’s asking lawmakers to do the same.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “We should work through this in order to get this done because there will be not be a Christmas gift that will be greater for the people of California than for us to solve this crisis. And this problem as I said, it gets worse every day. So as we speak right now, more and more money is being spent.”

  At a news conference today, the governor said the state faces a fiscal armageddon if lawmakers don’t close a rapidly-widening budget gap that he warned could reach $15 billion. Republicans and Democrats in Sacramento haven’t been able to reach a compromise.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 1:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger urges lawmakers to take action on budget gap

  It’s day 35 of the state legislative stalemate over California’s budget deficit. The gap has grown from 11 billion to almost 15 billion dollars. At a Sacramento news conference, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged lawmakers to do something about it.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “The most costly and damaging thing that we can do right now is not to take any actions. So I call on the legislatures to be leaders, to negotiate, to compromise and to come to the table, and to come to a conclusion here, and to solve this financial problem once and for all.”

  The governor’s scheduled a meeting tomorrow with the party leaders from both houses of the legislature.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 1:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Activists, religious leaders educate immigrants about their rights

  Immigrant activists and interfaith leaders gathered today outside Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in downtown Los Angeles. They launched a week of events intended to educate immigrants about their rights in the legal system. Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis runs the L.A. Archdiocese’s Office of Justice and Peace.

  Oscar Solis: “Many immigrant families, as well as other members of our communities, are suffering the impact brought about by workplace immigration raids that are separating families. Most of them feel helpless and do not know basic information about the legal rights and other options.”

  The coalition is printing a million business-size cards in seven languages that spell out undocumented immigrants’ basic rights when officers confront them.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 12:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Gay rights activists organize Prop 8 protest today, ask supporters to skip work and shopping

  Gay rights activists are staging another protest today against Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that activists want gays and lesbians - and their supporters - to boycott work and refrain from shopping.

  Frank Stoltze: Activists organized the protest using a social networking Web site.

  Steve Holzer: It started with inviting 200 of our friends on Facebook.

  Stoltze: Steve Holzer is a TV news producer in Los Angeles.

  Holzer: We quickly learned that there were a couple of other people who came up with the same idea to have a day without gays where gays literally took the day off – went out on strike. And our Facebook invitation went from 200 on November 5th to at last check 750,000 people. And those are just the people on Facebook.”

  Stoltze: Holzer hopes a million people will participate nationwide. The National Organization for Marriage, an opponent of same gender marriage, has described recent boycotts of businesses that supported Prop 8 a “new McCarthyism.” It’s launched a Web site to support those businesses.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 12:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Gay rights supporters take day off work in support of cause

  Gay rights activists urged gays and lesbians - and their supporters - to take today off work and refrain from shopping. Steve Holzer of Los Angeles helped organize the nationwide protest.

  Steve Holzer: “A day without gays is an answer to the anti-gay initiatives that passed on November 4th in California, in Arizona, in Arkansas and Florida. Its a way of social protest that isn’t in your face, out in the streets with big signs protesting that turned agitated and can turn violent.”

  Holzer said he and friends did most of the organizing on the social networking site Facebook, after California voters passed Proposition 8. That measure reverses a State Supreme Court ruling that had permitted same-gender marriages. Holzer said more than 750,000 people indicated they’d participate in the protest.

  Tools

  • December 10, 2008 12:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County sheriff's deputies invited to DC for inauguration, inaugural committee wouldn't pay full trip cost

  Los Angeles County’s considering the value of an honor. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has this story about a request for L.A. County sheriff’s deputies to help staff next month’s presidential inauguration in Washington D.C.

  Cheryl Devall: Hollywood stars, big campaign donors, marching bands, and plenty of other people are eager to get to the nation’s capital for the official launch of President-elect Barack Obama’s administration. But L.A. County supervisors are weighing how to respond to the inauguration planning committee’s invitation to more than 300 sheriff’s deputies.

  There’s a catch - the inaugural committee can only reimburse less than half those sheriffs’ travel costs for the three days they’ll need to be in Washington. A sheriff’s report to the supervisors estimates that the trip will cost just over $1.5 million.

  County taxpayers hadn’t counted on that big an inaugural gift, one supervisor’s spokesman told the Los Angeles Times. So far, 93 law enforcement agencies have signed on to help with security for the inauguration. L.A. County sheriffs say they’re negotiating with that committee - and making clear that they’ll only supply deputies if somebody’s willing to pay for them.

  Tools

  • December 9, 2008 3:20 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Attorney General Brown calls on Detroit automakers to drop environmental lawsuits before bailout

  As the Detroit automakers wait on a federal life-raft for their industry, California’s attorney general Jerry Brown wants to know whether a financial rescue would require those companies to drop their lawsuit against the state’s efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

  Jerry Brown: “We want the Congress to condition the bailout on the automobile companies dropping their lawsuits. I mean they’re spending tens of millions fighting many states, including California, that have adopted these strict tailpipe emission standards that are designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions.”

  Brown told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that efficiency is key if the United States wants to regain leadership in the auto industry. The leader of a U.S. House global warming panel said today that any bailout should hinge on the industry dropping the legal challenges Brown spoke about.

  Tools

  • December 9, 2008 1:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• White House Counsel John Dean on latest release of Nixon tapes

  Historians are poring over the latest batch of audio recordings of President Richard Nixon. Last week the Nixon Library released another 200 hours of tapes, along with 90,000 documents. Former White House Counsel John Dean told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the tapes convey a strong sense of Nixon the man.

  John Dean: “There’s times in these conversations when Nixon does not think about the fact that he’s recording himself and if he does he certainly thinks these are materials that’ll never become public. So you do get a full spectrum picture of Nixon from this record and it’s a record the likes of which we will never have again. No other president is ever going to do this.”

  You can find out more information about the Nixon tapes at the National Archives website, at Archives.gov.

  Tools

  • December 8, 2008 5:10 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• LAUSD Superintendent Brewer asks school board to buy out his contract; Connie Rice comments

  L.A. school superintendent David Brewer today asked the school board to buy out the last two years of his contract. Various members of the board had lost faith in Brewer and were seeking his ouster. Last week Brewer – who is African-American – vowed to stay in office.

  But today he said he would step down so the fight over him would not become a “racial battle” that could spill over onto campuses and playgrounds. Connie Rice chairs L.A. Unified’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. She said Brewer made the right decision for all concerned.

  Connie Rice: “He’s a very honorable man; he has a lot of integrity, he has a lot of talent. He was just asked to do a job that he wasn’t equipped to do. And the fact that he has decided that the better thing for L.A. is not to have another racial fight, not to have a fight over him but for him to go in grace and dignity, I think says that he has put the interest of the children in the city above himself.”

  Rice is also a member of KPCC’s Board. She spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Superintendent Brewer defended what he called his “undeniable record of significant accomplishments” in his two years on the job. He pointed in particular to much higher test scores in elementary, middle, and high schools.

  Tools

  • December 8, 2008 3:36 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cal State Long Beach targets OC assemblyman to oppose cuts

  Educators at Cal State Long Beach are opposing budget cuts by targeting an Orange County member of the Assembly budget committee. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: The California Faculty Association printed 5,000 postcards addressed to Assemblyman Jim Silva. They’re urging students to write on the cards how cuts to the CSU will hurt their ability to earn college degrees.

  Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander says his campus has cut 40 percent of summer school courses and hired several dozen fewer professors to teach this year.

  State legislators are weighing cuts to the Cal State system and other public agencies to close a multi-billion dollar deficit.

  Tools

  • December 8, 2008 1:31 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Caltrans sets new water reduction target

  The state’s transportation agency is setting a new target to reduce water use in Los Angeles under an agreement with the Department of Water and Power. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.

  Molly Peterson: Caltrans has agreed with the utility to try to cut water by 20 percent within four years. Earlier this year the governor gave the transportation agency 12 years to hit that mark throughout California.

  The state agency and local utility will begin work on this together through pilot projects. Caltrans will run recycled water through two irrigation systems on the 405 Freeway at Sherman Way. Where the 5 Freeway meets the 110, Caltrans will put in a weather-based control system for watering.

  And near the 101 Freeway at Sunset Boulevard, the agency will just use less water. If Caltrans’ regional branch succeeds in cutting water use to its targeted goal, it’ll save enough water to serve about 1,000 homes.

  Tools

  • December 8, 2008 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Leimert Park group holds forum on LAUSD Superintendent ouster attempt

  The L.A. Unified board of education has scheduled a closed door session on Tuesday. The agenda includes an item on the Superintendent’s job performance. Last Tuesday, some board members said they intended to discuss asking Superintendent David Brewer to step down, but didn’t.

  Organizers of a Crenshaw District public forum are devoting Saturday morning’s session to the topic. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable founder Earl Ofari Hutchinson says he’s undecided whether Brewer should stay or go before his four-year contract is up. Two things concern him.

  Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Number one, the process. I think that you really have to look at the overall performance of Dave Brewer, vis a vis the district itself, and essentially what he set out to do and what the district expected him to do, namely performance.

  Guzman-Lopez: Hutchinson says he’s also worried about the growing influence of elected officials on the school district.

  L.A. Councilwoman Janice Hahn’s moving forward with a proposal to change the superintendent post from an appointed to an elected position.

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 8:04 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A.'s former first lady Ethel Bradley remembered at funeral

  Like that of her husband, former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, Ethel Bradley’s legacy will continue shaping the city they served for 20 years. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario has more on the funeral of the late mayor’s 89-year-old widow today.

  [Sound of organ music]

  Patricia Nazario: The organist played and the church choir, dressed in black, swayed as hundreds of old friends, Bradley relatives, and civic leaders filled the pews at South L.A.’s First AME Church.

  [Pastor sings: “For everything, there is a time and a season.”]

  Nazario: The church’s pastor, John Hunter, presided over Ethel Bradley’s funeral. The city’s former first lady died a couple of days before Thanksgiving at a West Los Angeles hospital.

  John Hunter: She was a woman who gave a lot to the city of Los Angeles.

  Nazario: Councilwoman Wendy Greuel was among the elected officials who praised Bradley.

  Councilwoman Wendy Greuel: She gave up a lot in her life. She shared her husband with the city of Los Angeles, and often the world. She really was the stronghold of the family and took care of the kids. We all want to pay respects. She was an incredible woman and will be missed.”

  Nazario: Ethel Bradley and her husband started a foundation 15 years ago, shortly before the former mayor died. Its mission includes awarding college scholarships, especially to minority city kids.

  LINK: Tom Bradley Legacy Foundation at UCLA

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 7:52 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Journalist remembers Ethel Bradley's community involvement

  During her time as Los Angeles’ First Lady, Ethel Bradley hosted leaders from more than 100 countries.

  Today hundreds of people turned out at South L.A.’s First AME Church for her funeral. They included Libby Clark. She wrote about former Mayor Tom Bradley and his wife Ethel for the African-American weekly, the L.A. Sentinel, during their 20 years at City Hall.

  Libby Clark: “She was really the impetus in the community. More so than Tom; Ethel was a community person, because see, she had been a beautician. So, she was very active in the community.”

  The family’s civic involvement continues with their Tom and Ethel Bradley Foundation, based at UCLA. Its mission includes annual scholarships, especially for urban kids.

  LINK: Tom Bradley Legacy Foundation at UCLA

  LINK: L.A. Sentinel

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 7:43 PM
  • Categories: Education, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Biden's new economic advisor says job losses have increased rapidly

  The American economy shed more than half a million jobs last month. That guarantees an unemployment tally of two million this year. Jared Bernstein, director of the Living Standards Program at the Economic Policy Institute, said that while big companies lost value, workers suffered the most.

  Jared Bernstein: “We lost over half a million jobs in one month. What’s particularly notable is that if you look at the rate of job loss over this recession, it started off pretty mild; about 80,000 jobs per month. Not that that’s a picnic, but it’s better than what we’ve looked at. Over the past three months, the rate average job losses have been over 400,000.”

  Shortly before Bernstein spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” today, Vice President Joe Biden appointed him as his chief economic advisor.

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 7:12 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Friends and family recount stories of Ethel Bradley at her funeral

  Longtime friends, family, and city lawmakers said their last goodbyes today at funeral services for the late L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley’s widow, Ethel Bradley. She was 89 years old when she died last week.

  Entrepreneur Barbara Walden, who created her own cosmetics line, described Mrs. Bradley as lady with “class” and strong ethics. Walden recalled a party at which Bradley was her special guest. She said Los Angeles’ First Lady got to the event on her own.

  Barbara Walden: “So when she arrived, I said, ‘We were gonna send someone to pick you up,’ and she said, ‘No. I drove myself.’ She said, ‘You know, Barbara, I always want the mayor to be remembered that we did not come into City Hall like our predecessor and use money for special services, special cars, drivers, special limousines.’ She says, ‘I drove myself.’”

  Ethel Bradley’s husband, Tom Bradley, died 10 years ago. The only African-American mayor of Los Angeles served five terms, from 1973 to 1993.

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 7:10 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Representative Brad Sherman says Big Three had better approach to Congress today

  The Big Three automakers still got a grilling in Congress today, but it wasn’t as bad as when they testified a couple of weeks ago. Congressman Brad Sherman spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” about the hearing.

  Brad Sherman: “They came here with a serious plan. Before they basically said, we flew here on our jets, we got room on the jets for cash, give us the cash. This time they came out with a much more realistic approach.”

  Sherman said there’s very little time left to save the carmakers. If Congress approves a bailout, Sherman wants to create an oversight board that would control how the Big Three use taxpayer money.

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 3:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Representative Brad Sherman calls for 'Warranty Trust Fund' for automakers

  The financial state of the Big Three automakers has L.A. Congressman Brad Sherman worried about the people who might buy one of their cars.

  Brad Sherman: “I want these companies to survive but I’ve got to tell consumers in Los Angeles, you buy a car from the big three today, you’re counting on a five or eight year warranty, or even just a three year warranty. In the event the company goes bankrupt, your warranty is gone.”

  Sherman told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he wants Congress to create a “Warranty Trust Fund.” His idea is that two percent of what you pay for your car would go into a trust fund, so that if the company went under, there would be money to pay for future repairs.

  Tools

  • December 5, 2008 3:17 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Court: California not suffiently extending Medi-Cal coverage to HIV patients

  The state of California hasn’t acted quickly enough to extend Medi-Cal coverage to poor people with HIV, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled this week.

  A state law passed six years ago was designed to allow people with the virus that causes AIDS – not only those with full-blown AIDS – to qualify for coverage.

  During a teleconference today, Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Los Angeles, criticized a state agency for not acting within the spirit of the law.

  Michael Weinstein: “I give, you know, the Department of Health Care Services dealings with AIDS an ‘F.’ There are other places in the country where much better efforts are being made to combat AIDS. Since California is a progressive state and has been the bellwether in many other areas, you know, this is extremely disappointing.”

  Weinstein’s organization maintains that people who’ve tested positive for HIV, but who aren’t sick enough to qualify for Medi-Cal, have to pay for their own medical treatment. The state health care agency has not issued a formal response to the court’s ruling.

  Tools

  • December 4, 2008 7:50 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Treasury Department considering lower home loan interest rates

  In its continuing effort to reverse the economic downturn, the Treasury Department is considering whether to lower interest rates for home loans. The Wall Street Journal reports that through mortgage guarantors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the federal government would encourage banks to lend to homeowners at 4.5 percent – a full point lower than prevailing rates for standard 30-year mortgages.

  Stuart Gabriel, who heads the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA, evaluated the idea on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Stuart Gabriel: “It is an attempt to reach out to a very different class of participants in the market, not those that are currently facing foreclosure, looking to refinance or whatever, but rather other potential buyers who are either frozen out now by the high level of mortgage rates or afraid to move, out of fear.”

  Gabriel said the entry of potential millions more homebuyers into the market could help to stabilize housing prices and start the economy toward recovery. So far, the lending plan would apply only to people who want to buy – not to those who want to re-finance their mortgages.

  Tools

  • December 4, 2008 2:26 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Chief Bratton optimistic about incoming administration on crime, terrorism

  Along with observers across the political spectrum, L.A. Police Chief William Bratton is paying close attention to the presidential transition. So far, so good, he told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Chief William Bratton: “I think that there is going to be recognition with the Democratic administration that there needs to be true partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement intelligence agencies. The Republican ideology is very opposed to the idea of local support. I’m sorry, it’s the same as terrorism. Terrorism is not just a homeland security issue; it’s a hometown issue.”

  As President-elect Barack Obama fills in his cabinet and other advisory jobs, Bratton joked that he realizes he has a lot of friends in the nation’s capital.

  Tools

  • December 3, 2008 5:54 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Councilwoman Hahn considers proposal to make superintendent elected, not appointed

  Los Angeles Unified School Board President Monica Garcia and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa have been mum on whether Superintendent David Brewer should step down from his post. Brewer says he learned Monday about a plan to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.

  L.A. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, a supporter of Villaraigosa’s education reforms, told KPCC she’s considering whether to propose a change to the city charter next year that would make the schools superintendent an elected - not appointed - position.

  Councilwoman Janice Hahn: “We need a superintendent that is maybe more accountable to the people. I think having a part-time school board, having those members which all have their political agendas, continually appoint one person to run the district is problematic.”

  Councilman Bernard Parks, who supports Superintendent Brewer’s leadership of L.A. Unified, says he’s open to the idea.

  Tools

  • December 3, 2008 4:20 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Zoo's Pachyderm Forest in question

  In a heated debate between animal activists and lawmakers, the Los Angeles City council voted today to suspend building the zoo’s Pachyderm Forest project and send the matter back to committee for review.

  Former San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzalez called it a step in the right direction. He sponsored the measure that closed his city’s elephant exhibit four years ago. Gonzalez said ticket sales at the San Francisco Zoo didn’t suffer.

  Matt Gonzalez: “There’s quite a bit of anecdotal evidence that many families that had not seen zoos as an appropriate place to take children or to go on family outings, now saw it as a place that affords a certain education opportunity.”

  San Francisco sent its zoo elephants to a sanctuary with room to roam. Gonzalez suggested that Los Angeles do the same, and build a virtual exhibit where children can see elephants on a big screen. But L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge argued in favor of the real deal.

  Tom LaBonge: “It doesn’t work. You gotta be out there. You gotta live. You gotta see and that’s what the zoo’s all about.”

  L.A. Zoo’s elephant exhibit is budgeted for $42 million. City officials are debating whether it’s fiscally prudent to continue building during an economic recession. They’ll revisit the project’s finances, and the welfare of the zoo’s remaining elephant, next month.

  Tools

  • December 3, 2008 3:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAUSD school board wants to buy out Superintendent Brewer's contract

  The future of L.A. Unified’s superintendent, David Brewer, is in limbo. Much of the school board apparently wants to buy out the remaining two years of his contract, and there’s support for that move from political allies including former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

  Richard Riordan: “He doesn’t seem to how to – make the board, or get the board to go where he wants to go, or he doesn’t seem to even try quite honestly. And he doesn’t seem to have the support of the assistant superintendent, the principals of the school, the teachers, the students, or even the parents. So it’s sort of – he’s in a vacuum right now.”

  Current mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has indicated that he agrees with Riordan. Brewer – a retired U.S. Navy admiral - said he’s concentrated more on raising student test scores and improving internal procedures at the school district than on currying favor with the powerful.

  Superintendent David Brewer: “I’m a leader. I’m not a politician. So, if that’s a, if that’s a fault, then I’ll accept that, and if that’s what it takes to do this job, then they probably got the wrong guy.”

  Brewer and Riordan spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Tools

  • December 3, 2008 3:25 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• President Bush to enact 'right of conscience' rule for health care providers

  Before President Bush leaves office he plans to enact a “right of conscience” rule for doctors and other health care providers. It would allow medical workers whose facilities receive federal money to refuse to perform abortions or dispense contraception if they choose.

  Anita Nelson is an obstetrics and gynecology professor at UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the rule is broadly - and badly-written.

  Anita Nelson: “Anybody who believes that something works against his own personal beliefs does not have to offer it to the patient, even if the belief is based on misinformation. There is no protection for the patient.”

  Dr. David Stevens, chief executive of the Christian Medical Association, defended health care workers’ right to act on their personal moral beliefs.

  Dr. David Stevens: “We need to understand that this is a basic constitutional issue. We, in the First Amendment, say the free exercise of religion is a fundamental human right and therefore you should not compel someone to violate their deeply held religious belief unless it’s an emergency situation or somebody’s life is in peril.”

  Once he assumes office, President-elect Barack Obama could overturn the rule through a lengthy process. Congress also can adopt a resolution to reject it.

  Tools

  • December 3, 2008 1:38 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• LA City Council decides future of LA Zoo's Pachyderm Forest exhibit

  The Los Angeles City Council could decide the future of the L.A. Zoo’s new elephant exhibit tomorrow. Yesterday, the council’s budget and finance committee recommended stopping work on the Pachyderm Forest. The full council is scheduled to take up the issue at its next meeting.

  Councilman Tony Cardenas has been leading the charge against the exhibit. He spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Tony Cardenas: “I feel very confident that with the information that my colleagues have been given over the last few weeks – and the fact that they’ve been looking at it, studying it, reading it, asking questions, to the right people – that I believe that we will prevail. And we will get the eight votes necessary to stop the exhibit.”

  Cardenas says the exhibit would be unhealthy for the elephants because it wouldn’t provide enough space for them to roam. He’s proposing that the city fund a 60-acre elephant sanctuary on vacant land in the San Fernando Valley.

  But the project’s supporters say the city risks losing $9 million if it kills the project. The new enclosure is already about one-third completed.

  Tools

  • December 2, 2008 2:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Local LA ballot measures certified

  The results are finally… final… for three local ballot measures. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on today’s certification by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

  Cheryl Devall: These weren’t the highest-profile contests on last month’s ballot. But each generated its share of passion. Measure R proposed a half-cent sales tax increase to direct $40 billion in the next three decades for public transportation projects in Los Angeles County. It cleared the two-thirds majority it needed for approval, with just under 68 percent of the vote.

  Another tax question, Measure A, didn’t quite reach the same threshold in the city of L.A. Voters rejected the property parcel tax that would have added about $30 million a year for gang prevention and intervention programs.

  The closest of the three ballot measures churned up controversy in Beverly Hills. Measure H - the plan to build a hotel and condo complex adjacent to the Beverly Hilton - squeaked to passage, 50 to 49 percent. Supervisors certified the results after the L.A. County registrar/recorder completed the final tally of ballots - including provisional and absentee ones.

  Tools

  • December 2, 2008 2:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council looks at whether to stop elephant exhibit construction

  A new elephant exhibit under construction at the L.A. Zoo is on the agenda of tomorrow’s Los Angeles City Council meeting. Council members plan to discuss whether to stop the project. Its opponents say the enclosure doesn’t provide enough space for elephants to roam. They also say it would be too costly to maintain.

  But Councilman Greig Smith told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that if the council stops the project, it risks losing respect with many people who support the zoo.

  Greig Smith: “The donors who have donated money to help build this exhibit - it’s not just the taxpayers money. But there’s been donors who have come forward and given large checks - something in the tune of $5 million - that now has to be returned because we’re not going to build it. And what is the goodwill we lose with them?”

  The council’s Budget and Finance Committee yesterday recommended pulling the plug on the project. Smith cast one of the two dissenting votes. The $42 million Pachyderm Forest exhibit is about one-third finished.

  Tools

  • December 2, 2008 2:30 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Father and son who run Indian market and cafe reflect on Mumbai attacks

  East Indians around the world continue to process and respond to last week’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai. KPCC’s Brian Watt visited an Indian café and market in West Los Angeles.

  Brian Watt: For the owner of India Sweets and Spices, Tarun Arora, the last few days have been filled with stories from customers who knew somebody the attacks have touched.

  Tarun Arora: There was a friend of mine who walked in and said his dear friend was one of the top cops who got killed over there.

  Watt: Arora came to the United States from New Delhi 26 years ago. He says the attacks have made India feel much closer.

  His father, retired businessman Surinder Kumar, joined him in the Southland eight years ago. The elder Kumar worries that the attacks could ignite a dangerous conflict between two countries capable of making nuclear weapons.

  Surinder Kumar: We are all brothers, you know. We have more Muslims in India than in Pakistan, you know. But you know, we have been living together. Why all this hatred? Why religion is coming in between?

  Watt: Because of the hatred, Kumar says, all countries should redouble their efforts against terrorism, in India and everywhere else.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 6:12 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Cooley sworn in as LA District Attorney, focuses on digital crimes

  Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley took the oath of office for his third term today. Cooley told an audience of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and police chiefs that he wants to focus attention on the spread of digital crimes, including identity theft and credit card fraud.

  Steve Cooley: “I’m proposing four or five regional task forces throughout Los Angeles County with state of the art labs that every one of our municipal police agencies can access and help staff. We are going to have to take on the crimes when they occur. If we don’t, the crooks are going to win this battle.”

  Cooley also called on cities and counties to invest more in forensic technology, including DNA collection and analysis. Cooley is the first district attorney to win a third term in Los Angeles County in 70 years.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 5:19 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Legislative analyst issues education reform recommendations

  California’s legislative analyst has issued its periodic list of reform proposals intended to make government more effective and efficient. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez reviews the analyst’s public school recommendations.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: The legislative analyst issued 12 public school recommendations.

  They include opening charter school authorization to public agencies other than school districts, such as universities. The analyst suggested that California align public school accountability standards with those of the federal government.

  The analyst also suggested combining seven separate funding programs having to do with class size and teacher pay. That would reduce school district paperwork, and would offer administrators a clearer picture of what state money they can expect.

  Jennifer Kuhn of the Legislative Analyst’s Office predicts that the proposals won’t fall on deaf ears.

  Jennifer Kuhn: Maybe half of our recommendations are implemented in a two-year period and half aren’t. And then we have to take a look at the ones that haven’t been, to look at whether they’re still salient issues that the legislature would want to pursue.

  Guzman-Lopez: These reforms may be necessary. But Sacramento’s got a bigger problem: how to find the money to keep state government running.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 4:46 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger holds press conference on state's fiscal emergency

  Governor Schwarzenegger today declared a fiscal emergency. He called legislators into special session to address a budget deficit of more than $11 billion. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that Schwarzenegger said the deficit could grow to $28 billion over the next year-and-a-half without “bold action.”

  Frank Stoltze: At a Los Angeles news conference, a grim governor said the numbers are growing worse as tax revenues plummet.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Without immediate action, our state is headed for a fiscal disaster.

  Stoltze: Schwarzenegger said California would run out of cash by March without adjustments to the state budget. He declared a fiscal emergency under Proposition 58.

  Schwarzenegger: Under Proposition 58, the legislature now has 45 days to send me bills addressing this crisis. If the 45 days pass and they still haven’t addressed the problem, they cannot adjourn or consider anything else until they do.

  Stoltze: The governor and Democrats want equal amounts of spending cuts and tax increases, along with a stimulus package. In a special session last month, Republicans refused to go along with any tax hikes. Now, more than three dozen newly elected legislators have taken office.

  Schwarzenegger: They all know what to do; the question always is, is the will there?

  Stoltze: The governor said he’ll urge legislators again to step out of their “ideological sandboxes” and make some tough choices.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 4:38 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Forestry expert praises LA County's fire prevention strategies

  California is bracing itself for the next round of wildfires, and is worrying about how much it will cost to fight them. Some say L.A. County is setting a good example for how to prevent fires.

  L.A. County helps pay for a variety of fire prevention measures with a special tax on homeowners in high fire areas. Bill Stewart is a forestry expert at UC Berkeley.

  Bill Stewart: “It’s going to really reduce your fire insurance and reduce, you know, the risk of your house burning down if we start to invest fifty, hundred, hundred-and-fifty dollars per year in doing projects now, and if we do that over the next twenty years, everybody is going to be better off.”

  Stewart spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” He says there are a lot of other ideas floating around in Sacramento about how to raise additional money for fire prevention.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 3:56 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Indian-American says India should learn from post-9/11 U.S.

  In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India should take domestic security lessons from the United States. These are the thoughts of retired businessman Surinder Kumar. The 70-year-old moved to Los Angeles from New Delhi eight years ago.

  Surinder Kumar: “After 9-11, there’s not a single incident that has happened in the U.S. That is an achievement for our outgoing president. Whether it is the, you know – due to homeland security, or whether it is due to people, or whether it is awareness, they know that America: we cannot touch. It’s not good.”

  He urged patience and caution because India and Pakistan are capable of creating nuclear weapons.

  Kumar now helps his son run the India Sweets and Spices market in West Los Angeles.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 3:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Schwarzenegger won't request federal help with California budget crisis

  Now that he’s declared a fiscal emergency in California, Governor Schwarzenegger says lawmakers have transcend ideology to solve the state’s budget problems. Until California becomes more fiscally responsible, the governor said he’ll refuse to seek federal assistance.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I would never ask the federal government to help us before we not straighten out our own mess. We got to go and look at our numbers and say, ‘We are right now not fiscally responsible.’ We are right now spending money we don’t have, and so therefore, the federal government shouldn’t give us a penny.”

  Schwarzenegger added that because California lawmakers passed a budget so late, the state is more than one-and-a-half-billion dollars in the hole.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 3:39 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger declares fiscal emergency in California

  On the first day of a special legislative session, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency for the State of California today.

  Under Proposition 58, the governor is giving state lawmakers 45 days to send him bills addressing California’s budget crisis. He’s urging the people of California to exert pressure on those elected officials.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “If we adopt the strong economic stimulus measure that I have proposed, which is the most important ingredient in this whole package, we can offset a lot of the pain that comes with spending reductions and new taxes.”

  Schwarzenegger predicts that if the legislature doesn’t act, in the next 18 months California’s preliminary estimated deficit will reach $28 billion.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 2:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• USC law professor praises selection of Clinton as Secretary of State

  USC Law Professor Susan Estrich praised President-elect Obama’s selection of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Estrich has been an adviser to many Democratic leaders, and wrote a book two years ago making the case for a Clinton presidency.

  Susan Estrich: “There’s a half dozen people in the world, literally, who show up with her stature to bring to a negotiation. And I think the reality that both she and Obama share is that diplomacy has to be used with a great deal more dexterity.”

  Estrich spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 2:19 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Owner of Indian market and cafe reacts to attacks in Mumbai

  Many people have called the terrorist attacks in Mumbai India’s September 11. Tarun Arora says he certainly felt that way when he heard the news. Arora owns the India Sweets and Spices market and café in West Los Angeles.

  Tarun Arora: “It was a very sick feeling back then, you know. The same feeling now, you know, so, I was hoping it would never happen again, this kind of thing. But I think it did. We can never take things for granted for sure that it’s never gonna happen again.”

  Arora moved to the United States from New Delhi 26 years ago. He says a number of his customers knew people affected by the attacks.

  Tools

  • December 1, 2008 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council President Garcetti says he's thankful for President-elect Obama

  Ask a politician what he’s thankful for on Thanksgiving Day and you’re likely to get a political answer.

  Eric Garcetti: “My name is Eric Garcetti, I’m the president of the Los Angeles City Council. I’m thankful for a new president, one who lived here in Los Angeles, one who understands our cities, and one who’s going to be sworn in on a historic day – January 20, 2009!”

  Eric Garcetti represents L.A’s 13th council district.

  Tools

  • November 27, 2008 2:08 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Department of Water and Power general manager Nahai shares what he's thankful for on Thanksgiving

  We’ve been asking Los Angeles residents to count their blessings this Thanksgiving.

  David Nahai is the general manager of the Department of Water and Power. He says he knows he has many to count.

  David Nahai: “Oh, I am thankful for so much – for my wife Gina and my children whose support and love I truly cherish. But you know, I toured the Northeast Valley with the mayor, and the tragedy that unfolded there with the recent fires is still palpable. So one has to remember people who perhaps have less to be thankful for.”

  Nahai says the DWP has done that - its employees have taken up a collection for the victims of the Sylmar Fire to be given to the Red Cross.

  Tools

  • November 27, 2008 2:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Former California house speaker Nunez moves to lobbying firm

  California’s new legislative session begins Monday. Lawmakers who are termed out have been looking for something else to do. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports that the former Assembly Speaker has a new job with a high-powered public relations firm.

  Kitty Felde: When Democrat Fabian Nunez took the job as Assembly Speaker, he was never afraid to butt heads with newly-elected Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their relationship mellowed over time.

  Now that Nunez is leaving the legislature, he’s joining a public relations firm operated by two of Schwarzenegger’s political advisors. Nunez will join Mercury Public Affairs, a national political consulting firm.

  Steve Schmidt, who ran Schwarzenegger’s re-election campaign and Adam Mendehlson, the governor’s former press deputy, are partners in Mercury. The company’s newest hire gives Mercury an entrée to California’s Democratic power brokers.

  Tools

  • November 26, 2008 6:27 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Nonprofit challenges LA County over Baldwin Hills drilling rules

  A neighborhood nonprofit has filed a legal challenge to Los Angeles County’s new rules about oil drilling operations in the Baldwin Hills. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports it’s one of several lawsuits over the county’s actions.

  Molly Peterson: Last month, L.A. County created a new district around the Inglewood Oil Field. It came with new rules aimed at easing environmental, health, and noise complaints from the field’s neighbors.

  Since then several groups, including some of those neighbors, have challenged the rules. Opponents say the county failed to square them with California planning law requirements. The groups also claim environmental review information was slow in coming, and was incomplete.

  Retiring L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, who spearheaded the move to create the new standards in her district, has defended the county’s planning process.

  Whether or not the county’s rules hold up on court, the oil drilling, which has been ongoing for the past 84 years, is likely to continue. The current leaseholder, Plains Exploration, can apply to the state of California for more drilling permits at any time.

  Tools

  • November 26, 2008 5:34 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LAX travelers concerned about unrest in India

  The Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX is churning this afternoon with passengers heading to Mumbai, India. That’s where gunmen, in an orchestrated attack on several locations, killed at least 78 people today and took Westerners hostage. Navin Sanghvi of Laguna Hills is from Mumbai. He’s heading home with his wife to visit family.

  Navin Sanghvi: “Our relatives, our immediate family, they live in a - just, very close to where the action is, so we are a little concerned. We had talked this morning and so far everything is fine with them, so we are a little relieved with that.”

  Sanghvi says it’ll be nice to get home safely, and he hopes the violence will ease up. He points out that several terrorist attacks have taken place in India in recent years.

  Tools

  • November 26, 2008 3:31 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Day laborers and their families call for reform, end to ICE raids

  Los Angeles area day laborers and their families are calling on President-elect Barack Obama to stop raids from federal immigration authorities.

  About 200 demonstrators marched through North Hollywood this morning carrying white wooden crosses. Protester Maria Garcia said each one represented people who’ve died trying to cross from Mexico into the United States.

  Maria Garcia: “We don’t really know who they are. There’s not much of an identity of any of the persons, but at least we’re trying to honor them and make sure that people recognize that every year about 500 die when they cross the border.”

  The Coalition for Humane Rights of Los Angeles coordinated the demonstration.

  Marchers urged Obama to support what they call “just and humane” immigration reform that would legalize the status of people who entered this country illegally and worked here for years. Opponents of that take on reform say it would reward people who’ve broken the law.

  Tools

  • November 26, 2008 2:33 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Ethel Bradley, wife of former L.A. mayor, dies at 89

  L.A.’s longest-serving first lady died today. Ethel Bradley was 89 years old. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde offers this remembrance.

  Kitty Felde: She was born Ethel May Arnold, and she met her future husband at her father’s church. In those days, Tom Bradley was a newly-minted L.A. police officer.

  His political career eventually took him to City Hall, and Ethel Bradley accompanied him to Getty House, the Mayor’s official residence. There, she lovingly tended the many rose bushes and entertained visiting dignitaries, including Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth.

  During their five-decade marriage, Tom Bradley once told the Los Angeles Times that his busy political schedule guaranteed only three nights a year he was certain to spend with his wife: her birthday, his birthday, and the Academy Awards.

  Ethel Bradley founded a women’s volunteer group called Las Angelenas, and co-founded the Black Women’s Forum.

  L.A.’s current mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, said the city “will remember her as a woman of grace, with a supreme commitment to her family, a tireless community spirit, and the Dodgers’ biggest fan.”

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 6:08 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County supervisors cut county budget

  Orange County supervisors have agreed to trim the county’s budget. Some supervisors are concerned that, given the sour economy and California’s budget struggles, these cuts may be the first of many. KPCC’s Susan Valot has the story from today’s Board of Supervisors meeting in Santa Ana.

  Susan Valot: For about an hour, Orange County Supervisors duked it out over what they each thought the county should cut. In the end, they approved slashing $32 million from a county budget of almost $7 billion.

  Supervisor Bill Campbell calls the situation “extremely serious.” He doesn’t think these cuts are going to be enough.

  Supervisor Bill Campbell: I honestly believe that we are going to have to reduce our expenditures to a level that we will either go into some sort of furlough program or direct reductions in staff. I think it’s coming.

  Valot: The supervisors had argued over giving up money from a special fund intended for parks. Each wanted to protect projects under negotiation in their districts. Each supervisor eventually agreed to direct $750,000 of that fund toward patching up the county budget.

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 6:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County Sheriff will hold off on revoking concealed-weapons permits

  Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens says she’s sending a letter to California’s Attorney General. She’s seeking some guidance on concealed weapon permits.

  The sheriff tightened her department’s concealed weapon permit policy after allegations that indicted ex-sheriff Mike Carona exchanged permits for campaign donations. Permit holders got mad when Hutchens mailed more than 400 letters asking them for more information about why they have “good cause” to carry a hidden weapon.

  But today, Hutchens told county supervisors she’ll wait to hear from Attorney General Jerry Brown.

  Sheriff Sandra Hutchens: “Until we get to some resolution on this specific issue, I will not be revoking any permits until we can resolve this. So we will stay those revocations until that time.”

  One reason the sheriff’s holding off is because some people are concerned that revoked permits could show up on their records. County supervisors agreed to ask the state Department of Justice whether that’s true, and whether there’s any way to note the revocations are only because of a policy change.

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 5:54 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Teachers union head says cuts to LAUSD bureaucracy are overdue

  The number two man at the L.A. Unified School District says the public schools need to close a projected $700 million deficit over the next three years. Deputy Superintendent Ramon Cortines plans on cutting up to $140 million next year on spending for administration and support staff.

  A.J. Duffy is the head of United Teachers of Los Angeles. The union head says it’s about time the district slashed the size of its bureaucracy.

  A.J. Duffy: “Here’s what we have – we have finally come to the crash of this district after years and years and years of horrible mismanagement of fiefdom building. And now it falls to Cortines, and in part, myself, to help tear this bureaucracy down.”

  Duffy told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the teachers union will work with Cortines and the District to make sure cuts don’t affect the classroom.

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 3:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Top LAUSD official says spending cuts shouldn't hit the classroom

  A top official at the L.A. Unified School District says the public schools face a projected $700 million deficit over the next three years. Deputy Superintendent Ramon Cortines says he needs to cut up to $140 million next year from the budgets for administration and support staff. Cortines is adamant that the budget mess have as little impact as possible on the quality of kids’ education.

  Ramon Cortines: “Students have to be college ready, career ready, and that means advanced placement, AP courses, remedial courses, A through G requirements, etc. Sure there’s going to be some trimming, but the students will feel it the least.”

  Cortines spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 3:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assemblyman Laird describes budget bill up for vote today

  The state legislature is taking one last crack today at the gaping budget deficit. The special session called to deal with the deficit ends on Sunday.

  Democratic Assemblyman John Laird of Monterey sits on the Assembly Budget Committee. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the bill the Democrats are putting forward today is a mixture of cuts and new revenues, with no “gimmicks” and no borrowing.

  John Laird: “The package today will be a bit over $8 billion of new revenues and bit over $8 billion of cuts over two fiscal years. And overall $17 billion package which will still leave, over two years, about a $10 billion hole in the budget.”

  Republicans continue to resist any new taxes, saying any budget deal should rely on spending cuts and limits on future spending.

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 3:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Deputy superintendent says LAUSD needs to cut up to $140 million next year

  The number two man overseeing L.A.’s public schools says they need to cut spending this next year by up to $140 million. Deputy Superintendent Ramon Cortines says he’ll ask all eight local district offices to cut their spending in half, and he plans on slashing more than a hundred million dollars from the budget for LAUSD headquarters. In an interview with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison,” Cortines insisted that the cuts will not affect the classroom.

  Ramon Cortines: “I won’t tolerate that. I’ve made it pretty clear, I’ve met with all of the principals in the district, that these cuts, while they will mean less administration and less support people, we are not going to do it on the backs of students.”

  Even with the cuts he’s laid out, Cortines says L.A. Unified is facing an even larger deficit year after next.

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Supervisor Burke retires, attends last Board of Supervisors meeting

  Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke attended her final meeting as an elected official today.

  It marked the end of a 40-year political career during which she became the first black woman in the state legislature, the first black woman to represent California in Congress, and the first black chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

  Yvonne Burke: “I think the most important thing in terms of how people remember me are the people I run into on the streets and sometimes they’re women – even men, they may be of different ethnicities – but they come up and say “Ya know, I was able to go to college, I went on to achieve because I saw that you could do it.”

  Burke, who’s 76 years old, has represented the county’s Second District for 16 years. State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas succeeds her on Monday

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 2:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County Supervisor Burke retires

  Today marks the end of a long political career. Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke will take part in her last meeting as an elected official. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Yvonne Burke’s been a fixture on the L.A. political scene for four decades, starting in 1967 as a member of the state Assembly. In 1973, she became the first African-American woman in Congress from the West Coast - and the first member of Congress to give birth while in office.

  In 1978, Burke won the Democratic Party’s nomination for state attorney general but lost the election to George Deukmejian. In 1979, then-governor Jerry Brown appointed her to fill a vacancy on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. She promptly lost her bid to get elected to the position. Burke became a UC regent before finally winning a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 1992.

  For the past 16 years, she’s represented the second district that stretches from Culver City to South L.A. to Compton. Some praise her as a pioneering African-American woman in politics. Others say she was ineffective in her later years, especially her inability to fix problems at troubled King-Harbor Hospital in her district.

  Tools

  • November 25, 2008 10:11 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• New House Energy and Commerce Committee chair Waxman wants reductions in carbon emissions

  Los Angeles Congressman Henry Waxman says he will use his new power in Congress to push for more reductions in carbon emissions. Waxman will be taking over the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

  Henry Waxman: “We’ve got to have a very clear policy to reduce those emissions because it’ll take us off using fossil fuels and we will look at alternatives so we don’t have to become so dependent, as we now are, to Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries that don’t have our best interest at heart.”

  Waxman told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that alternative energy policies will also help the economy by creating new, sustainable jobs.

  Tools

  • November 24, 2008 4:58 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Representative Henry Waxman wants stimulus package to help Medi-Cal

  L.A. Congressman Henry Waxman plans on using his newly won committee chairmanship to help shape President-elect Obama’s stimulus package. Waxman will chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

  He says his committee will play a role because he wants to help states that are having trouble funding health programs, such as Medi-Cal in California.

  Henry Waxman: “What we are going to try to do in the stimulus package is provide more direct money to the states so they can fund those health care costs for the people that are eligible rather than simply eliminate them from being able to get access to the services through the Medicaid system.”

  Waxman spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Tools

  • November 24, 2008 4:45 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Andrews talks about 401(k) retirement plan stability

  As winter approaches, many peoples’ retirement plans are offering less protection than ever against harsh economic times. New Jersey Congressman Robert Andrews, chair of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, described what his committee discovered during recent hearings on the stability of 401(k) retirement plans.

  Congressman Robert Andrews: “We found out a significant number of 401(k) plans do not have an option where a retiree could shift, let’s say, from equities to treasury bills, something safer and more secure. So one of the things we’re taking a look at is requiring every plan to have as an option a safe harbor, a treasury-bill-type investment that’s designed for periods like we’re in right now.”

  Andrews told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that people near retirement age who chose only equity in their 401(k)s have witnessed what he called “catastrophic effects” on those plans in this turbulent economy.

  Tools

  • November 24, 2008 3:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cato Institute expert questions bailouts of large financial firms

  While Wall Street surged today on the news of the government’s bailout of Citigroup, some economists questioned the move. Michael Tanner is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

  Michael Tanner: “We are essentially coming to the point where everything is too big to fail. CitiBank was too big to fail; AIG was too big to fail; Fannie and Freddie were too big to fail. Sooner or later someone has got to fail. We can’t simply reward everyone for bad decisions.”

  Tanner spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Tools

  • November 24, 2008 2:27 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa sets goal to meet 10 percent of city's energy needs with solar power

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa set a goal today to meet 10 percent of the city’s energy needs with solar power within a dozen years.

  Mayor Villaraigosa predicted that the planned solar program would do locally what the next president will do to stimulate the national economy.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “What we’re doing here is exactly what President-elect Obama has been talking about. We need to create and leverage the new economy, build jobs in the clean tech sector, unite our infrastructure investments with that effort, and do so in a way that leverages both local, state, and national goals.”

  The program known as Solar L.A. includes proposals to boost solar on residential rooftops, install systems on city-owned property, and purchase solar energy from developers beyond the L.A. basin.

  The city council, commissioners for the Department of Water and Power, and voters in L.A. must each approve parts of the plan to bring 1,300 megawatts of solar power online.

  Tools

  • November 24, 2008 2:17 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Water quality board votes to end commercial septic tanks in Malibu

  Los Angeles’ regional water quality control board has voted to end commercial septic tanks in the heart of Malibu. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.

  Molly Peterson: Water regulators suspect that septic tanks are leaking bacterial pollution into Malibu Lagoon, onto Surfrider Beach, and into area ground water. A sort of manmade wetlands intended to capture bacteria hasn’t solved the problem. Regional water board chair Fran Diamond says regulators have been waiting for the city to take stronger action.

  Fran Diamond: And it’s been many, many years. And we don’t see any real plan, and we certainly do not see any date, even a hoped-for date in the near or even not-so-near future, when that would happen.

  Peterson: Malibu’s city leaders have called a sewer system a gateway to sprawl. They’ve argued that other sources of bacterial pollution are to blame for dirty beaches. Now, Malibu and water regulators will hash out a deal in the next year that would ban septic tanks in the city center, limit them on commercial sites, and develop a wastewater treatment plant in the next several years.

  LINK: Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board

  LINK: City of Malibu

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 6:33 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• CA Ocean Protection Council makes recommendations for reducing plastic trash

  The state’s Ocean Protection Council is recommending ways California lawmakers could limit plastic trash that ends up in coastal waters. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: The council has no legal authority to ban plastic marine debris. But Heal the Bay’s Sarah Abramson says the council’s vote included recommendations for some actions lawmakers could take in the next session.

  Sarah Abramson: Anywhere from placing a fee on single use plastic carryout bags to banning polystyrene food containers. They also encouraged extended producer responsibility and continuing to fund programs like adopt a beach and beach cleanup.

  Peterson: Container manufacturers and some workers showed up and brought letters to oppose the vote. They argued that outright bans on plastic and disposable containers wouldn’t decrease trash and would threaten jobs.

  LINK: California Ocean Protection Council

  LINK: Heal the Bay

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 6:25 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• US Representative Eshoo comments on Waxman taking over Energy Committee

  L.A. Congressman Henry Waxman ousted Michigan Congressman John Dingell today as chairman of the House Energy Committee. Waxman promises to take a more aggressive stance on such issues as climate change.

  Palo Alto Congresswoman Anna Eshoo sits on the committee. She feels Waxman will also push for tougher mileage standards, something Dingell resisted.

  Anna Eshoo: “We have sadly, now today, an American automobile industry that is no longer shining, and I’ve always thought that John Dingell held the pen while the American automobile industry signed their own death certificate.”

  Congresswoman Eshoo spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” House Democrats voted 137 to 122 to turn control of the powerful Energy Committee over to Waxman.

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 5:07 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Lieutenant governor says California is not investing enough in education

  The Cal State University system announced policy changes today that will reduce the number of students admitted to CSU schools next year by up to 10,000. Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi is a member of the CSU Board of Trustees. He says it’s a shame that the state is spending less on its students than in the past.

  John Garamendi: “We’re just making a decision and have made a decision for 20 years now to not invest in education. Give you an example. In 1990, the University of California had $15,000 per student from the state general fund. This year, 2008-9, it’s $9,580 per student.”

  Garamendi spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” He says he’s disappointed with the decision to accept fewer students to CSU schools, but given the state’s budget mess, he doesn’t see any alternatives.

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 5:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Representative Capps comments on Waxman becoming House Energy and Commerce Committee chair

  California’s congressional clout grew today. The new chair of the influential U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is West Los Angeles-area Representative Henry Waxman. One of his fellow Californians on that committee, Representative Lois Capps, explained why she thinks Waxman is a good fit for the chairmanship.

  Lois Capps: “He’s been involved in health care, improving safety in our nursing homes, expanding coverage for poor families – particularly families of working poor. Then you move to energy and you see his efforts on behalf of fuel efficiency standards and promoting alternative and renewable fuels.”

  Capps spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 2:03 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Treasury Secretary Paulson speaks at Reagan Library

  Washington’s top money man came to Simi Valley today to talk about what went wrong with the economy – and what should be done to fix it. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Nearly a thousand people packed the Reagan Library to hear Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson give a short history of how we got here and what the federal government is doing to stabilize the financial markets. But it took a question from the audience to address what the audience wanted to know most of all.

  Audience member: Mr. Secretary, when do you expect our economy to finally hit bottom so that we can begin the process of recovery? (laughs)

  Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson: I appreciate the straight blunt talk, and I tend to be blunt, but Treasury secretaries can’t be that blunt.

  Felde: Paulson said there’s the stability of the financial system. And then there’s the economy. He says his focus is on getting money flowing again in the financial system. He says when banks are lending and the credit markets are working, we have a stronger economy.

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 1:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Waxman wins powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee chairmanship

  Southland Congressman Henry Waxman today won the chairmanship of the powerful U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. Coral Davenport, a reporter for CQPolitics.com, told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that Waxman capitalized on President-elect Barack Obama’s victory and began talking with members of his caucus the day after the presidential election.

  Coral Davenport: “He portrayed himself as an agent of change on this issue within Congress, and I think that really resonated for a lot of members. And it especially resonated with younger members, with junior, with freshman members.”

  Waxman’s congressional district includes parts of West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Malibu. He had chaired the House government reform and oversight committee.

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 1:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Congressman Waxman becomes new chair of House Energy and Commerce Committee

  A local politician has scored a big win on Capitol Hill that could mean cleaner air and tougher rules about greenhouse gas emissions here in California. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: It’s the equivalent of a palace coup in the halls of Congress. The committee that oversees greenhouse gas and automobile emissions has a new leader. Los Angeles Democrat Henry Waxman has ousted the longtime chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Democrat John Dingle of Michigan.

  Dingle has been the Democratic head of the powerful committee for nearly 30 years and has been a fierce defender of the automobile industry in his home state. That put him toe to toe with Waxman, who, with other Californians, has been pushing for tougher environmental regulation of cars and other sources of smog and greenhouse gases.

  The head of one environmental group said “Waxman is more in sync with the Obama change approach” to tackle global warming. Waxman will have to leave his other job, chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

  Tools

  • November 20, 2008 10:13 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Treasury spokeswoman defends bailout plan

  KPCC’s Patt Morrison spoke with a spokeswoman for the U.S. Treasury Department today about the federal bailout of the financial industry. Jennifer Zuccarelli says the federal government is looking out for the taxpayers.

  Jennifer Zuccarelli: “The purpose of this program was to strengthen our financial institutions so they would feel more confident and be able to go out and lend this money. There’s going to be a cost to them if they don’t go out and lend the money. They have to pay us dividends; they have to pay us sort of an interest rate on the money that we’ve given them. So it will come at a price to them if they don’t get out there and lend this money.”

  That’s Treasury Department spokeswoman Jennifer Zuccarelli, talking with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Tools

  • November 19, 2008 6:22 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• US Representative Sherman hesitant to bail out Detroit automakers

  A lot of lawmakers gave the heads of Detroit’s Big Three carmakers a hard time during their testimony on Capitol Hill. One of them was Los Angeles Congressman Brad Sherman. He spoke during today’s hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.

  Brad Sherman: “The number one reason not to bail them out is, are they going to need a bridge, to another bridge, to another bridge, to another bridge, to a bridge to nowhere? Do they have a plan that’s going to make them sustainable next decade?”

  The automakers are asking for a $25 billion bailout. Congress and the Bush administration are at odds over how to do it.

  Tools

  • November 19, 2008 5:02 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Representative Sherman criticizes Detroit Big Three CEO's for flying to DC on private jets

  During their appearance on Capitol Hill today, the CEO’s of Detroit’s Big Three carmakers were put on the spot by L.A. Congressman Brad Sherman. He asked them to raise their hands if they had flown to Washington on commercial airlines – none of them had. Sherman said their use of private jets made it that much harder to justify giving them a $25 billion bailout.

  Brad Sherman: “These guys are simply out of touch. You can’t come to the voters of a country where the average income for a household is 45- to 50-thousand dollars and say ‘I just got here on my private jet to beg for your money.’”

  The CEO’s were testifying before the House Financial Services Committee. The fate of any congressional bailout for Detroit is uncertain.

  Tools

  • November 19, 2008 4:53 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• World Wildlife Fund's Roberts comments on agreement on deforestation emissions

  Governors and regional leaders from all over the world are wrapping up a climate summit in Beverly Hills. California and other states have agreed to work on rules for counting carbon dioxide emissions related to deforestation.

  The World Wildlife Fund’s Carter Roberts said the agreement represents progress.

  Carter Roberts: “Brazil and Indonesia – if forests are included – rank in the top five emitters. If we don’t find a way for forests to be included in an international agreement, then we’re going to fail to reach the overall goals we set.”

  This afternoon, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, other governors, and regional leaders from a dozen countries are signing another agreement, about ways to approach international negotiations on global warming issues.

  Tools

  • November 19, 2008 3:22 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Supreme Court to hear challenges to Prop 8

  It’s been just over two weeks since California voters approved Proposition 8, an amendment to the state constitution that bans same-sex marriage. Today the state’s highest court agreed to hear challenges to the measure. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: The California Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to Prop 8. But the justices declined to stop enforcement of the measure until they hear the challenges and rule on them. That means marriages between same-sex couples are not allowed in California.

  The state high court asked lawyers challenging the measure to address three issues: is it invalid because it revises rather than amends the state constitution? Does it violate the separation of powers doctrine? And what effect does Prop 8 have on same-sex couples who tied the knot before Election Day? The court could hear oral arguments on the measure as early as this March.

  Tools

  • November 19, 2008 2:30 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Climate Group CEO says we need to reduce greenhouse gas pollition by two-thirds

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s presiding over the final day of an international climate summit in Beverly Hills. The meeting has assembled leaders from a dozen countries and several states to think about ways to tackle climate change. One of the speakers on the agenda is Steve Howard, CEO and cofounder of The Climate Group, an international nonprofit based in London.

  Steve Howard: “We need to reduce the amount of pollution going that’s going out by greenhouse gases by at least two-third. So that means pretty much all growth, it’s got to be clean growth. It’s all about clean power and highly efficient products and electric vehicles. So that’s the future.”

  Howard told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that everyone – especially leaders – must work together to foster a cleaner, greener planet in the next quarter century.

  Tools

  • November 19, 2008 1:46 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• HD Palmer says state needs to set aside more money to fight wildfires

  Fighting wildfires in California is expensive - since the beginning of July, the state has spent more than $300 million on emergency firefighting. The legislature only set aside $69 million to last through next June. H.D. Palmer is a spokesman for the state finance department.

  H.D. Palmer: “Taking one look at the landscape of devastation that we’re seeing in Montecito and Sylmar, and Yorba Linda, are testament to the fact that we need to put additional resources to be prepared to fight emergencies such as these wildland fires.”

  Palmer told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that finding more money for firefighting is on the governor’s agenda during the current special session of the state legislature.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 5:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California politicians ask Washington DC for disaster aid

  It’s official. President Bush issued a major disaster declaration today for five southern California counties hit by wildfire. The declaration clears the way for federal dollars. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: The declaration arrived one day after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made an official request for the disaster declaration - and on the same day that California’s two U.S. Senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, sent a similar letter to President Bush.

  Thirty-nine of California’s 53 congressional representatives also signed that letter. The federal declaration means California homeowners, renters, businesses, even nonprofit organizations can apply for low-interest loans to help repair or replace homes, equipment, and personal property.

  It also provides federal dollars to help with debris removal and firefighting costs. This isn’t the first time California has requested federal emergency assistance this year. Governor Schwarzenegger made a similar request in August after wildfires earlier in the year.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 4:42 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama tells global climate summit that he plans to seek international agreements on greenhouse gas reduction

  A bigger star than Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed a global climate summit in Beverly Hills today. In a video message, President-elect Barack Obama told attendees that when he takes office, the United States will seek international agreements on greenhouse gas reduction.

  Barack Obama: “Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high, the consequences too serious.”

  California’s governor, and several hundred delegates from a dozen countries, greeted the message with lengthy applause. California, Illinois, and Wisconsin are among the states that will sign an agreement with regions in Brazil and Indonesia to seek cooperation on forest conservation. Twenty percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 4:09 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Councilman Weiss contributes $250,000 to help clear LAPD rape kit backlog

  Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss contributed a quarter-million dollars today to the LAPD’s effort to clear a backlog of DNA evidence in 7,000 rape cases. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has the story.

  Frank Stoltze: Weiss says the money’s coming from his own discretionary account. He acknowledges the $250,000 is a fraction of what the police department needs to clear its backlog of DNA evidence.

  Jack Weiss: Our plan is a little over $2 million a year for outsourcing so you end up with about $7 million needed to outsource 7,000 kits.

  Stoltze: He says that the city will spend about that much this year, and that the mayor and police chief have committed to spending the same amount next year - despite a projected budget deficit. Weiss says criminals are free because technicians haven’t been able to examine some DNA evidence.

  Weiss: I believe that there are hundreds upon hundreds of rapists out there who have not been apprehended because these kits have not been tested.

  Stoltze: Human Rights Watch has sharply criticized the city for moving too slowly to address the problem.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 2:05 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Councilman Weiss gives money to help clear LAPD rape kit backlog

  Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss today contributed $250,000 from his discretionary fund to clear up the city’s backlog of DNA evidence in rape cases. Weiss says L.A. needs to spend $7 million to examine DNA evidence in 7,000 cases at the LAPD crime lab.

  Jack Weiss: “I was in one of those freezers on Friday with the LAPD detectives who are busy cataloging each item of evidence in there, and it is literally and figuratively chilling to see row upon row of evidence envelope – each with the name of a victim and an unknown assailant.”

  Weiss and LAPD officials have blamed a lack of resources for the backlog. Human Rights Watch has sharply criticized the city for moving too slowly to address the problem.

  The organization suggested that rapists are on the loose because of the city’s inaction. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has reported a similar problem with evidence in rape cases.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 2:02 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger holds 2-day global climate summit; Obama appears via video

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is hosting a two-day global climate summit at the Beverly Hilton. This morning he reminded hundreds of delegates from more than a dozen countries about the state’s landmark global warming legislation.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Let me tell you, when I signed the nation’s first law to cap greenhouse gas emissions, California was leading a revolution, but without any soldiers. We were out there alone. And there was no other state in the United States that was doing anything similar to that.”

  A pre-recorded video address to the conference by President-elect Barack Obama prompted sustained applause. Obama said he would work vigorously to forge international agreements on climate change.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 1:39 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cal State trustees meet to discuss plan to reduce number of students

  Cal State trustees will meet tomorrow to discuss a plan that would reduce the number of students in the system.

  Allison Jones is the university’s assistant vice chancellor. He told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the 23 Cal State campuses have enrolled 10,000 more students than they’re funded to serve.

  Allison Jones: “In order to ensure that access is real in the sense that the student has access to classes, the class sections and the student support services outside of the classroom, we need to scale back the number of students that we’re serving. Because there are students on campuses who are unable to get the classes that they need and the support that they need outside of the classroom.”

  The proposal under consideration would raise the academic bar for students who want to attend Cal State schools. At present, applicants must maintain a B average to qualify for admission.

  Jones said the state already has cut Cal State’s funding by $31 million for the current budget year, and the governor is proposing additional midyear cuts.

  Tools

  • November 18, 2008 1:36 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• California high court asked to hear gay marriage cases

  By LISA LEFF Associated Press Writer

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The state attorney general and sponsors of the ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California urged its Supreme Court to hear a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn the ban, saying the matter is too urgent to be unsettled.

  “The petitions raise issues of statewide importance, implicating not only California’s marriage laws but also the initiative process and the Constitution itself,” Attorney General Jerry Brown argued in his filing.

  “This court can provide certainty and finality in this matter,” he said.

  Proposition 8, which passed with 52 percent of the vote earlier this month, overturned the high court’s May decision legalizing gay marriage in California. The measure inserts language into the constitution limiting marriage to one man and one woman.

  Gay and civil rights groups, the city of San Francisco and other plaintiffs have asked the court to void the measure on the grounds that voters did not have the authority to make, what they say, is a fundamental constitutional change.

  There is no deadline for the justices to decide whether they’ll take the cases.

  The litigation has made unwitting allies of supporters of the same-sex marriage ban and the attorney general, who voted against the proposition. Over the summer, anti-gay marriage groups sued Brown after his office changed the measure’s wording to reflect that it would take away a right that same-sex couples then had.

  Brown has since said that in his role as California’s top public lawyer, he will fight to uphold Proposition 8 as an expression of public sentiment on same-sex marriage. The preliminary documents he filed Monday did not address that issue.

  Andrew Pugno, a lawyer for the Yes on 8 campaign, said the measure’s supporters are so confident the Supreme Court would uphold the initiative they want the court to take the cases and resolve the question quickly.

  “There is no question Proposition 8 is exactly the type of amendment the framers of the Constitution envisioned for the people to be able to enact,” Pugno said.

  The Protect Marriage coalition is less confident about Brown’s sincere interest in defending the gay marriage ban in court, according to Pugno. That’s why the coalition asked the court for permission to intervene in the cases Monday.

  “Everyone knows the AG opposed Proposition 8, did everything he could to undermine it and it still passed anyway,” he said.

  “There is little hope he would make much effort at all to defend Prop. 8.”

  Both the attorney general and Protect Marriage asked the court to reject a request from gay marriage supporters for a stay that would allow same-sex couples to resume marrying in California until the broader legal issues are addressed.

  Meanwhile, the interfaith California Council of Churches and the Episcopal bishops of Northern California and Los Angeles added their petition Monday to those asking the high court to invalidate Proposition 8. They argue that if voters are permitted to take away rights from a group based on sexual orientation, the same could happen to religious minorities.

  Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 6:14 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• Governor Schwarzenegger signs executive order to speed renewable energy implementation

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order today aimed at speeding up California’s embrace of renewable energy. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.

  Molly Peterson: Current law requires California to get 20 percent of its energy from renewables within two years. The state’s investor-owned utilities may not hit that target. Schwarzenegger and other politicians want faster progress, so they’ve sought comments – including from utilities – about ways to achieve the goal.

  This order aims to improve coordination among state agencies like the Energy Commission and the Fish and Game Department while they process permits. It can take 7 to 10 years to power up transmission projects, and new applications have slowed the permitting process. The governor proposes better communication with federal agencies too.

  That could speed construction in areas targeted for solar and wind, like the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Still, renewables face plenty of obstacles – including the sluggish economy. State regulators estimate that boosting the renewable energy goal to 33 percent could cost the state $60 billion over a dozen years.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 4:41 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• City councilman says next battle should be for civil marriage

  California Attorney General Jerry Brown is urging the state’s high court to immediately take up the legality of Proposition 8. That’s the voter-approved constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in California.

  Usually, legal challenges make their way up through the lower courts, but Brown notes “the profound importance of the issues” and “significant public interest” as reasons the state Supreme Court should rule sooner than later.

  Meanwhile, one local city councilman suggests another way to regard the issue: change government’s approach to granting marriage licenses. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: In France, if you want to get married, you need a civil license. If you want a church wedding, you can have it after a civil ceremony at city hall. L.A. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl thinks California should adopt a similar system – for gay and straight couples.

  Bill Rosendahl: We should separate the church from the state. Everyone who has a committed relationship should get a civil marriage certificate. And if they want to consecrate it or not, that’s their business.

  Felde: Earlier this year, Maryland lawmakers introduced a bill that would replace the word “marriage” with “valid domestic partnership” in the state’s family law code. State Republicans argued that it diminished the value of marriage. The measure did not make it to the governor’s desk.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 4:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Budget cuts mean fewer spots for students at Cal State campuses

  If you were planning to attend one of the California State Universities next year, the system’s chancellor offers two words of advice: apply early. Budget cuts mean the Cal State campuses will enroll fewer students. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has already warned the Cal State system that the state will cut its budget for the second half of this year by $97 million.

  And he’s told system officials to prepare for more cuts next year. In a conference call with reporters, Cal State Chancellor Charles B. Reid said that’ll mean eliminating 10,000 admission spots from the 2009-2010 school year.

  Charles B. Reid: Not providing real access to students is a big issue. We can’t continue to admit more and more students without receiving adequate funding.

  Felde: Every one of the 23 Cal State campuses will impose an enrollment quota equal to the number of students they enrolled during the 2007-2008 school year. That means the most popular campuses will fill up early. Some campuses could cap enrollment as early as the end of this month.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 3:00 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Air Resources Board head Nichols under consideration to run EPA in Obama administration

  The head of the California Air Resources Board, Mary Nichols, is reportedly under consideration to run the federal Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama administration. Nichols told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that she’s dismayed at the way the Bush administration has regarded that agency:

  Mary Nichols: “I think it’s fair to say that most states and environmental groups feel that EPA has been systemically ignored, mistreated, undermined. Probably the worst thing that’s happened over the last eight years or so has been the decline in respect for science at the EPA.”

  Nichols has been battling the federal government in court over proposed curbs on greenhouse gas emissions for California. She said she’s honored that people are suggesting her as a candidate to head the EPA.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 2:57 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC Supervisor wants to stop sheriff from yanking concealed weapons permits

  The battle over concealed weapons permits in Orange County heads to the county Board of Supervisors this week. KPCC’s Susan Valot says that tomorrow, one of the supervisors plans to float a resolution that would stop the sheriff from yanking previously-issued permits.

  Susan Valot: The key prosecution witness in former Sheriff Mike Carona’s corruption trial suggests that Carona handed out reserve badges and concealed weapons permits in exchange for campaign donations. Since Sheriff Sandra Hutchens took over the job earlier this year, she’s tightened the concealed weapons permit policy.

  So far, the sheriff’s department has sent out more than 400 letters to concealed weapons permit holders, telling them the permit won’t be renewed unless holders can prove they have a valid reason to carry a firearm. That’s ticked off supporters of gun rights.

  Supervisor Chris Norby plans to introduce a measure that would require the sheriff to renew concealed weapons permits unless the holders misused their permits. But one official has pointed out that state law puts that ball in the sheriff’s court, not in the board of supervisors’.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 10:49 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Jurors hear hours of tapes in Carona corruption trial

  Attorneys defending former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona from federal corruption charges played three-and-a-half hours of a secretly-recorded conversation Friday. They say they want to give the jurors “context.”

  KPCC’s Susan Valot was in the Santa Ana courtroom to hear the conversation that former Assistant Sheriff - and key prosecution witness - Don Haidl secretly taped with Carona in August of last year.

  Susan Valot: “At one point in the tape, Carona admits they could have done some things better, but there weren’t any major screw-ups. He says ‘You want a badge? Here you go. You want a gun permit? Here you go. It just didn’t happen.’

  “But other parts are a little more damning, suggesting Carona was trying to get his story straight with Haidl’s. For instance, Carona at one point says, quote, ‘Unless there was a pinhole in your ceiling that evening, it never [expletive] happened, because it never [expletive] happened, Don. It never [expletive] happened.’”

  Defense attorneys will question Haidl about the taped conversation when the trial resumes Tuesday.

  Tools

  • November 17, 2008 10:46 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger convenes international climate summit in Los Angeles

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger convenes a climate summit in Los Angeles next week in advance of a major global conference coming up soon. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.

  Molly Peterson: Five U.S. governors are scheduled to attend next week’s summit at the Beverly Hilton, along with representatives from several countries, including Brazil, China, and India.

  The summit takes place just a few weeks before many of its attendees are due in Poland for a United Nations-sponsored conference. The meeting in Poland is one in a series at which the international community is reconsidering the Kyoto Protocol, which set legally binding requirements for cutting greenhouse gases.

  The summit next week in Beverly Hills includes panels on big picture issues, like how greenhouse gas reductions are reported, and industry-specific topics, like how the transportation sector can reduce its effect on climate change.

  President-elect Barack Obama has said he intends to step up U.S. cooperation with international global warming efforts.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 6:18 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Ports delay collection of container fee intended for environmental program

  The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will not start collecting an environmental fee on containers Monday as planned. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has the story.

  Molly Peterson: When the Clean Trucks program began last month, harbor officials said they would delay dinging shipping companies $70 on the average cargo container. They said they needed to get a complicated tracking system on line to start collecting that money to replace or retrofit dirty diesel trucks.

  In the meantime, the program’s legal woes increased. First the trucking industry challenged the program, saying port officials overstepped by mandating cleaner trucks and new employment rules.

  Then the Federal Maritime Commission filed paperwork saying the program harms competition and could boost costs.

  Now Long Beach and L.A. officials say the container fee is on hold while the commission’s challenge plays out.

  Port of L.A. Executive Director Geraldine Knatz says the delay slows the goal of reducing harmful emissions that can cause respiratory illness and contribute to global warming. Harbor officials say they’re working to solve the maritime commission’s concerns. There’s no new date yet for container fee collection.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 6:12 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Sacramento theater owner quits over Prop 8 support

  There’s been all sorts of political fallout from the passage of Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in California. In Sacramento, it led to the resignation this week of the popular artistic director of the California Musical Theatre.

  Scott Eckern is a Mormon, and had given a thousand dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign. That touched off an uproar, and a number of artists had threatened to boycott the theatre. Adrienne Sher is an actor and director in Sacramento.

  Adrienne Sher: “It’s just terribly sad for everybody here. It’s divided the gay community, it’s divided the theater community, it’s divided all those who oppose Proposition 8. It’s just been a tragic situation here.”

  Sher spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Eckern said he decided to resign “to help the healing in the theater community.”

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 4:01 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• West Hollywood city councilman defends boycotts of businesses that donated to Prop 8

  Gay rights activists are calling for boycotts of businesses that gave money to the successful campaign to ban gay marriage in California. They’re even targeting businesses that had a manager who gave as little as a hundred dollars to Yes on 8. West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran says there’s nothing unfair about that.

  John Duran: “Boycotts are an age old institution in terms of civil rights movements, a tool that is in the arsenal that can be used when people are feeling political angst. So, I think that people probably should have thought about that as they were contributing to either side, that if you made a contribution over a hundred dollars it is reportable and people will know about it.”

  Duran spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Gay rights groups are planning large demonstrations for tomorrow throughout California and the nation.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 3:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Black lesbian criticizes gay rights activists

  The passage of Proposition 8 has created tension between the gay community and African-Americans. Some gay rights activists are critical of blacks who supported the ban on gay marriage. Jasmyne Cannick is a writer, and a black lesbian. She says the No on 8 campaign ignored African-Americans.

  Jasmyne Cannick: “It was a poorly run campaign. There was very little outreach into the African-American community. There was just about no work done with the black gay and lesbian community down here in Los Angeles to do that outreach work. And you know, so, you know you can’t turn around then on November 5th and want to start pointing fingers, and blaming communities, and then attacking those people.”

  Cannick spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” Opponents of Prop 8 have filed lawsuits asking the courts to overturn the gay marriage ban.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 3:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAUSD imposes hiring freeze, other cutbacks

  Proposed state budget cuts have put California public schools in… a state. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says the L.A. Unified School District is imposing a hiring freeze and other measures to prepare for tighter times.

  Cheryl Devall: The school district expects to lose 200 to 300 million dollars from its budget if the state reduces education funding. Governor Schwarzenegger has urged the cuts to help close a potential $28 billion revenue gap.

  L.A. Unified deputy superintendent Ramon Cortinez is saying the district’s cuts are temporary for now. But in a system-wide memo he warned that some smaller campuses may have to close - and some jobs may have to go - if the state budget crisis persists.

  Cortines told administrators that the district will only purchase supplies for health, safety, school construction in progress, legal requirements, and the school lunch program.

  The spending freeze also prohibits L.A. Unified employees with district-issued credit cards from using them. Cortines told the L.A. Daily News that if the district doesn’t make the mid-year budget cuts, it won’t be able to make payroll soon.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 3:31 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Hundreds of Prop 8 supporters gather to denounce unruly protests against Prop 8

  A couple of hundred supporters of the successful ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage gathered in Santa Ana today to denounce a series of unruly protests against Proposition 8.

  KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has this report from Santa Ana.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Yes on Proposition 8 Chairman Ron Prentice told several hundred supporters gathered in a Santa Ana hotel ballroom that it was time to speak out about No on 8 protests.

  Ron Prentice: The mask of tolerance has been taken off from the opposition. Indeed the opposition has show their hypocrisy, they have shown their intolerance, they have show their own hatred, although their campaign was built on the very fact of claims toward us of those very things.

  Guzman-Lopez: A dozen key leaders who’d led the ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage stood behind Ron Prentice on the ballroom stage. They included Latino, black, and Muslim religious leaders from several Southland counties.

  Some chose more conciliatory words than Prentice. They denied harboring hatred towards gays and lesbians, and said people who support gay marriages should use legal means to express their displeasure at the recent vote.

  Prop 8 opponents did that outside the hotel. About 100 crowded sidewalks with signs at a busy intersection.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 3:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Supporters of Prop 8 criticize opposition's protest tactics

  Supporters of the voter-approved amendment to ban same-sex marriage in California are denouncing more than a week of demonstrations and boycotts over the passage of the law. Meg Waters of the Yes on 8 campaign told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that she appreciates the right to protest, but disapproves of certain tactics.

  Meg Waters: “Where we draw the line is when it gets into harassment, insults, and intimidation, and blacklisting and trying to do damage to people. We feel that is an act of terrorism towards people who, their only crime is to be involved in the political process.”

  Opponents to the marriage ban have boycotted the workplaces of some supporters, and they’re suspected of sending envelopes containing white powder to temples of the Mormon church, which encouraged its members to help pay for the Yes on 8 campaign. A narrow majority of Californians approved the ballot measure last week.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 3:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Prop 8 supporters speak out against protests

  A couple of hundred supporters of the successful state proposition to ban same-sex marriage gathered in Santa Ana today to denounce recent unruly protests against Proposition 8.

  KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story from Santa Ana.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Prop 8 supporters filled a ballroom at a Santa Ana hotel.

  Most had contributed time and money to help the same-sex marriage ban. They came from San Bernardino, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Black, Latino, and Muslim religious leaders took the microphone in support of the amendment to the state constitution.

  Prop 8 organizer Ron Prentice welcomed the group by saying the recent protests have revealed the hypocrisy, intolerance, and hatred of Proposition 8 opponents.

  Prop 8 spokeswoman Sonya Eddings Brown took a more conciliatory tone. She said the only crime business people and other supporters of Prop 8 may have committed was taking part in an election.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 1:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Gay activists issue letter to supporters arguing against assigning blame for Prop 8 passing

  A group of gay and lesbian activists worry that some divisive tactics are hurting efforts to overturn Proposition 8. They issued a letter Thursday to supporters of the efforts to repeal a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. KPCC’s Brian Watt has more.

  Brian Watt: Leaders from groups like the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and the Jordan Rustin Coalition called the days since the election a difficult time.

  They wrote that it’s natural to analyze a defeat - but that people on the losing side have tended to assign blame to specific “communities” - particularly African-Americans. An exit poll gauged support for the ban on same-sex marriage at 70 percent among black voters. But the letter says more recent polling has indicated that the margin was much closer.

  The fact, says the letter, is that 52 percent of all Californians supported Proposition 8, and the vast majority of those voters were not African-American.

  The letter goes on to note that 8 years ago, the similar Proposition 22 passed by 22 percentage points, so the gap between supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage has narrowed.

  Tools

  • November 14, 2008 10:20 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Southland resident shares questions about how Obama will handle financial crisis

  Many people in the Southland are anticipating President-elect Barack Obama’s first day in office. Ricardo Montanez of the San Fernando Valley does question whether the federal rescue plan for financial and other industries will eventually force the next president to surrender to big business.

  Ricardo Montanez: “Will he get bought out, because there is the corporate side to everything? Right now the auto industry wants money. Who’s gonna come next? The credit card companies and whoever else is having problems, you know? He wants the money to flow towards the working class. We’ll see if that happens.”

  Montanez and his wife work full time. They’re raising two small children. He says they’re very concerned about the state of the economy.

  Tools

  • November 13, 2008 2:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Iranian government prohibits grad student from returning to US

  A Southland graduate student briefly detained in Iran was the subject of a candleight vigil last night at Cal State Northridge. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario reports that students and faculty there rallied for the speedy return of Esha Momemi.

  Patricia Nazario: Most of the group gathered on the lawn outside the main campus library wore white t-shirts with big red letters that read “Release Esha.”

  One of Momemi’s friends took the microphone in front of the crowd and recited some of the student’s verse in English.

  [“The poem is called, ‘Dear Eve.’”]

  Nazario: The 28-year-old mass communications graduate student was born in the United States. She also claims citizenship in her parents’ homeland, Iran. She was there to record video interviews with activists in the Iranian women’s movement when authorities arrested her last month.

  Momemi’s free on bail now, but the Iranian government will not let her leave the country. Friend and fellow Iranian Sudi Faroknia said supporters have launched an online campaign in the hope it’ll persuade Iran to let Momemi come home.

  Sudi Faroknia: The way the campaign as worked is it’s been an approach from the bottom up. So, we thought the request needs to come from the people.

  Nazario: Momemi is scheduled to complete her master’s degree and graduate from Cal State Northridge in June.

  Tools

  • November 13, 2008 10:41 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Sherman reacts to Treasury Secretary Paulson redirecting federal bailout

  The $700 billion financial rescue plan will not help buy bad loans, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has announced. Instead, the federal government plans to assist banks, credit card companies, and other businesses in ways that don’t involve buying distressed assets. Southland Congressman Brad Sherman opposed the initial plan as too hasty. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that Paulson should have listened to his critics.

  Brad Sherman: “And now, a month later, the only thing he’s going to do is the exact thing that many of us we were trying to get him to do, and that he testified he wouldn’t do. And the idea of buying bad bonds, which was the only thing he wanted to do, he hasn’t done a penny of and has now announced he won’t do.”

  Congressional leaders plan to convene hearings on diverting at least some of the bailout package to the ailing auto industry. Lawmakers are meeting in a lame-duck session next week.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 5:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Key witness testifies that former OC sheriff was 'for sale'

  Prosecutors hope to wrap up their questioning of former Orange County assistant sheriff Don Haidl by tomorrow. Haidl’s the star witness in the public corruption trial of former sheriff Mike Carona.

  Today Haidl testified that Carona and assistant sheriff George Jaramillo came into office with “‘for sale’ signs on them.” KPCC’s Susan Valot was in the federal courtroom. She says Haidl also testified about how the sheriff and his assistant intervened in the sexual assault case of Haidl’s son, Greg, six years ago.

  Susan Valot: “Haidl said Carona told him he’d act as the ‘go-between’ between the older Haidl and the Orange County District Attorney’s office. Haidl says Jaramillo went to talk to D.A. Tony Rackauckas about the case and ticked him off… which Haidl says Rackauckas took as a threat. Rackauckas called federal investigators.”

  Don Haidl detailed how the whole thing began to implode. Eventually, Carona fired Jaramillo, even though Haidl said the former sheriff was concerned that Jaramillo would tell the story to the news media. Haidl said he told Carona that firing Jaramillo was “going to burn the forest down with all of the houses in it.”

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 4:31 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former OC assistant sheriff testifies in Carona corruption trial

  Federal prosecutors say they probably won’t rest their corruption case against former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona until the week after Thanksgiving. KPCC’s Susan Valot says their key witness, former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, testified today about giving his used – but mint-condition – ski-boat to Carona on his birthday seven years ago.

  Susan Valot: “Haidl says Carona gave Haidl a $5,000 check and Haidl reimbursed the then-sheriff in cash so Carona wouldn’t have to report the boat as a gift. Prosecutors played a taped conversation between Haidl and Carona. In it, the two talk about how they’d handle the boat situation. Haidl described the tape as Carona manufacturing a story they would both tell.”

  Haidl also testified about how Carona helped out his two sisters and his son, Greg Haidl, who was convicted of a sexual assault that happened six years ago. In that case, Haidl testified, Carona told him that he would act as a “go-between,” to help him “negotiate something” with prosecutors.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 3:30 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County supervisors vote to join lawsuit challenging Prop 8

  Los Angeles County supervisors are on record against Proposition 8, the voter-approved measure that prohibits same-sex marriages in California. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on today’s vote to join a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ballot question.

  Cheryl Devall: Supervisors Gloria Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky indicated shortly after last week’s vote that they wanted to add their voices to the anti-Prop 8 lawsuit by the City of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara County. Both L.A. County supervisors had officiated at same-sex weddings after a state Supreme Court ruling legalized them last spring.

  By a narrow margin, California voters overrode that court decision and approved an amendment to the state constitution that makes the weddings illegal again. Yaroslavsky and Molina spoke about their disappointment over that vote, and their determination that the county join the lawsuit.

  Two of the five Los Angeles County supervisors were absent from the vote to join. Michael Antonovich was traveling, and Don Knabe left the meeting as a dozen speakers prepared to endorse the challenge. That left the deciding vote to Supervisor Yvonne Burke. She’s in the final weeks of her fourth term on the board.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 3:27 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Cal State Fullerton economist says Obama should prioritize stabilizing the financial markets

  President-elect Barack Obama is getting lots of expert advice on how to proceed once he moves into the Oval Office. Cal State Fullerton economist Anil Puri says tops on the agenda should be stabilizing the financial markets by building on what the Bush administration and Congress have already done.

  Anil Puri: “The government has taken a lot of action, which will lead to stability. It requires international cooperation and it requires a little bit of luck. Yes, things will get better. It’s a question of how bad they’re to get before they get better and how long it will take.”

  Puri says the new president also needs to work with Congress to craft new “rules of the game” for financial markets – so the economy doesn’t end up in the same mess again.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 2:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State Finance Department deputy director says lawmakers will quickly response to state legislative analyst's projection

  The state legislative analyst’s projection that California’s budget gap may grow to $28 million is going to require a pretty quick response from lawmakers, H.D. Palmer of the state finance department told KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  H.D. Palmer: “Clearly, there are very, extremely difficult decisions that are going to have to be made, and fairly soon. I think if there is one word to take out of the legislative analyst report that was issued yesterday, it’s very simple one: now. We need to act immediately to be able to start addressing this situation before it gets worse and before the solutions we put on the table get even more difficult.”

  Palmer said those solutions will help ensure enough cash reserves to get the state through the next fiscal year. The governor has proposed raising taxes and fees, and cutting some state services, to address a potential budget gap that’s more than doubled from previous estimates.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 1:54 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State legislative analyst examines governor's proposal for tax increase and service cuts

  Just when you thought California’s budget problems were bad, word comes that they’re worse than anyone expected. State Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor predicts a $28 billion deficit if lawmakers don’t address the problem this fiscal year and next. Taylor’s office examined the governor’s proposal for tax increase and service cuts to close the budget gap.

  Mac Taylor: “Well, we think generally speaking, the governor has put out a good framework for approaching the problem, but we do have some comments. For example, on his one-and-a-half cent sales tax proposal, if the legislature were to adopt that, the state would then have the highest average sales tax rate in the country.”

  Taylor told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that he’s concerned many California consumers may try to get around the sales tax hike by shopping on the Internet.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 1:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Southland group home counselor talks about Obama administration

  Many people in the Southland harbor high hopes for the administration of Barack Obama. Ricardo Montanez of the San Fernando Valley says he’d like the 44th president to help end corruption at the highest levels of government.

  Ricardo Montanez: “Hopefully, like he says, it’s a more practical approach to running things. No more cronyism and secret agendas.”

  Montanez is a group home counselor for United Cerebral Palsy. He and his wife, who also works full-time, are bringing up a family. He says they’re also very concerned about the state of the economy.

  Tools

  • November 12, 2008 1:29 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Center for Automotive Research's David Cole says automakers need governmental help

  As General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford report billions of dollars in losses for the most recent quarter, policymakers and President-elect Obama are arguing for a federal rescue plan for the American auto industry. David Cole of the Center for Automotive Research agrees that the automakers need help.

  David Cole: “If you take a GM out or a Ford out because of the fragility that already exits in the supply network, what it does is that it takes the entire industry down. And that’s where you get the problem that grows so quickly out of dramatic proportion.”

  By some estimates, the demise of GM, Ford, and Chrysler would remove 7 million jobs from the domestic economy. Opponents to the idea of a federal bailout for the Detroit-based auto companies say they’re just trying to ride the same gravy train as many troubled financial institutions.

  Tools

  • November 11, 2008 5:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Cato Institute's Ikenson says financial aid for automakers would be a bad idea

  Along with financial institutions, the American auto industry is seeking rescue from the federal government. During their first one-on-one meeting this week, President-elect Barack Obama reportedly asked President George Bush to consider aid for Detroit automakers. That would be a bad idea, Dan Ikenson of the libertarian Cato Institute told KPCC.

  Dan Ikenson: “I think that the auto industry has been preparing for this day for a long day. This day I mean to make this lobbying pitch. They seem to want you to believe that it’s the financial crisis and the credit crunch that explains their situation. That is not the whole story. This has to do with a lot of bad decisions they made, bad capitulations to the unions that made their cost structure relatively uneconomic.”

  Ikenson, of Cato’s Center for Trade Policy Studies, maintains that the industry’s defenders are exaggerating when they say the shutdown of General Motors would eliminate 3 million American jobs.

  Tools

  • November 11, 2008 5:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal Housing Finance Agency launches plan to renegotiate hundreds of thousands of delinquent loans

  Help may be on the way for homeowners who’ve fallen behind on their mortgages. The Federal Housing Finance Agency and the mortgage industry launched a plan today to help renegotiate hundreds of thousands of delinquent loans from guarantors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Thomas Davidoff, who specializes in real estate at UC Berkeley’s business school, explained how this help for homeowners might work.

  Thomas Davidoff: “Rather than going into foreclosure, these somewhat federal entities and any participating lenders in the private sector are going to say, ‘OK, we’re going to stretch out your payments.’ And they’re either going to do it by cutting the amount you owe directly, which I think they’re not going to do in most cases. What I think they’re going to do is cut the interest rate, or say, ‘rather than 30 years, you gotta pay this loan off in 40 or 50.”

  Davidoff spoke with KPCC after Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae – guarantors of about half the country’s mortgage loans – announced plans to assist people who are at least 90 days behind on their payments. The program could help about 300,000 homeowners.

  Tools

  • November 11, 2008 3:53 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• African-Americans may have supported Prop 8 less than exit poll showed

  There is a dispute over the extent to which African-Americans supported Proposition 8, the measure that bans same-sex marriage in California. A national exit poll suggested that 70 percent of blacks in California voted for the measure.

  But another poll by the Center for the Study of L.A. found in Los Angeles, just over half of blacks supported Prop 8. Fernando Guerra directs the center at Loyola Marymount University. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he doubts black opposition to the measure was as large as has been reported.

  Fernando Guerra: Seventeen-and-a-half percent of all blacks in state of California live and vote in city of L.A. – so neither one of ours could be correct because for us to get only 52 percent – and statewide 70 percent, all blacks outside the city of Los Angeles would have had to support that proposition by 75 percent, so it makes it even higher.”

  Guerra is a board member of Southern California Public Radio. His center conducted exit polls last Tuesday in L.A. neighborhoods with large numbers of black voters.

  Tools

  • November 11, 2008 12:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Top banking executive says Obama has talented economic advisers

  The economy will be a top priority for President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office in January. Joseph Otting is vice chairman of U.S. Bank. He’s based in Los Angeles. Otting attributes the economic crisis in part to a lack of confidence.

  Joseph Otting: “Confidence in leadership, confidence in the executive branch, confidence in Congress, confidence in the economy. And I think what the new president can do is he can bring a group of people together that collectively can say, ‘We’re going to fix the economic issues,’ no matter what social or economic area, and how do we rally that together with the full faith of the U.S. government to get the economy back on track.”

  Otting says Senator Obama has assembled a “really fantastic” group of economic advisers who know their stuff inside and out.

  Tools

  • November 11, 2008 12:24 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• National Review deputy editor says Republicans face voter impressions of incompetence, scandal

  Now that the dust has settled from last week’s presidential election, conservatives are reflecting on what the Republican Party can do to recover from its defeat. National Review deputy editor Kevin Williamson said voter perception had a lot to do with the election result.

  Kevin Williamson: “Some of the problems the Republicans face – and maybe the main problem they face – isn’t really philosophical or ideological at all. It’s an impression that they’ve been incompetent, and it’s an impression that they’ve been plagued by scandal.”

  Williamson told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the corruption convictions of former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Alaska Senator Ted Stevens helped tarnish the Republicans’ reputation as the party of fiscal responsibility and moral leadership.

  Tools

  • November 10, 2008 3:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California superintendent O'Connell objects to governor's proposed tax cuts

  The gatekeepers of state agencies continue to object to Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts to close an $11 billion budget gap. Jack O’Connell, California’s superintendent of public instruction, warns of big problems this school year if lawmakers approve the cuts.

  Jack O’Connell: “We’re operating on a bare bones budget today, and in the middle of the year, for the governor to propose midyear cuts, these unexpected cuts, when we’re down to about half of that, the fiscal year remaining now – it’s just unrealistic based upon the budget that was passed last year.”

  O’Connell spoke on KPCC’s “AirTalk.” The governor’s convened a special legislative session to work out a solution to the budget crisis.

  Tools

  • November 10, 2008 1:17 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama will grant waiver to California to allow stricter emissions standards

  Some issues will get President-elect Barack Obama’s attention as soon as he takes office. That includes a waiver California’s been seeking. It would allow the state to battle climate change by putting strict auto emissions standards in place.

  Last year, the federal Environmental Protection Agency under the Bush administration denied the waiver. Obama has pledged to grant it.

  Ellen Peter is Chief Counsel for the California Air Resources Board. She spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Ellen Peter: What we’re hoping will happen is, immediately after the president assumes office, is that EPA will then start moving ahead. We are hoping to hear actually during the next few months, during the transition, how they plan to do that.

  EPA chief Stephen Johnson said he denied the waiver because he didn’t believe California was in a special position when it came to climate change. Fourteen other states are also seeking to adopt the stricter emissions standards.

  Tools

  • November 10, 2008 12:30 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger's new economic proposals may have environmental consequences

  With the state facing an $11 billion budget, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says lawmakers need to consider new spending cuts, tax hikes, and boosts to the economy. KPCC’s Molly Peterson says some of the governor’s economic proposals may carry environmental consequences.

  Molly Peterson: The budget fixes legislators will take up include accelerated spending for water and transportation bonds. State officials believe spending a billion dollars on public works projects could yield 22,000 new jobs. They also want to speed up environmental review. The Natural Resources Defense Council’s David Petit says he’s concerned about that.

  David Petit: I think from their standpoint they want to get money out in the community and a quick way to do that is with public works-type projects. I think it’s a false dichotomy to say that there’s, you can either have jobs or environmental protection, but you can’t have both. There’s a lot of green jobs that are also out there and can be promoted by the governor’s office if that’s what they choose to do.

  Peterson: Petit says he doesn’t yet know from the governor’s office which kinds of projects would get faster environmental review, and how. Environmentalists including Petit say they expect to have that information in the coming week.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:53 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa talks about serving on Obama's transition team

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is a member of President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team. Mayor Villaraigosa will serve on Obama’s economic advisory board.

  The Mayor told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” how it felt to stand alongside the president-elect during his first press conference.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Well, you know, it’s was an honor and I pinch my cheek all the time; I have since I got elected to public office. Feel very honored to be able to be here to represent our city and representing cities across the country, and you know whatever input I can give I certainly want to do that, and do it both humbly, but also understanding that we have a unique perspective to share as the second largest city in America.”

  Mayor Villaraigosa recommended that Obama expand unemployment benefits as a buffer against the effects of joblessness on cities. He noted that unemployment rates are two percentage points higher in the city of Los Angeles than the national average of just over six percent.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Feinstein may become chair of Senate Intelligence Committee

  California’s senior senator is in line to become the first female head of the Senate Intelligence Committee. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Democrat Dianne Feinstein heads the Senate Rules Committee, not the most visible committee on Capitol Hill. But she might soon take over the chair of the visible and powerful Senate Intelligence Committee.

  The shuffle began when the most senior member of Congress – Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia – decided to step down as the head of the Appropriations Committee. Hawaii’s Senior Senator Daniel Inouye will jump to Appropriations – and leave the Commerce Committee.

  West Virginia’s Jay Rockefeller will drop the chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee and take over Commerce. That leaves the Intelligence chair to Feinstein, who’s served on committee for eight years.

  The important new post could mean Feinstein will be less interested in running for California governor in two years. A spokesman for Feinstein says she won’t make that decision until next year. Senators are expected to elect committee chairs later this month.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Waxman aims to chair House energy committee

  A political battle on Capitol Hill could affect air quality in California. A veteran Los Angeles congressman is trying to oust the powerful head of the House committee that regulates auto emissions. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde explains.

  Kitty Felde: Veteran Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman of Los Angeles already chairs the powerful Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Now he wants to be chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

  It regulates air emissions for both power plants and automobiles. Waxman has served on the committee for more than three decades – but for most of that time, Michigan Democrat John Dingle has been in charge.

  Critics say Dingle is the major roadblock in Congress when it comes to increasing mileage standards for cars or requiring alternative fuels. He’s accused of putting the interests of his home state’s auto industry first.

  The 82-year-old Dingle is fighting back, trying to find support among Democratic House leaders. A decision could come even before early January when the new Congress is sworn in.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:39 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Developer Caruso says he won't run for mayor in next election

  One of the likely contenders in next spring’s Los Angeles mayoral election is saying, “not so fast.” KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the story.

  Cheryl Devall: Political insiders had figured that Rick Caruso, the developer behind L.A.’s Grove shopping center and Glendale’s Americana at Brand, would throw his hat into the ring. But that won’t happen… at least not next election.

  In a statement, Caruso thanked the many people who’ve encouraged him to run. But, he said, he’s decided that the obligation of serving as mayor would place too great a burden on his family at this point.

  That leaves in the front runner spot first-term incumbent Antonio Villaraigosa – whose own family has dealt with the strain of life in the public eye. Walter Moore, a lawyer and activist who finished sixth in the mayoral election three years ago, has also filed his intention to run.

  The election is March 3rd. Candidates for seats on the L.A. Unified School Board, the L.A. City Council, controller, and city attorney will also run.

  Note: The deadline to signal intentions to run is tomorrow.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor's plan includes less environmental scrutiny for public works projects

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked state lawmakers for more tax increases and spending cuts to close a worsening state budget deficit.

  To stimulate the economy, the governor wants to speed up spending on public works. His plan includes more jobs – and less environmental scrutiny of big public works projects. The Sierra Club’s Jim Metropolous says environmentalists aren’t sure what that streamlined review could mean.

  Jim Metropolous: “A lot of the agencies that do the environmental review in the Resources Agency are already cut to the bone and have very little staff for the environmental review and permitting parts of the project, so it is really, at this time, we have no information as to how the state and the governor proposes to do this.”

  State officials have told Metropolous and others they’ll offer more details on the proposal next week. The governor’s office says spending $1 billion of infrastructure bond money could create 22,000 jobs.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:33 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Black woman explains vote on Prop 8; black lesbian laments result

  A CNN exit poll shows that 70 percent of California’s African-American voters supported Proposition 8 – the amendment to the state constitution that bans same-sex marriage. Sixty-year-old Bobbie White of Long Beach said she voted for Prop 8 – despite a discussion she’d had with a lesbian activist.

  Bobbie White: “She tried to use the civil rights movement as reason for why she felt that she was alienated. And I’m like, I’m a Christian and I believe in the Bible. And it’s too much support that speaks against homosexuality. I don’t believe that I’m homophobic or anything. I just believe that I don’t want my children to be taught that.”

  The passage of the ballot measure was heartbreaking for Valerie Wagner of AIDS Project Los Angeles. She works with a coalition that tries to educate African-Americans about gender issues.

  Valerie Wagner: I mean, we just elected a black man as president of the United States of America – something that I never thought I would see in my lifetime – and yet there are people who are my family, the community of my family, and they still think it’s OK to deny me my rights because of who I choose to love.

  Tools

  • November 7, 2008 4:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former child actor Deleon sentenced to death penalty for murder of his parents

  A jury in Santa Ana today handed down the death penalty to the mastermind behind a pair of murders on a yacht off the Newport Beach coast. KPCC’s Nick Roman has details about the sentence for former child actor Skylar Deleon.

  Skylar Deleon: The jury sentenced Deleon to death for three killings – including the murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawks. Four years ago, Deleon posed as a buyer for their yacht. They took him on a test run off Newport Beach.

  But Deleon tied them to an anchor – and tossed them overboard. The prosecution called the murders “diabolical and heartless.” Earlier this week, Deleon’s lawyer told the jury his 29-year-old client wasn’t “born to be a murderer.”

  Attorney Gary Pohlson said Deleon’s father – an ex-con – had “trained” his son “like a killing machine” with beatings and emotional abuse. Pohlson also pointed to Deleon’s ex-wife Jennifer, someone, he said, who “makes Skylar do things.”

  She’s serving life in prison for her part in the murders. She was offered immunity to testify against her husband – but refused. The jury bought none of it. The case isn’t over yet. Three accomplices will be tried for their part in the Hawks murders.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 5:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Assemblyman Laird responds to Schwarzenegger's proposals to close budget gap

  The state is in fiscal trouble again, Governor Schwarzenegger said today. His proposed remedies for a widening budget gap – cuts in services and a sales tax increase – don’t sit well with John Laird, chair of the California Assembly Budget Committee.

  John Laird: “The significant thing that was interesting in the governor’s press conference today, is he’s been saying for almost his entire time as governor is that we have a spending problem. And today he said that’s no longer the case. It is flipped. We have a revenue problem. And that was a real significant move by him.”

  Laird, a Democrat, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he didn’t agree with the governor’s proposed cuts to state health and education programs. Sacramento Republicans expressed concern that the governor’s too eager to apply quick fixes to the budget problems.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 4:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican Congressman Campbell says he hopes Obama will rethink plan to raise taxes on those making over $250,000

  President-elect Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with economic advisors tomorrow and then convene a news conference.

  Orange County Republican Congressman John Campbell told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he’d like Obama to rethink his plan to tax people with annual incomes above $250,000.

  John Campbell: “I’m hoping that he, and I think most of the advisors he’s talking about understand that, given the severity of the economic situation we’re in, that a tax increase now would actually, on anybody – wouldn’t matter who – is actually going to have the opposite effect of the stimulus that they’re trying to have happen.”

  Campbell said the president-elect will face many economic issues before he assumes office. That includes naming a treasury secretary – Campbell thinks that’ll happen within days, if not hours. Campbell also said Obama will have to fill key positions, including the boards of mortgage guarantors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 1:42 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Times blogger says Measure R only partial solution for LA traffic

  This week, Los Angeles County voters approved a half-cent sales tax to raise 40 billion for public transportation projects. Steve Hymon, who writes the Los Angeles Times’ “Bottleneck Blog,” told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the ballot question known as Measure R is only a partial solution for L.A.’s traffic problems.

  Steve Hymon: “For a lot of the projects of Measure R, money should get most of them built, but to build them right and to get them as far as you want to go, or maybe farther, the federal money will undoubtedly help. Because one of the things about Measure R, is that it has a long list of projects.”

  Those projects include extending the Metro subway and Gold Line light rail.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 1:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Congressman Schiff says one of first items on Obama agenda will be Afghanistan strategy

  Some members of Congress are weighing in on the issues they think President-elect Barack Obama should focus upon when he takes office.

  Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff told KPCC’s Larry Mantle he thinks one of the first items on Obama’s foreign policy agenda will be to craft a workable strategy in Afghanistan.

  Adam Schiff: “There right now is a division within the military in terms of how we ought to handle the situation, and whether there should be some with certain parts of the Taliban, or whether the Taliban are just too inextricably interlinked with al-Qaida. That debate is raging.”

  About the Iraq War, Schiff said that Obama should try to get the Iraqis to take more control over their military and security future – and pay for more of the war.

  Obama was scheduled to receive his first high-level intelligence briefings today.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 12:42 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Harman says Obama should prioritize closing Guantanamo Bay detention center

  President-elect Barack Obama will face some serious foreign policy issues – including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – once he gets into office.

  But Democratic Congresswoman Jane Harman told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that another of Obama’s priorities should be to immediately close the Guantanamo Bay detention center. Harman chairs the U.S. House Intelligence Subcommittee.

  Jane Harman: “It is not that hard to figure out what to do with those prisoners whom can’t be released or returned to their own countries. They should be tried either by regular military courts or U.S. civilian courts and we can incarcerate dangerous people in the U.S.”

  Obama has vowed to close the detention facility.

  Harman also suggested that Obama should focus on building this country’s intelligence capabilities and reach out to allies that Harman said the Bush administration had spurned.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 12:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County congresswoman Sanchez talks about how Obama can stabilize, grow economy

  Lawmakers are suggesting to the president-elect what his top priorities should be. Orange County Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez says the country’s economic problems are rooted in the mortgage meltdown and the sub-prime market.

  Linda Sanchez: “If we’re going to stabilize the economy and grow the economy, which I think is a priority for President-elect Obama, we need to plant the seed of recovery in the housing market itself.”

  Sanchez joined other Southland congressional representatives on KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 12:37 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Harman says Obama's first intelligence briefings will include more on Afghanistan

  President-elect Barack Obama is receiving his first intelligence briefings today.

  Democratic Congresswoman Jane Harman told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that Obama will find out more about the seriousness of the situation in Afghanistan.

  Jane Harman: “I think what he will learn is that the Afghanistan situation is dreadful and that fixing it is not just, cannot just be done by moving, troops to Iraq, where we do need to end our combat mission, into Afghanistan. It’s much more nuanced and complicated problem, and it is a different country from Iraq. Totally different. So the strategy has to be different.”

  Harman participates in many intelligence briefings as chair of the House Intelligence Subcommittee.

  Harman also said that Obama’s foreign policy priorities should include immediately closing the U.S.-operated prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and changing interrogation procedures for suspected terrorists to make sure they comply with federal law.

  Tools

  • November 6, 2008 12:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State water officials approve $2 million to fund beach water quality tests

  State water officials have voted to direct $2 million in stopgap funding toward county agencies for beach water quality tests. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports that Southland environmentalists and counties lobbied for the money.

  Molly Peterson: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger used a line-item veto to cut the money last month. He said fighting fires took precedence over a program counties use to check for harmful bacteria in seawater.

  Almost immediately, local agencies and environmental groups began pushing the governor and the State Water Resources Control Board to restore that program. Now, with little fanfare, the board’s agreed to do it.

  If the money follows the plans made before the cuts, Orange County will get about 10 percent, San Diego about 15 percent, and Ventura will take a slice too. L.A. County is one of 17 counties taking part in the program, but its officials say the county can pay for testing at more than 80 sites without the restored money.

  California’s seawater sampling program is the most rigorous in the nation. The vote doesn’t guarantee that the program will continue past the next two years. Environmentalists and counties contend that without financial guarantees, local agencies might have to scrap testing for bacteria-based health hazards at the beach.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 4:47 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former LA mayor Hahn appointed to Superior Court

  A former Los Angeles mayor will occupy a different seat – a judicial bench – soon. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on Governor Schwarzenegger’s latest Superior Court appointments.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: The governor chose 17 people to fill positions on the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The best known of them is James Hahn. He was mayor of L.A. for four years earlier this decade, and for the 16 years before that he was city attorney.

  Hahn belongs to a prominent political family. His late father, Kenneth Hahn, represented the Culver City to Compton district on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for four decades. Sister Janice Hahn is the harbor area rep on the L.A. City Council.

  Jim Hahn steered clear of elected office after he lost his mayoral re-election bid three years ago. He’s worked since then for a real estate investment banking firm and for a mediation center. In his new job, he might be able to pick up some advice from his cousin Dale Hahn – a judge in San Mateo County Superior Court.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 4:45 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• 19 year old African-American in South LA talks youth vote for Obama

  In South Los Angeles’ Chesterfield Square, a 19-year-old named Aaron told KPCC’s John Rabe that – unlike his parents and grandparents – he didn’t have to wait long at all to vote for a black president.

  Aaron: “I turned 18 last year so it wasn’t not election ‘til this year. So I couldn’t wait – I was excited.”
  John Rabe: “Did you talk about this with your friends?”
  Aaron: “Yeah, I did. Some of my friends didn’t vote. I was mad at them, ‘cause they was being stupid. That’s they decision – they did what they wanted to do. They wanted to sit at home. I wanted to make a change.”

  Young, black voters like Aaron overwhelmingly supported Obama. They constituted only part of a winning coalition that also included sizable numbers of white and Latino voters.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 3:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger reacts to Obama win

  Governor Schwarzenegger, who supported John McCain for president, weighed in with other leaders on the election of Barack Obama.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “First of all, I want to congratulate Senator Obama for becoming President-elect Obama. I think this is an extraordinary accomplishment. I think it’s going to be great for the country. And I’m looking forward to working with him to getting people back to work, to keep people in their homes, and to create health care reform, and to create great relationships overseas.”

  Schwarzenegger’s been rumored as a possible Obama cabinet appointee – possibly to the federal Department of Energy. The governor told reporters he plans to stay in Sacramento until the end of his term in two years.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 2:54 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican voter talks about how Republicans can learn from Obama victory

  In the wake of John McCain’s defeat, some Southern California Republicans want a makeover for their party. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Seal Beach Republican Bert Herring voted for John McCain. In hindsight, he said, opponent Barack Obama had a better-organized campaign and a stronger message. He added that Republicans in Orange County and across the country could learn from Obama’s win.

  Bert Herring: Like a lot of us have to do in this economy, we have to reengineer ourselves, reinvent ourselves and come up with a message that’s strong and appealing to a wider base, and maybe get off the far right a little bit and move to the center and appeal to more people.

  Guzman-Lopez: Herring said that in recent years he’s watched as Orange County increasingly favors Democratic candidates. John McCain won just a bit over half the presidential votes in that county.

  Just over half of Orange County’s voters cast ballots. That’s lower than the statewide turnout and much lower than in Los Angeles County, where more than 80 percent of registered voters participated in this week’s election.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 2:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican voters react to McCain loss

  Southland Republicans are assessing what went wrong after their party’s loss in the presidential election. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez talked to one.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Lakewood Republican Karen Smith, an interior designer, cast her ballot for John McCain.

  Karen Smith: If Colin Powell would have ran, I’d voted him in. So it isn’t a racial issue, it’s experience. We’re in a dangerous time, you know, with 9/11, too dangerous to put a newbie in, somebody without experience. It’s very dangerous, very scary.

  Guzman-Lopez: Smith said Powell’s experience is too valuable to ignore. She suggested that President-elect Barack Obama find a place for the former four-star U.S. Army general and secretary of state in his administration. For now, she said, she’d stand behind Obama and pray for him to lead this country.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 2:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Gay couple plans to sue again for the right to marry

  The gay couple that sued to win the right to marry in California plans to sue again to overturn Proposition 8. Robin Tyler and Diane Olson said today they intend to challenge the newly-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

  L.A. attorney Gloria Allred is representing Tyler and Olson. She says when the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage last May, it said that state can’t treat different couples in different ways.

  Gloria Allred: “We believe that then the court must hold that California may not issue marriage licenses to non-gay couples because if it does, it would be violating the equal protection clause as straight couples would more rights by being allowed to marry than gay couples.”

  Allred says her clients will bring their case directly to the state Supreme Court.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 2:38 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 11 supporters hails its passage

  Supporters of Proposition 11 – the statewide re-districting ballot question – celebrated its passage today. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Prop 11 shifts responsibility for drawing political boundaries for Assembly and Senate seats from the state legislature to an independent commission. Governor Schwarzenegger predicted it would result in the election of less partisan state legislators.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: I think that the next governor will have a much better time getting along with everyone and bringing everyone together, and making decision not on what’s best for the party but making decisions based on what’s best for the people of this great state.

  Stoltze: Janis Hirohama, president of the California League of Women Voters, also praised the result.

  Janis Hirohama: We finally put an end to a rigged system that returns incumbents to their seats 99 percent of the time.

  Stoltze: Prop 11 requires geographically compact legislative districts and forbids the commission from drawing districts that favor or discriminate against incumbents. Schwarzenegger had staked some of his political legacy on getting the measure passed.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 1:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• First married gay couple challenges Prop 8

  The L.A. gay couple whose lawsuit eventually led to same-sex marriage in California will go back to court to challenge Proposition 8. The initiative passed yesterday by state voters bans same-sex marriage.

  Robin Tyler told reporters in Los Angeles that she and her partner Diane Olson will go directly to the California Supreme Court to argue that Prop 8 treats them unequally under the law.

  Robin Tyler: “I am still married to Diane today. We do not want the word ‘domestic partnership.’ We want the word ‘marriage.’”

  Tyler and Olson were the first gay couple to wed after the state Supreme Court issued its ruling last May that California’s earlier ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 1:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• South LA resident talks about generational change in politics, race relations

  Outside the Home Depot in South L.A.’s Chesterfield Square, 52-year-old Sharon Harvey said she’s very happy Obama was elected. She added that race didn’t have everything to do with it.

  Sharon Harvey: “I think the new generation now – all the prejudice, the bigotry, is gone. The old generation is dying out. So I think the new generation now has a more liberal view as far as race is concerned and they don’t believe that only the white Caucasian man could run things and make it right.”

  Exit polls indicate that young voters constituted about 20 percent of the electorate and leaned heavily toward Obama.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 1:16 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Occidental College students light fireworks to celebrate alumnus Obama win

  Students at Occidental College in Eagle Rock lit fireworks to celebrate the election of their almost-alum Barack Obama as president. Junior Carrie Maggs is from Knoxville, Tennessee. She says many people on campus love that Obama spent two of his college years at Oxy.

  Carrie Maggs: “It was a formative time for him where he changed his name from Barry to Barack and things like that, and social and cultural and racial identity is a big issue here on campus. And I think him being the first black president, that’s part of why he’s struck such a chord with students here. But I think also the issues are very important thing, and if he were still supporting the war in Iraq and wanting to carry out Bush’s policies, I don’t think he would have been as popular.”

  Obama transferred from Occidental to Columbia University in New York, where he completed his bachelor’s degree.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 12:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Occidental College students celebrate win of alumnus Obama

  For two years, President-elect Barack Obama attended Occidental College in Eagle Rock. Students there aren’t shy about their school’s ties with the next President.

  Adam Greenhouse: “I’m Adam Greenhouse, I’m from New Jersey, was born in New York City, and I’m 20 years old. Personally, I took a class with Roger Beausche who was one of Obama’s favorite professors and it’s very rewarding to have that connection. He’s a great professor and he must feel great as most of this campus does.”

  Greenhouse says he smoked a victory cigar with friends last night. Someone set off fireworks, and 300 students gathered in the campus’s Cooler. Twenty-year old Brandon Roberts said he cast his first-ever vote yesterday for Obama.

  Brandon Roberts: “I feel a special connection because of Occidental but it’s not just that. It’s – he has this power, this allure, this charisma that just makes you want to believe that he can change this country. And that’s really why I voted for him.”

  Roberts said students chalked victory messages onto the campus pavement.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 12:56 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger hails passage of Prop 11

  Governor Schwarzenegger today hailed the passage of Proposition 11 – the ballot measure that changes the way the state draws political boundaries.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I think that the voters have voted for Proposition 11 because they are sick and tired of the gridlock in Sacramento. They know that we have the intelligence up there, but we have a system in place where getting stuck in our ideological corners is rewarded and compromise is punished. Proposition 11 will change all that.”

  Proposition 11 shifts responsibility for determining Assembly and Senate district boundaries from the state legislature to an independent commission.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 12:53 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Boxer says immediate focus will be on fixing economy

  Democrats picked up more seats yesterday in the U.S. House and Senate. California Senator Barbara Boxer said the additional seats will give Democrats more leverage to move forward with President-elect Barack Obama’s programs. Boxer said the immediate focus will be on fixing the nation’s economy.

  Barbara Boxer: “I don’t envision more rebate checks. What I envision is investments in infrastructure. You know, cleaning up Superfund sites, building new roads. Strengthening our bridges, our highways, building transit systems. This is a short term program that we really need to do, and I believe Barack feels strongly about it.”

  Democrats have picked up at least 5 seats in the Senate and 18 in the House.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 12:50 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Boxer talks about pressure on Democrats due to winning presidency, gains in Congress

  Democrats picked up five U.S. Senate seats in yesterday’s election. There’s still no decision in other races. Democrats also captured at least 18 seats in the U.S. House.

  Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer was asked whether her party will feel pressure to solve the nation’s problems now that it controls the legislative and executive branches.

  Barbara Boxer: “Well I should feel the pressure. I mean I think when the people say we’re willing to give you a chance, you better step up to the plate. Of course you feel the pressure.”

  Boxer told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that solving the recession will be the short-term challenge for her party. She said its long-term challenges include balancing the budget and reining in the nation’s debt.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 12:45 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger calling special session of legislature due to budget gap

  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to call a special session of the legislature today. KPCC’s Steve Julian says California is facing an ever-widening budget gap.

  Steve Julian: First, it took lawmakers nearly three months past the June 30th deadline this year to pass a budget. Just a month ago, the gap was estimated to be $3 billion. It’s now thought to be closer to $10 billion – and rising. Schwarzenegger is a Republican who supports not only across-the-board cuts, but also tax increases. That idea doesn’t go over well with fellow Republicans.

  The legislature won’t have much time to figure out a solution: there’s Veterans’ Day next week; then the Governor’s Conference on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in two weeks; and then Thanksgiving. That leaves the lame-duck legislature at most 12 business days before new senate and assembly members are sworn in.

  Tools

  • November 5, 2008 12:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Voters in line at poll closing time will still be allowed to vote

  About 60 percent of Los Angeles voters have cast ballots as of 4 this afternoon. But election officials still expect a rush after most people leave work.

  California Common Cause’s Kathy Feng says that as long as you’ve shown up on time, you’ll get your turn.

  Kathy Feng: “The key thing that voters need to know is that if you are standing in line at 8 p.m., you are allowed to vote no matter how long it takes for that line to get processed. And what will happen is, or what should happen, is that a poll worker will come out at 8 p.m. and note who is in the line and at the end of the line, and say everybody who is at this point on will vote even if it takes some time for them to actually get into the voting booth.”

  More than 4 million voters are registered in Los Angeles County – a record for the most populous county in the nation.

  Election Protection call center:

  

  Election Protection phone bank:

  

  Post-Its of reported voters concerns (broken ballot boxes, names not on registers, voter intimidation, running out of ballots, etc.):

  

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 5:33 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• African-Americans remember relatives who didn't live to see this election

  The historic nature of today’s election caused some African-Americans to remember relatives who didn’t live to see this occasion. Forty-four-year-old Michael Whitfield of South Los Angeles stood in line for 2 hours to vote. He said he would have waited three times as long.

  Michael Whitfield: “Even though I’m a father of three kids and got four grandkids, I feel like today was the day I can say that I did this for my father, who is deceased, who went through a lot; my mother; my grandfather. And I really feel good seeing black, white, Orientals, everybody of different nationality is here to vote. All the time I voted this was the best I’ve ever, ever seen.”

  Whitfield has worked as a maintenance engineer for 20 years.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 5:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Lawyer monitoring election process says provisional ballots will count

  In downtown Los Angeles today, a group of lawyers has been monitoring the election process. Some Angelenos arrived at their precincts to find they’re not on the rolls, even though they’re registered.

  Poll workers have given those voters provisional ballots. California Common Cause’s Kathy Feng says those provisional votes will still matter.

  Kathy Feng: “All ballots are counted; so whether it’s a regularly voted ballot at the polls, an absentee ballot, or a provisional ballot… rest assured that every county, including L.A. County is hard at work counting every single ballot, and the final count doesn’t get certified by the secretary of state until 28 days after the election.”

  Feng says she suspects more voters are getting provisional ballots because this year, more people are registering and voting for the first time.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 5:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Fountain Valley precinct supervisor talks about voting at her polling place

  KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez visited a polling booth in Fountain Valley.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: This polling booth is in a church a few blocks from city hall, the school district offices and a sign that reads “Fountain Valley, A Nice Place to Live.”

  Teresa Callahan, this precinct’s supervisor, says it’s turning out to be a nice place to vote. She says more than 30 people were in line when she opened the doors at 7 this morning.

  Crowds ebbed in the middle of the day and they’re picking back up. The only problem so far here has been one busted electronic voting machine. That leaves eight still in use.

  Callahan says she had to reprimand a few young voters for electioneering earlier today, after they began screaming and yelling right outside the precinct about their presidential pick.

  She says many people have asked, “How do I know my vote’s counted?” Callahan points to the machine and says “Trust us.” Unlike in previous years, Orange County voters don’t get paper receipts after they cast ballots.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 5:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• African-American woman says this election is bringing blacks together

  Many African-American voters approached the polls with a sense of history. Bobbie White of Long Beach waited two hours to cast her ballot and thought of what she’d seen during her lifetime.

  Bobbie White: “Civil Rights movement and all of the people that lost their lives and couldn’t vote. And I’m really moved by seeing all the young men that’s coming out. Some of the 18-, 19-year-olds. And I think this is giving them… It’s bringing us more together as black people.”

  The 60-year-old nurse said she believes this election is also important for women who aspire to the highest offices in the land.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 5:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Voter turnout in LA County on pace to set record

  Voting turnout in Los Angeles County is on pace to set a record today. As of 2 o’clock, almost half the county’s registered voters had cast ballots.

  In L.A.’s West Adams neighborhood, Gulf War veteran Dino Clear and his mother Louise have voted at the First A.M.E. Zion church for decades. The younger Clear told KPCC’s Molly Peterson that voting took a while – but he felt it was worth the time.

  Dino Clear: “This isn’t a normal turnout, usually we come right in and there’s no one here. The line goes through the lobby and it winds down the stairs, and the line is also going around downstairs, so it’s quite a line downstairs as well.”

  County election officials say they’re expecting more than 80 percent of eligible voters to cast ballots. Los Angeles is the biggest county in California and the nation with more than 4 million registered voters. In the last presidential election, more people voted in L.A. County than in 41 of the 50 states.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 4:55 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Independent poll watchers helping make sure voting runs smoothly

  Independent poll watchers are monitoring Los Angeles County precincts today to help ensure that the vote runs smoothly. People from the national Election Protection coalition and from the local voting rights group “Work the Vote” staked out L.A.’s West Adams neighborhood.

  Outside the polling station at the First A.M.E. Zion church, KPCC’s Molly Peterson met voter Jacqueline McDowell, who said the extra scrutiny makes sense.

  Jacqueline McDowell: Either it’s going to be the first African American or it’s going to be the first woman vice president so you know everybody wants to come out and do their part to make sure everything’s above board, you know? You have to keep things straight you know in the past elections they’ve had a few discrepancies so it doesn’t hurt to have things checked and rechecked, you know, dot your is and cross your ts. It’s a good thing.

  Some power outages have slowed voting in other L.A. precincts. But county elections officers and independent monitors say nobody’s reported major problems.

  Link: Election Protection
  Link: WorkTheVoteLA.org

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 4:42 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Inland Empire sees record increase in voter registration

  Long before Election Day, tens of thousands of people in the Inland Empire cast ballots by mail or at one of several early voting sites. The two-county region also added about 200,000 people to its voter rolls in the last year.

  That’s the biggest increase ever. Kari Virgil is San Bernardino County’s registrar of voters. She’s expecting the biggest turnout for a general election in county history.

  Kari Virgil: “The last record we had was just over 71 percent, so for this election I’m hoping we can achieve 75 percent or higher. I may be conservative on that number but we won’t know until later this evening, and during the canvass we’ll see that number continue to increase. Voters are just excited in general because whichever candidate they cast a ballot for, they will be making part of history.”

  Inland voters are using paper ballots today. That’s because California’s secretary of state decertified Riverside and San Bernardino County’s touch-screen voting systems last year over security concerns. But so far, elections officials haven’t reported any major delays.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 4:22 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Voters lined up around the block

  Poll workers at Virgil Middle School in Los Angeles – near the convergence of Hollywood and Koreatown – say the line of voters hasn’t let up since balloting began at 7 this morning.

  People lined up from the school’s auditorium half-way down the block. Twenty-seven-year-old voter Brooke Callahan told KPCC’s Queena Kim the wait didn’t bother her.

  Brooke Callahan: Actually I was expecting a lot more to be here.
  Queena Kim: You got yourself a book.
  Callahan: Yes, I came prepared; I have snack and a book and an iPod because I didn’t know how long I’d be here.

  Kim: Brooke Callahan’s just moved from Austin, Texas. This was her first time voting in California.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 4:03 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Poll manager talks about voting this year and in 2000

  Traffic is steady at polling places across the Inland region. Election officials in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties are anticipating about 75 percent of registered voters to cast ballots.

  Many of those voters have already cast ballots at early voting places or by mail. But most polling places had voters lined up at dawn this morning. Mickey Zolezio is the poll manger at Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riverside.

  Mickey Zolezio: “We had people waiting outside the door at 6 a.m., we opened at 7. I was anticipating chaos. Yeah, for sure. The craziest election I worked was the 2000 election, that’s where it got crazy. I think we had people lined up for over an hour, we had people standing in line like 9 o’clock. I even had to call the cops on somebody at some point.”

  It’s turned out to be not nearly as crazy today. Thousands of Inland voters waited up to 3 hours to cast ballots yesterday, the final day of early voting. That’s helped relieve the crush of voters at polling places today. Riverside and San Bernardino County’s anticipated record turnout is partly because of a surge of new voters.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 1:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Inland Empire voters talk about voting; officials expect 75 percent turnout

  Voters across the Inland Empire braved early morning rain and long lines to be among the first to cast ballots on this Election Day. Patrice Marks got to Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riverside just after the skies cleared. Even though the county allows a month of early voting, Marks said she prefers to cast her ballot on Election Day.

  Patrice Marks: “I guess it’s being part of our right, a ritual. Vote early and then see returns in the evening. We’re going to some friends’ house and have an election returns party. There’s gonna be potluck, don’t know how many people will be there… but everyone is on the same side rooting for the same candidate.”

  After she cast her own ballot, Marks dropped off her husband’s mail-in vote. Then she headed across town to assist her 73-year old sight-impaired mother cast her ballot.

  Election officials in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties are expecting around 75 percent of registered voters to cast ballots in this election.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 1:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Registrars say no reports of major election problems; voter rights group reports complaints regarding provisional ballots

  The registrars of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties say they haven’t received any reports of voting problems in their counties. San Bernardino County Registrar Barbara Dunmore spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Barbara Dunmore: “Turnout this morning has been very enthusiastic – of course our highest turnout is usually right in the morning from 7:30 until about 10 a.m. Then it seems to lighten up until the early evening hours from 4 to 8 p.m. So if you want to be most efficient at the polls, expedite your time there. Going midday will help you out.”

  The Los Angeles County registrar’s office also says it’s had no reports of major problems. But one voter rights coalition, “Election Protection,” says some L.A. County voters have complained they’ve had to vote with provisional ballots because their polling places didn’t receive a supplemental registration list, or the registration list was inaccurate. Members of the watchdog group couldn’t say how many precincts were affected, but they maintained there were “more than a few.”

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 1:09 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former eBay executive Meg Whitman might run for governor

  There’s new evidence that former eBay executive Meg Whitman might run for governor of California in a couple of years. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Whitman has petitioned the World Intellectual Property Organization to claim ownership of five Web domain names that include her name. They include MegWhitmanForGovernor.com and Whitman2010.com. The Sacramento Bee reports that a so-called cyber squatter bought the domains in January, days after Whitman indicated she might run for governor.

  The 52-year-old ex-eBay CEO and economic advisor to John McCain has said she’ll decide by the end of the year whether to run for the GOP nomination for governor. Only one other Republican has said he’ll run: Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

  The Democratic primary is expected to be chock full of candidates. Possible contenders include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, and State Attorney General Jerry Brown, who served as governor from 1975 until 1983. Term limits prohibit Governor Schwarzenegger from running again.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 12:05 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Long Beach voter talks about voting

  John Desaddi, who emigrated to the United States from Italy 40 years ago, cast his ballot in Long Beach this morning. He said national security concerns played a large part in his decision-making.

  John Desaddi: “I know what I want. I want for America to be the best, the strongest in the world.”

  The presence of African-American and female candidates for president and vice president, Desaddi said, shows that mainstream politics is starting to catch up with the nation’s demographics.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:54 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Voters face longer than usual lines; registrar advises voting in late morning, early afternoon

  Some voters at the First A.M.E. Zion Church in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles stood in longer than usual lines this morning. KPCC’s Molly Peterson met two women who were born in Belize who didn’t mind. Esther and her daughter Nairi said they’re overjoyed to vote in the United States.

  Esther: “Oh my god, this is the most important election ever!”
  Nairi: “I just recently got naturalized and after having to study, you know, all these laws and all these rights and everything under the constitution that most people in this country are born and should know, I was just like, yeah, I’m voting, because when I’m complaining, I’ll know that I at least made myself count.”

  Polls stay open until 8 o’clock tonight. The L.A. County Registrar’s Office advises voters who don’t want to wait a long time to head to the polls in the late morning and early afternoon.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:52 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County registrar-recorder says 85 to 90 percent of provisional votes are counted

  If you run into a problem verifying your name and address when you’re trying to vote today, you’re able to ask poll workers for a provisional ballot. Los Angeles County elections chief Dean Logan assured a caller to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that those votes will count.

  Dean Logan: “If you are issued a provisional ballot, it’s important that you provide real detailed information. What we will do then is verify your eligibility. And once we verify that you are an eligible voter and you haven’t voted in another ballot, we will count that ballot.”

  In L.A. County, Logan said, 85 to 90 percent of provisional votes are counted. Throughout California, polling places will stay open until 8 tonight. Let us know about your experience through our blog at KPCC.org.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:47 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Why campaign workers are allowed to examine voting rolls

  It’s against the law to campaign for a candidate or a ballot proposition within 100 feet of a polling station. So why are campaign workers allowed inside to look at the names of registered voters? KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has the answer.

  Kitty Felde: You may have spotted them at your precinct: eager young people anxiously looking at the street index with names scratched out in red that shows which voters have cast their ballots. These are campaign workers for a candidate or a ballot proposition.

  So why are partisan volunteers allowed access to voting information? Laurie Dunlap, who trains pollworkers for L.A. County, says it’s all part of Election Day.

  Laurie Dunlap: Voting is a public process. People can watch the voting, watch the ballots being counted, they can watch the entire process. And it is public information who in a precinct has been out to vote.

  And there are people who are interested in who in their precinct has been out in their party. So that information is public and it is possible for them to contact a voter and ask them to come out and vote.

  Felde:Campaign workers are not allowed to talk about their candidate or issue within 100 feet of the polling place.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:44 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA eases parking restrictions on Election Day

  If you’re concerned about finding a legal parking space today when you vote, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says, “don’t worry about it.” KPCC’s John Rabe explains why.

  John Rabe: Now, don’t go parking in a handicapped zone or in front of a fire hydrant, but in Los Angeles, you won’t have to put money in the meter or worry about street cleaning rules. Or worry about those bothersome permit parking restrictions in certain neighborhoods.

  Saying, “Now there’s one less excuse for not voting,” Mayor Villaraigosa told L.A.’s police and transportation departments to not enforce the usual parking rules on Election Day.

  But – and it’s a big but – the city’s only easing those rules within one block of a polling place. So don’t abuse the privilege. No fair hogging a space if your dry cleaner is next to someone else’s polling place.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:42 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Political scientist talks about flaws in US voting systems

  On this Election Day, plenty of people are concerned about the way Americans vote. Political scientist Michael Alvarez examines balloting mechanisms and methods through the Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project. He suggested to a caller to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” why voting systems in this country are flawed:

  Michael Alvarez: “Every state essentially has the power under the constitution to run their own election. So we’ve got some 50-plus odd some elections. And then within most states, counties are delegated enormous amount of responsibility to run elections. Some states, it’s even lower than that; it goes down to municipal and township levels. So we have 3-, 5-, 6-thousand different entities in the U.S. that run elections and they run them all a different way.”

  In California, polling places are open until 8 tonight. We’ll carry election coverage throughout the day and into the evening on KPCC.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:39 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• What 'electioneering' means, and why you can't wear political clothing to vote

  Voters often bring their children with them when they cast a ballot. One early voter even brought the ashes of his deceased African-American parents with him to the polling station.

  But KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has this reminder: don’t bring anything that advertises your political preference.

  Kitty Felde: You’ve probably seen the signs outside your polling booth: “no electioneering within 100 feet.” But what exactly does that mean? Laurie Dunlap, who trains pollworkers for L.A. County, says it includes t-shirts, hats, and campaign buttons.

  Laurie Dunlap: Electioneering is any type of advertisement or advocacy, handing out fliers, putting a sign in a car, trying to talk to voters. Because we want voters to be able to enter our polling place free of intimidation, we don’t want them to see people at the door doing that and feel uncomfortable about entering the polling place, and that is why it’s not allowed. But it simply means promoting your candidate, your proposition, whatever it is you’re promoting that election.

  Felde: Dunlap says if you forget, you’ll be asked to remove your button or hat or asked to turn your t-shirt inside out. But you’ll still be allowed to vote.

  Tools

  • November 4, 2008 11:37 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Registrar says that LA County has enough ballots

  The voter registrar in L.A. County says the rumors of a ballot shortage are just that: rumors. A local voters group claims L.A. County Registrar of Voters Dean Logan hasn’t handed out nearly enough ballots – but Logan told reporters in Norwalk this afternoon that he has history and math on his side.

  Dean Logan: “The precincts that we looked at have more than enough ballots to serve all of the active voters who could possibly show up tomorrow.”

  The rumors claim that turnout will be so high that some voters will have to cast provisional ballots – and those ballots might not be tallied in the final count. Logan says that’s not true. He says his staff is well aware of the potential for a high voter turnout – and he says his office is ready.

  Logan: “They don’t need to worry tonight or tomorrow morning about whether there will be a ballot for them when they show up to vote. We will have a ballot for every voter that shows up in L.A. County tomorrow.”

  Logan says ballots already in hand from absentee and early voting represent 14-percent voter turnout before Election Day.

  Tools

  • November 3, 2008 5:03 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County registar-recorder planning to vote in person

  Los Angeles County is the largest voting jurisdiction in the United States. Its registrar-recorder, Dean Logan, has been preparing his staff for months to handle an anticipated flood of absentee and in-person ballots. He told KPCC he does plan to take a short break on Election Day.

  Dean Logan: “I’m going to my polling place. I live in Whittier. I’m going to go – probably midday – see how things are going, and cast my ballot.”

  Voters in L.A. County may find out online where their polling places are by visiting LAVote.net. Polls throughout California will be open until 8 at night. For Southland, state, and national election results, stay tuned to KPCC.

  Tools

  • November 3, 2008 4:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama effect could impact local races

  Supporters of Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks and State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas are furiously calling supporters in final hours of their contest for second district supervisor. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that a third candidate has also loomed large in both campaigns.

  Frank Stoltze: The 2nd District covers much of South L.A., Compton, and Inglewood. It’s heavily Democratic and as much as one-third of the electorate is African-American. That’s why Parks and Ridley-Thomas have mentioned their support of Barack Obama over and over.

  Bernard Parks: Obaaama!
  Mark Ridley-Thomas: Senator Barack Obama! Yes We Can!

  Stoltze: At one debate, each tried to out-Obama the other.

  Parks: I endorsed Obama two years ago.
  Moderator: OK. That is it. Thank you.
  Ridley-Thomas: Hello. And I registered 25,000 voters.
  Moderator: Your time is diminishing.
  Ridley-Thomas: I love Obama.

  Stoltze: At a recent rally, Ridley-Thomas supporters sported t-shirts with his name on the front and Obama’s on the back. At the same event, Bernard Parks Junior quietly approached a reporter and slipped him a color photograph of his father with – who else – a smiling Barack Obama.

  The Illinois senator has endorsed neither candidate. Analysts say Obama’s presence on the ballot could affect a wide range of candidates and propositions in California, adding tens of thousands of Democrats, African-Americans, and voters under 30 years old.

  Tools

  • November 3, 2008 4:09 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Vote monitoring activists worry about lack of ballots in LA County

  One day before the polls open, vote monitoring activists say they’re worried Los Angeles County isn’t providing precincts with enough ballots. More on the story from KPCC’s Molly Peterson.

  Molly Peterson: A group called Work the Vote has been recruiting Angelenos to work as poll monitors for the cause of election integrity. Now it’s releasing stories from some poll workers and inspectors who say they’re concerned L.A. County isn’t printing and distributing enough ballots for their precincts.

  Four years ago, statewide turnout was about 76 percent. With registrations up, that figure could exceed 80 percent – and Work the Vote maintains that the county should print and distribute enough ballots to accommodate 100 percent in-person turnout.

  L.A. County registrar Dean Logan says he’s expecting lots of voters – but his office hasn’t printed that many ballots. Logan says factors including historic turnout, the number of inactive voters, and the amount of vote-by-mail and late registrations have influenced the number of ballots at each polling place.

  Logan points out that the state approved L.A. County’s ballot plan – including contingencies to distribute provisional ballots where demand’s especially high.

  WorkTheVoteLA.org

  Tools

  • November 3, 2008 3:06 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Inland registrars prepare for Tuesday election, lines at the polls

  Inland Empire voters are taking advantage of the last day for early voting. Lines at election headquarters in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties have been spilling out into the street. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas has more.

  Steven Cuevas: At the Riverside County registrar’s office, voters take a number and wait – kind of like the DMV. The average wait is about an hour-and-a-half. It’s the same scene at the San Bernardino County registrar’s office, but the wait to cast ballots there is only about 45 minutes or so.

  Registrars are hoping the crush of people today will take the pressure off polling places tomorrow. Keri Verjil is San Bernardino County’s registrar of voters.

  Keri Verjil: That’s my hope; that it might help with the lines on Election Day – but it’s hard to tell. If our voters are out in full force, we probably will have lines at the polls no matter what we do. There just seems to be a lot of excitement about this election.

  Cuevas: If you do vote today in San Bernardino or Riverside County, keep in mind the early voting polls close at 5 o’clock. Polling places across the Inland Empire and across California open at 7 in the morning on Election Day.

  Tools

  • November 3, 2008 2:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• 3 hour wait time for early voting in LA County

  The wait time for early voting at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office in Norwalk stands at 3 hours. But L.A. County voters who applied for and received vote-by-mail ballots may complete them and drop them off at the office without waiting in the long line. Christine Beckner of Hollywood says she doesn’t like crowds, so she’s made a habit of voting early.

  Christine Beckner: “Every year is important. Every election is important. You know if you expect them to govern, um, according to your liking, you’ve gotta let them know what you like. So, you know, vote your beliefs and see how we do.”

  Another option for Los Angeles County voters with mail-in ballots: fill them out and turn them in tomorrow – Election Day – at any polling place in L.A. County.

  Tools

  • November 3, 2008 2:40 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pollworker trainer explains what happens if you wear campaign merchandise to vote

  There have been reports of e-mails circulating that warn voters not to wear their Obama or McCain buttons and t-shirts to the polls for fear they’ll be turned away and not allowed to vote. Fact or urban myth? KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has the answer.

  Kitty Felde: Campaign t-shirts and buttons have become almost a fashion statement this election. But not at the polls. That’s because the state of California forbids electioneering within a hundred feet of a polling place.

  Laurie Dunlap, who trains pollworkers for L.A. County, has instructed workers what to do if someone shows up wearing political paraphernalia.

  Laurie Dunlap: We would ask them to remove the item while they are voting in the polling place, but we are not turning voters away and all voters will be accommodated.
  Felde: Suppose somebody refuses to take off their button or refuses to turn their t-shirt around. What do you do?
  Dunlap: That really shouldn’t be a big problem because the majority of voters are not intending to electioneer and almost all of them comply with a request when they find out it’s illegal. We will not turn voters away. We will process all voters and everyone will be able to cast their ballot.

  Felde: Dunlap told pollworkers if a voter refuses to remove a political button, just let them vote and leave the polling place as quickly as possible.

  Tools

  • October 31, 2008 5:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County mailed out last of vote-by-mail ballots Friday

  Los Angeles County voters who applied for Vote-by-Mail ballots by last Tuesday’s deadline, listen up: if you haven’t received your ballot yet, it might still be on the way. County Registrar/Recorder Dean Logan says his office is mailing the last batch of mail-in-ballots today.

  Dean Logan: “If you receive it over the weekend, our advice is to vote your ballot but to return the voted ballot in person, either here at our office or at a poll site on election day. Because it does have to physically be back here by the time the polls close on Tuesday. So you probably don’t want to chance putting it back in the mail at that point.”

  Logan’s office in Norwalk is open from 8 in the morning to 8 at night today and tomorrow, from 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon on Sunday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. On Election Day, you can drop off a completed mail-in ballot at any polling place in the county – not only your own. Make sure, though, that you’ve signed it in all the right places. More information is available online at lavote.net.

  Tools

  • October 31, 2008 5:05 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County voters line up at Norwalk office to cast early ballots

  Because early voting is in vogue this election cycle, the Registrar’s office in Los Angeles County is doing its best to make it easy. The Norwalk location is staying open until 8 tonight, opening tomorrow from 8 to 8, and on Sunday from 8 in the morning to 4 p.m. KPCC’s Brian Watt says it’s the only place people in L.A. County can vote early in person.

  Brian Watt: Yep. Sorry. The big building on Imperial Highway is L.A. County’s only early option. That’s not sitting well with people who’ve sat under a tent outside – and waited 2 hours or more – like Marcie Martin of South Los Angeles.

  Marcie Martin: Santa Monica, the Valley, Hollywood, Compton, Carson, Long Beach. Everybody gotta vote in one place? And then what if people can’t get to Norwalk?

  Watt: Those are fair questions to Dean Logan, the L.A. County registrar/recorder. He says L.A. County voters used to be able to vote early on touch-screen machines in many locations. But Logan says California’s Secretary of State has toughened the rules governing their use.

  Dean Logan: If we were to use that equipment, we would be required to do a 100 percent manual count, which is just not logistically feasible.

  Logan says it’s even more difficult to make paper ballots available early in multiple locations – because there are more than 700 different ballot types in Los Angeles County.

  Tools

  • October 31, 2008 3:48 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Presidential campaign representatives talk about GOTV: 'Get Out The Vote'

  The final weekend of a very long presidential campaign is upon us, and the major candidates are trying to inspire the biggest possible turnout between now and Tuesday. Rick Gorka, a spokesman for Republican Senator John McCain, used the acronym GOTV – political jargon for Get Out The Vote.

  Rick Gorka: “The volunteers that we’ve had across this country are turning out record numbers of voter contacts and GOTV phone calls and door knocks. We are more than capable and more than excited about our chances on Tuesday.”

  So, in his way, is Gabriel Sanchez, state communications director for Democratic Senator Barack Obama’s campaign.

  Gabriel Sanchez: “You never take anything for granted. You don’t ever think the election is over before Election Day. And you get out there, and you get out the vote. And that’s what we are focused on. That’s what we are energized to do. Everyone here, the energy is incredible, the people are focused. It’s a tremendous thing to see.”

  The campaign representatives spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.”

  Tools

  • October 31, 2008 3:40 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pollworker trainer explains what to do with an absentee ballot if it's too late to mail it

  A record number of Californians are voting by mail this election. But what happens if your absentee ballot arrives too late to get it in the mail before Election Day? What do you do? KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde answers some more questions from KPCC listeners.

  Kitty Felde: You can always drop off your signed, filled out absentee ballot at any polling precinct in your county. But suppose you live in Orange County and work in L.A. County. Can you drop off that O.C. ballot at an L.A. County precinct? Laurie Dunlap, who trains pollworkers for L.A. County, says yes, but…

  Laurie Dunlap: It is not a recommended practice because since Los Angeles County is such a large county, and it takes a long time to process our votes; their vote may not reach their county in time to be counted. So if at all possible, we would recommend you returning in your own county. If at all feasible, we will accept it and endeavor to get it back to your county in a timely manner.
  Felde: When you say “would never get counted” – ever? I mean, eventually you’d get around to sending that out to Orange County, wouldn’t you?
  Dunlap: Yes, but Orange County may have certified their election before they received that ballot that we submitted. It is possible.

  Felde: Polling stations in all California counties are open election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  Tools

  • October 31, 2008 3:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pollworkers prepare for election day

  Pollworkers in L.A. County spent two hours in Election Day training sessions in various locations across the county today. Voter turnout is expected to be quite heavy. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde spoke to one veteran pollworker who’s looking forward to the crush.

  Kitty Felde: Voters aren’t the only ones excited about this election. Alma Augustus is a clerk-typist for L.A. County. For the past two years, she’s also been a pollworker. And Alma Augustus can hardly wait to open the polls Tuesday morning.

  Alma Augustus: We as black people have not had the right to vote for a long time. We haven’t even had it for a hundred years. Too many people have died for me to have the right to walk into a poll place and cast a vote. Yes, I would have done it and they wouldn’t have had to pay me a dime.

  Felde: Augustus says she’s not nervous about the expected crowds. She cites election policy that says everybody still in line when the polls officially close at 8 o’clock will be allowed to cast a ballot.

  Tools

  • October 31, 2008 3:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County voters line up at Norwalk office to cast early ballots

  A record number of early voters in Tuesday’s election meant a long line today at the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorders Office in Norwalk. KPCC’s Brian Watt was there.

  Brian Watt: The staff at the Norwalk location on Imperial Highway raised tents and brought in 500 chairs so that early voters didn’t have to stand in the sun.

  Steve Logan: If you go in there without your paperwork, you’ll be sent back out here, and you will not probably get back in the same place that you were in. So I’m just letting you know now…

  Watt: That’s veteran staffer Steve Logan making sure everyone got to vote in order. Many voters showed up to avoid a long wait on Election Day. But, like 45-year-old Lisa Hamilton, they discovered that others had the same idea.

  Lisa Hamilton: You know, it’s a long line, but it’s just too important not to – not to wait.

  Watt: Hamilton drove from Carson with her mother, Helen Lee. They waited at least two hours.

  Helen Lee: I would have gotten off my death bed to come and do this voting… and early!

  Watt: The Norwalk location is the only place Los Angeles County voters may cast their early ballots in person.

  NOTE: The Norwalk office will be open Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.

  LINK: Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 6:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Two senior L.A. Unified board members won't seek reelection

  The two most senior members of the L.A. Unified Board of Education say they’re calling it quits. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Julie Korenstein’s represented the San Fernando Valley on the school board for 22 years. She’s been a teachers’ union advocate, and she’s pushed for early childhood education and class size reduction. Korenstein, a grandmother of four children, said the time’s right to retire.

  Marlene Canter’s also leaving the school board. She’s represented the Tarzana and Westchester district for almost eight years. She scored a knockout against junk foods on campus a few years ago by banning high-calorie food and beverage sales in vending machines. Canter said she’s leaving L.A. Unified to pursue other work.

  The departures could realign the school board in favor of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s education proposals. He helped elect three of seven current school board members.

  Whoever runs next will need a thick wallet. Last year one school board candidate spent about $1 million to get elected. The L.A. City Clerk’s office is accepting applications Monday through Saturday of next week for the March election to fill the two open seats.

  LINK: LAUSD Board of Education

  LINK: L.A. City Clerk

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 6:34 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Long lines for early voting at LA County registar/recorder's office in Norwalk

  Record numbers of people are voting early in Tuesday’s election. That meant a long line today at the Los Angeles County Registar/Recorder’s office in Norwalk. The staff there raised tents so hundreds of voters wouldn’t have to wait in the sun. Lisa Hamilton drove with her mother from Carson to wait for at least two hours.

  Lisa Hamilton: “I thought that Tuesday was going to be, you know, really, really crowded, and I just didn’t want anything to stop me from getting my vote in. So I decided to come early in case, you know, anything were to come up. I just wanted to make sure that my vote counted. I’m not sure if the early votes are one of the first votes to be counted, so I just wanted to make sure my voice was heard… and heard early.”

  The Norwalk office is the only place Los Angeles County voters may cast ballots early in person. It’s open from 8 in the morning to 8 at night on Friday and Saturday, and from 8 to 4 in the afternoon on Sunday. More information is available online at LAVote.net.

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 5:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County pollworker trainer says new voters should bring ID

  We’ve been getting e-mails from KPCC listeners about what might happen on Election Day. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde took some of your questions to the experts.

  Kitty Felde: One listener asked whether anyone has to show an ID – like a driver’s license or a passport – to vote. Laurie Dunlap – who trains pollworkers for L.A. County – says if this is your first time voting, bring an ID.

  Laurie Dunlap: In the state of California, we do not ask for ID – identification from voters – unless they are a new voter who did not show or establish ID at the time that they registered to vote.
  Felde: So if I was a new voter, I registered by mail, I would be asked by what – the pollworker? How would they know I was a new voter?
  Dunlap: On our voter registration form, there is a voter status column next to their names and it says what status that voter is in. And if there’s an “N” next to their name, that means they are a new voter. And they have a list of acceptable identification forms, it does not necessarily mean for example, a driver’s license. We would accept a utility bill, a gas bill, their official sample ballot would be an excellent ID for them to use.

  Felde: Remember that the ID request only goes for new voters and only if you didn’t show an ID when you registered. If you’ve voted before and your name is on the list at the polling place, all you need to do is sign in. The pollworkers will trust that you are who you say you are.

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 5:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Protesters protest LA Times' decision to not release Obama/Khalidi video

  Outside the Los Angeles Times’ downtown headquarters today, protesters demanded that the newspaper release a video. A Times reporter obtained the recording of a farewell dinner five years ago for Rashid Khalidi, a former University of Chicago professor and a former colleague of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

  Khalidi, who teaches at Columbia University now, has been an advocate for Palestinian sovereignty and a controversial figure among supporters of Israel.

  Demonstrator Rebecca Simon of Palos Verdes says people should know about Obama’s relationship to Khalidi. Simon supports Republican candidate John McCain.

  [Chanting “Show me the Tape! Show me the tape! Show me the tape!”]

  Rebecca Simon: “If the other side is saying this is campaign tactics, OK, just prove us wrong, expose the tape, release it for the whole world to see, that how despicable Republicans are, and so just put us to shame, why don’t you do that?”

  The L.A. Times ran an article about about Obama’s connection to Rashid Khalidi in April. Newspaper officials say they won’t release the video because the reporter promised to keep it confidential and is ethically obliged to keep that promise.

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 4:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger announces bipartisan commission to study ways to improve California's revenue flow

  Governor Schwarzenegger is forming a bipartisan commission that will study ways to improve California’s revenue flow. The governor signed an executive order this morning to create the Commission on the 21st Century Economy.

  Governor Schwarzenegger said California’s current revenue system relies too much on income tax.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Instead of being diverse it depends on just 1 percent of our taxpayers providing 50 percent of our income taxes. And to make things worse, that 1 percent is actually relying on Wall Street for their income.”

  Schwarzenegger said the commission will examine ways to improve California’s tax code. The commission will include 12 members. The governor will appoint six of them. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and her counterpart in the State Senate will pick the other six. Commissioners will have to report back to the governor and the legislature with their findings by next April.

  Link: Press release on Commission on the 21st Century Economy

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 2:29 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger to campaign in Ohio for McCain

  Governor Schwarzenegger plans to visit Ohio tomorrow to campaign for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. The governor will introduce McCain at an event in Columbus.

  Polls have shown McCain trailing Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential race. Today, a reporter asked Schwarzenegger what he thought of McCain’s chances.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Well I’m not a fortune teller. So I know this is going to be a very tough uphill battle for him. And I contribute my help. You know I’m a big believer in him. And so I’m going to campaign – it’s something I promised him several months ago.”

  Schwarzenegger was supposed to speak at the Republican National Convention last month, but he cancelled because of the state budget impasse.

  Link: JohnMcCain.com – McCain-Palin 2008
  Link: Office of the Governor

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 2:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal officials consider guaranteeing $500 billion in restructured mortgages

  Federal officials are considering a plan that would guarantee as much as $500 billion in mortgages that lenders have agreed to restructure.

  James Wilcox teaches business at UC Berkeley. He says there’s no doubt that type of plan will unfairly exclude some homeowners. But he says helping homeowners isn’t the goal.

  James Wilcox: “Remember, we’re mostly interested in getting these markets as a whole working better and not necessarily trying to bail out any individual homeowner or any individual lender.”

  Policymakers are still working out details of the plan – and it’s unclear who would qualify for it. But Wilcox says it’s unlikely the plan would be based on whether a homeowner is delinquent. He says it will more likely be other factors such as how large the mortgage payment is relative to a person’s income.

  James A. Wilcox, UC Berkeley

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 2:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Public education leaders condemn Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to close deficit by cutting school budgets

  Public education leaders are condemning Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to close a ballooning state deficit by slashing school district budgets.

  Maria Ott, Superintendent of the San Gabriel Valley’s Rowland Unified School District, says she doesn’t want budget cuts to disrupt education now that the school year’s started.

  Maria Ott: “If you would have to do any kind of reduction in employees mid-year, that would have a huge impact. That certainly is a fear any district would have, is can they meet their payroll requirements for the remainder of the year.”

  Ott says a committee of Rowland Unified’s staff and neighborhood leaders is meeting every month to brainstorm on how they can save money. She supports a tax hike to help close the budget deficit and spare schools. Governor Schwarzenegger told educators at a private meeting this week he’ll also back a tax increase.

  Office of the Governor

  Tools

  • October 30, 2008 2:12 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger floats idea of mid-year school budget cuts

  The budget state lawmakers approved a few weeks ago is already at least $5 billion in the red. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met with public school leaders yesterday to warn about the consequences. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Governor told educators to prepare for 2 to 4 billion dollars in mid-year cuts.

  L.A. Unified, by far the largest school district in the state, would take the biggest hit. Its superintendent, David Brewer, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” he’s preparing for far-reaching cuts.

  David Brewer: “We’re supposed to keep our schools open the equivalent of 180 days every year and obviously if they impose some budgets like that in the middle of the school year, it will be almost impossible for us to basically to maintain, keep schools open and do all the things we’re supposed to do.”

  Brewer said cuts could force L.A. Unified to shut some campuses. Previous budget cuts and dropping enrollment have already forced some Southland districts to close schools. State Senator George Runner said schools could withstand cuts if Sacramento removes some limits on they way they can spend state education money.

  Tools

  • October 29, 2008 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former White House chief of staff Panetta talks about lack of leadership in California and DC

  Former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta says he’s eager for calm heads to prevail in government. The co-director of the institute named after him at Cal State Monterey Bay spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Leon Panetta: “I often tell the students at my institute that we govern either by leadership or crisis. If leadership is there and willing to make the tough decisions then hopefully you can avoid crisis, or certainly control it. But now, in the absence of leadership, crisis is driving policy, and that’s true for the state.”

  He says the partisan gridlock in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. is the worst he’s seen during a long career in public service. You can hear Patt’s full interview with Leon Panetta tomorrow at 1.

  Tools

  • October 29, 2008 2:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Board of Supervisors candidates support reopening Martin Luther King Medical Center

  The rivals for a rare open seat on Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors both support the idea of reopening Martin Luther King Medical Center. But State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas and L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks differ about how to make that happen. Ridley-Thomas told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the facility should not operate strictly as a public hospital.

  Mark Ridley-Thomas: “On the matter of health care, specifically as it relates to the Martin Luther King Medical Center, I believe a public/private partnership is the order of the day.”

  Although Parks agreed that South L.A. County needs a reopened hospital – complete with a trauma center – he proposed a different operating model.

  Bernard Parks: “We need to, as I’ve already done, work with the governor’s office and the board to bring the UC system in for immediate credibility, and to be part of the clinical and the issue of dealing with the education.”

  The hospital – once affiliated with Drew University of Medicine – closed a year and a half ago after it failed several inspections. Now it operates as an urgent care facility. Its future is a key issue in the campaign for L.A. County’s second district seat that represents Compton, Watts, and surrounding areas.

  Tools

  • October 29, 2008 2:13 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Plan to test California 8th graders in algebra put on hold

  A plan to force 8th graders in California to be tested in algebra has been put on hold. KPCC’s Steve Julian says a judge yesterday ordered the state to shelf the idea until another court hearing in mid-December.

  Steve Julian: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger nudged the Board of Education to approve the plan in July. The plan to test 8th graders in algebra would be the first of its kind in the country.

  But those against the idea, including the state schools superintendent Jack O’Connell, believe students at that age aren’t yet ready, and the added pressure could increase dropout rates. California was under pressure from the U.S. Department of Education to change its current 8th grade math test or face losing up to $4 million dollars in funding.

  Superintendent O’Connell had proposed measuring some algebra standards, but not all. He said it would cost California billions of dollars to implement the plan – money the state doesn’t have. California currently has a $3 billion budget deficit.

  Tools

  • October 29, 2008 11:28 AM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Labor leaders announce opposition to Proposition 8

  Los Angeles labor leaders have announced their opposition to Proposition 8. The measure would outlaw same-sex marriage in California. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor represents 300 unions with more than 800,000 members. Maria Elena Durazo is its secretary-treasurer.

  Maria Elena Durazo: The working men and women in this county are united in strong opposition to Proposition 8.

  Stoltze: Just down the hall from the press conference, one phone bank volunteer on another union campaign loudly remarked that only men and women should be allowed to marry – and that she’d vote for Prop 8.

  Union leaders argue that the issue is about equality under the law, and labor rights. T. Santora heads the Communications Workers of America in L.A.

  T. Santora: If our members are allowed to be discriminated against, that is going to infiltrate into the workplace. Even though our contracts have very good language to protect people and provide equal benefits, it is difficult every time we go to the bargaining table when the law has a lower standard for our members when they go home at night.

  Stoltze: A spokeswoman for “No on 8” said labor unions statewide had contributed one-and-a-half million dollars to the campaign.

  LINK: Los Angeles County Federation of Labor

  LINK: No on 8

  LINK: Yes on 8

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 7:18 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC supervisors change leadership structure of county crime lab

  The Orange County sheriff will no longer have sole control over the county’s crime lab. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the Orange County Board of Supervisors today put a trio in charge.

  Susan Valot: The decision by the supervisors was unanimous: responsibility for the Orange County Crime Lab will be shared by the sheriff, the district attorney, and the county CEO. County Public Defender Deborah Kwast says she’ll go with the recommendation to put the three department heads in charge.

  Deborah Kwast: We do, however, continue to have the concern that there is a conflict of interest and that that can influence the results and the analysis of DNA in this county.

  Valot: Here’s why the public defender is worried: DNA testing, along with other analyses done at the crime lab, provides the evidence that helps put people behind bars – and now the district attorney has some say over how those tests are done.

  D.A. Tony Rackauckas says he won’t interfere with the science of the crime lab. The supervisors’ decision ends what some have called a “turf war” between the D.A. and Sheriff’s Department over who should run the crime lab. The Board of Supervisors says it’ll revisit the issue in a year, to see how things are going.

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 5:27 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• OC Sheriff's Department wants to cut back overtime

  Over the past 10 years, overtime pay in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has doubled. County supervisors want to cut that back – and KPCC’s Susan Valot says the sheriff today promised to try.

  Susan Valot: The Sheriff’s Department pays about $48 million a year in overtime pay. That seems like a lot – but the Orange County performance auditor says hiring, training, and paying for new deputies costs more than paying extra overtime to the ones the county has. But Sheriff Sandra Hutchens says she’s already making changes to resolve the situation.

  Sheriff Sandra Hutchens: We had employees who were working a significant amount of overtime, a few. And we have put in place a limit of 48 hours in a pay period of overtime that they can work. And we’re holding them accountable for that. We’re concerned about the fatigue factor.

  Valot: Hutchens says it’s a matter of finding the right balance between overtime and fatigue. The auditor says making changes could save the county some $3 million a year… and putting correctional officers in place of deputies in the county jails could save even more. The sheriff’s jail audit team is due to make recommendations about that when it issues its first audit of the jails later this month.

  Link: Overtime audit of OC Sheriff’s Department

  Link: OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens’ written response to overtime audit

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 4:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Preliminary numbers indicate record number of registered voters in California

  Next month’s presidential election will be historic for many reasons, including this: a record number of voters in California. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: California’s Secretary of State doesn’t have to report the final tally until Friday. But preliminary numbers indicate a record number of Californians have registered to vote for next week’s presidential election.

  More than 17 million people have registered to vote, breaking the previous California record of just over 16-and-a-half million. One in three California voters chose Republican as their party of choice. That’s the lowest percentage of GOP voters in any of the last four presidential elections. Nearly 44 percent of voters checked the Democratic box.

  The number of voters who decline to state a party choice continues to grow in California. One in five California voters now considers him or herself an independent. Even in this record year, though, Secretary of State Debra Bowen says more than 30 percent of eligible Californians are not registered to vote.

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 4:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic and Republican operatives talk about California state Congress

  A week before the November 4th election, plenty could happen to shift the results. But for now, said Democratic political strategist Chris Lehane, undecided voters may hold the key in contested campaigns for California Senate and Assembly seats.

  Chris Lehane: “Historically, in challenged elections where you really do get a tidal wave, what ends up happening in these races is that the undecided voters by 60, 70, 80 percent break for the challenger. And virtually all these features that we’re talking about is the Democrats are the challenger. And so that would certainly suggest by historical trends that they stand to benefit.”

  Republican analyst Allan Hoffenblum reluctantly agreed.

  Allan Hoffenblum: “It looks like again… I hate to say, the Republicans are deep trouble. It looks like the Democrats are actually going after six assembly districts currently held by a Republican, all of which one is opened because the incumbent termed out.”

  Hoffenblum and Lehane spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 3:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Survivor of the Great Depression worries about another economic crisis

  A week before the November 4th election, the economy is on Southland voters’ minds. Seventy-seven-year-old Betty Phillips is a widow and retired homemaker living in the San Fernando Valley. Phillips said she’s been so nervous about the economy, last month she seriously considered liquidating all her assets to stuff the money under her mattress.

  Betty Phillips: “I thought sure enough we’d have another depression. I was in the other depression, I remember when I was little as they were coming out of it, and that was a horrible thing. I didn’t even have a pair of shoes.”

  We’ll keep bringing you voters’ voices and concerns through Election Day.

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 2:56 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California lawmakers convene for special session on state deficit

  State lawmakers plan to convene in Sacramento a week from tomorrow for a special session on the state’s growing deficit. Governor Schwarzenegger issued the call yesterday.

  Democratic state senator Denise Ducheny chairs the senate’s budget committee. She’s skeptical that the session will accomplish much, since it’ll include legislators whose terms will expire at the end of November.

  Denise Ducheny: “While we can start a session on the 5th – and that looks like the agreement that we have is that we will open a session – you know it will be very difficult to try to reach agreement in a two to three week period before Thanksgiivng.”

  Ducheny spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle. A new set of lawmakers will begin their terms in December. But Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders decided the state can’t wait until then.

  The downturn in the stock market has depressed state revenues. The governor said California’s facing a much worse deficit than the $3 billion that state officials estimated earlier this month.

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 12:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• State legislature returns on November 5th for special session on state's deficit

  The state legislature will return to Sacramento on November 5th for a special session. Lawmakers were supposed to convene in December, but Governor Schwarzenegger says the earlier session is necessary to tackle the state’s growing deficit. Republican state senator George Runner told KPCC’s Larry Mantle he doubts the session will accomplish much.

  George Runner: “I mean, you get two very strong opposing philosophies. I mean, we’re very strong on the fact that during a time of recession, during a time of high unemployment, during a time when people are already having to pay phenomenal costs, it’s not the time to go ahead and raise taxes.”

  Instead, Republicans are calling for more tax breaks. State officials have estimated that the state’s deficit will be $3 billion for the current fiscal year. Governor Schwarzenegger says he thinks it will be much higher.

  Tools

  • October 28, 2008 12:32 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• L.A. Department of Water and Power settles in overcharging lawsuit

  The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has agreed to pay out $160 million for overcharging public agencies. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The DWP decided to settle the lawsuit in part because of a tentative court decision earlier this year that said the utility had imposed “illegal and unjustified overcharges” on public agencies.

  Eight years ago, the state attorney general’s office sued the utility for overcharging Los Angeles County, the L.A. Unified School District, UCLA, and other state agencies. State law says municipal power authorities can only charge governmental agencies their proportionate share of what it cost to build the electric facilities that provide their energy.

  The school district will get the largest share of the settlement – $25 million, plus another $28 million for energy upgrades.

  While the DWP fought the lawsuit for years, General Manager David Nahai said the settlement was the result of “good faith” discussions under his administration.

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 6:20 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Seal Beach voter says parents' financial concerns affect her vote

  Researchers suggest that parents’ political leanings help shape voters’ decisions at the ballot box. That’s the case for Seal Beach resident Christina Strunk.

  Christina Strunk: My family owns small businesses and just like, the tax stuff goes better with my family’s businesses. And right now my parents support me, so whatever’s best for them is best for me.

  Strunk, a college student who was filling up her Porsche at a Long Beach gas station, says she’s thinking about the economy and gas prices as she prepares to vote next Tuesday.

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 5:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Tuesday, October 28th is last day to request vote by mail ballot

  If you prefer to vote in the privacy of your home, tomorrow is the last day to request a “vote by mail” ballot in California. If you want your vote to be counted first on election night, KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde tells you how.

  Kitty Felde: On election night, absentee ballots are the first votes counted. That means if you vote by mail and you remembered to return your ballot early, your vote could be among the first in California to be tallied. But most people who vote by mail are, shall we say, procrastinators.

  Stephen Wier is registrar of voters in Contra Costa County near San Francisco. He says that two years ago, more than one in five California ballots arrived so late, offices like his didn’t count them until after the election.

  Stephen Wier: In the first three weeks of absentee voting – we have 29 days, call it 4 weeks – first three weeks, about half come back. In the last week, about half come back. And now it’s heavily loaded the last four days.

  Felde: Wier predicts the number of so called “unvoted ballots” will be much higher this election. So if you want your vote counted on election night, get it in the mail pronto! Of course, if you’re determined to wait until the last minute, you can turn your absentee ballot in at any polling place until 8 o’clock election night.

  Clarification: You can drop your ballot off at any polling station within the county in which you’re registered to vote.

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 5:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Treasury Department gives $400 million to Beverly Hills-based City National Bank

  The federal Treasury Department has chosen Beverly Hills-based City National Bank as one of the first financial institutions to get an infusion of cash. City National’s portion of the taxpayer-funded bailout package amounts to almost $400 million.

  Los Angeles Times financial writer Michael Hiltzik explained to KPCC’s Larry Mantle why the government directed money toward a bank that’s turned a consistent profit for more than 15 years.

  Michael Hiltzik: “City National has done very well and it’s a fairly solid bank, but I think Treasury’s calculation is that with this extra money, it will be even stronger. And I think Treasury probably has it in its mind that City National will be in a position to fund some more acquisitions of weaker banks and thus make the regional banking system somewhat stronger.”

  City National’s the second-largest independent bank in the state. Its officials say they don’t yet know what they’ll do with the cash, but they have the option of acquiring another bank or bolstering what its chief executive called “one of the healthiest balance sheets in the United States.”

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 2:05 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Ted Stevens found guilty in corruption case

  By Matt Apuzzo and Jesse J. Holland Associated Press Writers

  WASHINGTON (AP) – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that tainted the 40-year Senate career of Alaska’s political patriarch.

  The verdict, coming just days before Election Day, adds further uncertainty to a closely watched Senate race. Democrats hope to seize the once reliably Republican seat as part of their bid for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

  Stevens, 84, was convicted of all seven charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating Wednesday at noon.

  Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced Jan. 26, but under federal sentencing guidelines, he is likely to receive much less prison time, if any.

  The monthlong trial revealed that employees for oil services company VECO Corp. transformed the senator’s modest mountain cabin into a modern, two-story home with wraparound porches, a sauna and a wine cellar. Stevens never paid for VECO’s work.

  The Senate’s longest-serving Republican, Stevens said he had no idea he was getting freebies. He said he paid $160,000 for the project and said he believed that covered everything.

  Stevens asked for an unusually speedy trial, hoping he’d be exonerated in time to return to Alaska and win re-election. He kept his campaign going and gave no indication that he had a contingency plan in case of conviction.

  Despite being a convicted felon, he is not required to drop out of the race or resign from the Senate. If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress. The Senate could vote to expel Stevens on a two-thirds vote.

  “Put this down: That will never happen – ever, OK?” Stevens said in the weeks leading up to his trial. “I am not stepping down. I’m going to run through and I’m going to win this election.

  Democrats, who are hoping to capture a filibuster-proof Senate majority, have jumped at the chance to seize the once reliably Republican seat. They have invested heavily in the race, running television advertisements starring fictional FBI agents and featuring excerpts from wiretaps.

  Stevens’ conviction hinged on the testimony of Bill Allen, the senator’s longtime drinking and fishing buddy. Allen, the founder of VECO, testified that he never billed his friend for the work on the house and that Stevens knew he was getting a deal.

  Stevens spent three days on the witness stand, vehemently denying that allegation. He said his wife, Catherine, paid every bill they received.

  Living in Washington, thousands of miles away, made it impossible to monitor the project every day. Stevens relied on Allen to oversee the renovations, he said, and his friend deceived him by not forwarding all the bills.

  Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since before statehood. His knack for steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state has drawn praise from his constituents and consternation from budget hawks.

  (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 1:13 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal judge intends to pursue holding governor, state controller in contempt over prison health care

  At a hearing in San Francisco today a federal judge made it clear he intends to pursue holding the governor and state controller in contempt. That’s for failing to comply with a court order to say when and how the state will pay $250 million to improve prison medical care. KPCC’s Julie Small was in the courtroom.

  Julie Small: U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson had ordered California officials to present a plan to pay millions to the federal receiver in charge of fixing the state’s broken prison medical system. But late last week, Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a court brief challenging the court’s order.

  The judge didn’t appear to buy any of Brown’s arguments. Henderson said he’d consider whether to hold the governor and state controller in contempt.

  The judge has presided over the case for 7 years. He also appointed the federal receiver to do what the state has failed to do: prevent inmate deaths from treatable conditions, including asthma and tuberculosis. From the bench, Henderson told attorneys for the state, “we cannot afford any more delays.”

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 12:48 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Court showdown takes place over plan to improve state prison health care

  There’s another court showdown this morning over a plan to improve medical care in the state’s prisons. Federal receiver Clark Kelso has requested an initial $250 million from the state so he could build prison hospitals – and a federal judge had ordered the state to come up with a plan for turning over the money.

  But on Friday attorney General Jerry Brown said the state would not pay. Kelso’s chief of staff John Hagar said Brown’s response surprised him.

  John Hagar: “This is truly an extraordinary filing and I think it demonstrates why the receiver had to move forward and seek to hold the state, the governor, and the controller in contempt.”

  Brown argues that Kelso hasn’t provided enough details about his plan. The attorney general also contends there’s no evidence the state needs the projects.

  Kelso has asked the judge to hold Governor Schwarzenegger and state controller John Chiang in contempt of court if the state doesn’t turn over the money. This morning the judge is deciding the next step in the contempt proceedings.

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 12:30 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• City National Bank receiving $400 million capital infusion from federal government

  City National Bank in Beverly Hills is receiving a capital infusion of nearly $400 million from the federal government. It’s part of the government’s plan to restart the flow of credit by investing money in banks.

  City National’s CEO Russell Goldsmith told KPCC’s Larry Mantle the additional cash will give the bank a “fortress balance sheet.”

  Russell Goldsmith: “So it expands our capacity to lend and it expands our ability, as this economy rides through very choppy waters, it expands our ability to absorb that and to serve the communities that we are in.”

  Goldsmith said bank officials haven’t decided how to direct the money. City National could use it to acquire other banks.

  The Treasury Department is distributing $125 billion to nine major American banks this week.

  Tools

  • October 27, 2008 12:27 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Beverly Hills voters will decide whether they want an overhaul of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel complex

  Next month, Beverly Hills voters will decide whether they want a planned overhaul of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel complex. After the city council approved the project at Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, opponents placed a challenge called Measure H on the local ballot.

  It will determine whether the project’s developer will build a 12-story Waldorf Astoria luxury hotel and two condo complexes on the site. Ted Kahan, president of the company that owns the Beverly Hilton, told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that the project will be good for the city.

  Ted Kahan: “Measure H provides the largest economic benefit in the history of Beverly Hills.”

  Larry Larson of the Citizens’ Right to Decide Committee, the group that gathered signatures to put the measure on the ballot, begged to differ.

  Larry Larson: “Scale it down; it’s simply too big at the moment. It will create more traffic. Beverly Hills does not need 18-story condos.”

  The vote a week from Tuesday could conclude two years of very public controversy over the fate of the 9-acre parcel.

  Tools

  • October 24, 2008 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Voter, lawyer, father of two concerned about college costs

  Southland voters are weighing in on the issues that’ll influence who they vote for on Election Day.

  Ed Farrell is an attorney from La Crescenta.

  Ed Farrell: “I’m concerned about affordable health care and affordable college costs for my kids. I have two; one is in college and one’s about to go to college. And the one who’s in college, the tuition’s killing me… It’s quite a burden on any family, I would think, to do a college education.”

  While Farrell has medical insurance through his job, he realizes that a lot of people struggle to get good coverage for their families. He said the next president needs to focus on the middle class, because they’re the people who scrimp to cover these costs.

  We’ll keep bringing you voters’ voices through November 4.

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 5:42 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• LAPD Chief Bratton warns of potential terrorist attack before election

  LAPD Chief Bill Bratton says prudence, not proof, inspires his view that an al-Qaida attack is possible in the days before the November election. Bratton co-authored an opinion piece in the “New York Daily News” that said the circumstances seem right for al-Qaida operatives to try to sway American opinion.

  Chief Bill Bratton: “Back on 9/11, the country was going along quite well. Good economy. We were not in two wars at that time. And at this time, the economy’s a mess. We’re engaged in two wars and we’re in the last two weeks of a bitterly-fought national election. What better time to try and inject yourself into that process?”

  Bratton told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that there are no intelligence reports that show an attack is imminent. But the LAPD Chief says it’s good to be cautious – and he says he’s reminded his commanders of that, too.

  Bratton: “There is some degree of heightened attention to certain of our critical sites in the city. We’re bearing on the side of caution, if you will.”

  Terror attacks days before Spain’s elections four years ago killed 191 people.

  Link: Opinion: “Osama Bin Laden wants a vote, so beware a late October suprise”

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 3:50 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Children's Hospital Association president explains importance of Proposition 3

  The dozen statewide initiatives on next month’s ballot include one that would authorize close to $1 billion in bonds for the expansion and renovation of children’s hospitals. Diana Dooley, president of the California Children’s Hospital Association, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that Proposition 3 would help these facilities meet the needs of children with the most serious and life-threatening diseases.

  Diana Dooley: “These hospitals treat a very disproportionate share of the children that are supported by Medicaid. And as we all know from the collapse of the health care reform effort last year, the state doesn’t give its fair share for the care of these kids.”

  Opponents to Prop 3 say the time isn’t right for California to add more bond debt.

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 3:46 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Representative Waxman says Congress will consider tighter regulation to avert future financial crises

  After former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan addressed his congressional committee, Representative Henry Waxman told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he and his colleagues will consider how tighter regulation of the markets might help avert future economic crises. Waxman added that, in his opinion, the number one job for Congress and the next Presidential administration is to overhaul current economic policy.

  Henry Waxman: “We can’t operate as the Bush administration has for the last eight years, where they have this blind faith in the markets and people end up getting hurt.”

  Waxman chairs the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Both major party candidates for president have echoed his rhetoric in response to the financial meltdown.

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 2:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan concedes he was wrong about markets regulating themselves

  During a four-hour committee hearing on Capitol Hill, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan conceded to lawmakers that he mistakenly believed the financial markets could regulate themselves. Congressman Henry Waxman, who presided over the hearing, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he was less than impressed.

  Henry Waxman: “Alan Greenspan gave us a concession, not a consensus, but a concession that more regulation might have been appropriate. And that he didn’t see it at the time, but he certainly sees it now. He relied on his decades-long philosophy of ‘the markets know best,’ and he’s quite struck by the fact that he was wrong.”

  Waxman – a Democrat who represents parts of West Los Angeles, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley – chairs the U.S. House Oversight Committee.

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 2:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan testifies to House Oversight Committee about economic crisis

  The former chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, testified to the U.S. House Oversight Committee today about his shock and disbelief over the country’s economic meltdown. The chair of that committee, Southland Congressman Henry Waxman, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he’s skeptical about Greenspan’s belief that the market always knows best.

  Henry Waxman: “The Federal Reserve had the authority to stop the irresponsible lending practices that fueled the subprime mortgage market, but Chairman Greenspan rejected pleas that he intervene because he didn’t think government should intervene in the operations of the market itself.”

  During the four-hour hearing, Waxman and his colleagues tried to determine how regulatory lapses might have contributed to the financial crisis.

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 1:39 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 8 activists argue about public school instruction on gay marriage

  Public school instruction has emerged as an issue in the battle over Proposition 8. The measure would amend California’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage, after the state supreme court legalized it this year.

  In campaign ads, supporters contend that if Prop 8 fails, teachers will instruct schoolchildren about gay marriage. Kate Kendell is executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that children are already learning about families with two moms or two dads.

  Kate Kendell: “Nothing about Prop 8 will change what children are taught in schools, whether Prop 8 passes or whether it fails. Of course, there is diversity education in schools now; California’s the most diverse state in the country.”

  In an ad opposing Prop 8, state education superintendent Jack O’Connell says schools aren’t required to teach anything about marriage. Law professor Richard Peterson told KPCC that’s beside the point.

  Richard Peterson: “See, what they say is that it’s not mandated. And if you hit me in the head, the fact that you’re not required to do so doesn’t make me feel it any less. And this is the absurdity of the argument that Proposition 8 has nothing to do with that.”

  Peterson, a supporter of Prop 8, says its failure at the polls would make it harder for parents to object to such a discussion. He and other supporters point to a legal decision in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal. Courts there ruled that a public school district did not have to notify parents ahead of time when a teacher read a children’s book about a prince who marries another prince.

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 1:28 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• LAPD chief warns of terrorist attack in editorial

  Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton says American law enforcement officials should be on high alert for terrorism in the run up to the presidential election. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports that Bratton wrote the comments in an opinion piece for the New York Daily News.

  Frank Stoltze: Bratton wrote the article with R.P. Eddy, senior fellow for counter-terrorism at the New York-based Manhattan Institute. They argue that al-Qaida has a history of trying to influence elections.

  Four years ago, it launched bomb attacks on Spain that helped influence Spaniards to elect a critic of U.S. foreign policy as prime minister. Osama bin Laden also released a video four years ago that appeared to support John Kerry for president.

  Bratton and Eddy wrote that this is a “critical election for al-Qaida” and that bin Laden might try to sway voters toward John McCain – mainly because of the international popularity of Barack Obama.

  The authors contend that bin Laden probably realizes it would become harder to paint the United States as the “Great Satan” with a new president who’s widely admired abroad. They say the remaining days before the election “should be seen as a time of high threat, and state and local police should be on high alert.”

  Tools

  • October 23, 2008 12:29 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswomen speak of brother lost in boating accident

  Earlier this month, the brother of congresswomen Linda and Loretta Sanchez was killed when a barge ran over his boat outside of L.A. harbor. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde spoke with the two congresswomen about their late brother.

  Kitty Felde: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez of Garden Grove describes her late brother Henry as an artist and a philosopher. She remembers his advice when he called on her birthday the year she studied in Rome.

  Loretta Sanchez: You have to stop being so materialistic, Loretta. Here I am doing my MBA. And he said, “You know, you have the Mother Earth and the Father Sun, and the babbling brook.” (laugh) Just like, whatever, Henry. He just was a different spirit. And he always thought tomorrow was going to be a better day.

  Felde: Younger sister Linda Sanchez – the congresswoman from Cerritos – says Henry’s trust in the goodness of people was almost naive.

  Linda Sanchez: I just hope that he’s sort of living the dream of, you know, the place where he always imagined where people were nice to each other, and people thought the best of one another, and people trusted each other.

  Felde: Tuesday would have been Henry Sanchez’s 52nd birthday.

  Tools

  • October 22, 2008 5:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Cherie Blair talks about fallout from former prime minister Tony Blair's decision to commit troops to Iraq

  Unlike the prolonged presidential contest in the United States, Great Britain keeps its political campaign season relatively short. But that doesn’t mean officials – and their families – are immune to lively public discourse about issues, Cherie Blair told KPCC’s “AirTalk.” After her husband, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, committed troops to the war in Iraq six years ago, she and her high-school age children had to weather the civic fallout.

  Cherie Blair: “They were also coming in and out of Downing Street and seeing the banners outside calling their father a murder. They would do this thing with ‘Blair’ so they turn in into B-Liar. And, clearly, there were times when we would be sitting in our flat in Downing Street and, you know, you could hear the crowds outside shouting. So I wanted to convey something of how it was like to live through that.”

  Cherie Blair, who’s also an attorney, is the author of a new memoir about her years as the prime minister’s spouse. It’s called “Speaking for Myself.”

  Link: Speaking for Myself: The Autobiography

  Tools

  • October 22, 2008 1:07 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former prime minister Blair's wife talks about problems women face in tough economic times

  The progress women have made in education, the professions, and other realms is under threat during difficult economic times, Cherie Blair told KPCC’s “AirTalk.” The wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it’ll be challenging but necessary to keep elevating the social equality of women.

  Cherie Blair: “The important thing is to not let that momentum that women are starting to find across the world fall back again. And often, you know, when things get tough, it’s the weakest who go to the wall first, and in the world, women are among the weakest because of the way across the world societies view women as not being as valuable as men.”

  Blair is in the Southland to promote her new memoir, “Speaking for Myself,” and to attend the annual women’s conference organized by California first lady, Maria Shriver.

  Link: Speaking for Myself: The Autobiography

  Tools

  • October 22, 2008 12:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 6 advocate explains his support

  One of the people behind California’s “Three Strikes” law that requires stiff penalties for repeat offenders also backs a measure on next month’s statewide ballot. Mike Reynolds told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that Proposition 6 is aimed at juvenile offenders early in their criminal careers.

  Mike Reynolds: “There’s no big secret here. Juvenile offenders go on to become adult offenders, low-level offenders go on to become high level offenders. And what we’re trying to do is if there’s any chance of stopping this cycle, the best chance is to stop it at the earliest possible time.”

  The measure that supporters call the “Safe Neighborhoods Act” would allocate $365 million from the state’s general fund to law enforcement and incarceration targeted at gang and related criminal activity. Opponents say it’s an expensive overreaction that would divert money from other priorities like education.

  Link: No on Prop 6
  Link: Yes on Proposition 6

  Tools

  • October 22, 2008 12:28 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 6 activists explain their positions

  In less than two weeks, voters will be considering several crime-related ballot measures including Proposition 6. That one would toughen the penalties on certain gang-related crimes. It also would allocate an extra $365 million dollars from California’s general fund for new and existing criminal justice programs.

  Loyola Law school professor Kyne Yamashiro opposes the measure. He told KPCC’s “AirTalk” it would cost too much, and would require the state to expand its prison capacity.

  Kyne Yamashiro: “We are going to be arresting a lot more people, we will be prosecuting a lot more people, many of the enhancements that are proposed in this bill require state prison commitments for something as simple as possession of methamphetamines – so it’s going to sweep up many more people into the prison system without a budget to build prisons.”

  Yamashiro contends that would force California to divert money from other budget priorities like education. But Mike Reynolds, who co-wrote the measure, argues that it won’t hurt funding for the schools. Reynolds also says the tougher penalties would deter people from committing crimes – and would result in fewer incarcerations.

  Tools

  • October 22, 2008 12:22 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County uses drive-through voting for 1st time

  For seven hours in Santa Ana last night, voters in Orange County got their chance to cast their ballots in the presidential election from their cars. The county registrar says it’s the first time drive-through voting has ever been used in California.

  Nathalie Kohls of Fullerton will be a poll worker Election Day, but she decided to cast her own ballot in the drive-through.

  Nathalie Kohls: “It’s convenient, helps people maybe who can’t get out and walk as easy to be able to do it, so I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

  Orange County Registrar Neal Kelley says drive-through voting fits with Southern California’s car culture. He says he hopes it’ll get more people out to vote. Kelley says if it’s successful, he’ll try it again before another election.

  Tools

  • October 21, 2008 3:21 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Yes on Proposition 9 spokesperson talks about what Proposition 9 would do

  Next month, California voters will consider Proposition 9. It’s a constitutional amendment that would give crime victims more rights and tighten parole standards for inmates serving life sentences.

  Nina Salarno-Ashford is spokeswoman for Yes on Proposition 9. She told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that Prop 9 expands on the “Victims’ Bill of Rights” that gave crime victims in California the right to attend and speak at sentencing and parole hearings.

  Nina Salarno-Ashford: “What this would do – there is statutory authority. However statutory authority is not mandatory for victims’ rights and there is no enforcement mechanism. By making it a constitutional amendment, a victim has an absolute right to be heard. That is not currently true.”

  Ashford’s sister was murdered almost 30 years ago. Proposition 9 would require judges to consider victims’ safety when they set bail. The measure would also expand the time between parole hearings for inmates sentenced to life in prison. Opponents insist that the measure would cost the state too much because it would keep more people behind bars.

  Tools

  • October 21, 2008 1:52 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Tax Reform Association president explains opposition to Proposition 9

  In two weeks, voters will consider Proposition 9. The measure would incorporate crime victims’ rights into the California constitution. Among other things, the measure would extend the time between parole hearings for inmates serving life sentences. Roy Ulrich, president of the California Tax Reform Association, opposes Prop 9.

  Roy Ulrich: “We just went through this horrific budget crisis in California – and we ought to be clear about the fact that the monies that this is going to cost will take away money from our schools, from health care, from nursing home care for seniors, from firefighting. It will increase spending on corrections, but it will be on autopilot because it can’t be changed. It will be in the California constitution.”

  Ulrich told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that it would cost the state more to keep inmates behind bars longer. Supporters say Prop 9 would only affect about 10 percent of the prison population, so the cost wouldn’t be as significant as opponents contend. The measure would also extend more rights to crime victims and their families – including the right to know in advance about various criminal proceedings, and to confer with prosecutors about charges.

  Tools

  • October 21, 2008 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA controller concerned about LAPD's growing backlog of untested rape kits

  A new audit from the Los Angeles City Controller’s office contends that evidence that could help put rapists behind bars has been lost. Controller Laura Chick says a lot more will be lost if the LAPD doesn’t find a way to process rape kits faster. KPCC’s Nick Roman reports.

  Nick Roman: The Controller’s audit says the LAPD’s backlog of untested rape kits stands at more than 7,000. It’s doubled in the last five years. There’s no statute of limitations when it comes to rape. So why does it matter that a kit goes untested for a few years?

  Here’s why: State law says rape kits must be tested for DNA within two years of the alleged crime. If they’re not, a 10-year countdown starts. That’s how long authorities have to test the kit so the DNA evidence obtained can be used in court. Once the 10 years runs out, the evidence is useless.

  Controller Laura Chick says more than 200 untested rape kits are out. That still leaves nearly 7,000 kits that can be used in court if they are tested.

  But Chick says the clock is ticking on 80 percent of those. She says rape kits close to the 10-year expiration date should be tested first. And, she adds, the LAPD needs more money to hire more DNA lab technicians to get the job done.

  LINK: LAPD

  LINK: City Controller Laura Chick

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 6:23 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Parks and Ridley-Thomas debate LAPD racial profiling allegations

  The contenders for the open L.A. County supervisor seat weighed in on allegations that the LAPD engages in racial profiling. State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas accused City Councilman Bernard Parks – a former LAPD chief – of offering a “textbook” defense of the practice while he was in command of the LAPD. Parks blamed the department’s current chief, Bill Bratton, for allowing racial profiling to happen on his watch. Bratton and the Police Protective League have endorsed Ridley-Thomas.

  Bernard Parks: “Racial profiling report that came out today, I think it covers the area of his endorser chief Bratton and also the era of the protective league that is endorsing him and showing that they have been…”
  Mark Ridley-Thomas: “And I’m proud of those endorsements.”
  Parks: “Please don’t interrupt me! That they are clearly not done their job as it relates to dealing with racial profiling –over a thousand complaints, no substantive finding.”

  The candidates spoke on KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” They were responding to a report the American Civil Liberties Union commissioned on suspected racial profiling in the LAPD. That study indicated that police in Los Angeles disproportionately stop and search blacks and Latinos.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 5:21 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Record number of county employees and students working polls in San Bernardino County this year

  Throughout the Southland, election officials are anticipating a big turnout two weeks from tomorrow. San Bernardino County Registrar-Recorder Kari Verjil says that 800,000 people are registered in her jurisdiction – and that plenty of people will be available to help scan the paper ballots come Election Day.

  Kari Verjil: “We have a record number of county employees helping us for this election, also a record number of college students and high school students that will be working at the polls this year.”

  Verjil spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” This is the deadline to register if you want to vote in next month’s election.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 4:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County supervisor candidates Parks and Ridley-Thomas square off

  Just over two weeks before the voters decide, the candidates for supervisor Los Angeles County’s second district squared off on KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks – a former L.A. police chief – said his range of experience qualifies him for the county position.

  Bernard Parks: “The issue is, I think, honest, integrity. These are the things that’s important. Bringing forth 40 years of experience, knowing the issues, being out in the public, not serving myself but serving the public are the kinds of things that I’m looking forward to.”

  State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas – who used to represent the L.A. City Council’s eighth district as Parks does now – suggested that a broad spectrum of citizens supports his candidacy.

  Mark Ridley-Thomas: “I’m proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by the Los Angles County Democratic Party, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor – that means teachers, nurses, firefighters, probation officers. I am endorsed by the Sierra Club, by the National Association of Woman Business Owners, and I’m the candidate who is prepared to roll up my sleeves and go to work.”

  Ridley-Thomas and Parks are after the supervisor’s job Yvonne Burke will relinquish when she retires later this year. It’s the first time in 16 years there’s been a vacancy for a seat on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 3:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California's first lady Maria Shriver hosts annual Women's Conference

  California’s first lady Maria Shriver is hosting her annual Women’s Conference this week in Long Beach. Scheduled speakers include former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and investor/businessman Warren Buffett. Shriver told KPCC’s AirTalk that she expects 14,000 people from all walks of life to attend.

  Maria Shriver: “We try to find the most interesting people, men and woman, to come and talk about finance, spirituality, life choices, business, entrepreneurship, and I think we put together an amazing day-and-a-half, and it culminates with the prestigious Minerva awards, and Bono will speak about his efforts to fight global poverty, and it will end with a concert with Bonnie Raitt.”

  The conference presents Minerva Awards, named for the Greek goddess in the state seal, to women who have made extraordinary contributions in their fields. Wednesday’s event will be streamed live online at CaliforniaWomen.org.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 1:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County offers drive-through service on last day of voter registration

  On this last day to register before next month’s election, Orange County’s offering convenience. Registrar-recorder Neal Kelly told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that his office is extending its hours and its services before the deadline.

  Neal Kelly: “We have a unique event tonight in anticipation of that close of registration and that is drive-through voting opportunity in Orange County, as well as drive-through registration. And the idea there is to get the word out to as many people as we can that this is your last chance to register to vote so you don’t miss out on November 4th.”

  Kelly anticipates a large voter turnout two weeks from tomorrow. To find out where you can register today in Orange County, go online to OCVote.com.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 1:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Mother and daughter disagree on parental notification bill

  The parent notification bill, Proposition 4, could split families along generational lines. KPCC’s Patricia Nazario spoke with a mom who was dropping off her 16-year-old daughter at school… and got the student’s take, too.

  [Baby crying]

  Patricia Nazario: With her baby boy in the car, Carmen Carmona drops off her oldest daughter at San Fernando High School.

  Nazario: Are you registered to vote?
  Carmen Carmona: Yes.

  Nazario: Carmona says she plans to vote yes on the parent notification bill. She doubts she’ll ever have to face the abortion issue with her 10th grader daughter, because she says they have an open-door policy.

  Carmen Carmona: We talk sex. She’s aware of all the sickness, disease that’s going around. We talk a lot about the things that she does, the kind of guys that she meets.

  Nazario: Good parental relationship or not, the 16-year-old said she would vote “No,” if she were old enough.

  Mariely Cuevas: Because I feel that maybe some other kids don’t have the same communication with their parents as me.

  Nazario: Proposition 4 would require doctors to notify a parent or another adult family member before performing an abortion on an underage girl. Supporters say it’ll save lives. Those who oppose the bill say it’ll make teens seek riskier illegal abortions.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 12:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County hits record number of registered voters

  On this voter registration deadline, Southland election officials say they’re expecting major participation by absentee ballot and at the polls two weeks from tomorrow. Dean Logan is registrar-recorder for Los Angeles County.

  Dean Logan: “We hit, last week, a record number of registered voters for the county historically. We are close to 4.2 million registered votes now and we expect thousands of new registrations to come into today by the time we shut things down at midnight tonight.”

  Logan spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Many registrars are extending their hours at selected locations until midnight. You can find information about registration in your county at the League of Women Voters’ SmartVoter.org Web site.

  Tools

  • October 20, 2008 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California faces big drop in revenue, looming budget deficit

  California’s successful bond sale last week solves just one of the state’s fiscal problems. It’ll generate enough cash to pay the bills until the end of the year. But KPCC’s Julie Small says it won’t help California bridge a huge drop in revenues that’s thrown the state budget into a deficit just weeks after lawmakers passed the spending plan.

  Julie Small: With California’s cash problem solved for now, state officials are turning their attention to a much bigger problem. State revenues have dropped by $1billion this fiscal year.

  H.D. Palmer: And that’s a continuation of the problems we’re seeing in the economy and how it’s rolling over onto the revenue side.

  Small: That’s H.D. Palmer with the governor’s finance department. He says the state’s pulling in less money from taxes because people and corporations are making and spending less.

  If that doesn’t improve, the state could face a $3 billion shortfall by the end of the fiscal year. H.D. Palmer says finance staffers are already crunching numbers to find ways to close that gap.

  HD Palmer: We’re working right now on a range of options and scenarios to take to the governor for the decisions that he has to make for the January budget. At the same time, a number of those decisions or options could be put into play perhaps earlier, if there’s a decision by the governor and by the legislators to come back into session before schedule.

  Small: For now, the governor and the legislative leaders have opted to monitor the state’s economy during a weekly meeting. If things get much worse, they may call a special session to cut state spending.

  Tools

  • October 17, 2008 6:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Los Angeles city officials seek review of LAPD fingerprint analysis unit

  Public officials in Los Angeles are seeking a review of the L.A. police department’s fingerprint analysis unit, following reports that workers there made mistakes that led to false arrests.

  L.A. city councilman Jack Weiss is chair of the Council’s public safety committee, which has jurisdiction over the LAPD. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he wonders whether the mistaken identity problem is limited to the two known cases.

  Councilman Jack Weiss: “I don’t want to blow it up beyond what it is, because it’s a very big department and it’s a big city, and you know as I’ve said on your show previously, bad things happen in police departments in big cities. It doesn’t mean you throw the rest of the baby with the bath water.”

  Weiss said he plans to address the issue at his committee’s next meeting.

  Tools

  • October 17, 2008 6:04 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 4 advocates on both sides talk about the measure

  Proposition 4 would require doctors to notify a parent or another adult family member before they perform an abortion on an underage girl. It’s gaining traction with adults in the San Fernando Valley. Sixty-four year old Ruth Polk’s already mailed in her absentee ballot.

  Ruth Polk: “I voted for let the parents know, because if something happens to your daughter and they’re laying up on a table, you wanna know. So, I wanna be out there with them.”

  Some students at San Fernando High School oppose the measure on privacy grounds. Eighteen-year-old Frank, who declined to give his last name, says none of his girlfriends have ever had an abortion. But he thinks he could handle the responsibility without his parents.

  Frank: “It’s all in the process of growing up. You live and you learn. Everything’s gonna happen. You’re gonna learn everything sooner or later, so might as well let them be aware of everything now. Let them learn about sex. Let them learn about the kind of diseases they can get and everything.”

  Prop 4 organizers call the measure “Sarah’s Law.” It’s named after a 15-year-old girl who had an abortion in Texas and died from related complications. The Parental Notification Bill is one of a dozen propositions Californians will vote on November 4th.

  Tools

  • October 17, 2008 4:03 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council considers 1 year ban on electronic billboard conversions

  The Los Angeles City Council will decide soon whether to temporarily ban billboard companies from converting their signs into electronic displays. The city planning commission recommended the one-year moratorium yesterday. Commission chief Jane Usher told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the moratorium would give the city time to reconsider some of the billboard ordinances it enacted during the 1990s and earlier this decade.

  Jane Usher: “Those regulations were developed without the sensitivity of the modern questioner, who wants to know about the environmental issues, who wants to know about the consumption of energy, the motorists – the resident – who want to know about the visual blight, the light pollution, etcetera. And these are questions that every city is grappling with, and we need to answer smartly.”

  Opponents of the electronic billboards have complained that they contribute to visual blight and create a traffic hazard. The city faces lawsuits over its previous efforts to govern billboards. City officials are hoping to adopt a comprehensive new billboard policy.

  Tools

  • October 17, 2008 3:25 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger issues executive order to help in wake of recent wildfires

  Three wildfires in Southern California are mostly out as Santa Ana winds have dissipated. The loss of two lives and more than 50 homes has prompted California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to issue an executive order. KPCC’s Steve Julian has more.

  Steve Julian: The order will make it easier for the thousands who had to flee their homes to get debris around their homes cleaned up. Those who are unemployed can begin collecting benefits immediately, and the order also waives the usual fees they would have to pay to replace driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and birth/death/and marriage certificates.

  Investigators say the 14,000 acre Porter Ranch fire began when strong Santa Ana winds blew down a gas company power line. The brush ignited, and the winds quickly moved the fire west. The fires killed one man directly and another in a freeway accident when smoke obscured visibility.

  Tools

  • October 17, 2008 9:37 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger waives records fees for fire victims

  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has set aside certain requirements for people affected by this week’s wildfires that killed two people and destroyed more than 50 homes near Los Angeles. KPCC’s Steve Julian reports.

  Steve Julian: Schwarzenegger’s executive order suspends fees people usually would have to pay to replace important records that were lost in the fires. He also set aside late fees on such things as vehicle registrations. People who apply for unemployment insurance now won’t have a waiting period.

  Combined, the three worst fires in Southern California burned more than 35 square miles this week. Investigators found the cause of the fire in the northwestern San Fernando Valley: a gas company power line fell into a ditch and ignited brush. Howling Santa Ana winds then pushed the fire west into Simi Valley. The winds have now died down and the fires are mostly contained, but humidity will remain low today.

  Tools

  • October 17, 2008 9:35 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• U.S. Treasury rep talks about assisting small businesses during downturn

  Americans are spending less and manufacturing less. That economic news caused stock markets to yo-yo. U.S. Treasury spokeswoman Jennifer Zuccahrelli told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that the agency is trying, amid the uncertainty, to assist the people who need help the most.

  Jennifer Zuccahrelli: “We’re not concerned with specific financial institutions. What we’re concerned about is the way that this is affecting small business. This is affecting the employees of the businesses. They’re not getting the credit they need to keep their business running. And we’re very concerned about how this is could impact the real economy.”

  While Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson conceded that his agency and others made mistakes that helped trigger the crisis, he added that the Bush administration is taking the right steps now to resolve it.

  Tools

  • October 16, 2008 6:14 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Public Policy Institute of California says voters feel this November's statewide propositions miss the mark

  The presidential election’s generating a lot of interest. Not so with the dozen statewide propositions on next month’s ballot. That’s the word from Public Policy Institute of California. Its chief, Mark Baldassare, says the number one issue in this election is the economy, and voters may feel all those ballot measures have missed the mark.

  Mark Baldassare: “I think people are looking at this ballot and struggling to find out what’s going to give them some satisfaction, what’s going to move public policy in a direction that’s going to make them feel better about the current fiscal and political circumstances, and at this point in time, people aren’t really seeing anything.”

  Baldassare predicts a record turnout for the general election. Often, he says, people so mistrust politicians they don’t turn out to vote. But this year he says dissatisfaction with the way the state and nation are going seems to be driving citizens to the ballot box.

  Tools

  • October 16, 2008 3:51 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger signs executive order to waive fees for replacement documents for fire victims

  People who lost vital records in the recent wildfires won’t have to pay to get replacement copies. KPCC’s Molly Peterson explains.

  Molly Peterson: Almost half a million people had to leave their houses under evacuation orders, some with very short notice, in the last week. Now Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed an executive order to waive fees for people who left behind state-issued records when they fled fire areas. California will replace birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for free. The state Department of Motor Vehicles will also waive fees for drivers’ licenses, car registrations, and other vehicle records.

  The American Red Cross advises people who may live in fire zones to prepare for evacuation with a “grab and go” box of important documents, like state-issued records, financial and insurance information, and a photo or video inventory of their belongings. The governor’s order also waived the waiting period for unemployment assistance: people who live in fire-affected areas can immediately start collecting unemployment.

  Tools

  • October 16, 2008 3:44 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Guard planes not yet equipped to fight wildfires

  By Michael R. Blood Associated Press Writer

  LOS ANGELES (AP) - Despite pressure from elected officials and the military, the Bush administration has yet to equip some California National Guard planes for firefighting - a delay that could have grave implications during the worst of the wildfire season.

  After last year’s devastating blazes killed 10 people, charred 800 square miles and destroyed nearly 2,200 homes in the state, the head of the military’s Northern Command said he would push to get the C-130 aircraft into the sky.

  And Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warned President Bush in April that it “would be reckless” to face another fire season without the planes, which are among the state’s most powerful aerial firefighting weapons.

  Of eight C-130s based at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station on the Pacific Coast northwest of Los Angeles, none is equipped yet to fight fires.

  The firefighting gear “is still under testing and validation,” said Lt. Col. Jon R. Siepmann, a Guard spokesman.

  “Lives are always on the line when you are dealing with this kind of public safety issue,” said Rep. Elton Gallegly, a Republican whose district stretches from the Los Angeles suburbs to Santa Barbara wine country.

  Gallegly said he was assured as far back as 2003 that the planes would be flying. “My frustration is at an all-time high,” he said.

  During last year’s fires, the lack of firefighting C-130s forced Schwarzenegger to ask the Pentagon to call in six older C-130s from states as far away as North Carolina. While other planes were flown in, the flames grew.

  California’s firefighting C-130 unit is one of four the Pentagon has positioned across the country to respond to fire disasters. When they are equipped for firefighting, the C-130 will be added to the fleet of firefighting aircraft flown by state and federal agencies and private contractors.

  In fact, about 30 helicopters and planes have already been used to attack the state’s most recent round of wildfires.

  The grounded planes are typically called in when firefighters and other aircraft get overwhelmed by the flames. The aircraft have not yet been a factor in this week’s wildfires, which have been far less severe than in 2007, when simultaneous fires burned from north of Los Angeles to the Mexican border.

  But the fear is that conditions could soon worsen. October and November are considered the riskiest months for wildfires in Southern California because that’s when powerful Santa Ana winds kick up after months of bone-dry weather.

  “As the climate warms and wild land fires become bigger and more intense, a rapid response is critical to prevent the spread of fires,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat who has pressed the administration to get the planes ready for firefighting action.

  The Bush administration assured state officials that the C-130s would be outfitted with the gear by July. Then the Department of Agriculture said the planes could be ready by September if test flights were successful. The agency oversees the Forest Service, which owns the firefighting equipment.

  Scott Fisher, the project manager for the Forest Service, said that a contract calls for the eight California planes to be ready by the end of December but that some could be in the air sooner. Among other advantages, the tanks being tested for the newer planes can load retardant faster than older models. But the design and testing delays have dragged on for years.

  The Forest Service and a contractor have also been wrestling with several other issues, including a faulty emergency switch and problems with the way retardant disperses after it is dropped by the plane, according to internal records obtained by The Associated Press.

  Even without the C-130s in California, Bush administration officials have said firefighters will have enough aircraft to protect lives and property. Large tankers can be brought in from other states, in advance of predicted high winds that could spark fires.

  Because of the delays with the Guard planes, Feinstein’s office said the administration will station two P-3 Orion air tankers in the state. But the P-3s are about half the size of the C-130s. State officials are not satisfied.

  “We are anxious to receive those (C-130s) in California and make them available,” said Ruben Grijalva, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “It’s a little too early to tell how this season is going to end.”

  Siepmann, the Guard spokesman, said Schwarzenegger recommended that the state buy its own gear for the planes, but the request was rejected by the Legislature in a year when California faced a multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

  The Department of Agriculture did not respond to requests for comment.

  (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

  Tools

  • October 15, 2008 6:13 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger pushes redistricting proposition with New York Mayor Bloomberg

  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stumped with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today in Los Angeles for Proposition 11, the statewide redistricting measure. The November 4th ballot initiative would remove from state lawmakers the power to draw their own electoral districts and hand it to a multi-partisan commission. Bloomberg said the way it’s done now leads to rigged elections in California and in his home state of New York.

  Michael Bloomberg: “Legislators are now using high tech mapping software to find out where exactly their fellow party members live. Which party members vote and which race and ethnicity and age they are, and then they draw zigzag lines through neighborhoods in order to manipulate the political character of their districts.”

  Bloomberg and Schwarzenegger spoke with reporters from the steps of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, flanked by L.A. County’s district attorney and sheriff, and a couple of dozen other supporters. Prop 11’s opponents say it would give too much power to a commission that doesn’t answer to California voters.

  Tools

  • October 15, 2008 4:35 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Opponent of Measure R says it wouldn't distribute money fairly across LA County

  A measure on next month’s ballot, Measure R, would enact a half-cent sales tax for Los Angeles County transportation projects. Michael Cano is a deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who opposes Measure R. Cano says that’s because it wouldn’t distribute the money fairly across the county.

  Michael Cano: “This is a sales tax that is going to lock in people for 30 years to support transportation projects and the sales tax, the way it’s structured right now is not seen as either fair or equitable for all parts of the county to buy into.”

  Cano spoke with KPCC’s “AirTalk.” Supporters of Measure R say it would allow L.A. County to plan ahead so it can accommodate its growing population.

  Tools

  • October 15, 2008 2:51 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA assemblyman explains his support for Measure R

  Los Angeles County voters will vote next month on Measure R. It would raise the county’s sales tax by a half-cent to fund transportation projects, including freeway improvements and the Purple Line subway extension to Santa Monica. Los Angeles Assemblyman Michael Feuer supports the measure. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle the region needs to prepare for its future.

  Michael Feuer: “We’re going to have a major infusion of people into the L.A. County area for the next 20 years or so; another couple million people are going to be here. We need to plan for that right now. This is an opportunity to shape Los Angeles forever by cleaning up our air, and cutting through the gridlock that stalls our economy and prevents people from being home with their families.”

  Opponents, including L.A. County supervisor Mike Antonovich, say that Measure R would shortchange the San Gabriel Valley because it wouldn’t distribute the money to every population area. The higher sales tax would stay in effect for 30 years. The measure needs a two-thirds majority of “yes” votes to pass.

  Tools

  • October 15, 2008 2:46 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Ten days ahead of deadline, L.A. County breaking records in voter registration

  Los Angeles County’s registered a record number of voter registrations in advance of next month’s election. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has the details.

  Cheryl Devall: Six years after L.A. County’s voter rolls surpassed four million people for the first time, the registrar-recorder’s office beat that record. As of this week, 4,149,229 registrants are eligible to vote in November.

  L.A. County’s election chief Dean Logan said the numbers reflect an historic level of interest in the presidential contest. A dozen statewide ballot measures and a hotly-contested county supervisors’ race are also on voters’ radar screens this year.

  Fifty-one percent of registered voters in Los Angeles County are Democrats. One quarter are Republicans, and another 20 percent have declined to state a party preference. The partisan breakdown isn’t very surprising, but other factors are. Half the voters who registered in the last three months are between 18 and 25 years old.

  On average, L.A. County’s registering three times the number of voters every day than it did the year it established the previous record.

  Note: You have 10 days left, until Monday, October 20, to register to vote in California in the November 4 election.

  LINK: L.A. County Registrar

  LINK: California Secretary of State Voter Registration page

  Tools

  • October 14, 2008 6:52 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County expedites Section 8 housing applications for some fire victims

  Los Angeles County’s housing authority plans to speed up the process to obtain federal Section Eight housing assistance for some fire victims.

  Property owners from the Sky Terrace Mobile Home Park are getting first dibs on 50 vouchers. Fia Phillips, a manager with the county agency that administers the program, said there won’t be a waiting list.

  Fia Phillips: “Because of the situation they’re in, we can expedite their applications. Hopefully their criminal background comes back okay. Everything goes through all right with their eligibility; we’re looking at two weeks.”

  Phillips said it usually takes twice as long to process applications. She added that people can wait as long as 10 years for a Section 8 vacancy in Los Angeles.

  The Sky Terrace Mobile Home Park suffered the most fire damage during the Marek Fire in the northeastern San Fernando Valley. The fire destroyed 36 of the park’s 60 mobile homes.

  Tools

  • October 14, 2008 6:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Governor Schwarzenegger promises resources for fires

  Governor Schwarzenegger told a San Fernando Valley news conference today that California will provide any resources necessary to fight the wildfires.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Even though we have had budget problems in our state and we have an economic slowdown. But we spare not one single dollar when it comes to fighting fires. We are going to use all the money, even if we need to take it from somewhere else. We always will make public safety, and protecting the people’s lives, and protecting the people’s property our number one priority.”

  Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

  Tools

  • October 14, 2008 3:56 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger visits LA fire areas

  Governor Schwarzenegger visited the fire area in the San Fernando Valley today.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “We have declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County and Ventura County, and that will continue to ensure our brave men and women in uniform and our rescue workers and first responders get everything that they need for putting out those fires. We have also activated the state operations center in Sacramento to improve our coordination and response to these fire and all the other fires burning across this state – if it is Camp Pendleton Fire in San Diego County, or if it is the Angel Island Fire in Marin County, or the Sesnon Fire right here in Los Angeles County.”

  Schwarzenegger urged people who live in fire-affected areas to follow evacuation orders.

  Tools

  • October 14, 2008 3:46 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger pledges to find money to fight fires

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger updated reporters today on the Marek Fire in the northeast San Fernando Valley. He said public safety is the top priority despite the state’s budget problems, and he pledged to find the money to fight fires without jeopardizing other state functions.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “It cost us last year almost half a billion dollars to fight the fires, and there were almost a million acres that burned. So, we’re gonna find the money this time. I don’t think we need to touch anybody else’s money, or any program’s money, because we have a reserve of $1.5 billion.”

  That reserve is three times more than the total cost of combating last year’s fires. Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pointed out that this year’s fire season is just getting started.

  Tools

  • October 14, 2008 12:03 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Evacuation orders, school and road closures, and public transportation schedule changes resulting from the Sesnon and Marek fires

  Evacuations

  The following neighborhoods and locations are under mandatory evacuation orders:

  • Box Canyon

  • Bell Canyon

  • Woolsey Canyon

  • Lake Manor

  • Dayton Canyon

  • Brown Canyon

  • Twin Lakes

  • Lopez Canyon

  • Kagel Canyon residents can return to their homes with identification after 9 a.m. But livestock will not be allowed back at this time.

  —

  Evacuations are recommended for the following areas:

  • L.A., west of Valley Circle Boulevard and north of Bell Canyon

  Authorities are also recommending horse and large animal evacuations for the following areas.

  • Hidden Hills

  • Agoura Hills

  • Bell Canyon

  Authorities report the only available horse and large animal shelters are located at Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura CA 91371 and the Peter J Pitchess Honor Farm, 2933 Old Road, Castaic, CA 91384.

  —

  Schools

  The Los Angeles Unified School District has closed the following schools for today:

  • El Oro Way Elementary School in Granada Hills

  • Frost Middle School in Granada Hills

  • Van Gogh Elementary School in Granada Hills

  • Broadous Elementary School in Pacoima

  • Harding Elementary School in Sylmar

  • Hubbard Elementary School in Sylmar

  • Castle Bay Lane Elementary School in Northridge

  The following Charter Schools are closed today:

  • Fenton Avenue Elementary Charter in Lakeview Terrace

  • Fenton Primary Center Charter in Lakeview Terrace

  • Triumph Academy Charter in San Fernando

  • Lakeview Charter Academy in Lakeview Terrace

  • Community Middle Charter in Lakeview Terrace

  • Community High Charter in Lakeview Terrace

  • Pacoima Charter Elementary in Pacoima

  • Discovery Prep Charter School in Pacoima

  The following private school is closed today:

  • Our Lady of Peace School in North Hills

  Information on LAUSD school closures will be updated on the school district’s information line at (213) 241-4500 and on its Web site www.lausd.net.

  —

  Road Closures

  The Los Angeles Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol have closed the following streets and freeways until further notice:

  • Corbin Avenue northbound at Porter Ranch Drive

  • Corbin Avenue closed at Santa Rosa Drive

  • Porter Ranch Drive closed at Santa Rosa Drive

  • Porter Ranch Drive at Sesnon

  • Sesnon closed between Porter Ranch Drive and Tampa

  • Rinaldi closed between Reseda and Zelzah

  • The following streets — Hubbard, Maclay, Arroyo, Paxton, Van Nuys Boulevard, Terra Bella, Vaughn, Filmore, Sayre, Polk, Bledsoe, Roxford, Glenoaks at Sombrero, Yarnell and Filbert — are closed to northbound traffic, just north of Foothill Boulevard. Southbound lanes are open as evacuation routes.

  • The following streets — Mason, Porter Ranch, Corbin, Tampa and Wilbur — are closed to northbound traffic at Rinaldi Avenue.

  • All previously closed on and off-ramps along the Foothill (210) Freeway and the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway will be reopened after 9 a.m.

  For updated information on road closures, check the Web site www.updatela.com.

  —

  Public Transportation

  The following changes have been made to public transportation service:

  • Metro Service has been canceled into Porter Ranch until further notice.

  • The Metrolink Ventura line northbound service will end at the Van Nuys station until further notice.

  For updated public transportation information and route changes, call the toll-free number (800) COMMUTE.

  —

  Shelter Locations

  The following sites are currently being used as active and standby shelter sites for those displaced by the fires:

  • Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Avenue, Sylmar, CA 91342

  • San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Avenue, San Fernando, CA 91340

  • Shepherd of the Hills, 19700 Rinaldi Street, Porter Ranch, CA 91326

  • Canoga Park High School, 6580 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Canoga Park, CA 91303

  • Palisades Senior high School (STANDBY LOCATION), 15777 Bowdoin Street, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

  • Calabasas High School (STANDBY LOCATION) 22855 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302

  —

  Tools

  • October 14, 2008 9:20 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Heal the Bay founder Dorothy Green dead at 79

  The founder of the environmental group Heal the Bay has died after a long illness. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more about Dorothy Green.

  Cheryl Devall: For more than 32 of her 79 years, Dorothy Green made waves to help ensure cleaner waters. She took up the cause during the campaign for Proposition 20, the ballot measure that created the California Coastal Commission.

  From there, Green continued her activism through organizations including the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the L.A. League of Conservation Voters and the California Water Policy Conference. The head of the organization she helped establish 23 years ago, Heal the Bay, called her “The most influential water quality activist in California.”

  That group’s forced sewage treatment plants to comply with the federal Clean Water Act, and it launched an annual report card that grades the cleanliness of the state’s beaches. Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hailed Green’s passion, commitment and brilliance, even during her final days in hospice care. Green died of complications from melanoma.

  LINK: Heal the Bay

  Tools

  • October 13, 2008 6:46 PM
  • Categories: Environment, History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Number of registered Democrats overtakes Republicans in San Bernardino County

  For the first time in a decade, there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in San Bernardino County. Numbers the county registrar released this morning show there are now more than 314,000 Democrats. That’s almost 3,000 more than Republicans. Democratic Party co-chairman Patrick Kahlor says the economy, the appeal of Barack Obama, and an aggressive voter registration campaign helped the county surge into the “blue.”

  Patrick Kahlor: “You know, people, they usually head to the top; I’m tired Bush, tired of the war, tired of gas prices. During the month of June and July we literally added about 10 to 12 thousand voters. During the months of June and July you see certain events that correlate with certain voter registration peaks.”

  “Blue” or not, Republicans are likely to hang on to a number of key congressional and state assembly seats in the county. A little farther south in San Diego County, Democrats are about 18,000 voters shy of a majority. That county’s been a GOP stronghold for almost 25 years. More than 60,000 people have signed on as Democrats this year. That’s two-and-a-half times the number of people who’ve registered for the GOP.

  Tools

  • October 13, 2008 3:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County sheriff Hutchens revokes concealed weapons permits

  Dozens of people with permits to carry concealed weapons in Orange County may soon have to go weapon-free. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the sheriff has started sending out letters that revoke those permits.

  Susan Valot: Sheriff Sandra Hutchens decided to review the county’s 1,024 concealed weapons permits after allegations that previous Sheriff Mike Carona may have handed them out as political favors. Carona will soon go on trial on federal corruption charges.

  Hutchens says Carona’s administration stretched “good cause” for carrying a concealed weapon to such a degree that she’s not comfortable with the permits that are out there. A decade ago, 38 people had concealed weapons permits in Orange County. Two years ago, that number had grown to 1400.

  Sheriff’s Department officials say they’ve sent revocation letters to 146 permit holders. Earlier this week, some county supervisors expressed concern that there’s no appeal process for revoked permits. They’ve asked the sheriff to report back to them with whether such an appeals process is feasible.

  Tools

  • October 10, 2008 6:38 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Long Beach water conservation rules have reduced demand

  Conservation rules and higher water rates are paying off in Long Beach. Water use in the city has dropped to a 10-year low. More from KPCC’s Debra Baer.

  Debra Baer: Last September, Long Beach declared an imminent water shortage and announced voluntary conservation measures. A new report by the Long Beach Water Department shows those efforts worked.

  So far this fiscal year, households in Long Beach have dropped their water use by nearly 6400 acre-feet below last year’s rate. Overall, demand has dropped about nine percent below the 10-year average. An acre-foot is the amount a family of four uses in a year.

  The city limits lawn watering to certain days of the week, and it prohibits residents from washing down their driveways with garden hoses. Restaurants aren’t allowed to serve water unless a customer asks for it.

  The Long Beach Water Department also raised its rates. That’s one surefire way to get folks to turn off the faucet.

  Tools

  • October 10, 2008 6:31 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County breaks record for registered voters; fewer Republicans registering

  L.A. County just broke its own record for the largest number of registered voters. And the deadline for registration is still 10 days away. Who are these new voters? KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has some clues.

  Kitty Felde: L.A. County Registrar Recorder Dean Logan says it’s no surprise that L.A. County is largely Democratic.

  Dean Logan: County wide, the voter profile in L.A. County is that about 51 percent of the voters are registered as Democrats, about 25 percent as Republican, and then 20 percent are registered as decline to state.

  Felde: Logan says the flood of new voters generally follows that profile, with some shifts. Nearly 57 percent are registering as Democrats, 15 percent as Republicans, and nearly 28 percent as decline to state. L.A. County is the largest election jurisdiction in the U.S. More voters are registered here than in 30 other states.

  Tools

  • October 10, 2008 6:28 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County breaks record for registered voters

  It’s official. Los Angeles County now has more registered voters than any other county in the country. Today, L.A. County Registrar Recorder Dean Logun announced that with 10 days still to go before the deadline, the county’s already broken its own record for voter registration.

  Dean Logun: “I think this is a sign that we’ve topped the all time record this week, so I think we’re going to go even higher, and I think all signs point to a potential historic high turnout on November 4th.”

  More than 4,149,000 people are registered to vote in L.A. County. If that doesn’t include you, it’s not too late. The deadline to register is October 20th.

  Tools

  • October 10, 2008 2:47 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 2 opponents explain their position

  Voters in California will decide next month whether to set new standards for the treatment of farm animals. Prop 2 prohibits confining animals in ways that don’t allow them to turn around, lie down, stand up, and extend their limbs. No on Prop 2 spokeswoman Julie Buckner says the measure will put family farmers in California out of work and compromise food safety.

  Julie Buckner: “I gotta tell you, I’m not a farmer and I’m not a veterinarian. You know, I’m a mom. I’m a consumer and I gotta tell you, my greatest concern about Proposition 2 is the cost of eggs going up and our food safety being compromised.”

  Buckner appeared on KPCC’s “Airtalk.” She argued that Prop 2 would force California to import eggs from other states and Mexico where conditions might be less hygienic. Backers of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act say that current practices are inhumane.

  Tools

  • October 10, 2008 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Proponents, opponents debate California Proposition 2 regarding treatment of farm animals

  Proposition 2 on the November ballot would prohibit ranchers from keeping egg-producing hens, pigs, and veal calves in cages that are too confining. The measure requires enough room for animals to stand up, turn around, and fully extend their legs.

  Opponents of Prop 2 claim that the method of using so-called “battery cages” is the most efficient way to produce eggs, and say the new rules would decimate California’s egg industry.

  Humane Society president and CEO Wayne Pacelle told KPCC’s Larry Mantle he thinks that argument is ridiculous.

  Wayne Pacelle: “The fact is almost all of these producers who have the factory farm type… battery cages that don’t allow the animals to even fully extend their wings, they also do cage-free. And the market for cage-free is expected to increase by up to 50 percent in the next five to 10 years.”

  If approved, California’s Prop 2 would set the strictest standards in the nation with regard to the humane treatment of farm animals.

  The new rules would take effect in 2015. Violators would be fined $1000.

  LINK: Yes on Prop 2

  LINK: No on Prop 2

  Tools

  • October 10, 2008 1:27 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• More than 500,000 new California voters registered so far

  The deadline to register to vote in the November election is October 20th. Statewide, more than a half-a-million new voters have registered so far. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has this look at the rookie voters getting ready for their first election.

  Kitty Felde: If you take a snapshot of voters who show up on Election Day, it wouldn’t look like America as a whole. Most are wealthier and better educated. Mike Slater with the nonprofit group Project Vote says those who cast ballots are usually older, too.

  Mike Slater: People over 30 make up 79 percent of the voting eligible population, but are 89 percent of the electorate; fully half of eligible people under the age 30 do not participate, or didn’t in 2006.

  Felde: In California’s Presidential primary last February, more than 850,000 voters under 30 cast ballots. That’s far more than in the last two presidential primaries. Mike Slater says since minorities are overrepresented in that under-30 demographic, more young voters also means more black and Latino voters.

  Slater: If people of color were voting at the same rates as whites, there’d be an additional 7-and-a-half million voters in 2006.

  Felde: The question is how many of those newly-registered voters will turn out to cast ballots in November.

  Link: Project Vote

  Tools

  • October 9, 2008 4:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Proponent explains support for Prop 5, ballot initiative on drug rehabilitation

  One of the measures on the November ballot is Proposition 5. It would provide $460 million a year in treatment programs for those convicted of drug offenses. Dave Fratello of the “Yes on 5” campaign told KPCC’s “Airtalk” that the ballot measure answers a need.

  Dave Fratello: “There’s no treatment available for at-risk youth, for kids who start down that path of addiction, basically, unless they’re in the criminal justice system, and that’s a tragedy; it’s short-sighted. So we start with Prop 5 by creating a system of care for treatment for young people.”

  The measure also shortens parole time for some drug offenses, but increases it for serious and violent felonies. Prop 5’s opponents say too many drug offenders who start treatment programs won’t finish them. They say that’s what happened with Prop 36, which called for drug treatment for first-time drug offenders.

  Link: Yes on Proposition 5: The Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act
  Link: No on Proposition 5

  Tools

  • October 9, 2008 2:43 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• State assemblyman says Republicans won't raise taxes to make up for budget shortfall

  California revenues are taking a hit with the ongoing housing problems and the turbulent stock market. New projections show that California could take in $3 billion less than anticipated during this fiscal year. Even so, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore of Irvine told KPCC’s “AirTalk” that Republicans will not consider raising taxes to make up the revenue.

  Assemblyman Chuck DeVore: “Every economist from the beginning of time acknowledges that when you raise taxes on something, you slow down that activity. And now that we have the third highest unemployment rate in the country, why would we want to increase taxes on hard working Californians precisely at the time that the economy is slowing down? That’s the worst thing that we could do.”

  A worst case scenario by the state Department of Finance shows California coming in 4 and a half billion dollars short during the fiscal year. That takes into account the money that California may have to put toward prison health care. A judge yesterday ordered California officials to come up with a plan to pay a quarter billion dollars to improve prison medical care.

  Tools

  • October 9, 2008 12:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• New documentary by LA filmmaker explores Latino vote

  A new documentary by a Los Angeles filmmaker questions the impact of Latino voters in U.S. politics. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: In his one hour documentary, “Latinos ‘08” filmmaker Phillip Rodriguez dismantles the idea that there’s a Latino voting bloc in American politics.

  Phillip Rodriguez: There’s a lot of misinformation about Latinos that floats out there. A lot of people have a lot to say about these people, and many of them do it purely out of self-interest. And because these people are such, kind of an enigma, and because perhaps they don’t constitute a people at all, I feel like there’s a lot of spin, and exaggeration, and a lot of hyperbole, when people talk about this so-called group.

  Guzman-Lopez: In other words, recent Mexican and Central American immigrants, Spanish-speaking Caribbeans and assimilated Americans with Latino roots often have little in common, other than Spanish surnames. John F. Kennedy was the first to directly appeal to Latinos for their votes. In his documentary, Rodriguez dissects the efforts of John McCain and Barack Obama to woo the Latino vote in ‘08.

  Tools

  • October 8, 2008 4:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Dianne Feinstein testifies at Metrolink train crash hearing

  The state Senate Transportation and Housing Committee convened a hearing on the Metrolink train crash today in Van Nuys. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said, despite the nation’s shaky finances, lawmakers must invest more money in commuter train safety.

  Senator Dianne Feinstein: “The only way it can live up to its potential is if it’s safe; if the cars are safe, if the track is safe, if the people are adequate and well-trained, and that the systems involved are safe.”

  The Metrolink’s crash last month killed 25 passengers and hurt dozens more. Feinstein helped push the Rail Safety Improvement Act through Congress and onto President Bush’s desk, where it awaits his signature. It requires rail companies to install an automatic track breaking system by 2015.

  Tools

  • October 8, 2008 4:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Undecided voters give their thoughts on second presidential debate

  If you’re a true-blue Democrat or a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, last night’s second presidential debate probably didn’t change your mind. But voters still on the fence were looking for something to nudge them one way or the other.

  KPCC’s Larry Mantle asked some of those undecideds to call “AirTalk” this morning and score the candidates’ answers to questions about the faltering economy and America’s foreign policy challenges. Here’s a sampling of their thoughts.

  Larry Mantle: Connor in Hollywood, you’re on “AirTalk.”
  Connor: I didn’t hear anything, anything really new that grabbed me either way. Honestly, I just thought it was a lot of posturing.
  Mantle: Let’s talk with Sushma in Pasadena. You’re on “AirTalk.”
  Sushma: I was an undecided voter and I’m still an undecided, but I’m definitely leaning towards Obama. Obama, I think, will be a big change for the better for America, and that will help us.
  Mantle: Darrell in Pomona. You’re on “AirTalk.”
  Darrell: Y’know, for McCain to say that the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were the match that started this problem, I really think he’s out of touch with what’s really going on.
  Mantle: So did that… after seeing last night’s debate, are you settled on Barack Obama?
  Darrell: No, I settled on Obama. I feel that McCain’s just out of touch.

  Just a few of the undecided voters who called “AirTalk” to give their spin on the second presidential debate. Debate number 3 is a week from tonight, and KPCC will again carry live coverage from NPR.

  Tools

  • October 8, 2008 3:40 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal judge orders California to pay for prison health care improvements

  A federal judge today ordered California officials to come up with a plan to pay $250 million for improvements to prison medical care. This order is an interim step. KPCC’s Julie Small reports the next step could be swift and expensive.

  Julie Small: Judge Thelton Henderson ordered state officials to be in his San Francisco courtroom in two weeks. He wants to see a plan that will “explicitly explain how and when” California will pay $250 million to fix prison medical care. The quarter-of-a-billion is just a down payment. Federal receiver Clark Kelso’s plan to construct new prison hospitals and renovate existing ones will eventually cost California $8 billion.

  Judge Henderson signed off on that plan, but four times, state lawmakers defeated a bill to pay for it. That’s why Kelso asked the judge to order state officials to pay up, and to hold the governor and the state controller in contempt if they don’t.

  Judge Henderson instead chose “an intermediate step.” He wants to see a plan before he starts issuing contempt citations. Along those lines, he’s given federal receiver Kelso the OK to depose the governors’ finance director on how the state will pay $8 billion for prison hospitals.

  Tools

  • October 8, 2008 3:15 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• USC business and economics students and faculty gather to watch presidential town hall debate

  Call it a debate watching party with a twist. Several hundred students and faculty from USC’s business and economics departments met to watch the second presidential candidates’ debate, and talk about the economy. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde was there and has the story.

  Kitty Felde: It was a quiet crowd. There was no applause until the end. No one wore political buttons. And unlike other debate watching parties, it was 15 minutes before anyone talked back to the TV screen.

  That was when Barack Obama said he had to correct something said by John McCain. Public policy grad student Abigail Goldstein describes herself as a Teddy Roosevelt Republican. But she didn’t appreciate McCain’s reference to her favorite president.

  Abigail Goldstein: I wasn’t really sure that throwing in “speak softly and carry a big stick” was relevant. I wasn’t really sure what he meant by that. It just sort of seemed like something he wanted to do to grab the audience’s attention and that kind of annoyed me a little bit.

  Felde: The biggest laughs of the night came whenever Tom Brokaw pleaded with candidates to keep their answers to under a minute.

  Tools

  • October 8, 2008 11:29 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Business and economics students gather to watch presidential town hall

  Politics may not be the number one topic for USC students these days, what with the norovirus that made several hundred Trojans sick to their stomach, and the financial crisis that’s making everybody else sick. But more than two hundred people showed up at the Davidson Conference Center to watch Barack Obama and John McCain talk about the bailout, debt, and unfunded entitlements. Students’ reaction to the debate was mixed.

  Adeola Adedoson: I feel it’s really hard for me to choose right now. It seems kind of close. Like, they’re pretty much saying similar things. I don’t see so many differences.
  David Sobieraj: I was surprised actually with McCain. I mean, he was coming off like, very sarcastic. It was something we didn’t see from him in the first debate at all, you know.
  Rahul Bhati: I think no one won, but it was like a stimulating view from both of the candidates.

  Barack Obama and John McCain meet again for their third and final debate a week from tonight, and we’ll carry it live right here on KPCC.

  Tools

  • October 8, 2008 11:25 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Director Oliver Stone on why it's a good time for a movie about George W. Bush

  Filmmaker Oliver Stone spoke to KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” today about his new movie about President Bush.

  Oliver Stone: “We’re at war in two countries; really three countries. We have war on terrorism is declared, plus there is an economic global financial impact to all these policies. This is a huge, huge change in the last eight years. So if we don’t make a movie about what’s going on right now, I think… you know we’re ignoring it; we’re ignoring what’s happening.”

  The movie stars Josh Brolin as George W. Bush and Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney. Stone told the Los Angeles Times that it’s a “human portrait of a man; not meant to insult people who believe in what Bush believes in.”

  Stone’s movie opens next week in Los Angeles.

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 6:43 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proponents, opponents of CA gay marriage ban proposition raise large amounts of money

  Proposition 8 is surely the highest profile ballot measure before California voters this November. KPCC’s Brian Watt tells us the campaigns for and against it are bringing in a lot of cash.

  Brian Watt: Prop 8 would amend California’s constitution to recognize marriages only between men and women.

  Its chief supporter, the “Protect Marriage Coalition,” has raised $25 million so far. On its Web site, the coalition points out that 95 percent of its contributors are in California.

  A group called “Equality for All” leads the opposition to Prop 8. It’s raised about $16 million.
  Both sides are running television ads, and in California, that’s an expensive proposition of its own. So it’s no surprise that the campaign over same-sex marriage is costing more in the Golden State than it has anywhere else.

  Twenty-four states have put the issue to their voters in the last four years. California’s battle has already brought in more cash than all those states combined.

  LINK: Protect Marriage Coalition

  LINK: Equality for All

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 6:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Oliver Stone discusses his new movie about George W. Bush

  Oliver Stone’s movie about President Bush opens in Los Angeles next week. Stone spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Oliver Stone: “Because this man has changed this world for all, for us, for the world. It’s may… I mean we’re in a position when he goes in January, well, whoever becomes president is gonna be living in the shadow of what Bush Jr. W. did.”

  Stone told the Los Angeles Times that the movie is a “comedy only in the sense of tragic comedy.” Stone said, “You laugh in your mind because Bush is a goof-ball, because he’s awkward, but at the same time he has a stubbornness, a John Wayne ethos.”

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 6:22 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Activists from across country gather in Los Angeles for black-Latino summit

  A summit that drew about 500 black and Latino activists from around the country wrapped up today in Downtown Los Angeles. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez was there and asked organizer Angela Glover Blackwell if participants discussed racial tensions between blacks and Latinos.

  Angela Glover Blackwell: This summit is meant to address one thing that came out strongly, and that is that the media has made a bigger deal and drawn more attention to the negative than it has lifted up the positive. While people acknowledge that tensions exist, we think the media has made it look disproportionate.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Give me an example of the people who attended and what they’re saying is happening in their neighborhoods, and how the discussions came about in the summit.

  Blackwell: The list is really endless, whether we’re talking about the Bus Riders Union here in Los Angeles, black and Latino coming together to deal with the issue of transportation, or whether we’re talking about groups in Oakland, California working to bring in a grocery store to serve underserved communities.

  This summit was called the Black Latino Summit, Solidarity for American’s Future. We really hope that as the demographics begin to shift that we can model, that the stewardship that will be brought in will not just repeat the past but it will really demonstrate to the nation that we can build a truly inclusive society with a vibrant democracy.

  Guzman-Lopez: At the conclusion of the National Black and Latino Summit, I’m Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, 89.3 KPCC

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 5:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Governor Schwarzenegger meets with legislative leaders tomorrow to address state credit crunch

  Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders will meet tomorrow to address California’s mounting budget crisis. Credit markets are struggling, and that’s made it difficult to for the state to borrow some badly-needed cash. H.D. Palmer with the state’s Department of Finance told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that stock market woes account for much of the disruption in California’s cash flow.

  H.D. Palmer: “Roughly 1 percent of the taxpayers in California pay about 51 percent of the personal income tax. That is a huge concentration, and a lot of that personal income tax revenue comes from capital gains and stock options, and that is very volatile on a year-to-year basis. In good years, like when the dot-com boom was in full flower in 2000, California was rolling in dough.”

  Palmer says the state’s cash flow problem is worse than usual.

  Palmer: “We do this kind of cash-flow borrowing as a normal course of business even in good budget years, and that’s because the months when we get our revenue don’t line up neatly with the times during the fiscal year that we have to pay our bills. So to smooth out that imbalance between when we get our money and when we have to pay our bills, this is a normal course of business for California. If we hadn’t had this credit lockup right now, we wouldn’t even be talking about this. We would’ve had the budget, we would’ve sold the notes, end of issue. The wrinkled issue, obviously, is that we’ve got a complete lockup in the credit markets.”

  The plan may also require the state legislature to open an emergency session. Schwarzenegger and state leaders are set to discuss the issue in Sacramento tomorrow.

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 4:02 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Activists gather in Los Angeles for black-Latino summit

  A two-day “National Black and Latino Summit” concluded in downtown Los Angeles today. The event attracted activists from around the country. Summit organizer Angela Glover Blackwell said the idea came out of a social equity conference earlier this year in New Orleans.

  Angela Glover Blackwell: “We decided that we needed to start focusing on the alliance-building part of the equation, and therefore we had this summit to really be able to come together, talk about policy, share some cultural and artistic experiences, and spend most of the time talking about how we build strong alliances across black/Latino communities.”

  Monday, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told summit participants that lifting blacks and Latinos out of poverty would go a long way toward easing social tensions between the two groups. Other participants included state senator and candidate for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Latino voting expert Antonio Gonzalez. Organizers plan a follow up event in Washington, D.C. this spring.

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 2:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Green construction measures up for vote at LA County Board of Supervisors meeting

  A trio of environmental measures aimed at greening new construction in Los Angeles County are up for a vote today at the L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting. KPCCs Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: The package is part of a special project by county planners to develop green building standards. One measure would require new buildings to use 15 percent less energy than state standards, and big buildings would need to meet national, independently-certified energy and green design standards. Another proposal looks at landscaping; the county would require builders to use less grass and more drought tolerant plants on properties.

  The third focus: stormwater runoff. Property owners would have to develop land in ways that don’t radically change natural runoff flows from rainfall. County planners think a low impact development rule like this would limit runoff pollution and beef up groundwater supplies. New projects would include gravel or dirt rather than corner to corner paving. The ordinances would have strongest effect in the unincorporated, and less developed, parts of the county, like the Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita.

  Tools

  • October 7, 2008 1:43 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• California vote by mail ballots begin to arrive tomorrow

  Watch your mailbox! If you’ve elected to vote by mail, you could cast your ballot as early as tomorrow. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports ballots went out in the mail today.

  Kitty Felde: If you’ve decided to vote by mail, you’re not alone. The number of voters who want to avoid hassles or lines at the polling place has been steadily rising. Four years ago, during the last presidential election, about one in three voted absentee.

  By the June state primary, more than half of Californians, nearly 59 percent, cast their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. It’s not too late to join the crowd. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 28th. In fact, it’s still not too late to register to vote. That deadline is a bit sooner: October 20th.

  Tools

  • October 6, 2008 4:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County moves to reform student worker program

  L.A. County administrators are moving to reform a job classification that critics say exploits student workers. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: For years the county’s advertised temporary “student worker” jobs as an introduction to the world of civil service. About a thousand people work under this classification in many county departments including public health, firefighting, and the district attorney’s office. Elizabeth Brennan, a spokeswoman for the union that represents student workers and is negotiating their contract, says the classification has soured many people to working for county government.

  Elizabeth Brennan: What it’s evolved into is a sort of a sub-classification of county employees that can be fired at any time, no vacation time, no benefits, health care, no retirement, and make slightly over minimum wage.

  Guzman-Lopez: Sixty-four people, Brennan says, have been student workers for more than six years with no benefits and no chance to advance. L.A. County’s chief of human resources admits some missteps and proposes limiting student jobs to six years for those currently taking classes and getting a C average. County supervisors are expected to hear about the topic at their regular Tuesday board meeting.

  Tools

  • October 6, 2008 3:52 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Palin draws big crowd in Carson

  Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin mixed sharp attacks on Democrat Barack Obama with folksy anecdotes aimed at women voters during a rally at Home Depot Center’s tennis stadium in Carson Saturday.

  Sarah Palin: “I’m reading on my Starbucks mocha cup, OK, the quote of the day. You’ll never believe what the quote was. It was Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state and U.N. ambassador. She said there’s a place in hell reserved for women who don’t support other women.” [crowd cheers]

  More than 10,000 people attended the rally. The Alaska governor held a fundraiser later at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Another was scheduled for Sunday in Burlingame in Northern California.

  Tools

  • October 6, 2008 1:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Palin draws more than 10,000 to Carson rally

  Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin drew more than 10,000 people to a rally at Home Depot Center’s tennis stadium Saturday. She told the crowd the gloves are off in the campaign, and accused Democrat Barack Obama of “palling around” with terrorists. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Palin referred to Obama’s relationship with Bill Ayers, who helped found the Weather Underground. That was a 1960s group that took credit for a number of domestic bombings.

  Sarah Palin: Our opponent is somebody who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country.

  Stoltze: The Associated Press reported that while it is known that Obama and Ayers served on a Chicago charity board together and had a fleeting political connection, there is no evidence that they ever “palled around.” And, said the AP, it’s wrong to suggest that they were associated while Ayers was committing terrorist acts.

  Obama was 8 years old at the time. While an Obama spokesman called Palin’s speech full of distortions, more than 10,000 people wildly cheered the Alaska governor, including Carol Robbins and her father Dick Walker.

  Carol Robbins: She’s smart, intellectual, believes in small government.
  Dick Walker: Washington’s got to be clean up.

  Walker said, like most people, he’s only known Palin for four or five weeks. But he said she comes across as honest, and believes she and John McCain would “clean up” Washington.

  Tools

  • October 6, 2008 12:58 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican VP nominee Palin visits Southern California, headlines fundraisers, rally

  Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin visits Southern California tomorrow. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: The Alaska governor is the main attraction at an afternoon rally in Home Depot Center’s tennis stadium. The Carson venue holds 8,000 people. USC Political Scientist Dan Schnur says the free event isn’t really about winning support in heavily Democratic California. Instead, it’s about getting national media coverage.

  Dan Schnur: For the McCain campaign, getting footage of Palin with an enthusiastic group of supporters may not matter a whole lot in the Los Angeles television market, but in Columbus, and in Harrisburg, and in Tallahassee, it’s very, very valuable.

  Stoltze: Those cities reside in key presidential swing states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Schnur says the bigger reason Palin’s in California is money. Senator John McCain’s running mate will appear at a fundraiser at the Orange County Performing Arts Center after her rally, and at another Sunday in Burlingame, in Northern California.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 4:46 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Coast Guard calls off search for congresswomen's missing brother

  The Coast Guard has called off the search for a missing boat that carried the brother of Congresswomen Loretta and Linda Sanchez. The Coast Guard suspects a collision at sea. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde has the story.

  Kitty Felde: Henry Sanchez and his girlfriend were on a 26 foot boat headed from Long Beach to Catalina Island. The couple never arrived. The Coast Guard searched more than 300 square miles south of the entrance of the Port of Los Angeles, and found pieces of a boat with a California vessel number that matches the one of the boat carrying Sanchez.

  The Coast Guard also found a broken ice chest and several toy swords. Catalina celebrates its annual Buccaneer Days festival in Two Harbors this weekend. The working theory is that around midnight Thursday, the boat Sanchez was on collided with a much larger vessel and sank.

  The Coast Guard is trying to locate the other vessel. In a statement from Capitol Hill, the Sanchez sisters say they “pray and hope” their brother Henry and his girlfriend are found alive and well.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 4:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Palin headlines rally, fundraiser in Southern California this weekend

  Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin headlines a rally at Home Depot Center’s tennis stadium in Carson tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow night, she’ll host a fundraiser at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. USC political scientist Dan Schnur worked on John McCain’s run for president eight years ago.

  Dan Schnur: “Even though this state is not likely to be competitive in terms of outcome on election day this year, there’s an awful lot of money to be raised here for candidates of both parties. And just as Obama had that event at Barbra Streisand’s house a few weeks back, this isn’t as much about votes as it is about fundraising.”

  Schnur says the Alaska governor’s rally is probably intended to generate free media coverage across the country, particularly in swing states like Florida, Pennsylvania, and Missouri.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 4:36 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California treasurer working on $7 billion loan package for state government

  State Treasurer Bill Lockyer is negotiating the terms of the $7 billion loan package the state government needs. He says he’s working with Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, and Lockyer says he expects an answer soon on whether the state can borrow the money.

  Bill Lockyer: “We’ll probably know that pretty soon, you know, a matter of days or a week, whether the market is hospitable and we can borrow perhaps as much as 7 billion. We may have to break that down into smaller increments and do it in more bite-size chunks, but we’re certainly going to be out there testing it. This is just the short-term financing, which in the past has been very, very routine. But because of this frozen situation in the national and international credit markets, that’s what’s causing the problem in this instance. Hopefully, there’ll be a thaw. If so, we can make the deadlines and pay the bills.”

  State Treasurer Bill Lockyer speaking on KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.” The state will ask for $7 billion, but Lockyer says California might need as little as $3 billion to meet its cash needs until new tax revenue comes in.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 4:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Economist Thornberg criticizes $150 billion of 'pork' in bailout bill

  President Bush signed a $700 billion rescue package for the country’s financial services industry today, shortly after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the measure. It passed the Senate on Wednesday.

  Congressional leaders and federal economic officials insisted that this intervention in the financial sector was necessary to free up credit and restore confidence in the markets. But not everyone is happy about it. Economist Chris Thornberg told KPCC’s AirTalk that he’s appalled the House approved the bill on its second go-round.

  Chris Thornberg: “This is the same exact bill as what they passed, as what they didn’t pass on Monday. What got them to pass it, all these fiscally prudent folks, well $150 billion of pork were shoved in there and gee, suddenly it becomes palatable.”

  The House vote was 263 to 171. The revised measure included provisions that weren’t in the version lawmakers rejected earlier, including one that encourages film and TV production within the United States.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 4:15 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Jury selection begins in former OC sheriff's corruption trial

  Jury selection is getting underway at Santa Ana’s federal courthouse today in the corruption trial of former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona. KPCC’s Susan Valot reports.

  Susan Valot: Several hundred potential jurors will hear the charges against Carona and then fill out a 14 page questionnaire. It asks them if they’ve heard about the corruption case federal prosecutors are pursuing against the county’s ex-sheriff and if they have opinions about it.

  There are many other questions, too. The judge and the attorneys will study those questionnaires, and on October 22nd, they’ll return to court to start questioning potential jurors in-person. Carona’s accused of granting political favors in exchange for cash and gifts. He resigned as sheriff in January to fight the charges. Carona’s trial is scheduled to get underway at the end of the month.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 4:10 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Economist Thornberg talks about rising California unemployment

  The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to approve a monumental $700 billion rescue of the nation’s financial services industry. The Senate approved the measure yesterday. It’s the biggest federal intervention in the economy since the Great Depression.

  Quickly and without ceremony, President Bush signed the bill. Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics told KPCC’s AirTalk that California’s unemployment rate rose by more than 2 percentage points between August of this year and the same month last year.

  Chris Thornberg: “We are deep into a recession, and that is why Wall Street is having these problems. It’s not the other way around. It’s amazing to me that these various legislative bodies and policy maker are suddenly saying they are trying to save the economy when they have been ignoring the fact that we have been dipping into a recession for well over the last year.”

  New unemployment figures indicate that the United States lost 159,000 jobs in last month.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 12:49 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Economist Chris Thornberg criticizes $700 billion bailout plan

  President Bush has signed the $700 billion plan to rescue the battered financial industry. The U.S. House passed it this morning, two days after the Senate approved it. Economist Chris Thornberg has criticized the plan since it surfaced late last month. He told KPCC’s AirTalk he doesn’t think the new version is much different from the plan that the House rejected on Monday.

  Chris Thornberg: “Doing public policy on the basis of the drama queen known as the stock is a recipe for a disaster. All right. The market dropped on Monday, it popped back up on Tuesday, it went back down on Wednesday. I mean you can’t run a nation like that, it’s ridiculous.”

  California officials have been calling on Congress to pass the plan. The state’s cash flow is running dry and the credit crunch has left its government unable to secure short-term loans. Governor Schwarzenegger notified federal Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson yesterday that the state may need to borrow from the federal government if the credit market doesn’t loosen up soon.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 12:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Schwarzenegger says California may need to borrow $7 billion from federal government

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says California may need to borrow from the federal government if the credit market doesn’t loosen up soon. Schwarzenegger made the comments in a letter yesterday to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The House this morning passed an economic rescue plan, but State Treasurer Bill Lockyer told KPCC it’s unclear whether it will solve California’s cash shortage.

  Bill Lockyer: “Now maybe this congressional enactment will do something to relieve that, and credit will begin flowing again, and we can do our short term borrowing. But if not, someone seriously told me yesterday, ‘Bill, get on a plane to China!’ I mean that’s the kind of thing that we’re thinking about.”

  California typically has to rely on short-term loans at this time of year so it can send money to school districts and make other payments. But the credit crunch has locked California out of the bond market. California has a scheduled $3 billion payment to schools at the end of the month.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 11:58 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• US House Speaker Pelosi pushed for bailout approval before vote

  Before the U.S. House of Representatives voted today on the federal plan to rescue the financial sector, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the significance of the vote.

  Nancy Pelosi: “In my home state of California, officials including the governor are urgently calling for federal legislation to avoid economic catastrophe, catastrophe. Those urgent calls are being echoed by Democratic and Republican governors from across the country. While the focus has been on the Dow Jones and Wall Street, we are addressing the real pain felt by Mrs. and Mr. Jones on Main Street. They are the reason we must to pass this legislation today.”

  Today’s vote was 263 in favor, to 171 opposed.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 11:53 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Republicans gather to cheer Palin in VP debate

  This election year has generated more excitement than any in recent memory. Who knew a vice presidential debate could outdraw a Dodger playoff game at a local bar? Nearly 100 Republicans gathered at a mid-Wilshire watering hole called “Life” to cheer on their favorite candidate and hiss at the other guy. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde was there; she spoke with Dan Stumpus of L.A.

  Dan Stumpus: “It was a good debate. I thought it was better than the presidential, than the two presidential candidates.”
  Kitty Felde: “Why?”
  Stumpus: “Partly because each of them was more charming, I think. They’re both charming and humorous. And Palin, I mean, she sort of has this little movie star quality to her. It’s hard to put out of your mind, even though you should be looking at the facts. And Biden is charming, too. I just thought it was more entertaining, there was more real connection, they were looking at the camera, they were looking at each other.”
  Felde: “Was there a clear winner?”
  Stumpus: “I thought… I was worried about Palin. I was pleasantly surprised, I’m a conservative, I was pleasantly surprised she really held her own and came out swinging. And I thought she did just fine.”

  The Republican majority at this bar told a handful of Democrats to “shut up” when they cheered for their candidate, Joe Biden, too loudly. KPCC will carry the next presidential candidates’ debate live, starting at 6 o’clock Tuesday night.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 10:33 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republicans gather to watch VP debate at LA bar

  It was perhaps the most anticipated debate of this election year. Several dozen Republicans gathered at a bar called “Life” near the L.A. County Art Museum to cheer on their vice presidential nominee, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports that a handful of Democrats crashed the party, too.

  Kitty Felde: “Life” is the kind of bar where baseball is usually the sport of choice on the big screen. Not last night. It was all politics. Nearly 100 Sarah Palin fans dropped in. But so did about a dozen Joe Biden fans.

  That meant the cheers for Palin’s “drill, baby, drill” to explain her energy policy were countered by applause when Biden called Dick Cheney the most dangerous vice president in American history. Still, Louie Eisenstein says Palin raised goosebumps when she talked about how much she loved America.

  Louie Eisenstein: I was kind of nervous that she was going to flub up. I mean that’s what I heard on talk radio all day; all those conservative talk show hosts were saying how she’s going to screw up, but I thought she won the debate, and I thought Obama won the last debate. I thought she did a good job.

  Felde: This was the only debate scheduled between the vice presidential candidates. Barack Obama and John McCain meet for their second presidential debate Tuesday night.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 10:21 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California legislature holds hearings on Proposition 8

  Proposition 8 would amend California’s constitution to only recognize marriages between men and women. The ballot measure was the focus of a hearing today in downtown Los Angeles. Members of the California Assembly and Senate’s judiciary committees were there. So was KPCC’s Brian Watt.

  Brian Watt: The lawmakers gave equal time to panelists and activists on both sides. Prop 8 would overturn this year’s California Supreme Court decision that granted same-sex couples the right to marry. Panelist Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute said the measure has united supporters from every ethnic group and all major religions behind two ideas.

  Jennifer Roback Morse: First, we believe that mothers and fathers are not interchangeable. Second, we believe that children are entitled to be born into a family of a mother and father who brought them into being through an act of love.

  Watt: Union organizer and state assembly candidate John Perez called that kind of talk a slap in the face to single parents, and to gay couples raising kids.

  John Perez: I think that what we all want for children is for them to be able to grow up in a world that offers them the same opportunity and freedom, for everybody, regardless gender, wealth, or origin.

  Watt: The legislators present all opposed Proposition 8. They said they invited their colleagues who support it, but none showed up at the hearing.

  Tools

  • October 3, 2008 9:57 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Study estimates economic benefits of proposed high-speed rail system

  A new study estimates that California’s proposed high-speed rail system could direct billions of dollars in economic benefits to the Central Valley.

  The state’s High Speed Rail Authority commissioned the study by Shawn Kantor of UC Merced. Kantor says people in the Central Valley would save $3 billion if the rail system was built.

  Shawn Kantor: “That’s direct savings in terms of saving time, gas, parking, commuting cost, increasing people’s productivity associated with not having to sit in traffic congestion.”

  Kantor says the rail system would also lead to more construction work, and would boost the region’s economy by making it easier for goods and workers to get where they need to go.

  The study arrives as voters decide whether to approve Proposition 1-A. The measure on next month’s statewide ballot would authorize almost $10 billion dollars in bonds to start the project.

  Prop 1-A opponents say the state would do better to spend that money on highway construction and regional transit systems.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 6:05 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Democratic congressmen angry over record number of vetoes by Governor Schwarzenegger

  Sacramento Democrats are seething over the record number of bills Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed this year. Some are threatening a backlash. Schwarzenegger rejected 35 percent of the bills that reached his desk. Many included a stock veto message. It said that, given the historic budget delay, the governor was only signing bills of “highest priority.” Democratic Assemblyman Alberto Torrico called that appalling.

  Alberto Torrico: “Let me tell you something. The veto messages are instructive for us, because if there are some specific concerns that he voices in the veto messages, we can address those in the next legislative cycle and fix the bills, but without that guidance, it’s as if we have lost an entire legislative cycle.”

  Torrico wants lawmakers to override some of the governor’s vetoes. The Office of the Secretary of the Senate says the body could reconvene before the new session starts in December to do that. But legislative aides say that’s unlikely. Governor Schwarzenegger has maintained that he fully considered each and every bill.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 4:44 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State legislators hold hearing on proposition 8

  Proposition 8 was the focus of a hearing today in downtown Los Angeles. The ballot measure would amend the state’s constitution to recognize only marriages between men and women. Members of the judiciary committees of California’s Assembly and Senate heard from panelists and voters on both sides of the issue. Sonia Brown told the lawmakers that Prop 8 protects the interests of children.

  Sonia Brown: “That’s one of the major strengths behind this proposition. We don’t want to deny anyone, least of all me, any rights of marriage. I’ve worked in Hollywood 20 years as a producer, and I care very much about the gay community, but we must put children’s rights first.”

  Judy Chiasson, who works in the human relations office of the L.A. Unified School District, opposes Prop 8. She offered a different take on the way it could affect kids.

  Judy Chiasson: “In kindergarten, we teach them their letters and their numbers. We teach them shapes and colors. We teach them to make new friends, to share and to be nice to one another. And I think as adults, as teachers and parents, we need to do the same.”

  Prop 8 would overturn this year’s California Supreme Court decision that granted same sex couples the right to marry. California voters will have their say next month.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 4:38 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Gender and communication scholar previews Biden/Palin debate

  For only the second time in American history, a woman and a man will debate one another in the vice presidential forum. Democratic Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware faces off against Alaska’s Republican Governor Sarah Palin tonight in St. Louis. A popular scholar of gender and communication, Deborah Tannen, spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” about the dynamics of this debate.

  Deborah Tannen: “What’s gonna be going on tonight that’s so interesting is that people are going to be watching it through the gendered lens as much as the way they behave will reflect a gendered lens.”

  Tannen teaches in Georgetown University’s linguistics department. You can catch the Palin-Biden debate live tonight at 6 on KPCC

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 4:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Stakes high in vice presidential debate

  What could be the most-watched vice presidential debate ever is scheduled to start in about two-and-a-half hours. Republican nominee and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin squares off against Democratic Senator Joseph Biden tonight in St. Louis. Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza, author of “The Fix” political blog on the paper’s Web site, told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that the stakes are high in this matchup.

  Chris Cillizza: “I think that this is a crucial time for the McCain campaign. They have to have a good showing from Sarah Palin tonight. What that good showing entails, I don’t really know.”

  KPCC will carry NPR’s live coverage of the debate, beginning at 6 o’clock tonight.

  Link: The Fix

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 3:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• San Fernando Valley Congressman Sherman says he'll vote 'no' again, believes others will too

  The U.S. House votes tomorrow on a modified version of the federal financial rescue plan. The Senate approved the modified plan yesterday after the House rejected an earlier version on Monday. Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman of the San Fernando Valley has opposed the plan. He told KPCC’s AirTalk he’ll cast a “no” vote again. He believes others in the House will do the same.

  Brad Sherman: “I’m sure there will be a few votes that change. One of the reasons for change will be that the true ‘sky is falling’ panic mongers turned out to be wrong. We had people, senior members of Congress, talking to others on the floor saying look, if we don’t pass this bill, the markets going to drop two, three-thousand points, they’re going to declare martial law.”

  The new plan includes $110 billion in tax breaks, including incentives for movie and TV studios that shoot in the United States. The new plan also raises the limit on federal deposit insurance to $250,000.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 3:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger offers advice on getting bailout plan passed

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s offering some advice for Washington lawmakers trying to push through the federal economic rescue plan: change your sales strategy and discuss it as a way to salvage Main Street, not Wall Street.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “And I think they all should take, you know, a marketing 101, go back to school so we can start again with this whole thing.”

  Schwarzenegger sent a letter to each member of California’s congressional delegation, urging them to pass the $700 billion plan. The U.S. Senate approved it yesterday, and the House is scheduled to vote tomorrow. California’s treasurer has warned that without the federal bailout, the state may not be able to borrow money, and could run out of cash. California typically takes out a loan this time of year to help pay its bills.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 2:59 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Parks Department lays off almost 140 temporary workers

  The city of Los Angeles is laying off almost 140 temporary workers in its parks and recreation department, and it’s cutting back the hours of hundreds of others. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports the staff reductions are prompting warnings from city park rangers.

  Frank Stoltze: Rangers in Griffith Park say the layoffs will result in reduced security at the observatory and fewer patrols throughout the sprawling open space, just as the dangerous fall fire season arrives. Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman Regina Adams concedes the agency’s laying off part-time security officers at the observatory.

  She says rangers will have to do some of that work instead of patrolling the park. She says it’s all part of City Hall belt tightening, necessitated by the bad economy and falling tax revenues. The department is terminating or reducing hours for workers at more than 175 parks and recreation centers across the city. Among other changes, bathrooms will get cleaned less often and the city will offer fewer exercise and arts classes.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 2:56 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County Congressman Campbell says new bailout plan stands better chance with House Republicans

  The U.S. House votes again tomorrow morning on a $700 billion economic rescue plan. The House rejected the federal plan earlier this week, but the Senate passed a new version yesterday. Orange County Republican Congressman John Campbell told KPCC’s AirTalk that the new plan may stand a better chance with some House Republicans.

  John Campbell: “I have talked to at least a couple of Republicans who I believe will be changing their votes from no to yes. But I don’t think the outcome of this vote is in the bag yet by any means.”

  Campbell said some conservative Democrats who voted for the earlier plan may switch their votes to “no.” The new version includes $110 billion in tax breaks. Campbell says the so-called “Blue Dog Democrats” contend that tax increases should have accompanied those tax breaks.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 1:07 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal grand jury issues indictment over Latino mailer

  Former Congressional candidate Tan Nguyen is set to answer a federal obstruction of justice charge later this month. KPCC Orange County Reporter Susan Valot says it’s connected to a letter his campaign sent to Latino voters two years ago.

  Susan Valot: The Spanish-language mailer warned “immigrants” about voting in the election in which Nguyen, a Republican, faced Democrat Loretta Sanchez. Nguyen initially denied having anything to do with the letter. Then he blamed a campaign worker.

  But later, Nguyen said the mailer was simply translated incorrectly into Spanish. He said he’d meant to say illegal immigrants can’t vote. Federal prosecutors accuse Nguyen of intentionally misleading investigators as they looked into the letter.

  Because of that, a federal grand jury in Santa Ana has indicted Nguyen. Nguyen’s attorney has said he plans to fight the obstruction of justice charge, and expects Nguyen to be fully exonerated. If a jury convicts him, Nguyen could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He’s scheduled for arraignment in a couple of weeks.

  Tools

  • October 2, 2008 11:30 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• California's Senator Boxer expresses support for bailout bill, says California depends on available credit

  California’s U.S. Senators expressed hope that their colleagues would approve a version of the federal rescue plan for financial institutions. The Senate expects to vote on the measure tonight, two days after the U.S. House rejected a similar $700 billion proposal.

  Senator Barbara Boxer told reporters that plenty depends on lawmakers support for the bill.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: “Our treasurer says we won’t be able to sell voter-approved highway, school and water bonds that are desperately needed for Californians’ economy and for the creation good paying new jobs. He says they just won’t be able to get the credit. California also desperately needs access to short-term borrowing from banks to finance our budget.”

  Boxer said she hopes the plan will help restore confidence in the American economy. She and Senator Dianne Feinstein spoke with reporters in Washington DC as the Senate prepared to vote.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 5:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California State Treasurer Lockyer explains consequences of credit crunch

  Wall Street’s meltdown is damaging California’s ability to borrow money. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer described to KPCC’s Patt Morrison which people and institutions won’t get public money if credit continues to tighten.

  Bill Lockyer: “Local school apportionments, state employees, local government monies that they rely on from the state, paying the nursing homes and other vendors, all those that receive money from state, after about November 1st, they aren’t going to get a check unless we figure out how to borrow some money.”

  Some of those people and agencies just emerged from 85 days of reduced or absent state payments during the long wait for a budget. Lockyer said the state controller assures him that California has enough money to get through this month.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 4:12 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County District Attorney Cooley opposes Proposition 5

  Proposition 5 on next month’s ballot asks California votes whether to set aside almost $500 million for drug treatment programs targeted to nonviolent offenders. Its supporters say the measure would address addiction, one of the main reasons so many people are behind bars. Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley shared with KPCC’s Patt Morrison his opinion that Prop 5 is one of the most dangerous propositions to ever make it to the ballot.

  Steve Cooley: “It will effectively decriminalize virtually all the felons on the books except for those who statutorily defined as serious or violent.”

  That, along with Prop 5’s mandate of shorter parole for certain felons, could jeopardize public safety, Cooley said.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 3:51 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 5 would direct $460 million to drug treatment programs

  Proposition 5 on next month’s statewide ballot would direct $460 million to improve and expand treatment programs for nonviolent drug offenders. Margaret Dooley-Sammuli helps run the Southern California Drug Policy Alliance Network. She told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that the measure’s opponents fear it will release too many criminals from incarceration.

  Margaret Dooley-Sammuli: “But it also puts rehabilitation behind bars, where 85 percent of people have substance abuse problems but aren’t receiving treatment. And that way we’ll break the cycle of addiction and crime, and save taxpayers a lot of money in the process.”

  Dooley-Sammuli and other supporters of the measure say it’ll also ease chronic crowding in the state’s prisons and jails. Critics of the ballot question, including Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, contend that it’ll cause chaos in the parole system.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 3:48 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger's press secretary explains vetoes

  By the time the clock struck midnight last night, Governor Schwarzenegger had signed nearly 800 bills, and vetoed more than 400 others, to close out this year’s legislative session. The governor’s press secretary, Aaron McLear, says all the bills were given a fair hearing, but some weren’t good fits for California.

  Aaron McLear: “The governor was presented each and every one of these bills, weighed them on their merits, and then acted accordingly. So, each of these got a full look and, and, it just so happened that, that a lot of these bills he didn’t believe were priorities for California, so he vetoed them.”

  But McLear says many of the bills had the right idea, but the governor felt they needed a few minor adjustments.

  McLear: “Most of those come with a very specific veto message that will say, that ya know, here are the things, ya know, I like where your heads at, I like where you’re heading with this, but you’ve got to make these improvements. It doesn’t make sense for these reasons. I just need to see it improved a little bit. So, so come back at us next year with these improvements and maybe it’s something we can support.”

  And many lawmakers have already said they’ll bring back bills that were vetoed this year.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 1:38 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger signs $800 million water projects bill

  A bill signed by Governor Schwarzenegger authorizes the state to spend more than $800 million in bond money on water projects: storage, levee improvement, and conservation. State Senate Democratic Leader Don Perata sponsored the bill. Perata told KPCC’s AirTalk he’s happy the governor signed it.

  Don Perata: “This particular measure that he just signed will put millions and millions of dollars into cleaning up aquifers that can be used for underground storage. I know it’s not as sexy as overground, but it gets the job done the same way.”

  Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year. The governor said he signed this year’s version to help the state meet its immediate water needs. But he added his opinion that it’s a “Band-Aid” measure that will not solve California’s long term water supply problems. The governor and his fellow Republicans in the legislature have called for building more dams.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 12:41 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes cargo fee

  Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have required shippers to pay a fee on cargo moving through the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. The bill would have charged $30 per 20-foot container. That money would have paid for pollution and traffic mitigation programs near the three ports. Long Beach State Senator Alan Lowenthal sponsored the bill. He told KPCC’s AirTalk that the governor’s veto shocked him.

  Alan Lowenthal: “You know, he played to the large business interests for a miniscule amount of cost, and he sacrificed the health of Californians to listen to large multicorporation business, certainly not the small businesses in California that really supported the bill.”

  In his veto message, the governor said the bill didn’t specify how the state would control where the container fees would go. The governor also said the bill should have directed money to California’s Central Valley, home to some of the nation’s dirtiest air.

  Tools

  • October 1, 2008 12:36 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Schwarzenegger signs new sprawl-reduction law into effect

  It’s the law in California now: a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by curbing sprawl. KPCC’s Molly Peterson lays it out.

  Molly Peterson: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has approved new guidelines aimed at helping local governments limit global warming. The state’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction law requires them to try.

  The law requires regional transit authorities around the state to come up with what’s called a sustainable communities strategy. Local agencies will base strategies on limits the California Air Resources Board sets on greenhouse gases.

  Some small cities had opposed the bill. They contended that local governments, not the state, should set those targets. But the bill found support from environmentalists and from housing developers, who liked another provision in the bill. It relaxes environmental review for projects that plan to lower their carbon footprints, fill in urban areas, or plan more densely.

  Supporters of the so-called anti-sprawl law say it’ll foster development along transit corridors that clusters housing, schools, and shopping.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 8:01 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• McCain to hold fundraiser in Century City Tuesday

  Arizona Senator John McCain visits Los Angeles tonight for a political fundraiser. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has the details.

  Frank Stoltze: The McCain fundraiser is at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Century City. It’s a favorite venue for political events that attract moneyed business and Hollywood elites. Tickets are $1,000 each – $2500 for donors who want a special McCain-Palin lapel pin.

  Proceeds go to the Republican National Committee, California Republican Party, and McCain-Palin Victory Fund. That last organization disburses money to Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Those states could decide the election.

  It’s a big Southern California week for the Republican ticket. Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin headlines a rally at the Home Depot Center’s tennis stadium in Carson on Saturday.

  She’s also the featured guest at a fundraiser in the Orange County Performing Arts Center Saturday night.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 5:47 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Congressman Becerra: Administration's bailout proposal was flawed

  Post-mortems on the defeated federal financial bailout continue to swirl as lawmakers and the Bush Administration try to figure out how to salvage the country’s economic pillars.

  Los Angeles Congressman Xavier Becerra was one of 95 Democrats who voted against the $700 billion rescue bill. He spoke with KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”

  Congressman Xavier Becerra: “What we quickly found was that the Administration was not going to try to craft a bill that I think Democrats would have felt could help the economy, take care of this rescue, necessary, and also provide some protection to the tax payers.”

  Congress is taking a brief recess. U.S. Senate leaders say they’ll try another effort to shore up the financial services industry tomorrow.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 5:39 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• New California law requires chain restaurants list nutritional info

  A new California law requires chain restaurants to list calories, fat and salt content, and other nutritional facts on their menus. It’s the first time any state has mandated that kind of disclosure. Fast food and casual dining restaurants resisted the idea at first. Jot Condie, president of the California Restaurant Association, told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that some eateries will balk for awhile.

  Jot Condie: “You can’t please all the people all the time, and I suspect a couple of restaurants within our ranks that don’t want to do this for a number of reasons; mostly probably the cost of reprinting of menus or menu boards, or the cost of getting the analysis done.”

  Condie’s organization had opposed local menu information laws in favor of a statewide measure. Backers of the new law say it’ll help people choose healthier options when they eat away from home. Governor Schwarzenegger signed the restaurant rules into law today.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 4:48 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• State Senator Padilla explains why he supports nutritional information bill

  California’s the first state in the country that requires chain restaurants to list nutritional information on their menus. Governor Schwarzenegger signed the measure into law today. State Senator Alex Padilla sponsored the bill. He told KPCC’s Patt Morrison he doesn’t believe the requirement will burden the restaurant business.

  Alex Padilla: “What this bill does is not tell restaurants what they can and cannot offer, and it doesn’t tell consumers what we can or cannot order. It’s simply providing the information we need if we choose to use it to make healthier eating choices when we’re eating out.”

  The San Fernando Valley Democrat said he backed the bill to address rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The restaurant industry had opposed local efforts to include calorie, fat, and salt content on menus, but it eventually supported the statewide measure.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 4:12 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Becerra explains what he wants in bailout bill

  Before members of Congress take another run at rescuing the financial sector, many of them are trying to explain the way they voted on the $700 billion federal bailout bill. Los Angeles Democrat Xavier Becerra, who opposed the measure, told KPCC’s Patt Morrison what his ideal bill would include and what it would leave out.

  Xavier Becerra: “I would have more definition. There’s $700 billion. In some case we would, we’re going to have to buy equity in some of these companies by taking all their toxic assets. So we are going to buy the worst of their worst, their loans that are loans that have lost so much value, and we’re going to try to sell that.”

  The U.S. House and Senate have recessed until Thursday. Congressional and economic leaders plan to craft a new attempt to shore up major financial institutions. After a steep sell-off yesterday, markets stabilized and recovered somewhat today.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 3:22 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Congressman Becerra comments on why he voted against bailout plan

  Post-mortems on the defeated federal financial bailout continue to swirl as lawmakers and the Bush administration try to figure out how to salvage the country’s economic pillars. Los Angeles Congressman Xavier Becerra was one of 95 Democrats who voted against the $700 billion rescue bill. He spoke with KPCC’s Patt Morrison.

  Xavier Becerra: “What we quickly found was that the administration was not going to try to craft a bill that I think Democrats would have felt could help the economy take care of this rescue necessary, and also provide some protection to the taxpayers.”

  Congress is taking a brief recess. U.S. Senate leaders say they’ll try another effort to shore up the financial services industry tomorrow.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 3:17 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger signs nutrition bills

  Governor Schwarzenegger today signed into law two bills aimed at Californians’ waistline. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has the skinny.

  Frank Stoltze: Based on department of health statistics, the governor says one in three California children is overweight or at risk of obesity. Second only to tobacco, he says, obesity is the leading cause of preventable deaths for adults. Schwarzenegger says Californians have gained 360 million pounds in the last decade.

  He says that’s why he signed State Senator Alex Padilla’s bill that requires restaurant chains with 20 or more locations to provide nutritional information about their menus. They’ve got to include the number of calories and grams of saturated fat. Padilla says the law will help people make more informed choices.

  The governor also signed a bill that requires vending machines on state property to offer healthier snack choices. It says that at least 35 percent of the food and at least one-third of the beverages they carry must meet government nutritional guidelines within three years.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 2:03 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Skeptics question LA Mayor Villaraigosa's $5 billion housing plan

  Housing advocates have endorsed a plan by Los Angeles’ mayor to provide 20,000 affordable homes in the city. KPCC’s Steve Julian says skeptics wonder where the $5 billion needed for the plan will come from.

  Steve Julian: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa admits he’ll have to reach far and wide to raise the money, especially amid the nation’s financial meltdown. He already has $1.7 billion committed to the 5 year project and is counting on philanthropists, private lenders, and government grants for the balance.

  Los Angeles is known for its pricey housing; employers often complain they can’t lure job recruits, and that employees they do hire have to commute long distances from more affordable regions. Developers are looking for incentives before they take part. For example, the Central City Association, a business group, says one idea is to permit structures taller than the existing six-story limit, and reduce the number of required parking spaces for residents.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 10:44 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa unveils $5 billion housing plan

  The mayor of Los Angeles has unveiled a $5 billion housing plan. KPCC’s Steve Julian says Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa acknowledges the financial crisis will make finding the money difficult.

  Steve Julian: Villaraigosa’s plan would provide 20,000 affordable homes in Los Angeles over the next five years. Los Angeles, the mayor notes, is the least affordable city in the nation, and vows to go as far as China and the Middle East to find the money. He’s already lined up the first investor: the nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners has pledged $700 million.

  That’s on top of 1 billion from federal grants, state housing bonds, and local taxes already earmarked for housing. The foreclosure crisis has added a sense of urgency. In 2007, more than 5,200 L.A. families lost their homes; the city also has 44,000 homeless people. Under the mayor’s plan, developers will have to set aside as much as 22 percent of projects with more than 20 units for low- or moderate-income residents.

  Tools

  • September 30, 2008 10:41 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA mayor, economist react to financial crisis

  Elected leaders and economists in Southern California are paying close attention to the financial crisis, and to Washington’s reaction. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has the story.

  Frank Stoltze: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gathered reporters to talk about an affordable housing plan. But something else was on his mind.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: As mayor of one of the cities hardest hit by our nation’s foreclosure crisis, I implore Congress to set politics aside and get back to work for the American people.

  Stoltze: Villaraigosa warned that the city’s tax revenues would plummet, and that pension contributions would soar, if Congress doesn’t act and credit markets freeze.

  Nancy Sidhu, an economist with the L.A. Economic Development Corporation, fielded calls from business people much of yesterday.

  Nancy Sidhu: Really the question they’re asking is, “What does this mean for us?”

  Stoltze: Sidhu called the House vote and Wall Street’s reaction “scary.” She said she’s advising business owners to make sure their money is in a safe place.

  Sidhu: Make sure you know your bank, and make sure you’ve got all of your immediate cash needs covered.

  Stoltze: At the same time, Sidhu said, most of the people she’s talked to are deeply concerned, but they’re not panicking.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 7:10 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• New California law protects teachers who defend students' free speech rights

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s signed into law a measure to prevent public school administrators from punishing instructors who protect students’ free speech rights. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the details.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Say you’re the advisor for a high school newspaper. Your students write a scathing editorial calling for cleaner campus bathrooms. When the principal criticizes it, you defend the writing on First Amendment grounds. Months later, in your evaluation, the principal removes you from newspaper advisor position and reassigns you to another class.

  That’s what happened to Orange County high school teacher Janet Ewell.

  Janet Ewell: There have been so many injustices done in California and across the nation. I’m hopeful that California’s leadership may help some other states pass similar laws.

  Guzman-Lopez: The law’s author, State Senator Leland Yee, documented dozens of similar cases throughout California. The law prohibits school administrators from firing, disciplining, or reassigning any public school or college employee only because that employee tried to protect students’ free speech. The law goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 5:56 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Villaraigosa launches plan to attract affordable housing investment

  L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today introduced a plan to attract $4 billion in private investment to build or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units in the city. Under the plan, the mayor said, Los Angeles would leverage $1 billion it’s already allocated to housing that won’t bust the budgets of working people.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “When you juxtapose the cost of a home or a rental and what people make in this city, this is the least affordable big city in America. Only 11 percent of the city – hear me, 11 percent of the city – can afford to buy a median-priced home.”

  Villaraigosa said the national nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners already has committed $700 million to the effort. Despite the financial crisis, he hopes to raise more from other private and public sources.

  The plan also calls for developers to set aside a percentage of units in new projects for low- and moderate-income people.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 5:50 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Darryl Issa, Republican congressman, tells why he opposed bailout

  Democratic and Republican representatives mustered the votes today to defeat a Bush administration-backed rescue plan for the country’s financial services industry.

  Congressman Darryl Issa, a Republican who represents areas of Riverside County, told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” why he voted against the $700 billion bill.

  Congressman Darryl Issa: “There are other ways to solve this problem, some of which are much more fiscally conservative. And they rejected them, but then came to us and said, ‘Give us $700 billion to pass around Wall Street.’”

  133 Republicans and 95 Democrats formed the Congressional majority that killed the bailout bill. Its supporters warned that delaying a resolution would freeze credit from Wall Street to Main Street. Lawmakers plan to take another run at the problem on Thursday.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 5:47 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California Republican Lungren addresses failed bailout bill

  Supporters and opponents of the federal financial bailout plan are explaining their votes after the U.S. House of Representatives defeated the bill today. Congressman Dan Lungren of Sacramento voted for the measure. He told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that while it included elements he didn’t like, he believed that inaction would be worse.

  Congressman Dan Lungren: “This was a bipartisan, genuine, good faith effort to try and resolve the problem. When that fails, you wonder if you can reconstruct that bipartisanship and that good faith feeling in a way that makes something passable.”

  Lungren, a former California Attorney General, was one of 65 Republican representatives who backed the $700 billion rescue attempt. Another 133 members of his party voted against the bill, despite strong support for it from President Bush. It failed 228 votes to 205. The plan’s critics said it didn’t include enough protections for homeowners, or enough limits on financial executives’ pay and benefits.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 5:43 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County Congressman says financial market 'carnage' may cause House members to reconsider vote

  After the U.S. House of Representatives defeated the bill today, Orange County Congressman John Campbell tried with KPCC’s Patt Morrison to find a silver lining in Wall Street’s panicked response, including domestic stock markets’ worst single-day point drop in more than 20 years.

  John Campbell: “One other alternative, I suppose, is if the carnage in the financial markets is bad enough, which, I’m not hoping for this, but between now and Thursday that maybe some members will reconsider their vote on the existing bill.”

  The U.S. House of Representatives voted 228 to 205 against the bill. Campbell was one of 65 Republicans who supported it. After a recess for the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, congressional leaders hope to take another run at resolving the crisis that’s roiling markets and tightening credit in the United States and beyond.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 4:28 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Congressman Sherman votes against bailout, says Congress should take its time

  Following today’s defeat of a $700 billion federal plan to shore up the country’s financial services sector, elected officials tried to explain a vote result that panicked the markets. The Dow Jones Industrials fell sharply in response to the news from Congress.

  San Fernando Valley Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democrat, voted against the plan. He told KPCC’s AirTalk that lawmakers did not have to yield to pressure from the Bush administration and federal agencies to adopt the plan.

  Brad Sherman: “Four hundred economists wrote us, eminent economists, including three Nobel laureates, and they said, ‘Take your time, don’t rush, hold hearings,’ and that’s what Congress could do. Frankly, if the administration had been more flexible, we would have had a bill on their desk already.”

  The plan’s supporters contend that delaying a rescue will hurt Americans’ ability to borrow for personal and business reasons. Congress is likely to take up the issue again later this week.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former White House speechwriter says president should speak before joint session of Congress

  Cal State Long Beach communications professor Craig Smith wrote speeches for President Ford and the first President Bush. He says it’s time for the second President Bush to go eye-to-eye with Congressional members who ignored their party leaders and voted down the bailout package.

  Craig Smith: “He has yet to address them directly, in their face, like a joint session of Congress. And I would simply call that emergency meeting right now and get down there.”

  The president spoke to the nation last week about quick action to ease the financial crisis. He later met privately with congressional leaders. But Smith says Mr. Bush needs the right forum for his message.

  Smith: “He’s not nearly as good when he speaks from the White House, not nearly as good in a press conference, not nearly as good when the cameras are on him and there’s no audience. But when he has given ‘State of the Union’ addresses and other speeches in front of a joint session of Congress, such as the post-9/11 speech, he’s done a much more persuasive job.”

  Cal State Long Beach’s Craig Smith says if the president speaks before Congress, it’ll be tough for opponents of the bailout package to stand their ground.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 2:38 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Fernando Valley Congressman Sherman explains why he voted against bailout plan

  Even opponents of the bill to rescue the country’s financial services industry found little comfort in its narrow defeat today. The U.S. House of Representatives rejected the measure 228 votes to 205. San Fernando Valley Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democrat, voted against the plan. He told KPCC’s AirTalk that he’s not particularly happy there’s no resolution to the crisis. But Sherman added that he believes the Bush administration tried to rush through its $700 billion proposal.

  Brad Sherman: “This is the White House /Wall Street fear machine. And it’s working. The image is created, ‘My God, if we don’t give Wall Street everything they want right away, the economy is going to fall apart.’ And the fact is that there are much better and much less expensive ways for us to deal with this financial crisis.”

  Congress is likely to take another run at a bailout plan later this week. Supporters of the failed bill say it would have helped restore confidence in the markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 777 points today, the largest single-day point drop in two decades.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 2:26 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Glendale cosmetologist comments on what her clients think about the presidential race

  As Southland voters watch Washington lawmakers muddle through the failed federal financial bailout plan, they’re also deciding which presidential candidate they’ll vote for five weeks from tomorrow. Glendale cosmetologist Zabil Tifranian says she sees about a dozen clients a day. Most of them are white and well to do, she says, and most favor Democratic Senator Barack Obama.

  Zabil Tifranian: “They like him, but he’s black. They get scared. They say maybe black people, they’re gonna have more power on us. Otherwise, they said he’s very smart. He’s talking very good. Everything is fine with him and he chooses a vice president, he’s very smart. He’s very smart, also.”

  New surveys of likely voters indicate that the presidential race is tightening. A Washington Post/ABC News poll suggests that Obama’s gaining a small lead. But an NPR poll shows that McCain is slightly ahead. Congress this morning rejected the $700 billion plan to shore up major financial institutions. Most House Democrats supported, but fewer than one-third of Congressional Republicans backed it.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 1:35 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger has until Tuesday to sign or veto remaining bills on his desk

  He’s vetoed more than 250 bills on his desk. One would have sought to prevent deaths from cosmetic-related surgeries and another would have prohibited convictions based on jailhouse informants’ uncorroborated testimony.

  The governor has until tomorrow to sign or veto the remaining 300 bills on his desk, or they automatically become law. KPCC’s Julie Small says the governor’s been using boilerplate language when he’s rejected these bills.

  Julie Small: “He says this has forced me to prioritize the bills sent to my desk at the end of the years’ legislative session. Given the delay, I am only signing bills that are the highest priority for California. This bill does not meet that standard and I cannot sign it at this time. And this is work that he would normally be doing over a three month period, consider hundreds of bills, he’s had to do it in seven days.”

  One of the 200 bills the governor has signed requires owners of assisted living homes to disclose how often they’ve raised rates. Another mandates that those facility owners report to the local district attorney’s office any cases of suspected physical, financial, or sexual abuse on their premises.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 1:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• House Speaker Pelosi vows to keep working on financial bailout plan

  Following this morning’s congressional defeat of the $700 billion federal plan to rescue the financial services industry, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed to keep aiming toward a resolution with other legislative leaders.

  Nancy Pelosi: “The legislation has failed, the crisis has not gone away. We must work in a bipartisan way in order to have another bite at the apple in terms of some legislation.”

  The plan went down to a 228 to 205 vote in the House today. In response, the Dow Jones Industrials tumbled more than 575 points as of 12:30 p.m. Lawmakers may vote on a revised plan later this week, after a brief recess for the Jewish New Year.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 12:51 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Business professor says bailout failure partly due to poor communication by Treasury secretary

  Today’s congressional defeat of the $700 billion federal plan to rescue the country’s financial services sector had to do in part with the Treasury secretary’s poor communication about what it was for, UC Berkeley business professor James Wilcox told KPCC’s AirTalk.

  James Wilcox: “Somehow the Treasury let this come to be known, and even uttered the words, ‘bailout’ and Wall Street basically in the same paragraph. That was a huge mistake.”

  The U.S. House of Representatives voted 228 to 205 against the plan. In response to that vote, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 400 points today. Supporters of the plan maintain that it would have shored up the entire economic infrastructure, from small business loans to the international flow of credit, and not just American financial institutions.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 12:27 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• House defeats $700B financial markets bailout; stocks plummet

  By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS
  Associated Press Writer

  WASHINGTON (AP) - In a stunning vote that shocked the capital and worldwide markets, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, ignoring urgent warnings from President Bush and congressional leaders of both parties that the economy could nosedive without it.

  Stocks plummeted on Wall Street even before the 228-205 vote to reject the bill was officially announced on the House floor.

  As a digital screen in the House chamber recorded a cascade of “no” votes against the bailout, Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley of New York shouted news of the falling Dow Jones industrials. “Six hundred points!” he yelled, jabbing his thumb downward. The decline was about 650 points shortly before the close of the trading day.

  Bush and a host of leading congressional figures had implored the lawmakers to pass the legislation despite howls of protest from their constituents back home. Not enough members were willing to take the political risk just five weeks before an election.

  “No” votes came from both the Democratic and Republican sides of the aisle. More than two-thirds of Republicans and 40 percent of Democrats opposed the bill.

  The overriding question for congressional leaders was what to do next. Congress has been trying to adjourn so that its members can go out and campaign. “We are ready to continue to work on this,” said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

  “The legislation may have failed; the crisis is still with us,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a news conference after the defeat.

  Republicans blamed her scathing speech near the close of the debate - which attacked Bush’s economic policies and a “right-wing ideology of anything goes, no supervision, no discipline, no regulation” of financial markets - for the current turmoil.

  Frank said that was a remarkable accusation by Republicans against Republicans: “because somebody hurt their feelings, they decided to punish the country.”

  A White House spokesman said Bush was “very disappointed” in the vote.

  The president will be meeting with members of his team later in the day “to determine next steps,” said spokesman Tony Fratto.

  (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 12:24 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• House of Representatives rejects $700 billion bailout plan

  The U.S. House of Representatives has rejected the $700 billion bailout plan for the financial services industry. Congressional leaders from both major parties thought they’d had the votes to pass the bill, but they came up short. Democrats had wanted more protections for homeowners facing the risk of foreclosures.

  Christopher Thornberg, principal at Beacon Economics, told KPCC’s AirTalk that the federal government shouldn’t help homeowners who’d taken out loans they couldn’t afford. But he concedes that there are differences of opinion on this point.

  Christopher Thornberg: “There’s obviously a lot of folks out there who again have this ideological problem with this idea of funding the banks, but not funding distressed homeowners.”

  The stock market has responded to the news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped almost 500 points. House leaders say they will bring it up for a vote again, but they did not say when, or what changes they intend to make in the bill.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 12:08 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama supporters gather at South LA bar to watch first presidential debate

  Barack Obama and John McCain met last night in Mississippi to discuss their differences in the first of three presidential debates. Obama supporter Amy Brienes joined more than three dozen others at a bar in south L.A. to watch the 90 minute debate on a giant screen. Why?

  Amy Brienes: Our TV is really small. No. We were planning on doing a double date and it was on the night of the debate.
  Kitty Felde: This was your date?
  Brienes: This is our double date.
  Felde: And how’s it going?
  Brienes: It’s great. I’m sure we’ll be talking for hours.

  Thursday, the vice presidential candidates meet for their one and only debate. KPCC will carry NPR’s coverage starting at 6.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 9:51 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama fans gather to watch first presidential debate

  Friday night, John McCain and Barack Obama met for their first face to face debate since becoming their party’s nominees. Political junkies met in living rooms, campaign headquarters… and in a bar off the 10 freeway to watch the debate. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde was at one of those debate parties and has the story.

  Kitty Felde: There is something about watching a political debate in a bar that reminds you of watching a baseball game. For the crowd at the south L.A. bar Fais Do Do, the home team was definitely Barack Obama. If you couldn’t tell by the Obama buttons, you could tell by the noise.

  There were jeers when John McCain proposed a freeze on everything but defense spending, cheers when Obama reminded McCain about singing “bomb, bomb Iran.” Obama supporter Deborah Knighten had no doubt her candidate won the debate.

  Deborah Knighten: They keep saying about his non-experience, he’s done his homework. Totally. Totally. There was nothing he didn’t drop the ball on that he did not know. Even about the surge. Even about the surge.

  Felde: Three dozen spectators watched the debate on a giant screen, downing draft beer and chowing down on red beans and rice. The two toddlers in the crowd were vocal during the debate as well, though they preferred juice and crayons to the beer and the politics.

  Tools

  • September 29, 2008 9:48 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes mortgage regulation bill

  Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill yesterday that would have tightened the reins on mortgage brokers seeking to offer loans in California. The governor claimed that while the state needs the reforms, they’d create an uneven playing field between brokers and conventional lenders. Assemblyman Ted Lieu backed the bill. He told KPCC that during the subprime mortgage boom, state-regulated entities sold or originated 60 percent of those risky loans.

  Assemblyman Ted Lieu: “While this bill would not have covered 100 percent of all loans, we could have taken 60 percent of this problem and fixed it. And it’s exactly the unregulated selling of risky and unsuitable sub prime mortgages that has now led to this $700 billion proposed taxpayer bail out of our hard earned money. And the governor had a change to fix that, and instead he catered to the special interest groups and the mortgage brokers. So, it’s the governor and the mortgage brokers on an island all by themselves.”

  Assemblyman Lieu said the bill had enjoyed wide-ranging support. He vowed to continue to fight for the regulations. Mortgage brokers and the real estate industry opposed the bill.

  Tools

  • September 26, 2008 5:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Metrolink board votes in favor of automatic train stopping system

  The board of the authority that runs Metrolink voted unanimously today to take a range of steps to improve commuter rail safety. The directors of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority want all Metrolink trains on a system that would stop a train if it ran through a red signal. Board member Richard Katz introduced the motion.

  Richard Katz: “I believe that the automatic train stopping system should be expanded as quickly as possible, because while that doesn’t stop an accident, or eliminate accidents, it makes it safer. It slows cars down. It creates the redundancy in the system that we seem to be lacking right now.”

  Katz also sits on the board of Los Angeles County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. That board passed a similar motion yesterday. The votes follow a Metrolink collision with a freight train that killed 25 people and injured more than 130 others two weeks ago.

  Tools

  • September 26, 2008 4:09 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• UC Berkeley business school professor says Treasury Secretary needed to explain crisis better

  Lawmakers and federal regulators are working a second long day to shore up the nation’s financial services sector. James Wilcox of UC Berkeley’s business school told suggested to KPCC’s AirTalk that the people behind the rescue effort could have done a better job explaining to the rest of us what they’re doing.

  James Wilcox: “The issue is not to bailout those who have made mistakes. The big mistake the Treasury Secretary made was ever using the words ‘bail out.’ This is not designed to be a ‘bailout’ at all and especially not of Wall Street. The Wall Street firms are losing billions of dollars, perhaps deservedly, but this is meant to be a program that’ll get these markets working again and keep the economy working so that all the rest of us can keep our jobs and stay working.”

  President Bush and congressional leaders say they hope to resolve their differences on the $700 billion rescue plan soon.

  Tools

  • September 26, 2008 2:06 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Wall Street Journal reporter says Washington Mutual failure happened for 2 reasons

  In the biggest bank failure in American history, federal regulators stepped in last night to rescue savings and loan giant Washington Mutual from financial collapse. The government sold the company to JP Morgan Chase for close to $2 billion. David Enrich of the Wall Street Journal told KPCC’s AirTalk this happened for two reasons.

  David Enrich: “The first is that depositors over the past couple weeks have pulled out something roughly approaching 10 percent of WaMu’s total deposits, about $16 billion. I don’t think there is any indication that was stabilizing. The other problem though is that there were some leaks that were starting to come out in press that this was in the works. And the regulators, that’s their worst nightmare.”

  Washington Mutual branches opened as usual this morning. They posted signs telling customers that the takeover should not affect their deposits, and its Web site home page included the words: “Welcome to JP Morgan Chase.” The bank’s new owner plans to keep most of its 2,200 branches open. About one-third of those branches are in California.

  Tools

  • September 26, 2008 1:52 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Political parties divided over financial bailout

  The back-and-forth over the proposed federal financial bailout is exposing cracks in the facades of both major parties, Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau Chief Doyle McManus told KPCC’s AirTalk.

  Doyle McManus: “In a sense, what you’ve got here is a Republican Party that is divided, a Democratic Party that isn’t happy about this deal and could divide over it. And you have a huge collision between economics and politics.”

  Members of the congressional banking committees are working for a second day to resolve their differences with federal agencies over a $700 billion plan to rescue the nation’s financial services sector.

  Tools

  • September 26, 2008 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• UC Berkeley business school professor says bailout plan has to balance Wall Street and Main Street concerns

  Lawmakers in Washington are still trying to hammer out a plan to rescue the country’s financial services industry. James Wilcox, who teaches about financial institutions at UC Berkeley’s business school, told KPCC’s AirTalk that the federal government has to balance the concerns of Wall Street and Main Street.

  James Wilcox: “Make no mistake about it, we are in the midst of a very serious financial crisis. But what we are hoping to do with some astute public policy here is to try to prevent a financial crisis from turning into an economic crisis.”

  Wilcox said he hopes for a resolution sooner than later. He added that Congress can make adjustments in any plan it approves.

  Tools

  • September 26, 2008 12:03 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Bernardino launches revitalization plan for downtown district

  By now, we all know about how long, and how much, it takes to rescue Wall Street. But how about Main Street? In San Bernardino, it could take another 5 or 10 years. That’s about how long urban planners say it’ll take to revitalize the struggling downtown shopping district.

  San Bernardino is holding a series of public workshops on a plan to transform downtown. One goal is to spruce up a shopping mall that’s filled with vacant shops. Longtime resident Michael Agnew says there’s still hope.

  Michael Agnew: “San Bernardino has gone though a difficult time as many other cities, and now we have new policies and directions for urban design and development of cities where people can have a lot more opportunities. And this is their opportunity to do it right.”

  Urban planners will take nine months or so to sketch out a proposal for downtown revitalization. The weak economy might keep the City of San Bernardino from moving ahead with the proposal. But urban designers say it pays to plan ahead.

  Tools

  • September 25, 2008 6:40 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Pastors plan to defy IRS ban on political speech from the pulpit

  For more than 50 years, federal rules have said a tax-exempt group that endorses a political candidate in public endangers its tax-exempt status. This Sunday, more than 30 pastors from around the country plan to challenge those rules. The aim is to force the IRS to enforce those rules so the ministers can get a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

  Among those who’ll preach politics from the pulpit is Wiley Drake, the well-known conservative Christian minister from Buena Park. Drake told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that it’s wrong to restrict him from saying what he wants say to his congregation.

  Wiley Drake: “The church will not be endorsing anybody. The church can’t endorse. The church is an entity, not someone that can endorse. But when the IRS and the government says they want to restrict what a pastor can say, they are in violation of the constitution.”

  While Drake and other conservative Christian pastors challenge the IRS rules, other religious leaders. including rabbis and imams. have signed a pledge to refrain from political speech.

  Tools

  • September 25, 2008 5:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality, Society/Culture

• Southern California government leaders say state budget cuts will hit harder than expected

  Government leaders in Southern California are warning that the budget Governor Schwarzenegger signed this week will hit them harder than they’d expected. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: Last week, Los Angeles County officials estimated they’d lose about $90 million as a result of state budget cuts. Chief Executive Officer Bill Fujioka has boosted that to 130 million. Fujioka told City News Service the governor’s line item vetoes hit the CalWORKs financial aid program the hardest. L.A. County’s losing almost $18 million for its CalWORKs program.

  L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says the city will suffer too. He told business leaders that state budget cuts, combined with the bad economy, could result in a $400 million deficit next year. This year, L.A. increased fees and eliminated more than 700 jobs to address a similar deficit.

  Governor Schwarzenegger has defended the cuts as necessary to close a $15 billion state budget deficit. He told the League of California Cities meeting in Long Beach that legislators shouldn’t get paid when they fail to pass a budget on time.

  Tools

  • September 25, 2008 5:19 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Congressman Sherman says bailout plan doesn't include enough checks and balances

  Key Republicans and Democrats agreed in principle today on the basics of a $700 billion plan to bail out the financial services industry. There are very few details on the accord, but San Fernando Valley Congressman Brad Sherman told KPCC’s AirTalk he’s not happy with it. The Democrat said the plan doesn’t include enough checks and balances.

  Brad Sherman: “There’s a review board that looks at transactions after they’re engaged in, and can issue a press release, but there’s no control on the Bush administration.”

  Sherman is a senior member of the House Financial Services committee. The basic idea of the plan is to let the Treasury buy up financial companies’ bad assets. Democrats have argued that Congress should monitor the plan. They also contend that it should include help for homeowners who are in trouble with their mortgages. Congressional leaders plan to meet with President Bush this afternoon to finalize the details.

  Tools

  • September 25, 2008 12:22 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• McCain aides announce plans for Palin rally in the Southland next month

  As Senator John McCain suspended his presidential campaign and returned to Washington, D.C. to help address the financial crisis, his aides announced plans for the Republican candidate’s running mate to headline a Southland rally next month. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The McCain campaign says it’s scheduled Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to speak at the Tennis Stadium at Home Depot Center in Carson a week from Saturday. The stadium holds 8,000 people. Palin’s energized many Republicans and she’s expected to fill the facility.

  Palin also will appear at a fundraiser that night in the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Strong interest in the event prompted the campaign to move it from a supporter’s home to the larger venue. Palin will hold a second fundraiser in Burlingame, in Northern California.

  The announcements follow a Public Policy Institute poll that indicated half of likely California voters support Barack Obama, and 40 percent support McCain. That matches a similar poll in August, with one big difference: 70 percent of Hispanics favored Obama in August. That number’s dropped to 57 percent. Now, almost one-third say they prefer McCain.

  Tools

  • September 24, 2008 5:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Politicians, policymakers dispute how to rescue financial sector

  Politicians and policymakers are disputing the best way to rescue the nation’s troubled financial sector. Luigi Zingales, who teaches finance at the University of Chicago business school, told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that the proposed federal bailout doesn’t fully addresses the crisis.

  Luigi Zingales: “There are three ways to provide capital to banks. One is to overpay for the assets, that’s what is the Paulson plan; the second is to infuse equity directly; and the third, which is the one I encourage, is a, to do a very simple form of Chapter 11, in which some of the debt is transformed into equity.”

  Zingales is also the Italian correspondent for the Financial Times. He called Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s $700 billion plan the most expensive and least effective option to save the financial markets.

  Tools

  • September 24, 2008 3:39 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• McCain proposes postponing Friday presidential debate; Obama wants debate to take place as scheduled

  In light of the nation’s financial crisis, Republican presidential candidate John McCain today sought to postpone his first scheduled debate with Democratic nominee Barack Obama this Friday. McCain argued that the event might politicize a problem that affects the entire country. Obama countered that it would make sense for the American people to hear both candidates’ perspectives on the economy.

  Barack Obama: “What I’ve told the leadership in Congress is that, if I can be helpful, then I am prepared to be anywhere, anytime. What I think is important, though, is that we don’t suddenly infuse Capitol Hill with presidential politics at a time when we are in the middle of some very delicate and difficult negotiations.”

  President Bush plans to address the country on the economic situation tonight. KPCC will carry that speech live at 6 o’clock.

  Tools

  • September 24, 2008 2:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• President Bush to speak tonight about proposed $700 billion financial industry bailout

  President Bush will speak to the country tonight about the immediate need for a proposed $700 billion bailout for the financial industry. He’s expected to urge Congress to pass a bill quickly. Congressman Mel Watt serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

  The North Carolina Democrat says he believes the warnings from Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed chair Ben Bernanke that the U.S. is teetering on the edge of a severe financial crisis. Watt told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that it’s now up to the president to make that same case tonight to the American people.

  Mel Watt: “But if tomorrow after the president speaks, people are still calling, saying, ‘I’m not convinced we ought to do anything,’ then I presume a number of members of Congress will be willing to take the risk and just do nothing.”

  The president speaks tonight at 6 o’clock, and KPCC will air his address live.

  Tools

  • September 24, 2008 2:53 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• New state budget cuts programs that benefit poorest Californians

  On its way to the governor’s desk, the state’s new budget shed some programs that benefit some of the poorest Californians. They include $191 million in housing assistance grants for renters and homeowners age 62 and older.

  The grants helped about 600,000 renters and owners last year. Hene Kelly, legislative committee chair for the California Alliance for Retired Americans, told KPCC’s AirTalk that her organization won’t forget that budget cut at the ballot box.

  Hene Kelly: “We represent 800,000 seniors. We all vote. That’s one thing that you know the governor, and some other people, don’t realize. We are now becoming less well-to-do seniors, which makes us angrier seniors, which makes us more likely to vote.”

  Although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is not up for re-election this year, the state prison guards’ union is circulating petitions to recall him in a special election.

  Tools

  • September 24, 2008 1:13 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger decides on 875 pieces of legislation over next week

  The late passage of the state budget has left Governor Schwarzenegger little time to deal with a giant stack of bills sent over from the state legislature. KPCC’s Julie Small reports.

  Julie Small: The governor’s hand could cramp up as he signs or vetoes bills passed by state lawmakers this year. Schwarzenegger has one week, just seven days, to decide what to do with 875 pieces of legislation. Anything the governor doesn’t veto becomes law automatically at the end of the month.

  Schwarzenegger usually holds signing ceremonies for major bills. That’s what he did for the package of measures that made up the state budget. And for special legislation, the governor sometimes takes the show on the road.

  But with the signing deadline coming up fast, the governor’s media staffers say there’ll be little of that this time around. They expect to dispense with most bills with little more than an e-mail message explaining the governor’s decision to sign or veto.

  Tools

  • September 24, 2008 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California Congresswoman Harman: Congress should cancel recess and address financial crisis

  The details, and even the timing, of the proposed federal bailout for Wall Street are ruffling feathers on Capitol Hill.

  West Los Angeles Congresswoman Jane Harman told KPCC’s Patt Morrison why she believes the crisis warrants cancelling both houses’ customary October recess.

  Congresswoman Jane Harman: “I don’t think we’re ready yet to take action that is carefully targeted at the people who are really suffering. And those are the families about to lose their home and the people who are about to lose their jobs as banking, investment firms, and other firms are about to go down in a troubled economy.”

  Democrats like Harman, and many Republicans, are criticizing Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on their $700 billion plan to rescue major financial institutions.

  Tools

  • September 23, 2008 6:18 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Budget passage doesn't guarantee laid-off workers will get jobs back

  Now there’s a state budget. That doesn’t mean that many of the 10,000 state workers laid off during the stalemate will get their jobs back.

  A couple of months ago, Governor Schwarzenegger called for the state to dismiss temporary and part-time employees layoffs in an executive order. That same order also eliminated overtime and some business contracts. California’s finance director, Mike Genest, says things will stay that way for awhile.

  Mike Genest: “Some of those people will not come back. Some of those contracts will not be implemented. Some of that overtime will not resume. Sorting all that out in detail will take a while, but until we do, the Executive Order remains in effect.”

  The state Department of Finance estimates that’ll save California about $340 million. Genest says that next July, the department will consider whether to re-fill jobs on a case-by-case basis.

  Tools

  • September 23, 2008 6:11 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Senator Feinstein calls for two engineers on Metrolink trains

  Metrolink commuter rail officials today faced tough questioning on Capitol Hill in the wake of the Chatsworth train crash. California’s senior U.S. senator, Dianne Feinstein, criticized the agency for failing to install automatic braking technology. She urged Metrolink to make some short-term and long-term changes.

  Senator Dianne Feinstein: “It is my belief really that, until we have a crash avoidance system, there should be a requirement for two engineers on these single track lines. You can’t afford to miss a signal, just can’t afford it.”

  Metrolink Chairman Ron Roberts disclosed that the agency is considering whether to add a second engineer to its commuter trains. The Chatsworth crash killed 25 people and injured more than 100.

  Tools

  • September 23, 2008 4:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Presidential campaigns discuss $700 billion financial bailout

  The presidential campaigns are weighing in on the federal government’s $700 billion financial rescue plan. Assemblyman Ted Lieu spoke for Democrat Barack Obama’s campaign on KPCC’s AirTalk. Lieu said that Obama supports efforts to find a bipartisan solution to the crisis, with conditions.

  Ted Lieu: “He’s going to make sure that there’s no blank check when the taxpayers are being put on the spot for this. That we shouldn’t be spending any money to reward CEO’s on Wall Street with this bailout. That this plan will help homeowners in the long run stay in their homes.”

  An aide to Republican candidate John McCain told CNN yesterday that the candidate wants to see the final version before deciding how to vote.

  Tools

  • September 23, 2008 2:44 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Advocates debate merits of Proposition 7's clean energy requirements

  Supporters of Proposition 7 imagine California as a world leader in clean energy. The ballot measure would require every electric utility in the state to generate half their power with solar and other clean energy technologies in the next 17 years. Former L.A. Department of Water and Power chief S. David Freeman advocated the “Yes on 7” campaign on KPCC’s AirTalk.

  S. David Freeman: “This is a real opportunity to kind of put our money where our mouth is on this issue. Right now, we know that the danger is there, but there is not a sufficient sense of urgency.”

  But some high-profile environmental groups oppose Prop 7, said Ralph Cavanagh of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

  Ralph Cavanagh: “This initiative will slow renewable energy development, not speed it up, and we think the pro-renewable vote is ‘no.’”

  If voters pass it in November, the ballot measure would expand existing renewable energy requirements for privately-held utilities to all the state’s electrical power utilities… including publicly-owned ones like Los Angeles’ DWP.

  Tools

  • September 23, 2008 2:40 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Commerce Department hears testimony on potential 6-lane toll road through San Onofre State Park

  The federal Commerce Department heard 10 hours of testimony today on whether to allow a six-lane toll road to run through San Onofre State Park. The 16-mile road would connect southern Orange County to northern San Diego County via Interstate 5. Supporters including Governor Arnold Swarzenegger, say the Southland needs the toll road to fight congestion.

  Surfers, environmentalists, and other opponents contend that it will destroy the park and wreck the beach. Tustin Mayor Jerry Amante, who supports the road, told KPCC that the Commerce Department can overturn the decision if the road improves national security.

  Mayor Jerry Amante: “One only has to look back to our recent experience in northern San Diego County when the fires erupted and I-5 became a parking lot and then you recognize that having an alternative route for escape for people coming north out of San Diego in that instance would be critical.”

  The California Coastal Commission rejected the toll road plan in February. The Commerce Department can overturn that if it determines that the road serves the national interest and that its benefits outweigh its negative effects. Commerce will accept public comment on the issue for another 10 days.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 3:35 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Proposition 4 advocates debate the parental notification/abortion waiting period prop

  One of the hot-button measures on this year’s statewide ballot is Proposition 4. It would require a waiting period and parental notification before doctors could perform abortions on girls younger than 18. Grace Delaney with the “Yes on 4” campaign told KPCC that parents and guardians have the right to know if their daughters are getting abortions.

  Grace Delaney: “To give permission to things that seem innocuous compared to the seriousness of a chemical or surgical abortion, we just feel that it’s common that they should be aware that their minor daughter is scheduled to go in for this procedure that has long-term ramifications.”

  Planned Parenthood spokesman Vince Hall from the “No on 4” campaign characterized the ballot measure as extreme.

  Vince Hall: “Proposition 4 says not only can you not talk to your parent, but now you cannot seek medical care either. And that puts these teens in real danger, because they might go over the border, they might travel to a different state, they might try to self-induce abortion, or even contemplate suicide.”

  California voters have twice defeated earlier parental notification measures – most recently, three years ago.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 3:28 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• San Fernando Valley Congressman Sherman criticizes Bush administration's bailout plan

  Perhaps it was predictable that lawmakers would go partisan when they reacted to the proposed federal bailout of financial institutions. San Fernando Valley Democratic congressman Brad Sherman characterized his view of the plan on KPCC’s AirTalk.

  Brad Sherman: “Right now it’s the Republican administration goes up to Wall Street and passes out the money to whoever they want to give it to, in return for toxic assets. No standards on how much you pay for an asset; no standards on choosing your friends, excluding your enemies. Just here’s 700 billion, give it to the bald guy, let him do what he wants with it.”

  Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that Democrats want to impose too many conditions on the economic rescue plan. The nation’s treasury secretary is urging its fast approval with minimal partisan bickering.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 2:23 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democrats push to add provisions to President Bush's $700 billion bailout plan

  Democratic members of Congress are saying “not so fast” to President Bush’s $700 billion bailout plan for major financial institutions. They want to add a few provisions, including one to help homeowners who are facing the risk of foreclosure.

  California Senator Barbara Boxer told KPCC’s Air Talk that there are more foreclosures in California than in any other state. Last month, she said, 100,000 Californians received foreclosure notices and more than 33,000 lost their homes.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: “So, we need to make sure that we get to the root cause which means that some of these funds will be used to aggressively refinance some these mortgages so that people can pay but stay in their homes and we put a floor under this crises.”

  Boxer said her fellow Democratic lawmakers also want to give taxpayers some equity in the companies the federal government plans to assist.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 1:41 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA mayor and transportation planners announce 50 intersections to be targeted in Operation Bottleneck Relief

  L.A.’s mayor and transportation planners announced today they’re targeting 50 intersections in the latest phase of Operation Bottleneck Relief. Their goal is to reduce wait times at traffic signals where cars back up during peak hours. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said that in its first three years, the effort has reduced delays at more than 100 intersections, and has cut traffic bottlenecks by about one-third.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Operation Bottleneck demonstrates that you can address the big problems by sweating the small details. This traffic congestion relief effort will target the most highly trafficked intersections across the city, identify the optimal adjustments that need to be made in order to reduce congestion.”

  The adjustments can include tweaking the duration of a stop light or adding a left turn lane. The intersections on the target list include Franklin and Highland Avenues, and Adams Boulevard and the Harbor Freeway.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 1:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Congressional Dems look to add provisions to $700 billion Wall Street bailout

  While Republicans push for quick action on the federal government’s $700 billion bailout of financial institutions, Congressional Democrats want to add some provisions, including more oversight and help for homeowners facing foreclosure. San Fernando Valley congressman Brad Sherman told KPCC’s AirTalk that his fellow Democrats can use their larger numbers to enact the reforms they want.

  Brad Sherman: “Democratic leadership has to decide whether to roll over. And, obviously if they put this or anything else in the bill that the Republicans don’t like, there will be an enormous Wall Street cacophony of, ‘no, you have to pass our bill, otherwise we will shoot your 401K.’”

  Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has urged lawmakers not to delay the relief package with partisan squabbling.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 1:33 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democrats respond to financial rescue plan with their own proposals

  Congressional Democrats have introduced their own proposals in response to the government’s financial rescue plan. The $700 billion plan gives the treasury secretary the authority to take bad mortgage-related assets off the hands of financial companies. But Democrats say that Congress should maintain oversight over the rescue plan. Senator Barbara Boxer spoke with KPCC’s AirTalk.

  Senator Barbara Boxer: “There’s talk about a select committee, because several committees have oversight. A select committee in each of the houses, House and Senate, which could oversee this. This is something I’m very interested in seeing happen because, again, you’ve gotta say, OK, you use this first, say, hundred billion, or 200 billion. Now come in and tell us what did you do? How did you do it?”

  A proposal by Democratic Senator Chris Dodd also would allow judges to rewrite mortgages for homeowners who are having trouble making their monthly payments. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has voiced concern about adding too much to the proposal. During the weekend, he said it needs to be “clean and be quick.”

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 12:21 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Congressman Waxman plans hearings to investigate Wall Street crisis

  L.A. Congressman Henry Waxman plans to convene hearings to investigate how the country’s financial crisis started. Waxman leads the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Jack Shaw of Market News International says Waxman has scheduled the hearings for next week.

  Jack Shaw: “He has one day set aside to probe the events surrounding Lehman Brothers with Lehman’s CEO. And the next day with the former leadership of AIG, the big insurance company. So Waxman really wants to sort of lay out what’s happened. I mean clearly he’s also going to try to focus on what the administration, Bush administration, has done in terms of deregulation.”

  Lehman Brothers investment bank filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week. Later in the week the Fed saved AIG from bankruptcy with an $85 billion loan. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked Waxman to look into the crisis. Some Republicans say they’re concerned that next week’s hearings will turn political.

  Tools

  • September 22, 2008 12:08 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• DWP's Nahai: L.A. needs to recycle and treat more wastewater

  Water managers for the city of Los Angeles are pushing a new blueprint for a sustainable water supply. At a meeting in Van Nuys with neighborhood leaders today, the General Manager of the Department of Water and Power, David Nahai, said L.A. needs to recycle and treat more wastewater to keep up with growing demand.

  David Nahai: “There is no pristine water supply anymore. Water is the most managed consumer product there is. Even our water that comes down from the aqueduct, it has to be cleaned. It’s the same thing with recycled water.”

  L.A. recycles about one percent of its water now. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s goal is to increase that to six percent. Nahai said that developing wastewater recycling projects like those in Orange County could help Los Angeles do the job.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 7:46 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs, Science/Technology

• Governor Schwarzenegger expected to sign $143 billion spending plan before Monday

  Looks as if California will finally get a budget after a stalemate that lasted more than 11 weeks. Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to sign off on the $143 billion spending plan before Monday. But KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde says some lawmakers are worried about next year’s budget.

  Kitty Felde: Some critics blame the logjam in Sacramento on the two-thirds vote the state requires to pass a budget. Democratic Assemblyman Mike Feuer is one of those critics. He’s working to craft a ballot proposal that would change the rule.

  Democratic Assemblyman Mike Feuer: “There’s going to have to be, I think, a very careful process which is done with some urgency at the same time, because we do need to make these changes in time for the next budget cycle. None of us wants to see 80 days of budget debate.”

  Felde: Feuer says California has other options besides a simple majority vote and the current two-thirds requirement. Illinois, for example, allows lawmakers to pass the budget with a simple majority – if they do it on time. After that, the budget requires a three-fifths vote.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 5:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Lawmakers return to Sacramento to vote on revised budget

  Lawmakers all over California are boarding planes this afternoon to return to Sacramento to vote on a revised budget. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has set the vote for 5 this afternoon. Democratic Assemblyman Mike Feuer from Los Angeles was one Southland lawmaker heading for a flight.

  Mike Feuer: I think at this point, today is the day when the budget finally gets ratified. At about 2 in the morning a couple of mornings ago, we were in the Capitol. And we thought the budget was done then. We returned to learn that the governor intended to veto the budget without some tweaks that he insisted on. And so now we’re going to come back in, do a budget that’s mildly amended, and we’re going to enable nursing homes, and daycare centers, and medical operators to function again.”

  The governor insisted that the legislature keep its hands off the so-called rainy day fund. He also objected to lawmakers’ proposal to accelerate the collection of state income taxes. This afternoon, lawmakers plan to vote on two bills. One would increase fines for businesses that underreport taxes. The other would place the state’s rainy day fund off-limits unless state revenues fall below projected spending.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 4:15 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Congressman Sherman criticizes Wall Street bailout

  Federal intervention in the country’s financial sector energized the stock markets today and sparked reaction among elected officials. Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman of the San Fernando Valley is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services. He told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and the Bush administration aren’t exactly trying to rebuild Wall Street from scratch.

  Brad Sherman: “What the president is trying to get us to do is to, trying to do with Paulson acting as his front man, is to just give half a trillion to a trillion dollars to Wall Street in return for the worst investment securities they can find in the back of their closets.”

  Sherman said that money will come from taxpayers. The Treasury also has guaranteed money market investments up to $50 billion and the Securities and Exchange Commission has prohibited short-selling on hundreds of stocks. Both measures are temporary.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 4:12 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger to sign compromise budget deal

  Governor Schwarzenegger will sign a compromise budget deal after lawmakers gave in to his demands for budget reform. The governor had threatened to veto the $143 billion spending plan if they didn’t make the changes he wanted. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the budget deal today in Sacramento. H.D. Palmer with the Department of Finance told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that the compromise budget is better than it looks.

  H.D. Palmer: “Future governors and future legislatures will look back on this and say, ‘Y’know, they didn’t realize how important it was maybe when they passed the budget in September 2008.’ But the fact that we have a ‘rainy day fund’ that is being built up and can only be drawn down in economic bad times to help tide the state over ‘til good times, people will look back and say, ‘Well, that was a pretty significant accomplishment.’”

  Once the governor signs the budget, state money can begin flowing to schools, hospitals, and other institutions. The state budget is 81 days late.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 3:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Federal government's financial market intervention serves psychological function, according to analyst

  The federal government’s intervention in the financial markets today serve an important psychological function, Marketplace Money’s economic editor Chris Farrell told KPCC’s AirTalk.

  Chris Farrell: “It’s like your house is burning down and the firemen come, and they put out the fire, and then you worry about other issues later on. That’s what they are trying to do, put out the fire, calm people down, bring back confidence, the trust that is so important to lending and borrowing institutions.”

  The emergency measures President Bush described this morning as “warranted and essential” included putting a temporary stop to short-selling stocks and guaranteeing the safety of money-market funds where many Americans invest their retirement money. Stock markets around the world rallied on news of the federal intervention.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 2:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Emergency economic measures reassure markets, but could cost up to $1 trillion

  Emergency measures the federal government took today to shore up the economy – halting short-selling of stock, guaranteeing money market funds, and other actions – may have reassured the markets. But analyst Lakshman Achuthan of the Economic Cycle Research Institute told KPCC’s AirTalk that those measures, and the recent government bailout of major financial institutions, will come with a big price tag.

  Lakshman Achuthan: “First we should just pause for a second – a trillion dollars. That’s the number being tossed around, because quite frankly they don’t know, but it could easily go that high. And that is our money – that’s taxpayers’ money.”

  At the White House today, President Bush said federal intervention to calm the markets was warranted and essential. Stock markets around the world surged upward in response.

  Tools

  • September 19, 2008 1:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Groups call on Governor Schwarzenegger to sign bill to provide civil court interpreters

  Legal aid and Latino and Asian advocacy groups called on Governor Schwarzenegger today to sign legislation that would provide court interpreters when needed in civil cases. KPCC’s Brian Watt reports.

  Brian Watt: California law mandates court interpreters in criminal cases involving non-English speakers, but not in a lot of civil ones. For example, says Karin Wang of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, a woman trying to escape an abusive husband might obtain a court interpreter when she seeks a restraining order. But then, says Wang, she’s on her own.

  Karin Wang: The reality of the situation is the abused woman may then have related divorce proceedings, a child custody battle, and because she can not get an interpreter guaranteed, she could very well lose her child to her abuser. Because she could not communicate with the court.

  Watt: Wang says this happens a lot to women who seek legal assistance at her center. Assembly Bill 3050 proposes providing interpreters in cases involving non-English speakers who can’t afford them. The measure would pay for the interpreters’ services with a fee of about $15 charged to lawyers when they appear in court by telephone.

  Tools

  • September 18, 2008 2:59 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Groups back legislation to provide court interpreters in civil cases

  A bill to provide court interpreters for non-English speakers in civil cases is on its way to the governor’s desk. Legal aid and Latino and Asian advocacy groups want him to sign it into law. Democratic Assemblyman Dave Jones of Sacramento wrote the measure. He told a downtown L.A. news conference that judges often make do with any interpreter they can find.

  Dave Jones: “Two adults are engaged in a dispute over very, very important sensitive family matters. Sometimes the courts will have to have the children interpret for their parents. I’ve talked to judges across the state and heard stories of judges who grabbed someone in the hallway, a total stranger, to interpret for a family in a dispute.”

  The legislation would provide interpreters only for low-income non-English speakers. It proposes paying for the interpreters with a small fee charged to lawyers when they appear in court by telephone.

  Tools

  • September 18, 2008 2:46 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Prison guards union re-elects president

  The state’s powerful prison guards union re-elected its president today. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: The vote is significant because union president Mike Jimenez wants prison guards to support a recall campaign against Governor Schwarzenegger. At the Las Vegas meeting to re-elect Jimenez union president, giant signs read “Get ready for the ride of your life – Total Recall,” a reference to Schwarzenegger’s 1990 movie.

  But guards appear split over the issue. Many guards are angry over Schwarzenegger’s refusal to approve pay raises and his move to reduce the union’s influence over prisons. One told the Associated Press the union “needs to send the governor a message.”

  But another guard questioned whether the union was prepared to spend up to $3 million collecting enough signatures to force a recall election. He said “nobody’s that mad at this governor.” Schwarzenegger has called the recall threat an “intimidation tactic.”

  Tools

  • September 18, 2008 12:16 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger's budget veto strategy may be working

  Governor Schwarzenegger’s threat to veto the budget and most other legislation appears to be working. Yesterday, legislative leaders offered to make changes the governor wants to the state’s rainy day fund. But now, as KPCC Julie Small reports, the Governor’s pressing for more changes.

  Julie Small: Democrats offered to meet Schwarzenegger’s demands to make it harder to dip into the state’s rainy day fund. They did that to avoid the governor’s veto and the difficulty of coming up with the votes needed for an override. But the Governor then demanded Democrats dump a plan to withhold 10 percent more in state taxes from Californians’ paychecks.

  And he might succeed: the Democrats passed that bill , which would raise $4 billion through accelerated tax collection, without Republican support. So it would be a lot tougher to get the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. Republicans would now have to support it, and that’s what’s in question.

  One thing the Governor hasn’t talked about: Schwarzenegger himself proposed $3 billion in tax accelerations in that bill, like compelling quarterly tax filers to pay more tax earlier in the year and suspending corporate net operating losses.

  Tools

  • September 18, 2008 11:34 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Hospitals, Red Cross, and other organizations host blood drives in response to Metrolink crash

  In response to Friday’s Metrolink crash, hospitals, the American Red Cross, and other organizations have hosted blood donation drives. KPCC’s Brian Watt stopped by one Thursday at Los Angeles Police headquarters downtown.

  Brian Watt: After the train crash, the Red Cross shipped 400 pints of blood to Southland hospitals. The non-profit had collected that blood days if not weeks before. The organization’s Cliff Numark expected more than 1,000 people to roll up their sleeves in response to the latest call for donors.

  Cliff Numark: We hope that we can sustain this level of giving every day throughout the year because that’s what it takes to have a five- to seven-day supply of blood on hand to be prepared when the next disaster strikes.

  Watt: Like many of the people who showed up at Parker Center, Camille Dudley of Alta Dena is a veteran donor. She’s made it a habit for 10 years.

  Camille Dudley: I just hope that others will also come in and donate blood. Not just when we have a tragedy, but just on a regular basis, because there’s always a need.

  Watt: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other city officials also stopped in to make their donations.

  Tools

  • September 18, 2008 11:12 AM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Governor Schwarzenegger formally responds to prison guards union recall effort

  Governor Schwarzenegger today formally responded to the prison guards union nascent effort to recall him from office. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has more.

  Frank Stoltze: Schwarzenegger labeled the recall effort “special interest politics at its worst.” He accused the prison guards’ union of trying to pressure him to pay its members bigger salaries. The governor filed his response with California Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

  In its recall petition, the union accused Schwarzenegger of “leadership failings and inept management.” A union spokesman pointed to the budget deficit as an example. He denied that the union was using the recall to obtain a better contract.

  The union must submit recall language to the secretary of state before it circulates petitions. More than 1 million registered voters would need to sign it to force a recall election. Analysts say that such a petition drive could cost up to $3 million. The guards’ union, one of the biggest political spenders in the state, hasn’t said what it’s willing to spend on the recall effort.

  Tools

  • September 17, 2008 5:00 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• $8 billion trailer bill to improve prison medical care defeated

  With all the hoopla over the governor’s threat to veto the state budget, the defeat of a trailer bill that would have improved prison medical care has garnered little attention. KPCC’s Julie Small reports that the demise of the $8 billion plan could hold severe consequences for California and the deficit.

  Julie Small: A federal court appointed Clark Kelso to improve inmates’ medical care. Months ago Kelso tried to get a bill passed to construct new prison hospitals and improve existing ones. The price tag was $8 billion. But because the plan used borrowed money it wouldn’t deepen this year’s deficit.

  Senate Republicans twice defeated the bill; they said it was too expensive. That’s when Kelso demanded that the governor order the state controller to provide the money. When that failed, Kelso asked the federal court to order California to pay the $8 billion. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for early next month.

  Democratic legislators had hoped to avoid that showdown by passing a budget trailer bill. Again it would have paid for prison hospital construction with bonds. Republicans defeated it again. Now the federal government may order the state to pay the money out of the general fund. That could blow a crater-sized hole in the deficit lawmakers just patched up.

  Tools

  • September 17, 2008 3:50 PM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former LA Republican mayor Riordan explains why he supports Obama and doesn't respect McCain

  It was a lovely evening, if you had the $28,500 per plate for dinner outside historic Greystone Mansion. Guests included studio executives, lawyers such as Paul Keesel, who is representing the family of one of the people killed in the Metrolink train wreck, and a prominent local Republican, former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan. The mayor says he’s had zero contact with Barack Obama until now. But his lack of respect for John McCain dates back to Riordan’s days in City Hall.

  Richard Riordan: “He took the airlines’ side in some fights I had over the airport. And then wrote some letters that were inaccurate, but would not take my calls to try to correct them. I soured totally on him.”

  Riordan says despite his support for Obama, he’s still a Republican and supports Republican candidates for statewide office.

  Tools

  • September 17, 2008 12:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former LA Republian mayor Riordan supports Obama

  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was in southern California last night, attending a pair of fundraisers in Beverly Hills. In attendance was the usual crop of Hollywood political activists, but also former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan. He told KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde why he’s not supporting fellow Republican John McCain.

  Richard Riordan: “We want the best person to be president of the United States, whether they’re Republican or Democrat, and now I think clearly Obama is the best candidate. But I’m still basically a Republican, I’m supporting Republicans in the Senate and Assembly, everywhere else.”
  Kitty Felde: “Well, it surprises me, Mr. Mayor. When I think about a maverick Republican, yours is the name that comes to mind. It surprises me that you’re not supporting Mr. McCain.”
  Riordan: “When I was mayor I had dealings with McCain where I didn’t respect him.”

  Riordan says McCain never returned his phone calls about an airport matter. The Beverly Hills fundraisers, an outdoor dinner at Greystone Mansion and a concert with Barbra Streisan, were expected to break the one day political fundraising record.

  Tools

  • September 17, 2008 12:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger threatens to veto hundreds of bills

  Governor Schwarzenegger says hundreds of bills will be in jeopardy if the legislature overrides his veto of the state budget. The governor’s spokesman, Aaron McLear, spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Aaron McLear: “The way he put it yesterday was he’s gonna be very busy with the veto pen. He’s gonna analyze every bill that comes to his desk just like he always does. But, however, as he warned the legislatures yesterday, if they override the veto, he’s going to use that veto pen much more heavily and send back hundreds and hundreds of bills without his signature.”

  Lawmakers approved the budget early yesterday morning. But Schwarzenegger said he’ll veto it when it hits his desk this week. The governor said the spending plan doesn’t include enough measures to restrain spending in the future. He also was concerned that the plan would push big deficits into next fiscal year.

  Legislative leaders responded by saying they will work to override the veto. Two-thirds of lawmakers in both legislative bodies would have to approve an override. That’s the same proportion of votes they needed to approve the budget in the first place.

  Tools

  • September 17, 2008 11:35 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAPD chief and LA County sheriff endorse Proposition A

  Two of the region’s top law enforcement officers yesterday endorsed Proposition “A” on the November ballot in the city of Los Angeles. The proposed parcel tax would provide money to gang prevention programs. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Prop A would place a $3-a-month tax on all residential and commercial property in the city. It would raise $30 million a year for gang prevention and intervention programs.

  Bill Bratton: We have repeatedly indicated that we cannot arrest our way out of the gang problems that are so pernicious in this city and in this county.

  Stoltze: LAPD Chief Bill Bratton joined L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca in supporting A.

  Lee Baca: The voters cannot afford to not vote for this initiative. Either we address the problem where it can be changed, or we do business as usual.

  Stoltze: Proposition “A” faces likely opposition from anti-tax groups. It requires approval from two-thirds of the city’s voters to become law.

  Tools

  • September 17, 2008 11:32 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger pledges to veto spending plan

  Governor Schwarzenegger is pledging to veto a spending plan lawmakers approved earlier today. That’s because it doesn’t include budget reforms Schwarzenegger said the state needs to fix its long-standing fiscal problems. The governor said he knows that the long stalemate is hurting Californians.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “People aren’t getting paid and hospitals are in danger of closing, nursing homes, daycare centers, and schools have been hurt also, but I will not sign a get out of town budget that punishes taxpayers, pushes the problem into the next year, and includes fake budget reform.”

  State lawmakers have said they’ll override the governor’s veto. Schwarzenegger initially said that if they do he’ll veto the legislation that’s on his desk. He’s revised that to say he’d carefully examine each measure. The governor could still veto hundreds of bills. Lawmakers approved a spending plan early this morning with enough Republican votes for the two-thirds super majority required to pass a budget.

  Tools

  • September 16, 2008 5:14 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Public education officials wary of tentative state budget

  Public education officials are wary of the tentative state budget deal lawmakers approved early today. Ramon Cortines, senior deputy superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District, told KPCC’s AirTalk that the schools will lose out in this budget.

  Ramon Cortines: “It will have major negative impact partly because it is holding to us to the ‘07, ‘08 levels without sufficient inflation adjustments. But what complicates it for the L.A. Unified School District is that, is it has not had a salary increase for several years for its employees.”

  Cortines said that teachers in the district are already earning less than their counterparts elsewhere, and he fears that many will leave L.A. Unified for higher-paying jobs.

  Tools

  • September 16, 2008 3:06 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger wants changes to budget, threatens veto

  Governor Schwarzenegger wants several changes to the $145 billion budget that lawmakers approved early this morning. The governor’s asking lawmakers to place more restrictions on how much money the state may transfer out of its “rainy day fund.” Assembly Speaker Karen Bass told KPCC’s AirTalk that she’s concerned those limits would tie lawmakers’ hands in future budget years.

  Karen Bass: “One of the concerns that we have is that, in years where you do deep cuts like we’ve done over the last three years, we want to be able to restore funding to those programs. And so if our hands are tied so tight, we make cuts one year, we can’t restore it the next year, and what you really have is a permanent shrinkage of government.”

  Schwarzenegger says that without the restrictions, the rainy day savings would become nothing more than a “slush fund.” The governor is threatening to veto the measure if lawmakers don’t make the fixes he’s requesting. Lawmakers in both houses approved the budget by a two-thirds majority early this morning. That’s the same proportion of votes they’d need to override the governor’s veto.

  Tools

  • September 16, 2008 12:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Obama Beverly Hills fundraiser could set 1 day political fundraising record

  Beverly Hills is the place to be tonight for Barack Obama supporters… at least the ones with enough cash to spend time with the candidate. A pair of events could raise $9 million for the Obama campaign – a one day record for political fundraising. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports.

  Kitty Felde: Barbra Streisand is the headliner for the Obama event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets priced at $2,500 sold out quickly. Dinner at Greystone Mansion cost more than ten times that amount: $28,500, with checks made out to the Democratic Party. Massie Ritsch is with the Center for Responsive Politics, the D.C. non-profit that tracks campaign money.

  Massie Ritch: The maximum contribution really depends on how the event is structured, because both campaigns are using what are called joint fundraising committees, where one check is written by the donor. But it then gets split up among the candidate campaign, the national parties, and some state parties even. It’ll definitely be a five figure donation at the top end.

  Felde: Next Thursday, Republicans will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin at a fundraiser in Newport Beach. Twenty-five-thousand will get you six tickets to the reception and three photo ops with the candidate.

  Tools

  • September 16, 2008 9:49 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposed state budget includes $1 billion in cuts to public schools

  Sacramento lawmakers wouldn’t reveal details yesterday or today about the budget deal they’ve reached. California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell, says he’s been told that the deal includes a $1 billion cut to public schools and community colleges. He says most of that will come from cost-of- living increases for school employees.

  Jack O’Connell: “Certainly the price of fuel, as we’re all experiencing, for our school buses, the energy costs, the food costs for our kids, health care costs, and benefits for our employees, and salary adjustments, and to receive less than the full COLA, it’s going to be very problematic for the education community.”

  State legislators are expected to vote on the proposed budget today. Governor Schwarzenegger has not signaled whether he supports the deal.

  Tools

  • September 15, 2008 3:04 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Anti-same-sex marriage proposition gathers enough signatures to be on November ballot

  Californians will have another opportunity on a statewide ballot to decide who can legally marry. Opponents of a recent state Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage have gathered enough signatures to place Proposition 8 before voters this November. The measure would amend the state constitution to define marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman.

  Its backers contend that the court overrode the will of voters who’d approved a previous proposition banning same-sex marriages in the state. Dale Kelly Bankhead, manager of the “No on Prop 8” campaign, told KPCC’s AirTalk that she worries about the kind of precedent voters may set this time.

  Kelly Bankhead: “Prop 8 would eliminate the fundamental right to marry for same-sex couples. It would be the first time in our state’s history that a ballot measure would amend the constitution to actually take away rights from a group of people.”

  If the measure passes, Bankhead said, it may jeopardize the legal status of same-sex marriages in California from mid-June through Election Day.

  Tools

  • September 15, 2008 2:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa attempts to dispel fears about taking train

  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is offering free bus service as crews work to repair tracks damaged by Friday’s Metrolink crash. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rode the Metrolink train this morning alongside passengers at the Chatsworth Station. The mayor encouraged Angelenos to get back on the train.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Commuters should show up to the station as usual. I want to dispel any fears about taking the train. Safety has to be our number one concern. Accidents can and do happen. Taking the train is still one of the safest and fastest options for commuters.”

  Metro will run the bus service until the track is repaired and normal train service resumes to all stations.

  Tools

  • September 15, 2008 11:54 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa rides train, encourages Angelenos to "get back on the train"

  Friday’s Metrolink crash damaged a section of track and disrupted train service. L.A. County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is running 26 buses between some stations to get commuters where they need to go today. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rode the train alongside commuters at the Chatsworth station this morning.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “I want to encourage all Angelenos to get back on to the train. Together we are making commuting as close to business as usual as we, as possible under the circumstances.”

  Passengers may get on the buses at the Moorpark Metrolink Station and get off in Chatsworth where normal train service will resume. Metro’s providing the buses free of charge. They’ll continue until crews repair the tracks and normal commuter rail service resumes.

  Tools

  • September 15, 2008 11:51 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Metrolink death toll now at 25; Metrolink spokeswoman quits

  The death toll from a passenger train accident Friday in southern California now stands at 25. Dozens of other commuters remain hospitalized, many in critical condition. The spokeswoman for the agency that operates Metrolink commuter trains has quit. KPCC’s Steve Julian has more.

  Steve Julian: Denise Tyrrell said within hours of the head-on accident with a freight train that the engineer failed to stop for a red signal. The National Transportation Safety Board came to the same conclusion, but Tyrrell had characterized it as “human error,” while the NTSB could take up to a year to determine the exact cause.

  Tyrrell’s statement stood until Sunday, when the Metrolink Board met behind closed doors. Members said after the meeting that Tyrrell was not authorized to release that information. This announcement outraged Tyrrell who told KPCC in an email that “Metrolink is responsible to oversee the engineer. We were, in fact, trying to take responsibility as soon as we knew we were at fault.” She added the federal government’s toes were stepped on, writing “Metrolink board members are unhappy that the NTSB is unhappy.”

  Tools

  • September 15, 2008 9:46 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Transportation

• Pakistani officials express concern over U.S. military raids

  Pakistani officials are concerned about secret U.S. military raids in their country. Three months ago, President Bush authorized Special Forces to target suspected terrorists along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

  Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan’s Consul General in Los Angeles, explained his country’s position to KPCC.

  Syed Ibne Abbas: “Any troops or forces which enter the territories of Pakistan will be certain violation of our serenity and we have the right to, you know, retaliate in a way we deem appropriate.”

  American officials want the Pakistani government to disband Taliban and al-Qaida “safe havens” at the country’s borders.

  Tools

  • September 12, 2008 6:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Charles Drew University opens urgent care clinic

  Charles Drew University, the medical school that used to be affiliated with the shuttered King-Drew Medical Center, will own and operate a state of the art urgent care clinic in South Los Angeles. California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez praised the university for opening what he called a much-needed medical facility in the heart of South Los Angeles.

  Fabian Nunez: “I have no problem getting treated here myself. This is about as good of an urgent care center that you’re gonna find anywhere in the state of California.”

  Nunez joined other lawmakers and university leaders at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. The urgent care clinic will begin treating patients Monday morning. Drew University board members say they spent $1 million of the school’s endowment to launch the medical facility. Doctors there expect to treat about 15,000 patients a year.

  Tools

  • September 12, 2008 3:12 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Southland native leaves chairmanship of National Endowment for the Arts

  The chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, poet and Hawthorne native Dana Gioia, announced today that he’s leaving the job next year. More on the story from KPCC’s Cheryl Devall.

  Cheryl Devall: The once-embattled arts endowment has passed five pretty calm years on Dana Gioia’s watch. Not long ago, its grants to cutting-edge artists stirred opposition from conservatives who questioned why the agency should exist.

  Gioia helped restore its reputation to what he called “its rightful place as one of the premier institutions in the United States.” The son of an Italian-American father and a Mexican-American mother, Gioia graduated from Serra High School in Gardena.

  He earned a master’s degree in comparative literature from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford. His career combined both; he’s a published and widely anthologized poet who was also a longtime vice president at General Mills.

  At the arts endowment Gioia promoted “Operation Homecoming,” a compilation of stories by veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the spoken word contest Poetry Out Loud. He says he hopes to resume his literary life when he’s done at the National Endowment for the Arts.

  Tools

  • September 12, 2008 3:09 PM
  • Categories: Arts, Politics/Public Affairs

• Pakistani parliament condemns secret US military raids inside Pakistan

  In the war on terror, President George Bush authorized secret military raids inside Pakistan three months ago. Pakistan’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Syed Ibne Abbas, told KPCC that officials in his country have expressed concern over the decision to use tactical ground forces.

  Syed Ibne Abbas: “This is the first time that, you know, this has happened. And that’s precisely the reason that the national assembly of Pakistan, I would say, which is the Parliament of Pakistan, has condemned these attacks.”

  U.S. officials have maintained that Pakistan’s government isn’t doing enough to combat the Taliban and al-Qaida militants along their country’s border. The United States has conducted missile strikes in Pakistan for two years.

  Tools

  • September 12, 2008 3:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• David Long, California Secretary of Education, resigns

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Secretary of Education says he’s leaving his cabinet post. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: The governor appointed David Long 18 months ago to help make 2008 the year of education. Instead it turned out to be the year of defending education cuts. A huge budget deficit pushed Schwarzenegger to propose billions of dollars in reductions to public schools. A powerful coalition that included teachers unions fought the proposed cuts.

  The governor’s Secretary for Education has significantly fewer powers than the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Long said in an interview with the Sacramento Bee that these divided responsibilities were a problem. In a three-paragraph resignation letter to the governor, Long didn’t indicate why he’s leaving. The veteran Riverside educator merely said it’s time for him to move on to another chapter in his life.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 7:06 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Nobel Peace Prize winners, students convene to discuss community service

  On the same day observances took place to remember the events of September 11, six Nobel Peace Prize winners arrived on the campus of Loyola Marymount University for a conference.

  At the three-day PeaceJam Global Call to Action, the Nobel laureates are exchanging ideas with 3,000 young people from around the world about community service projects. Jody Williams of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.

  Jody Williams: “I invite anybody who believes that youth don’t care: Come along with any one of us to a PeaceJam. Watch what those young people do. Watch them become empowered because we take the time to listen to them.”

  Also listening at the conference are Central American indigenous rights activist Rigoberta Menchu and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 6:50 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Presidential campaigns register new voters at citizen swearing-in

  This November’s presidential election will be the first time thousands of new American citizens will cast their ballots. Thirty-year-old Aldo Soriano was born in Mexico. He says he wanted to become a U.S. citizen so he could vote.

  Aldo Soriano: “Definitely, the most important issues, I think, is family values and crime. Make sure schools are doing good. All those things are pretty much, are very, very important to me.”

  Judges swore in more than 18,000 new citizens today during three ceremonies at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

  Volunteers from the John McCain and Barack Obama campaigns set up tables inside the facility to register the new voters.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 6:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• Thousands of immigrants become citizens today at LA Convention Center

  Thousands of new American citizens had reason to celebrate on this somber day in the history of their adopted country. Eighteen-thousand people took the oath of allegiance today at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Twenty-four-year-old Raymond Serrano from Canada was one of them.

  Raymond Serrano: “I’m not gonna lie. It’s just another day to me. Like, it’s awesome that I became a citizen, but the fact that it was September 11th wasn’t that big of a deal.”

  Serrano says voting is a big deal to him. He says that ending the war in Iraq is the most important issue that’ll influence his choice for the White House.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 4:42 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA city officials gather to remember September 11th attacks

  Los Angeles City officials gathered today to remember the September 11th attacks. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: They gathered at the fire department’s training center north of downtown. A fragment of the ruined World Trade Center stands there as a memorial to the more than 300 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th. Los Angeles City Fire Chief Doug Barry:

  Chief Doug Barry: “Let us all rededicate ourselves to serve as they served and renew our resolve to be courageous, committed, and to be self-sacrificing.”

  Stoltze: Bradley Burlingame of L.A. lost his brother in the attacks. “Chic” Burlingame was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, bound for L.A. International Airport.

  Bradley Burlingame: “We grew up in Anaheim and he wanted to celebrate his birthday the next day by attending an Angels baseball game. Like you, on that morning I was immediately worried when I saw the events and I tried calling his cell.”

  Stoltze: His brother never answered. A short time later, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 4:05 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• OC health clinics start to see housing market fallout

  Operators of some Orange County health clinics are worried they could get the raw end of the deal if state lawmakers make budget cuts. Eighteen licensed facilities comprise the Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics.

  It says those clinics have lost more than $5 million in state payments because legislators can’t decide on a budget. Ed Gerber of the Lestonnac Free Clinic in Orange says the shortfall of money from the state collides with the sluggish real estate market.

  Ed Gerber: “We’ve gotten in the last six months about 40 loan officers, real estate agents and loan processors that have applied here at the clinic to receive healthcare because they have no where else to go. If they show their W-2 forms or they show their tax returns, it appears that last year they made over $100,000. But so far this year, they’ve made nothing. And they have nowhere that they can go to receive health care.”

  Gerber says his clinic’s already used $200,000 from its reserves. That’s equal to one-quarter of its annual budget.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 4:01 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa remembers Angelenos lost in September 11th terrorist attacks

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa led a ceremony today marking the seventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks. He said many people who called L.A. home lost their lives that day.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “Seven years ago, we lost Angelenos like Daniel Brandhorst, Rick Gamboa, and their bright three-year-old adopted son David, who after visiting family in Maine cut short their vacation so they could all fly home together.”

  The family was on United flight 173, the plane terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center’s South Tower.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 3:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa marks September 11th anniversary by lowering city flags to half staff

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ordered all city flags lowered to half staff today to mark the seventh anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks. Villaraigosa said that today is a time to acknowledge the sacrifices of the people who died.

  He added that it’s also a time to dedicate ourselves to making sure that we’re safe. On that note, Villaraigosa told KPCC’s AirTalk he feels that L.A. still isn’t getting enough counterterrorism money from the federal government.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “We don’t get near what we need when you think that New York, Washington D.C., and L.A. area probably the three top priority targets, if you will. Or targets of opportunity.”

  Villaraigosa said that nearly 80 percent of the region’s critical assets are in the city of Los Angeles.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 12:11 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger says he won't sign budget without rainy day fund

  California Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines says a budget deal could be days away. The state spending plan is more than two months overdue. But Governor Schwarzenegger says any plan that hits his desk had better help to fix the state’s budget process. Schwarzenegger spoke with the California Report’s John Myers.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I think the most important thing is that we get budget reform, and if we cannot put a rainy day fund together so that we never get into this problem again, we’re not going to have a budget. I’m not going to sign a budget.”
  John Myers: “Regardless of the date on the calendar?”
  Schwarzenegger: “Regardless of the date of the calendar.”

  Villines told KPCC yesterday that budget reform will be part of any budget deal. The late budget has hurt institutions that rely on state funding, including hospitals and child care centers. The governor suggested that people who feel they’re suffering because of the late budget should go to Sacramento and “raise hell” with lawmakers.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 11:22 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Lawyers fan out to schools to spark student civil liberties discussions on 9/11 anniversary

  For the seventh year after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Southland lawyers are fanning out to public school classrooms today to spark discussions about civil liberties. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has the story.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy urged classroom discussions about freedom and basic rights. L.A. Unified and the L.A. County Bar Association answered the call.

  This year 175 volunteers, mostly lawyers, are visiting six high schools. The students have a vague recollection of 9/11, says Beverly Hills attorney Elaine Mandel. And, she adds, that makes for spirited discussions about civil liberties.

  Elaine Mandel: Last year, one of the issues was about principals being able to search students’ backpacks without any kind of prior notice or any kind of rationale, other than the principal selected a particular student. And I said, “What do you think about that, is that OK?” And a number of the students said, “Sure, I don’t have anything to hide. Bring it on.”

  Guzman-Lopez: The scenario for this year’s discussion is timely: a fictional presidential candidate who’s preparing for a debate wants to know young people’s thoughts on rights versus security.

  Tools

  • September 11, 2008 9:42 AM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Assembly minority leader Villines: budget impasse may be near an end

  We may be near the end of the state budget stalemate. Republican Mike Villines, the Assembly’s minority leader, has been meeting regularly with the governor and legislative leaders, and he tells KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that he thinks a budget could be only days away.

  Assemblyman Mike Villines: “I’m just optimistic that we can have something maybe put together over maybe the next seven to 10 days, if not less. And so we’re working towards that. We’re just trying to work to a compromise that does not include taxes, but still maintains some Democrat priorities. And I think we can get there.”

  Lawmakers have spent the summer arguing over whether to raise taxes, cut spending, or borrow money. Villines says Republicans have proposed “stop-gap” spending bills that would have kept money flowing to health, education, and social service programs. But Villines says the Democrats and the governor won’t go along.

  Villines: “The most critical thing we can do is make sure that we’re taking care of people. The fact that we can’t get a budget done is our fault, and that’s something we have to deal with and that’s our problem. But there should not be innocent victims in this.”

  Villines and most other Republicans in the legislature have pledged to oppose any tax increases. Democrats say balancing the budget can’t come through spending cuts alone.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 6:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California schools make contingency plans as budget stalemate continues

  California public education officials are describing a doom-and-gloom scenario for school districts if Sacramento’s budget impasse continues. KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez has more.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Education labor unions and California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction say the impasse will keep billions of dollars from reaching school districts this month.

  That’s causing high anxiety, but not panic, at those districts, says Wendy Benkert, head of business services at the Orange County Department of Education. The county’s 27 school districts launched contingency plans months ago.

  Wendy Benkert: First they’re going into their reserve accounts; they’re using up their reserve accounts to pay their current expenses. Once they exhaust that funding, they’ll borrow money from other restricted funds that they’ll end up having to pay back.

  Guzman-Lopez: Restricted funds include money for child development and adult education services. Benkert says it’s unclear how districts will pay employees in these departments.

  If there’s still no state budget once that money runs out, Orange County school districts have the option of borrowing from a board-of-supervisors-approved education investment pool. Benkert says that one school district is getting in line to borrow $25 million next month from that fund to make its payroll.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 5:55 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Educators push for budget that can adequately fund school costs

  State educators’ unions and California’s superintendent of schools are warning that two-and-a-half billion dollars won’t get to schools this month if legislators don’t pass a state budget. They’re pushing for a budget with some tax increases.

  Jim Novak, assistant superintendent of the Palm Springs Unified School District, says the outlook there is serious but not critical. The district started tightening its belt in January, and later cut $3.5 million from its budget. Novak says that whatever budget passes had better stick.

  Jim Novak: “So I’m crossing my fingers that the legislature’s wise enough to know to settle a budget that we can live with throughout the rest of this year, and we don’t have to suffer through any type of midyear cut, halfway through the school year.”

  Like most other school districts, Palm Springs Unified is borrowing from existing funds to cover payroll and other costs.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 5:30 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Episcopal bishops oppose gay marriage ban

  Nine of California’s Episcopal bishops voiced their opposition today to Proposition 8. That ballot measure would amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriages. KPCC’s Brian Watt was at the Los Angeles Cathedral Center, where Episcopal clergy and laypeople urged voters to reject the proposition.

  Brian Watt: A statement from the nine Episcopal bishops says that allowing same sex couples to marry enhances Christian values like monogamy, commitment, love, and mutual respect. Reverend Jon Bruno is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

  Jon Bruno: “I must vote no on this effort to rewrite our state constitution with language of exclusion rather than inclusion.”

  Watt: His message resonated with Warner Traynham, retired rector of St John’s Episcopal Church in L.A.

  Warner Traynham: In this country we used to have laws prohibiting the marriage of blacks and whites. Those laws discriminated against black people and excluded them from the community. We got rid of them as an act of love.

  Watt: Proposition 8 will appear on the November ballot. Opponents of the state Supreme Court’s ruling that granted marriage rights to same-sex couples collected enough signatures to put the question to voters. The court’s decision in May overturned an earlier statewide ballot measure against same-sex marriage.

  Note: The Los Angeles City Council also weighed in today on the debate over same-sex marriage. The Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of federal legislation that would eliminate language defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 4:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• LA to work up menu law that might be dropped

  The Los Angeles City Council has ordered up an ordinance that would require restaurant chains to provide calorie information about their menu items. But KPCC’s Nick Roman says there’s a good chance the ordinance won’t be necessary.

  Nick Roman: The bigger fast-food chains began posting nutritional details inside restaurants years ago. The L.A. ordinance would require them to put that same info on menus and menu boards. That way, you’d know for sure how many hundreds of calories that giant cheeseburger packs.

  You could still order it, but at least you’d know. L.A. City’s menu ordinance is a twin to one in the works in L.A. County. But it’s possible neither will ever take effect, and their supporters say that’s fine. Here’s why: there’s a bill on the governor’s desk that’ll require calorie counts on menus and menu boards statewide.

  It’ll take effect in three years and it’ll apply to chains with at least 20 outlets. That would set a single standard for nutritional info across California, and it would preempt local menu ordinances. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year, but the California Restaurant Association backs this one, so it figures he’ll sign it.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 3:16 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Episcopal bishops oppose Proposition 8

  Nine Episcopal bishops in California are voicing their opposition to Proposition 8. The ballot measure would amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriages in the state. Reverend Jon Bruno is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

  Jon Bruno: “As bishops, we have said we do not believe that marriage of heterosexuals is threatened by same-sex marriage. Christian values of monogamy, commitment, love, mutual respect, and witness are enhanced for all by providing this right to gay and straight alike.”

  Proposition 8 will appear on the November ballot. Opponents of the state Supreme Court’s ruling in May that granted marriage rights to same-sex couples collected enough signatures to put the question to voters.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 12:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Religion/Spirituality

• California emergency teams head to Texas in preparation for Hurricane Ike

  Three urban search and rescue teams from California are heading to Texas today in preparation for Hurricane Ike. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the state’s response.

  Cheryl Devall: As the ninth named hurricane of the season advances across the Gulf of Mexico, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged support to the people of Texas. “Californians know firsthand the havoc that natural disasters can wreak,” the governor’s statement said.

  Three-hundred-sixty-four personnel from California will help Texans in case the storm lands there as early forecasts indicate. The emergency teams include California National Guard members, swift water rescue teams, state and local firefighters, and coordinators from the governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

  The state’s also sending two helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft to support the Texas Air National Guard if needed. As a precaution, emergency officials in Texas have ordered evacuations in the Corpus Christi area.

  Tools

  • September 10, 2008 11:47 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County supervisors want 'watchdog' to watch Health Services Department

  L.A. County supervisors plan to put the troubled Department of Health Services under a microscope. KPCC’s Nick Roman says they want to assign an overseer to stop a series of bureaucratic foul-ups at Health Services.

  Nick Roman: Supervisor Gloria Molina called for a “watchdog” to counter what she calls the “lousy management” at Health Services. She says the department’s bosses are “frightened of telling us the truth.” The move follows reports that more than half the employees who worked at the now-closed King-Harbor Hospital failed to pass tests for on-the-job competency.

  At least 10 percent of King-Harbor’s ex-employees had criminal records, and two-thirds of those workers, about 100 in all, stayed on the county payroll after the hospital closed. Personnel managers at Health Services decided those workers had “no job nexus”… nothing to disqualify them from county jobs.

  Supervisor Molina wondered how an ex-con could work at a hospital, with fragile patients, expensive equipment, and lots of drugs, and not have a “job nexus.” She and her colleagues want a report back next week that sketches out how a Health Services “watchdog” office will work.

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 5:20 PM
  • Categories: Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Budget dealing continues in Sacramento

  Governor Schwarzenegger met with the Assembly caucuses from both parties today. He’s trying to shore up support for his budget proposal, which may come up for a vote tomorrow.

  The plan includes cuts to state spending and a bigger “rainy day” fund for tough economic years, like this one. But the governor’s budget plan also calls for a temporary state sales tax hike to balance the books, and Republican minority leader Mike Villines says GOP lawmakers don’t like that.

  Mike Villines: “He would have to take taxes out of his plan, and he’d have to have a reform that really would work. We have a lot of respect for what he’s putting on the table in terms of the rainy day. But we really have to be talking about a spending cap… some modified spending cap. Otherwise, we’re going to be in this position every year.”

  But those changes would alienate Assembly Democrats. They oppose a spending cap, and have said repeatedly that raising taxes has to be part of any solution to close the state’s $15 billion deficit.

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 5:17 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC women's shelter may close because of state budget woes

  Orange County’s largest shelter for battered women may be forced to close its doors because of the state budget stalemate. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the shelter relies on state funding to stay open, money that’s disappeared as lawmakers battle over the budget.

  Susan Valot: Over the past three months, the Women’s Transitional Living Center has lost $310,000 in funding because California lawmakers haven’t been able to agree on a state budget. The facility in North Orange County has had to dip into its reserves. But now, the Center’s Rocio Watson says those reserves are gone. They need nearly $100,000 by Friday of next week to keep their doors open.

  Rocio Watson: We have lives at stake here. We’re talking about families who fled in the middle of the night – many of them came into our facility in the back of a police car, severely battered – whose lives are in danger if they have no place to go. If we shut our doors, those women and children will have no place to go.

  Valot: Right now, more than 120 women and children call the Women’s Transitional Living Center home. They’re victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Watson says this is the worst crisis the Center’s faced in its 31-year history. She points out it’s going to take more than passing a state budget. Watson says even if the budget passed today, they still wouldn’t get the money in time to pay their bills next week.

  Note: The Women’s Transitional Living Center is hosting a fund-raiser tomorrow night, at a restaurant in Fullerton, to try to make up the funding shortfall.

  Link: Women’s Transitional Living Center

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 4:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Villaraigosa visits American Apparel as company announces employment milestones

  Los Angeles-based clothing maker American Apparel announced today that it’s hired 2,500 workers in Southern California this year. The company’s Marty Bailey said that brings the company’s Southland total to more than 6,000 employees.

  Marty Bailey: “We support the highest earning apparel workers in the world here, many earning more than double the minimum wage. We provide so many benefits like access to health care, subsidized lunches, MTA passes, life insurance, and our new medical facility here in the building.”

  Bailey said that last month, American Apparel gave almost 2 million shares of company stock to its factory workers. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa toured the company’s garment district headquarters and applauded its efforts to provide what he called “living wage jobs.”

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 2:45 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Teachers union president opposes Proposition 11

  Every 10 years, California redraws its political lines. This November, California voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution, and take away the power of state lawmakers to redraw their own district boundaries. Yesterday, KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde heard from the “yes” side. Today, we hear from the opposition.

  Kitty Felde: Proposition 11 would take the job of redrawing Senate and Assembly district lines out of the hands of the State Legislature. Instead, the job would go to an independent commission representing most political parties. Marty Hittleman, President of the California Federation of Teachers, doesn’t like Prop 11 for one basic reason: under the plan, he says the majority doesn’t rule.

  Marty Hittleman: “Since the Democrats have been able to, elected the majority of the legislature, they should have more power. And to say this board would be composed of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four independents just means the minorities get veto power.”

  Approval of a new redistricting map would require three “yes” votes from each political group. Hittleman says the only way to get around the gridlock in Sacramento is to elect enough Democrats so they control two-thirds of the State Senate and Assembly… enough votes necessary to pass a state budget.

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 12:43 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Teachers union president opposes redistricting measure

  This November, California voters will decide whether someone other than politicians should draw the state’s political boundaries. Proposition 11 would turn part of the job of redistricting over to a citizens commission.

  Marty Hittleman, the president of the California Federation of Teachers, opposes the measure. He says it’s “badly thought out” because the rules say a commissioner must have no contact with the political system. Hittleman says lobbyists, candidates, and relatives of politicians are all barred from applying.

  Marty Hittleman: “So in the end you’re gonna, very likely, to have 14 people who know nothing about redistricting, that are not statistically savvy, and in the final result, is just a guess.”

  Proposition 11 won’t affect congressional seats. State lawmakers, the majority of them Democrats, would maintain the power to redraw congressional districts.

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 12:40 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Ballot proposition would let citizens tackle redistricting

  The November ballot will list a dozen different ballot measures, including one that would put the power to redraw political districts in the hands of an independent commission. Jeannine English, the President of California AARP, says Proposition 11 takes aim at the political gridlock in Sacramento.

  Jeannine English: “Politicians are not being held accountable for their failure to work constructively across party lines and to solve those major problems. And because the legislature draws their own districts and basically chooses their own voters, 99 percent of the incumbents are reelected, whether they do the job or not.”

  The redistricting commission would have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, along with a lesser number of independents. Political candidates or their relatives would be barred from the commission. So would lobbyists and big-money political contributors.

  Tools

  • September 9, 2008 12:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Proposition 11 would allow citizen panels draw political districts

  Ever wish you were in charge of redrawing the boundary lines of state lawmaker’s districts? This could be your year. Voters in November will decide whether to take the job of redistricting out of the hands of state lawmakers and give it to an independent commission. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde outlines Proposition 11.

  Kitty Felde: Backers of Proposition 11 blame the gridlock in Sacramento on lawmakers who don’t have to work across party lines. That’s because they drew their own district lines in 2001 to make it virtually impossible for anyone from another party to knock them out of office. Jeannine English, President of California AARP, says the solution is Prop 11. It would amend the state constitution to allow citizen experts to draw the districts of state office holders.

  Jeannine English: There is a process that will be established by the state auditor to make sure that 60 of the most qualified people will be selected based on relevant analytical skills, ability to be impartial, and appreciation for California’s diverse demographics and geography.

  Felde: Commissioners cannot be lobbyists, political candidates, or family members of a politician. The measure only applies to state offices. Congressional districts would still be drawn by the state legislature.

  Note: Tomorrow, we’ll talk to the “No on Proposition 11” side.

  Tools

  • September 8, 2008 7:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• House Speaker Pelosi proposes new economic stimulus package

  California lawmakers returned to Washington today after a month-long recess. One of the big issues they plan to tackle is the economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed another stimulus package to get the economy moving. Jack Shaw of Market News International says the Bush administration is wary of the idea.

  Jack Shaw: “She suggested something in the range of $50 billion allocated for highways, and state governments and other needs. The administration was quite cool to that. Republicans in Congress have been quite cool. But it seems with the unemployment numbers jumping up to 6.1 percent, that this is going to be a bigger issue.”

  Congress approved a $168 billion stimulus package earlier this year. The Bush administration has argued that the first package is still boosting the nation’s economy, and that it’s too soon to consider another one.

  Tools

  • September 8, 2008 10:58 AM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• California prison guards union launches drive to recall Governor Schwarzenegger

  Governor Schwarzenegger likes to say “I’ll be back.” But the California prison guard union has other ideas. The California Correctional Peace Officer’s Union today launched a drive to recall Governor Schwarzenegger. KPCC’s Julie Small reports.

  Julie Small:There’s no love lost between the prison guards and Schwarzenegger. Contract talks with the governor have stalled for almost two years while California’s prison conditions deteriorate and overcrowding persists. But the union’s Lance Corcoran says that’s not why the corrections employees are circulating petitions to recall the Governor.

  Lance Corcoran: This is a governor that’s utterly failed. We have one of the largest deficits in California history and one of the longest budget stalemates.

  Small: Corcoran says the union’s gathering the signatures it needs to launch a recall petition drive. Then guards will hit the streets to gather the 555,000 voter signatures needed to hold special election to recall the governor. That’ll happen after the November election. A spokesman for the governor dismissed the prison guards’ recall campaign as a pointless effort to intimidate Schwarzenegger into approving the union’s contract.

  Tools

  • September 8, 2008 10:56 AM
  • Categories: Criminal Justice, Politics/Public Affairs

• Hospitals and clinics in danger of closing if lawmakers don't pass budget

  Hospital and clinic staff whose livelihoods depend on Medi-Cal, the public medical insurance program for the poorest Californians, rallied in Sacramento today. They say their facilities are in danger of closing if lawmakers don’t pass a budget soon.

  Charles Guenther, chief executive of a rural northeastern California health care provider, accused the legislature of criminal negligence. He said that without a state budget, his company will begin closing facilities in two to three weeks.

  Charles Guenther: “We are the largest employer in the region. And if the hospital closes, more and more people will walk away from their mortgages and create an utter depression for decades to come.”

  Guenther said the state owes the company more than $1 million in back payments. His company’s chief financial officer used his credit card to pay last month’s electric bill. The state budget is more than two months late.

  Tools

  • September 5, 2008 5:09 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Health, Politics/Public Affairs

• Author Ray Bradbury to speak on keeping downtown Long Beach library

  The effort to preserve downtown Long Beach’s main library has a new ally who’s set to deliver a fiery speech tomorrow afternoon. More on the story from KPCC’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez.

  Adolfo Guzman-Lopez: Writer Ray Bradbury underlined the importance of books to a free society in his classic Fahrenheit 451. The novel portrays a future in which leaders censor information by burning books. Bradbury’s speech is about the importance of books today and the role of libraries tomorrow.

  In Long Beach that’s a hot topic. A proposal from city hall would close the main library downtown while city leaders scout for money and a location for a new one. They say that it’s too expensive to fix the current building, and that the proposal would help the city close a budget deficit.

  Library supporters say that library use is up and that the downtown area’s library patrons would lose out. The proposal would increase hours at outlying branch libraries. Long Beach elected officials are pinning their hopes on a November parcel tax measure that would generate more than half a billion dollars for the library and other building projects.

  Note: Writer Ray Bradbury is scheduled to speak at 2 tomorrow afternoon in the main auditorium of the downtown Long Beach main library.

  Tools

  • September 5, 2008 3:02 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs, Society/Culture

• North Hollywood middle school featured during McCain convention speech

  A North Hollywood middle school made a cameo appearance in last night’s acceptance speech by Republican presidential nominee John McCain. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde went to Walter Reed Middle School to find out why.

  Kitty Felde: It was a puzzling picture: flashing behind John McCain on a giant screen was a shot of Walter Reed Junior High School, the old name still on the outside of the building. But John McCain wasn’t talking about education at the time. So why the shot of a Valley school? The Republican National Convention Committee said they’d “get back to [us]” on that.
  
  

  James Mathers: I don’t think it’s a mystery. I think it’s only because he wanted to appear that one of his many homes was in Studio City.
  
  

  Felde: Filmmaker James Mathers is not a John McCain fan. He happens to live across the street from Walter Reed Middle School.
  
  

  Mathers: I think it’s an obvious mix-up with the Walter Reed Army Hospital, and it makes me a little nervous that they would make those kind of mistakes, and that he may well end up being the president.
  
  

  Felde: James Mathers, by the way, is the brother of “Leave It To Beaver“‘s Jerry Mathers. The principal of Walter Reed says the school didn’t give permission to use its facade during the speech, nor is its use an endorsement of any political party or view.
  
  

  Tools

  • September 5, 2008 2:05 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• McCain spokesman says McCain has broken with Republican Party many times

  Now that the nominating conventions are over, the general election is in full swing for the presidential candidates. Senator John McCain last night accepted the Republican Party’s nomination, a week after Democratic Senator Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech.

  In his address last night, McCain played up his reputation as a “maverick.” Democrats have argued that McCain has mostly fallen in line with President Bush’s policies. But McCain spokesman Rick Gorka told KPCC’s AirTalk that the Arizona senator has broken with his party plenty of times.

  Rick Gorga: “I think the first example would be campaign finance reform. Bush fought it and ultimately had to sign it because he didn’t have a choice. McCain went on with Joe Lieberman to form a couple of different pieces of legislation. One that was dealing with climate change.”

  McCain’s “maverick” status will likely be the subject of future debate. McCain and Obama face off in their first debate three weeks from tonight.

  Tools

  • September 5, 2008 1:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Police arrest almost 400 anti-war marchers on final night of Republican convention

  Police arrested almost 400 anti-war marchers on the final night of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

  Protester: “We must and we will bring our voices to the Xcel Center tonight in massive protests. (cheering) The vast majority of Americans oppose the war, which shows how out of touch McCain is with the American people.”

  But demonstrators never made it to the Xcel Energy center. Their permit expired before delegates began arriving for the evening speeches. Police in riot gear blocked off bridges to stop protesters from getting to the convention center. That led to a tense standoff.

  Demonstrators engaged in a series of sit-down protests. Police used percussion grenades and tear gas to try to break up the demonstration. The police detained at least 19 journalists, including two Associated Press reporters, along with protesters. The journalists were issued citations and released.

  Tools

  • September 5, 2008 11:17 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Congressman Becerra defends earmark to improve LA traffic safety

  There’s been a lot of criticism of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s harsh words for federal “earmarks.” She’s against them now, but wasn’t when she asked for federal dollars as a small town mayor. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde says one big city congressman is defending one of his earmarks spent to improve traffic safety in L.A.

  Xavier Becerra: Traffic has become a bear.

  Kitty Felde: L.A. Congressman Xavier Becerra says it’s also become dangerous. He pushed for matching federal funds to pay for left-turn signals, crosswalk stamping, and pedestrian countdown counters at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Western, just west of downtown. That’s where an 8-year-old girl was killed three years ago when she tried to cross the street on her way to school.

  Becerra: This is an earmark where I am more than willing to let anyone take a microscope and take a look at what it did. And it’s unfortunate because it’s a $155,000 earmark that’s done some phenomenal good. But it’s juxtaposed against that earmark for a bridge to nowhere.

  Felde: An earmark was supposed to pay for Alaska’s infamous “Bridge to Nowhere.” The project was later canceled, but Alaska still got half the money for other uses.

  Tools

  • September 5, 2008 11:14 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger tired of waiting for state budget, prods legislature to pass compromise budget

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says it’s time for Sacramento lawmakers to buckle down and pass his budget. KPCC’s Brooke Binkowski has the story.

  Brooke Binkowski: The governor says he’s tired of waiting for a state budget, and so are the people of California. He’s prodding lawmakers to pass his compromise budget almost a month and a half beyond its deadline.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: It is sad to say that our legislators are ideologically locked in, and they’ve put themselves in the corner. Now they don’t know how to get out of it. And I think it is sad not to see people in Sacramento do what they’re supposed to do, which is to represent the people of California, and to work for the people of California.

  Binkowski: At Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank, Schwarzenegger fronted a news conference with doctors, nurses, and lawmakers. He said that legislators are the only Californians who aren’t feeling the effects of the state’s budget crisis.

  Schwarzenegger: Who is suffering is the patients in this building in this hospital. The children are suffering, the vendors are suffering. All of those different people out there that are not being getting paid now will be suffering, and I think that is a sad story and I think that we can do much better than that.

  Binkowski: The governor’s compromise bill includes a temporary one-cent sales tax, cuts in state-funded programs and services, and more partnerships between the public and private sectors.

  Tools

  • September 4, 2008 4:37 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger praises Republican VP nominee Palin

  California’s governor is offering high praise for his Alaskan counterpart. Schwarzenegger told reporters in Burbank that he felt Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin did a bang-up job in last night’s speech at the Republican National Convention.

  Arnold Schwarzenegger: “What she said, I think all of it was, you know, I think a straight 10, and I think that she’s a great contribution to the ticket, to McCain. And she’s a great executive that has proven over the last two years’ extraordinary things that she’s accomplished, so I wish them all good luck.”

  Schwarzenegger said he did not attend the convention because he has to stay in California to hammer out the long-delayed state budget.

  Tools

  • September 4, 2008 2:46 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former House speaker Newt Gingrich predicts Republican VP nominee could lead to Republican victories

  Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich predicts that Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s addition to the Republican presidential ticket could play havoc with the electoral map. Gingrich told KPCC’s Patt Morrison he believes that if Palin catches on with various groups, she could help to put 10 to 12 typically Democratic states into play this election.

  Sarah Palin: “She has a potential appeal to hockey moms, to blue collar voters, to people who come out of small town and rural background, to hunter and fisherman, to a range of people that aren’t normally what you think of as Republican politics. If she catches on in a serious way, she also could be very intriguing on college campuses as the youngest candidate in the race.”

  Palin is 44 years old. Democrats have questioned Palin’s experience. She’s been governor of Alaska for less than two years, and was mayor of Wasilla, a small city near Anchorage, before that. Palin accepted the vice presidential nomination last night at the Republican National Convention.

  Tools

  • September 4, 2008 1:34 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• School starts again, including at schools now under LA mayor Villaraigosa's stewardship

  It’s the first day of school for many students in the L.A. Unified School District, including those at the 10 underperforming schools under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s stewardship. The mayor has set some lofty goals for those schools.

  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: “In the first year we expect to double the success in the API rate, double our English test scores, our math test scores. We are going to focus on the dropout rate at the two high schools that we have. We have a target of reducing the dropout rate by 3 percent at these schools in the first year, and then each year we are going to build on that. Attendance rate, college-going rate, school safety numbers, parent satisfaction, are all going to be part of our parent report card.”

  Villaraigosa spoke with KPCC’s Larry Mantle. The mayor took a bus tour of his 10 campuses on opening day, welcoming students back to class.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 3:52 PM
  • Categories: Education, Politics/Public Affairs

• Former UN ambassador Bolton says Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons is one of the gravest threats facing US

  Former New York mayor Rudy Guiliani will address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul tonight. He’s expected to tackle national security issues. John Bolton, the former American ambassador to the United Nations, touched on the same topic with KPCC’s Patt Morrison. Bolton said Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is one of the gravest threats facing the United States and its allies.

  John Bolton: “I’m afraid our diplomatic options have been exhausted and that we are confronted with some pretty unattractive alternatives: the use of military force against Iran’s program, or regime change, unless there is some dramatic alteration in the resolve of Europeans, and Russians, and Chinese, which I don’t see. These are deeply unattractive options, but an Iran with nuclear weapons is even more unattractive.”

  Bolton is attending the Republican National Convention this week. He said the man who appointed him U.N. ambassador, President George Bush, has disappointed him more than once with his approach to foreign policy.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 2:24 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former UN ambassador John Bolton against gay marriage amendment to US Constitution

  This fall, California voters will decide whether to amend the state’s constitution to define marriage only as the union between a man and a woman. Activists are also pushing for a similar amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That’s where John Bolton would draw the line, the former American ambassador to the United Nations told KPCC’s Patt Morrison.

  John Bolton: “I’m not in favor of excessive amendments to the Constitution. I think issues that are not addressed in the Constitution, abortion would be one of them, should be fought out at the political level. The Constitution didn’t solve every problem and it can’t be re-written into a phone book to solve every problem. I think by-and-large these issues are matters for the states and not for constitutional amendment.”

  If Proposition 8 passes in November, it would overturn this spring’s state Supreme Court ruling that allowed gay and lesbian couples to tie the knot in California. Bolton is attending the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 2:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican vice presidential nominee Palin to visit Orange County later this month

  Some Southern Californians will be getting face time soon with Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin. KPCC’s Susan Valot reports.

  Susan Valot: Palin will come to Orange County later this month. The Lincoln Club of Orange County and philanthropist Paul Folino will co-host a GOP fundraiser, featuring the Alaska governor. The executive director of the local Lincoln Club says the event will be held in a private home.

  This will be Palin’s first visit to Orange County since her selection as Republican John McCain’s running mate. Orange County has long been known as a Republican stronghold. The Lincoln Club, made up largely of Republican business owners, describes itself as the “largest and most active” political club in the U.S.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 1:16 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former UN ambassador John Bolton criticizes political candidates for not talking about Iraq War

  The former American ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, says the major party candidates aren’t talking about Iraq as much as they did early in the presidential campaign. Bolton told KPCC’s Patt Morrison he finds that remarkable.

  John Bolton: “A year and a half ago, you would have thought that was the only foreign policy subject that the Democratic contenders wanted to discuss, and now that the surge has had the success that it’s had, it’s not complete success by any stretch of the imagination, but far more successful than many of them presumed, they don’t want to talk about Iraq at all. This is an example of hoping that your problems will go away. That is not a foreign policy. “

  Bolton is attending the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minnesota. That party’s presidential candidate John McCain maintains that the U.S.-led coalition is winning the war in Iraq. Democratic nominee Barack Obama voted in the U.S. Senate against authorizing and continuing to fund that war.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 1:06 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Utah senator Orrin Hatch adresses California delegates in support of Sarah Palin

  The John McCain campaign dispatched surrogates at the Republican Naitonal Convention today to shore up support for vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Utah senator Orrin Hatch spoke to the California delegation.

  Orrin Hatch: “When John announced Sarah Palin, I had tears in my eyes. And I thought the Republicans will be the first in the union to put a woman in the White House, and let me tell you I was pleased with Obama saying that we should treat her with dignity and respect while releasing all the attack dogs to get on television and just smear her. You’ve seen nothing but smearing her over the last few days ever since she’s been announced.”

  Palin formally accepts her nomination for vice president in a speech to the convention tonight.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 12:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Log Cabin Republicans working to defeat proposition that bans same-sex marriage, despite party support for the proposition

  This year’s Republican Party platform calls for an amendment in the U.S. Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage. But one group of Republicans is working to defeat that prohibition. Scott Tucker is a spokesman for the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that works within the party for gay and lesbian rights. He told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that it takes “thick skin” to be a Log Cabin Republican.

  Scott Tucker: “On 95 percent of the issues with the Republican Party, we agree. You know we’re Republicans, but you know there are those 5 percent of the issues when it comes to gay rights that we have honest disagreements and we’re going to be here to voice those.”

  Tucker says the defeat of Proposition 8 is at the top of the group’s agenda. That measure would amend California’s constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Republican presidential candidate John McCain recently said he supports the measure, although he has previously opposed a federal amendment banning same-sex marriage.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 12:46 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Prominent California delegate says Palin should campaign in California

  A prominent California delegate to the Republican National Convention says Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin should campaign in the Golden State. Ken Khachigian, who wrote speeches for President Ronald Reagan and advised numerous governors, told a California caucus meeting that Palin’s conservative, working-mother story would play well in many parts of the state.

  Ken Khachigian: “Can you see her starting out in Redding and campaigning down through Sacramento, and Modesto, and Merced, (applause) and Fresno, and Tulare, and Visalia, and Bakersfield, and down through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. I mean she’ll set this state afire.”

  The GOP hasn’t won California in a presidential race in 20 years. Palin delivers her much-anticipated speech accepting the vice presidential nominee tonight.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Log Cabin Republicans oppose Proposition 8, despite Republican Party support

  A group of gay Republicans is bucking the party on the issue of same-sex marriage. The Log Cabin Republicans has placed the defeat of Proposition 8 at the top of its agenda. Proposition 8 would amend California’s constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Scott Tucker is a spokesman for the group.

  Scott Tucker: “Listen, anyone who is supporting Senator McCain for president and who believes in conservative principles like limited government, and personal freedom, and personal responsibility, should rightly be against Proposition 8. Proposition 8 is anything but conservative. That’s the case we’re going to be making until November.”

  This year’s Republican Party platform calls for a ban on same-sex marriage in the U.S. Constitution. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain has previously opposed such a federal ban, but he recently said he supports Proposition 8. Tucker says the Log Cabin Republicans have an “honest disagreement” with McCain on that issue, but they’ll still support him in November.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 12:18 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California Republican Khachigian predicts Palin helps lead to Republican win in California

  California delegates to the Republican National Convention today heard that Sarah Palin may help John McCain win the Golden State in November. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze is in St. Paul; he listened in on the political forecast.

  Frank Stoltze: The prediction came from longtime California Republican Ken Khachigian. He worked for Nixon, wrote speeches for Ronald Reagan, and advised Republican governors Dukemejian and Wilson. Khachigian told California delegates at their caucus meeting that vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin could make California a competitive state for the GOP.

  He said her conservative working mother reformer story will play well in the Central Valley and the Inland Empire, and said she ought to campaign there this fall. California delegates here say they remain unsure who Palin is, beyond the talking points produced by the party.

  They say they’re looking forward to learning more about her in Palin’s speech to the convention tonight. The vice presidential nominee’s been sequestered for the last few days as the John McCain campaign prepares her for what’s quickly become the most talked about address of the convention.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 11:04 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County supervisors want fire safety access on wildland

  Los Angeles County Supervisors say they want fire safety access on 42,000 acres in the Santa Clarita Valley that Congress wants to set aside as wildland. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more on the story.

  Molly Peterson: The Pleasant View Ridge area is home to rugged terrain around Mount Williamson’s granite peak and the headwaters of Little Rock Creek. The area near Magic Mountain includes oak woodlands and chaparral; it’s good habitat for the California Condor. Both are in the Angeles National Forest, managed by the U.S. forest service, in the north part of L.A. County.

  If Congress designates the two areas as federal wilderness, that’ll outlaw some human activity and most uses of mechanized equipment there. The board of supervisors will send a letter to California senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Buck McKeon asking them to add leeway on that rule into the wildlands legislation.

  Supervisor Mike Antonovich says county firefighters may need to use trucks, crew carriers, and bulldozers to fight fires on or near those lands. The county’s also concerned that its workers and people who live in the areas may need to clear brush that could fuel fires. So supervisors will ask for an exemption for that activity, too.

  Tools

  • September 3, 2008 10:26 AM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA records smallest number of homicides in over 40 years

  It wasn’t exactly the summer of love in the city of Los Angeles. But during this summer, KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says, L.A. recorded the smallest number of homicides in more than 40 years.

  Cheryl Devall: The three months just ended saw 84 killings – the fewest since the summer of 1967, when Los Angeles logged 79 homicides. LAPD chief William Bratton presented the numbers during his weekly briefing with the city’s Police Commission. Bratton said the numbers reflect a general drop in violent crime this year.

  L.A.’s homicide rate so far is more than 8 percent down from this time a year ago. The police chief attributes the change to his strategy of deploying more officers to trouble areas, and to the city’s anti-gang efforts. The number of gang-related homicides, Bratton said, is down by more than 25 percent this year.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 3:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California attorney general supports OC sheriff deputy pensions

  California’s attorney general is weighing in on whether Orange County Sheriff’s deputies should be allowed to keep their “3 percent at 50” pensions. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the county is suing to roll back that pension plan.

  Susan Valot: Orange County supervisors approved the “3 percent at 50” pension plan for sheriff’s deputies seven years ago. But a few months ago, they filed a lawsuit to roll back the plan. They say it was a retroactive pension increase that’s illegal under the state constitution.

  State Attorney General Jerry Brown disagrees. He’s asked the court for permission to file a legal brief on behalf of the California Public Employees Retirement System. He says county supervisors can’t change their minds and take away pension benefits they’ve negotiated with the deputies.

  Brown says the county’s lawsuit “poses a significant threat to all public employees in California.” He says the “3 percent at 50” pension benefits are common with law enforcement and fire departments. Rolling them back, says Brown, would discourage people from doing the job. Either way, the lawsuit could set a precedent in California.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 2:20 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Republican Congressman says Hurricane Gustav may have been good for Republican Party

  Republicans resume their normal activities at their national convention in St. Paul, Minnesota tonight. Former Congressman Steve Kuykendall is a delegate from Long Beach. He told KPCC’s Frank Stoltze that the pause in the speaking schedule to concentrate on Hurricane Gustav may have been a good thing for the party.

  Former Congressman Steve Kuykendall: “Ya know the good lord must have intervened on our behalf somewhere along the line, because he delivered Gustav to us. Gustav wasn’t involved in the campaign but became involved in the campaign.”
  Frank Stoltze: “So you saw Gustav as helping?”
  Kuykendall: “Two things it gave to us: It gave us an opportunity for leaders who are in the country to demonstrate that we could pay attention to what’s going on in the country, and not forget about the fact that there are 300 million people here besides those of us in Minneapolis these few days. And, very crass perspective, I think Gustav knocked everybody’s political message off the screen for awhile.”

  Kuykendall said any day that the GOP can divert media attention from Democratic candidate Barack Obama is a good day for Republicans.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 1:28 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• African-American Republicans talk about reaching out to the African-American community

  A former Republican congressman says his party maintains a “poor” relationship with African Americans. J.C. Watts was once one of the most prominent African Americans in the Republican Party. He served in Congress for 8 years. Watts told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that in order to welcome more African-Americans into the party, the GOP needs to shift its strategy.

  J.C. Watts: “African-American community agrees with Republicans on many of the social issues. We miss them on the economic issues, on opportunity issues. So there’s a lot of work to be done.”

  The mayor pro-tem of Fontana is also an African-American Republican. Acquanetta Warren says she believes the key to attracting more black voters is to have African-Americans like herself go out and speak about the benefits of the party.

  Warren serves on the California GOP board of directors. KPCC’s Patt Morrison and Frank Stoltze are covering the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul. You can hear their reports and interviews throughout the day.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 1:03 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republicans discuss strategy, young voter outreach at country club brunch

  Republicans are back on the attack at their nominating convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, after a political pause for Hurricane Gustav. For California’s delegation, that included a trip to the shores of Lake Minnetoka. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze has the story from St. Paul.

  Frank Stoltze: California Republicans traveled to the Lafayette Club for brunch at one of the oldest country clubs in Minnesota. Over salmon and eggs, state party chair Ron Nehring derided Barack Obama as a “community organizer.” GOP stalwart Hugh Hewitt accused the Democrat of being part of a corrupt political machine in Chicago.

  But Republican pollster Frank Luntz warned the party faithful that Obama will swamp the polls with young people in November, and chided the GOP for failing to reach out to people under 30. The author of “Words That Work” said the word supporters should use in campaigning for John McCain is “accountability.” He said focus groups indicate that “accountability” beats “change.”

  The Morongo Band of Mission Indians sponsored the brunch. Its chair remains undecided in the presidential race. He said that even though he might vote for Obama, the tribe wants to maintain good relations with both political parties.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 1:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Former Republican congressman says Republican Party needs to change strategy to attract more African-Americans

  A former Republican congressman says his party needs to change its strategy to attract more African-Americans. J.C. Watts was once one of the most prominent African-Americans in the Republican Party. He represented Oklahoma in Congress for four terms. Watts told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that the GOP’s relationship with African-Americans is “poor.”

  J.C. Watts: “I don’t think you have any African-American representation at the Republican National Committee. You have none at the Republican National Congressional Committee. None at the Republican National Senatorial Committee. Few on Congressional staff… committee staffs, and the list goes on and on and on.”

  Watts said he believes that African-Americans agree with the Republican Party on many social issues. But he thinks the party fails to connect with African-Americans on economic issues, especially when it comes to economic opportunity. The former congressman now runs a consulting firm.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 12:53 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican "Young Guns" group aims to motivate party base

  The Republican Party’s holding its national convention this week in St. Paul, and a California lawmaker is taking on a big role. Congressman Kevin McCarthy is chairman of the GOP platform committee.

  He’s also part of an energetic group of House Republicans called the Young Guns. McCarthy told KPCC his group plans to travel across the country to shore up his party’s base.

  Kevin McCarthy: “We’re going to talk about energy independence, about drilling in America, nuclear, solar, wind, clean coal. And then we’re also going to talk about the economy, letting people keep more of what they earn.”

  The Young Guns are working with Republican candidates to challenge Democrats. Members of the group want Republicans to gain a majority of Congressional seats this November. McCarthy represents much of San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties in Congress.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 11:53 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California budget close to being the latest ever

  California’s budget is a record 64 days late. Until now the latest budget ever passed by the legislature was on August 31st. That was six years ago. KPCC’s Julie Small reports California’s about to set another new record: the latest date a California governor ever signed a budget.

  Julie Small: In 2002 Governor Gray Davis set the record for the latest budget signature ever when he put pen to paper on September 5th. H.D. Palmer with the state’s finance department says Governor Schwarzenegger’s working hard to avoid the dubious distinction of signing the budget later than that.

  H.D. Palmer: The Democrats have wanted to have higher taxes and fewer reductions in spending. Republicans on the other hand have said they don’t want any taxes and they’d prefer to borrow money from local governments and transportation. So those are the ideological goal posts. And the governor has been trying to and will continue to work to get both those parties closer to the 50-yard line.

  Small: The state Assembly isn’t scheduled to reconvene until Wednesday, September 3rd. It would takes something of a miracle to pass a budget by the end of the week.

  Tools

  • September 2, 2008 11:42 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Pulitzer Prize-winning USC journalism professor Ed Guthman dies

  A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who went on to work for Robert F. Kennedy, chair the Los Angeles Ethics Committee, and teach at USC’s journalism school has died. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall says Ed Guthman died from a rare blood disease yesterday at his home in Pacific Palisades.

  Cheryl Devall: Of the many distinctions Ed Guthman racked up during his long career, he took particular pride in having been named to president Richard Nixon’s “enemies list” – the roster of perceived political opponents the president’s men drafted in 1971. At that point, Guthman was a national editor for the Los Angeles Times.

  He’d been Bobby Kennedy’s press secretary during the New York senator’s fateful run for president 40 years ago. Almost 20 years before that, Guthman won the Pulitzer for national reporting. His story about the Un-American Activities Committee in his native Washington state cleared a University of Washington professor of charges that he’d supported the Communist Party.

  Guthman was a decorated World War 2 Army veteran. For 20 years, he taught newswriting and investigative reporting at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication. Ed Guthman was 89 years old when he died.

  Tools

  • September 1, 2008 2:25 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• California McCain campaign chair thinks McCain has good chance to win California, end Democratic win streak

  It’s been 20 years since California has tilted Republican in the presidential election. But former California secretary of state Bill Jones told KPCC’s Patt Morrison he thinks John McCain has a good chance to end that streak. Jones runs McCain’s campaign in California.

  Bill Jones: “We’ve had Republican governors in California 18 out of the last 20 years, and so people can win statewide. I won statewide twice, so I think this is all about the candidate, more than the party in California, as it usually is.”

  The Republicans are holding their nominating convention this week in St. Paul. Today they’ve nixed the usual festivities and political speeches. The party has re-directed the focus to helping victims of Hurricane Gustav.

  First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain are scheduled to talk about hurricane relief efforts during a shortened session this afternoon. KPCC’s Patt Morrison and Frank Stoltze are in St. Paul. You can hear their reports and interviews throughout the day.

  Tools

  • September 1, 2008 12:25 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican National Convention officials make changes to schedule due to Hurricane Gustav

  The Republican National Convention got going today in St. Paul, Minnesota. But it’s mostly business. The party’s canceled all of tonight’s primetime speeches because of Hurricane Gustav. Republican officials are still deciding what to do about the rest of the convention schedule. Ron Nehring chairs the California Republican party.

  Ron Nehring: “With any type of convention like this, your planning starts two years in advance; a tremendous amount of work goes into that. And then over the last couple days we’ve had to make a tremendous amount of changes. And that shows that there’s flexibility built into the system in order to accommodate things like this.”

  Two speeches are scheduled for this afternoon. First Lady Laura Bush plans to talk to delegates. So does Cindy McCain, the wife of the party’s presumptive nominee John McCain. Both are expected to speak about hurricane relief efforts. Nehring says that the party has also turned some of the parties and other events that were planned for this evening into fundraisers for hurricane victims.

  Tools

  • September 1, 2008 12:20 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Pasadena Democrats host event to view Obama's acceptance speech

  Not everybody who wanted to be at Denver’s Invesco Field last night to see Barack Obama got to go. KPCC’s Brian Watt went to a gathering in Pasadena of people who stayed home.

  Brian Watt: A sign outside Blair High School read “This is our Denver.” A diverse crowd of close to one thousand people watched the speech on a big screen in the school’s Amphitheatre.

  Barack Obama: Enough! This moment… [Cheers in Pasadena]

  Watt: When the folks in Denver went wild, so did the crowd in Pasadena. At the end of the speech, 57 year old Linda Evans danced her way to her car with her grandkids in tow. She said Obama “blew it out of the water.”

  Linda Evans: … and it’s on the anniversary of Martin Luther King and I think we have two historic speeches years apart, but the same significance to the world.

  Watt: Twenty-seven-year-old Janie Warren is Evans’ niece.

  Janie Warren: As a young person, I feel like everything that my aunt and her generation taught me…the things that I learned from them and Martin Luther King and everyone else who said that you can do whatever you want to do, you just put your mind to it: this is proof.

  Watt: The Pasadena Area United Democratic Headquarters organized the viewing party. It distributed yard signs and signed up volunteers to get out the vote in November.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 3:39 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Senate Republicans vote down Schwarzenegger's budget plan

  Republican State Senators defeated Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget plan today. On a party-line vote, the Senate rejected a plan that would have included a temporary one-cent sales tax hike and a bigger rainy day fund for the state.

  However, unlike the governor’s original proposal, the plan did not include a future cut to the sales tax. Senator and Former GOP Leader Dick Ackerman said everyone knew this measure would fail.

  Senator Dick Ackerman: “It still spends too much money. It doesn’t have any real budget reform measures in it which both the governor and the Republicans said we needed. We’re not there yet.”

  After Republicans made it clear they would not support the proposal, Democratic Senate Leader Don Perata challenged them to come up with their own spending plan.

  Senate Leader Don Perata: “Two months late and with little left to offer, my friends across the aisle, it’s now your turn.”

  Lawmakers have been fighting over how to close a $15 billion budget gap. A few weeks ago, Assembly Republicans rejected a spending plan that would have hiked income taxes.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 2:48 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Southland residents offer mixed reactions to Palin on Republican ticket

  People in the Southland offered mixed reactions to Senator John McCain’s choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. KPCC’s Frank Stoltze reports.

  Frank Stoltze: Republicans and Democrats appeared surprised, but not necessarily displeased, at McCain’s decision to pick Palin. Attorney Elliott McClellan of Los Angeles is a lifelong member of the GOP.

  Elliott McClellan: I think its great; a conservative pro-lifer who’s tenacious. The woman vote will shift over to McCain, I think.

  Stoltze: Democrat Michelle Lipton of Marina Del Rey isn’t so sure of McCain’s strategy.

  Michelle Lipton: To me it looks like he’s just trying to get the Hillary Clinton vote. I mean, I’m a woman so of course I like it when women get more power. But to me she seems really young. Not to be mean, but McCain could die because he is old. And if he dies, we’re going to have a very young woman.

  Stoltze: Lipton says she still plans to vote for Barack Obama. Another Democratic woman said a woman on the GOP ticket makes it more appealing, but added that for now she remains undecided.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 2:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LAX service workers return to work in time for holiday weekend

  The skycaps, airplane cleaners and security workers who went on strike yesterday at Los Angeles International Airport returned to their jobs today. The Service Employees International Union represents 2500 such workers at the airport. Union spokesman Mike Chavez said the strike was brief but effective.

  *Mike Chavez: * “Workers really were able to get their message out to passengers at the airport about the importance of improving service and security. And really showed that, you know, workers are willing to do whatever it takes to make those improvements to service and security and also to the quality of jobs.”

  The union wants higher wages, more training, and expanded health benefits for its workers. But it says those demands aren’t flying with the private companies who employ them. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa brokered a three-week cooling off period between the two sides just in time for Labor Day weekend.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 2:20 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican National Committeeman praises Palin's executive experience

  Republican presidential candidate John McCain surprised just about everyone today by introducing Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate.

  Some Democrats, including California Senator Barbara Boxer, are criticizing Palin’s lack of experience. Palin’s been governor for less than two years.

  But Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steele told KPCC’s AirTalk that Palin has more “executive” experience than Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

  Shawn Steele: “She’s approved budgets. She has vetoed bad spending from her legislature. She’s made appointments. She has a lot more executive experience than in Obama’s entire lifetime.”

  Palin is 44 years old, Alaska’s youngest governor ever, and has gained her reputation as a reformer in her fights over ethics and government spending.

  McCain this morning lauded Palin’s “strong principles.”

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Republican National Committee member praises Palin's executive experience

  Republican presidential candidate John McCain surprised just about everyone today by introducing Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate.

  Some Democrats, including California Senator Barbara Boxer, are criticizing Palin’s lack of experience. Palin’s been governor for less than two years.

  But Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steele told KPCC’s AirTalk that Palin has more “executive” experience than Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

  Shawn Steele: “She’s approved budgets. She has vetoed bad spending from her legislature. She’s made appointments. She has a lot more executive experience than in Obama’s entire lifetime.”

  Palin is 44 years old, Alaska’s youngest governor ever, and has gained her reputation as a reformer in her fights over ethics and government spending.

  McCain this morning lauded Palin’s “strong principles.”

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 2:04 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Palin as Republican running mate surprises Alaskans

  Republican Senator John McCain chose Alaska governor Sarah Palin today as his vice-presidential running mate. Lynn Snifka teaches journalism at the University of Alaska. She told KPCC’s AirTalk that McCain’s choice surprises her and other Alaskans.

  Lynn Snifka: “She is so young and so recently she was sort of just the mayor of Wasilla, which is a very small town in Alaska, so to a lot of people, it’s sort of like one of your friends just got the vice presidential nomination.”

  Palin is 44 years old. She’s been governor of Alaska for less than two years. Snifka said that Palin’s election as governor also shocked a lot of people, but that most people in the state approve of her performance on the job.

  Some Democrats, including California Senator Barbara Boxer, are already questioning Palin’s lack of experience. Republicans argue that Alaska’s governor has more “executive” experience than the Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 12:56 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Close to 1,000 Obama fans gather in Pasadena to watch Obama acceptance speech

  A hand painted sign outside Pasadena’s Blair High School last night read “This is our Denver.” Close to 1,000 people showed up to the amphitheatre there to watch Barack Obama’s acceptance speech on a big screen. It reminded 66-year-old teacher Kathy Dorsey of another big speech she’d witnessed in person.

  Kathy Dorsey: “I was at the Coliseum when JFK made his acceptance speech. And this is the first time since Bobby that I’ve felt alive and that there’s hope and that, God willing, we can make changes.”

  Dorsey said she’d attended John F. Kennedy’s acceptance speech simply as an observer, but she watched Obama’s speech as a campaign volunteer.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 11:35 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA congresswoman downplays Sarah Palin as Republican VP pick

  Democrats checked out of their hotels this morning with the news that Republican presidential candidate John McCain selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde spoke with Congresswoman Diane Watson of Los Angeles, a former Hillary Clinton supporter. Watson says Democrats already broke the glass ceiling.

  Diane Watson: “We’ve already had Geraldine Ferraro vetted. We had Hillary Clinton, who could have been the president. And she still could be. So to come up to say they have youth on their side in a young woman is… I’ll give them credit for finding a non-traditional type to run for vice president, but not just any woman.”
  Kitty Felde: “You don’t think any disgruntled Hillary supporters might say, ‘It is a woman, after all. I’m going to change my vote.’”
  Watson: “I don’t know why they would do that if they believe in the values that a woman brings to the ticket. And if they’re disgruntled and they’re going to go after just any woman, then I don’t think they’re true to their ideas and ideals for having a woman on the ticket.”

  Watson says Governor Palin’s conservative ideology will deter Democratic women from embracing the GOP ticket. KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” and reporter Frank Stoltze will broadcast next week from St. Paul.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 11:12 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Party advisor says Sarah Palin as McCain VP is "anticlimactic" for Republicans

  Democrats leaving Denver after their national convention were talking about the Republican pick for Vice President – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde spoke with Sam Rodriguez, the former political director of the California Democratic Party, and asked whether the Palin choice was good political strategy.

  Sam Rodriguez: “I think for the Republicans it’s anticlimactic because she comes from a small state which Republicans usually win anyway, Alaska. And unfortunately for them, the story of the profile, the biography is the investigation by her influencing a state trooper. And that’s unfortunate. And of course, they now cannot talk about the lack of experience alleged by the Republicans on Barack Obama.”
  Kitty Felde: “Some might say it’s an awfully bold move.”
  Rodriguez: “Well, it depends on how you define bold. If McCain was reaching for change, he fell short. He fell short, given the many qualified Republican women they have in their party.”

  KPCC’s Frank Stoltze and the “Patt Morrison” crew will be on the air for the start of the Republican National Convention on Monday in St. Paul.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 11:07 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• 1,000 people attend Obama acceptance speech event in Pasadena

  Close to 1,000 people showed up to the amphitheatre at Blair High School in Pasadena to watch Barack Obama’s acceptance speech last night. Twenty-six-year-old graphic designer Misha Birmele said Obama made all the points he needed to.

  Misha Birmele: “One of the best things I thought he said was ‘I have news for you John McCain, we all put our country first,’ because seriously, John McCain does not own that. The next big thing that I really took away from him was how he, how again, he reiterated the fact that this election, this campaign is not about Barack Obama, but it’s about all of us.”

  Birmele said the speech left him feeling inspired. The Pasadena Area United Democratic Headquarters organized the viewing party.

  Tools

  • August 29, 2008 11:02 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former California Assembly speaker, explains state's budget impasse

  The state budget impasse in Sacramento is on the minds of California politicians in Denver for the Democratic National Convention. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he’s been speaking with other mayors across the state. He told KPCC Special Correspondent Kitty Felde that lawmakers can’t solve the state’s budget problem by taking away money designated for local governments.

  Antonio Villaraigosa: “They’ve gotta find a middle ground and they’ve gotta resolve this budget without doing it on the backs of cities and counties.”
  Kitty Felde: “But what difference is it this year? You were Assembly speaker. You’ve gone through this kind of an impasse in years past.”
  Villaraigosa: “Let me be clear about this. I was Assembly speaker and we got two budgets on time.”
  Felde: “So what’s different this year?”
  Villaraigosa: “The fact of the matter is, every year it’s difficult. In my two years, I’ll be forthright with you, we had a surplus. This year we don’t have a surplus. What has always been constant and why California is so different from most states around the country is two reasons. One, this two-thirds vote threshold. When a small group of people can hold up the entire state in the way that they’ve done this year and almost every year, including the year that we had a surplus, they held it up for a few days. That’s what’s wrong with the system.”

  Unlike another big city California mayor, Gavin Newsom of San Francisco, Villaraigosa did not say when or if he would form an exploratory committee for a run for governor.

  Tools

  • August 28, 2008 1:23 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Young voter turnout between 2000 and 2008 up over 100%; record number of DNC delegates under age 30

  A record number of delegates to the Democratic National Convention are under the age of 30. That includes about 11 percent of the California delegation. The youngest is 18. David Phelps is vice president of the California Young Democrats. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that the number of youth voters is way up.

  David Phelps: “The increase in voter turnout amongst young voters between 2000 and 2008 was over a hundred percent. In California alone, youth vote turnout increased by 65 percent from 2004 to 2008. So just that alone speaks volumes.”

  Phelps says more young people are becoming politically active. He says his organization helped more than 50 young candidates run for local and state offices.

  Tools

  • August 28, 2008 1:06 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Barack Obama to deliver Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech tonight

  U.S. Senator Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention. Obama is the first African-American a major political party has nominated for president. Former state assembly speaker Willie Brown told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he could not have envisioned this would happen in his lifetime.

  Willie Brown: “It has just been frankly far beyond anything in terms of its success and his success… and for African-Americans it’s a moment very well equaled to the “March on Washington,” or some of the other significant occasions that have said we’re continuously on a positive road to freedom.”

  Obama will deliver his speech 45 years to the day after the “March on Washington,” during which Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. You can hear Obama’s speech tonight on KPCC. Our convention coverage will start at 5 o’clock.

  Tools

  • August 28, 2008 12:50 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Bill to ban electronic bingo machines used by small churches and charities moving through California state legislature

  A bill that would ban the electronic bingo machines small churches and charities use is moving through the state legislature. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports it’s getting a push from tribal gaming interests.

  Molly Peterson: State Senator Gil Cedillo’s bill was about school lunches, until he rewrote it two weeks ago. The Assembly approved it, and now it’s heading to the Senate. It would end the use of electronic bingo in small churches and charities. Indian tribes have contended that these machines violate gaming compacts in which the state has granted them exclusive use of slot machines.

  Small charities that use the machines say that they get as much as 10 percent of their annual revenue from electronic bingo, and that they’re just taking advantage of technology. The machines that generate millions of dollars for charities may be illegal in any case.

  The state ordered the charities to stop using machines last year and an appeal is still in federal court. Cedillo says he wrote the bill to more aggressively protect the tribes’ rights under state existing state agreements. The state also has a stake in the ban: every year, California’s cut from Indian gaming revenues equals $100 million.

  Tools

  • August 28, 2008 12:38 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Long Beach considers allowing expanded oil exploration

  Long Beach is considering ways to extract oil and income from the Wilmington Oil Field. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: Occidental Petroleum would get to negotiate a contract with the State Lands Commission for new exploration in the Wilmington Field, under a bill sponsored by Long Beach assemblywoman Betty Karnette. Generally, the city and state contract for drilling rights.

  But proposed legislation would give Oxy a proxy: the company would bear more risk up front, since it might not find oil. On the back end, it would reap a greater reward – a higher percentage of revenues. The state has funded exploration in the past, but the budget standoff makes that harder now.

  The company would explore in the western part of the oil field, where 500 active wells already sit; Oxy says its modeling and analysis indicate that more oil may be there. The city of Long Beach and its port, which owns some of the land under the wells, stand to rake in 120 to 150 million dollars during the next decade. If the legislation enabling the deal passes, site analysis could start early next year.

  Tools

  • August 28, 2008 12:04 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• New poll says California voters wouldn't vote to ban gay marriage

  California voters in November will decide whether to make same-sex marriage unconstitutional. KPCC’s Steve Julian says a new poll shows a majority of likely voters would not ban gay marriage.

  Steve Julian: If the election were held today, the measure to undo same-sex marriages would fail. The Public Policy Institute of California found 54 percent of those surveyed do not want to keep gays and lesbians from marrying. Yet there’s a discrepancy: voters in the same poll are evenly split on gay marriage in principal – 47 percent for and against.

  That number hasn’t changed in three years. Mark Baldesarre is president of the PPIC. He believes some voters are simply hesitant to remove a constitutional right. The California State Supreme Court earlier this year found a voter-approved ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. That decision allowed same sex couples to marry.

  Tools

  • August 28, 2008 9:42 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• New memorial to Robert F. Kennedy in LA's Mid-Wilshire district

  In L.A.’s Mid-Wilshire district, a groundbreaking ceremony today made way for a memorial to the late Robert F. Kennedy. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has the story.

  Cheryl Devall: The Ambassador Hotel never overcame its notoriety as the site where the Democratic presidential candidate was assassinated 40 years ago, the night he won the California primary. Now that the hotel’s been torn down, three L.A. Unified public schools are under construction on that property. Planners are also setting aside one-third of an acre for a park in Bobby Kennedy’s honor.

  It’ll include a granite plaque with a portrait of the late U.S. senator who was also the nation’s attorney general during the administration of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. The groundbreaking ceremony included Korean drummers and Latino dancers representing the multicultural stretch of Wilshire Boulevard that’ll contain the as-yet-unnamed park.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 4:24 PM
  • Categories: History, Politics/Public Affairs

• Santa Barbara County Supervisors vote in favor of offshore oil drilling

  The county that fought hard against offshore oil drilling says it’s changed its mind. Santa Barbara County Supervisors want to reverse California’s policy against more oil exploration drilling along the coast.

  Santa Barbara became the center for the anti-drilling movement after the big oil platform blowout off the coast almost 40 years ago. But Supervisor Joni Gray told KPCC’s “Patt Morrison” that with gas prices sky-high, it’s time to change.

  Joni Gray: “I represent people that are working people, and they’re very, very dependent upon the price of gas, natural gas, and diesel. They work in the farms, they drive to work, they feed their families, and they need that price of gas to stabilize.”

  Gray says oil safety technology is better, so a repeat of the Santa Barbara spill won’t happen. But Supervisor Janet Wolfe says oil industry experts still see a risk.

  Janet Wolfe: “Certainly, technology has improved. But you can never negate the impact of human error. And, in fact, in many of the recent oil spills, human error has accounted for, I believe they said, in 85 to 90 percent of the spills.”

  The Santa Barbara County supervisors’ 3-to-2 vote in favor of more drilling is little more than symbolism. The governor can clear the way for more oil exploration in state waters – but he’s strongly against it.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 3:58 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger pushes for end to budget deadlock

  Two months into a budget deadlock, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to plead for a legislative compromise. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

  Molly Peterson: With a shortfall of more than $15 billion, the governor wants to spend bond money faster, authorize new revenue bonds, and raise sales taxes for the next three years.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: We have to fix the problem. I think this is the number one promise I’ve made to the people, is that I will go to Sacramento and I will fix the problems permanently, and not be just one of another politician that tries to kick that can down the road. I think the people of California recognize the fact that we have a $15 billion deficit, that you can’t do it all with just cuts.

  Peterson: Republican legislators continue to push deep cuts to state spending. Democrats want more bonds. Schwarzenegger is supposed to speak the first night of the GOP convention. He’s pledged to stay home if the budget impasse continues.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 2:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic National Convention roll call vote not in primetime

  The Democrats have pushed one of the most colorful parts of their political convention out of the evening schedule. The roll call vote for the party’s nominee for President will start at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Democratic Party bosses asked delegates to cast their ballots with their own delegations at breakfast this morning. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde asked former state Controller Steve Westley why.

  Kitty Felde: “Now some might say, ‘Everybody’s trying to seal it up before primetime starts tonight. That’s why we’re all voting early.’”
  Steve Westley: “Look, I’ve been a whip on the floor for the delegation. We’ve got 4,000 people there. They’re all sitting in different delegations. We’ve got all sorts of people wandering in and out. It’s very, very hard to conduct a vote there. And both sides, Clinton and Obama, said, ‘You know what? Let’s make it easy. Let’s give people the chance to vote.’ Again, I have to say this because this is my eighth convention. Getting conventioneers in their seats at 3 o’clock is nearly impossible.”

  Political veterans say the last time they can remember a controversy over the roll call was in 1980. That’s when Ted Kennedy took his battle against President Jimmy Carter to the convention floor.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 12:58 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• California Democratic Party chair praises Hillary Clinton convention speech

  New York Senator Hillary Clinton last night called for the Democratic Party to unite behind presumptive nominee Barack Obama. Clinton told delegates that whether they backed her or Obama, the time had come to unite as a single party with a single purpose. California Democratic Party chair Art Torres praised the speech.

  Art Torres: “She said all the right things, had all the right phrases, and I thought that some of the phrases – we couldn’t even believe she came up with.”

  Clinton’s husband, former president Bill Clinton, is addressing the convention tonight. So is Democratic running mate Joe Biden.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 12:46 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Hillary Clinton convention delegate responds to Clinton speech, media coverage

  Hillary Clinton declared herself a “proud supporter of Barack Obama” last night at the Democratic National Convention. The former contender did her best to convince her supporters to follow suit and unite behind her former rival. Angela Ramirez Holmes is a Clinton delegate from northern California. She downplayed the division in the party.

  Angela Ramirez Holmes: “You know, the thing that gets left out and what the media wants to portray as non-unity is really just the culmination of work that we’ve done for years for Hillary. But more than for Hillary, for all women in America. And today of all days for her to speak, it’s a very emotional time.”

  Clinton’s speech marked the 88th anniversary of the constitutional amendment that gave American women the right to vote. Former President Bill Clinton and Obama’s pick for vice president, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, will speak to the convention tonight.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 12:42 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Governor Schwarzenegger pushes spending plan to solve budget crisis

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined local government leaders in Los Angeles this morning to drum up support for his spending plan. The state’s budget is two months late and more than $15 billion short. Schwarzenegger says the legislature’s proposals rely on borrowing money – something legislators did in the last big budget crisis 5 years ago.

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: “They then went out and borrowed. And they grabbed money from local government. They grabbed money from the pension funds. They grabbed money from transportation. And look what we’re doing now? We’re still paying off the debt. And we haven’t paid it off yet. And now they want to borrow more money so we will never make that mistake again.”

  The governor’s pushing a short-term sales tax, along with an economic stimulus package. He had pledged not to raise any taxes when elected. Local officials say that without a spending plan, and money from the state, public safety services and education are at risk.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 12:26 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Santa Barbara Supervisors push governor to push Congress to lift federal offshore oil drilling ban

  The idea of offshore oil drilling pleases leaders in Santa Barbara. Supervisors there have agreed to urge Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to push Congress to lift a federal ban. KPCC’s Steve Julian has more.

  Steve Julian:The Santa Barbara County coastline was all but wiped out in 1969. That’s when an oil platform accident sent 3 million gallons of oil into the sea, killing thousands of birds, fish, and marine mammals. It also spawned the Clean Water Act. Santa Barbara County Supervisors now say technology has improved so much that offshore drilling is safe; they voted yesterday to send the governor a letter, asking him to push for federal permission.

  A federal ban has been in place for nearly three decades, but record oil and gas prices have focused more attention on lifting the ban. In April, one of the conservation groups that formed after the 1969 spill, “Get Oil Out,” agreed not to oppose drilling in exchange for money, land, and a promise that drilling would end in 14 years.

  Tools

  • August 27, 2008 12:22 PM
  • Categories: Business/Economy, Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor says Latinos will back Obama in November

  The Democrats’ presumptive nominee Barack Obama has been trying to attract Latino voters who’d rallied around his rival in the primaries, Senator Hillary Clinton. But Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told KPCC’s Larry Mantle he thinks Latinos will back Obama in November.

  Antonio Villaraigosa: “Latinos are going to vote in support of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. They are because they know our party, and our presumptive nominee represents that American dream, represents that big tent that our party’s always been about.”

  A poll by the Pew Hispanic Center last month suggested that Latino voters favored Obama over Republican John McCain by a margin of almost 3-to-1. McCain is hoping to try and hang onto some of the Latino voters that supported the current President. Four years ago, 40 percent of Latino voters cast ballots for President Bush.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 1:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Some Latino Democrats counter criticism about Obama's Latino outreach

  Some Latino Democrats are countering criticism that Barack Obama isn’t doing enough to court Latino voters. Ed Espinoza is a Democratic National Committee member from Southern California. He told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that polls indicate growing numbers of Latinos are backing Obama.

  Ed Espinoza: “Barack Obama just committed $20 million to Latino outreach in the past month. It’s going to focus on five swing states: Florida, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada in there.”

  Espinoza says a major issue for Latinos is an economy he characterized as “horrible.” Yesterday, Orange County congresswoman Loretta Sanchez told KPCC that she and others felt that Obama hasn’t placed enough Latinos on his team of advisors.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA Mayor Villaraigosa talks about supporting Obama

  L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week. Villaraigosa was a national chair of Hillary Clinton’s campaign during the primaries. But the mayor told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that he’s thrown his support behind the Democrats’ presumptive nominee, Barack Obama.

  Antonio Villaraigosa: “I’m not going to look back to the why I made a decision in support of Hillary Clinton. I’m going to look forward. And I can tell you that I’m excited. I’m going to work hard, as hard as I did for Hillary Clinton, because there’s too much at stake.”

  Some Clinton supporters have told KPCC they are not yet ready to back Obama. Clinton speaks at the convention tonight.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 12:55 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Budget impasse may mean many alternate delegates get to vote

  Some Democratic lawmakers are still in Sacramento wrestling with Republicans over a state budget. That means a lot of Democratic delegates will be missing in action this week in Denver – and a lot of alternates will get a chance to fill in. KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde asked alternate delegate Elizabeth Johnson from Los Angeles about sitting with the rest of the California delegation on the floor of the convention.

  Elizabeth Johnson: You know what? I’ll tell you what. We’ve got some problems up in Sacramento. But they’re working it out. Some of our lawmakers stayed behind so they could work out our budget situation.
  Kitty Felde: That could mean a seat for you on the floor.
  Johnson: Well, who knows? It might work out. I’m not encouraging that, but that might be great.

  This morning, state party chairman Art Torres chided the one or two state lawmakers who did come to Denver for the convention. He told them they should be back in Sacramento, working out a budget deal.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 12:53 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Congresswoman Waters says party members have unfair expectations of Hillary Clinton

  Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters of Los Angeles was an early supporter of Hillary Clinton. Now she says she’s firmly in the Barack Obama camp. Tonight, Clinton will speak at the Democratic National Convention to try to unify the party. But Waters says many in the party are putting unfair expectations on Senator Clinton.

  Maxine Waters: “Hillary’s gonna do the right thing. But I hear all of these folks talking about ‘Hillary should be the– she’s the one that should do the attack on McCain. She’s the one that should do the healing.’ No. Hillary is the one who should get up there and present herself and what she cares about. Outreach to the Obama supporters. But she can’t be the attack dog in everything. I don’t think it’s fair. She’ll do her job, but everybody else has got to do their job.”

  Waters suggested that some of the men pick up the slack in attacking McCain, such as tonight’s keynote speaker, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 12:51 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Some state lawmakers ignore Governor Schwarzenegger's request to skip convention until California has budget

  Governor Schwarzenegger had urged state lawmakers to skip their party’s conventions while the state was still without a budget. But KPCC’s Special Correspondent Kitty Felde reports from Denver that some California Democrats apparently didn’t heed that message.

  Kitty Felde: “Every once in a while you’ll see a state assemblyman or a state senator sneaking in and sneaking out. And I think sneaking is the word. Even Art Torres, who’s the head of the Democratic Party, always recognizes all of the officials in the audience at breakfast, and he pointed out a couple of state lawmakers, and they stood up. And then he said, ‘What are you doing here, you should be back in Sacramento getting the budget balanced.’”

  State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass was an early supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. She was also supposed to go to the convention, but she decided to stay in Sacramento. Schwarzenegger is supposed to speak at the Republican Convention next week. He says he’ll skip it if there’s still no deal on a budget.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 11:10 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Orange County superdelegate says Obama doesn't have enough Latinos as advisors

  Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention. She told KPCC’s Larry Mantle that many Latinos believe presumptive nominee Barack Obama hasn’t placed enough Latinos on his team of advisors.

  Loretta Sanchez: “If he is doing something, then he needs to change the perception out there that he’s pretty disengaged. And, if he’s not doing something, then he better get some people on board.”

  In published reports, Sanchez has said that she plans to cast a vote for Clinton when her name is placed in nomination, and that she hasn’t endorsed Obama because he hasn’t asked her to.

  Tools

  • August 26, 2008 9:29 AM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Congresswoman says neither party is taking Latino vote for granted

  The fast-growing Latino vote this presidential election year defies easy categorization. That’s why neither major party is taking that constituency for granted, Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez told KPCC’s Larry Mantle.

  Loretta Sanchez: “The majority of Latinos across the nation are registered Democrats. And they sit in some of the most important states, California, swing states for a presidential, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, just some of the names of these states would tell you, Texas, in fact, Florida, would tell you that they’re important. They’re swaying, and they’re Latino.”

  The Orange County representative is a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. To hear the entire conversation, and more of KPCC’s convention coverage, go online to KPCC.org.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 5:27 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA County has new video targeting voters with special needs

  Voter interest in November’s election is pretty high, and Los Angeles County election officials hope to accommodate all kinds of voters. KPCC’s Brooke Binkowski has details on a free video the county’s produced to help ensure that’ll happen.

  Brooke Binkowski: The registrar-recorder’s office will distribute the “Voters with Specific Needs” video across L.A. County. The short film is for voters who speak limited English or have disabilities that need to be accommodated. Its original audience was poll workers.

  But the county’s making it available to more people so voters will have a better idea what to expect at the polls. The video is available in seven languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and English. Interested voters may pick it up from the County Clerk’s office, and at public libraries.

  L.A. County’s Community Voter Outreach Committee, a subcommittee of the office that runs elections, helped produce the video. Voters can find out where to get a free copy by visiting LACounty.gov.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 4:13 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr sees opportunity for third party caused by Bush administration

  Most presidential campaign coverage focuses on senators Barack Obama and John McCain. But there are other candidates. Former Republican congressman Bob Barr is the Libertarian candidate for president. Barr told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that he finds opportunity with most Americans’ dissatisfaction with politics as usual.

  Bob Barr: “That’s largely the result, but not exclusively the result, of the way the Bush administration has botched pretty much everything it touches. People are, about 85 percent of the American public believe the country is really going in the wrong direction; that’s a historically high number, and provides a real opportunity for a positive change, a new option, and that is the Libertarian Party.”

  Under a Libertarian president, Barr predicted, the United States would pull its troops out of Iraq. He also said that a Libertarian administration would not allow warrantless surveillance of American citizens, and would ensure that the attorney general and Justice Department protect the government, rather than help the president evade the law.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 2:32 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic National Convention organizers eager to communicate unity and change message to national audience

  It won’t top the Beijing Olympics for spectacle or TV ratings, but the organizers of this week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver are entering the week with high hopes. Chris Lopez, a spokesman for the convention host committee, told KPCC’s AirTalk that Democrats are eager to communicate their messages of unity and change to a national audience.

  Chris Loepz: “They will execute this convention inside the Pepsi Center, inside Invesco, very well. It will go well. It will show well. As long as we do our job outside of these halls, and let, and Denver shines that way, then I think this will go down as an A-plus convention.”

  Tonight’s convention events include a tribute to the party’s elder statesman, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy… and a keynote address from Michelle Obama, the wife of presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama. He’s scheduled to accept the nomination Thursday before a crowd of 75,000 people in Denver’s Invesco Field ballpark.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 1:19 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Councilman Garcetti praises choice of Joe Biden as Obama running mate

  Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti is joining other L.A. city officials in Denver this week at the Democratic National Convention. Garcetti is the Southern California chair for Barack Obama’s campaign. In an interview with KPCC’s AirTalk, Garcetti praised the choice of Joe Biden as Obama’s running mate.

  Eric Garcetti: “Across this country, I think he hits that kind of common man thread that people want to hear and feel, and know that the Democrats are going to fight for them. And he’s exactly what we need to get that contract between John McCain and some of the things we need to get out there, so people know that they have a real clear choice here in this election.”

  Garcetti said Biden could help Obama in swing states like Pennsylvania. That’s Biden’s home turf; now he represents neighboring Delaware in the U.S. Senate. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel are also convention delegates. City Councilwoman Jan Perry will serve as acting mayor during the convention.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 1:15 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• Democratic Convention Host Committee spokesman says Denver as host city helps Democrats make gains

  On this first day of the Democratic National Convention, the party’s concentrating on unity – and strategy. Chris Lopez, a spokesman for the Democratic Convention Host Committee, told KPCC’s AirTalk that the Mile-High City offers more than a gorgeous scenic backdrop; it’s a way to focus on changing voter patterns in a longtime Republican stronghold.

  Chris Lopez: “So I think the Democratic party very strategically picked Denver as the host city for its convention because it felt like, not just in Denver but throughout the interior west, it could make some gains here and start to pick up some votes come November.”

  This convention takes place 100 years after the Democrats nominated William Jennings Bryan for president in Denver. That year, Republican William Howard Taft won the contest.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 1:10 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• LA City Council President Eric Garcetti says California Democrats can help in swing states

  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and city council president Eric Garcetti are in Denver this week for the Democratic National Convention. Garcetti is the Southern California chair for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. He told KPCC’s AirTalk that California Democrats can play a critical role in the effort to elect Obama at home and in swing states.

  Eric Garcetti: “We’re having sometimes 2,000 people a night meet up in different counties sometimes to call into not just neighboring states, but if it’s Ohio Night, we’re calling Ohio. If it’s New Mexico night, we’re going into New Mexico. You can call friends, relatives that you know in those swing states, so even if you can’t travel to Nevada or someplace else, we can make sure that we have that impact in those states that are needed.”

  L.A. City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel is also in Denver this week, along with Mayor Villaraigosa and Garcetti. That leaves City Councilwoman Jan Perry to serve as acting mayor during the convention. KPCC’s Kitty Felde and the AirTalk staff are covering the convention in Denver all this week.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 1:01 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• McCain campaign sees Democratic VP selection as opportunity for Republicans

  Democrats are holding their nominating convention in Denver this week, but Republicans are also there. The Republican National Committee has set up a war room about a mile from the Pepsi Center, where Democratic candidate Barack Obama and his party are meeting.

  Brian Rogers is a spokesman for Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign. He told KPCC’s AirTalk the choice of Senator Joe Biden as Obama’s running mate presents an “opportunity” for Republicans.

  Brian Rogers: “If you look at the Democratic primaries, what Senator Biden made clear was that Senator Obama is not ready to be president. He said it on several occasions, and you know we think that that reinforces our message that Senator Obama just frankly doesn’t have the experience, is prepared to take on the job.”

  Biden said over the weekend he was convinced that Obama had the judgment and intelligence to run the nation. McCain has yet to name a running mate. The Republicans convene in Minnesota next week.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 12:59 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• State lawmakers propose broad chemical policy legislation

  California lawmakers are reviving an effort to identify the chemicals in consumer products more clearly, and to eliminate the most toxic ones. KPCC’s Molly Peterson has more.

  Molly Peterson: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a Green Chemistry initiative last year. The idea is to find a systemic way to manage toxic and hazardous chemicals usually regulated one by one. But recommendations the initiative was supposed to issue last month still aren’t out, and Sacramento watchers have feared the chemical industry has slowed them.

  Two state lawmakers are proposing broad chemical policy legislation. A bill from L.A. Assemblyman Mike Feuer would give California the power to regulate chemicals in consumer products for the first time, and it would require state regulators to identify problem chemicals through a scientific process.

  Palo Alto Assemblyman Joe Simitian has proposed that the state create a Web site where consumers can search chemical hazards in products they buy. As for the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative, the program’s leaders are saying they’ll probably issue recommendations next month.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 12:57 PM
  • Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs

• Gay marriage ban proposition supporters believe Latino support may give them an edge

  While the major political parties are focusing on their presidential candidates, Californians are organizing around ballot measures on November’s statewide ballot. KPCC’s Cheryl Devall has more on the effort to rally Latinos to vote for a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages in the state.

  Cheryl Devall: To the people behind Proposition 8, Latino voters and the concept of traditional marriage are a perfect fit. They hope those voters will give them an edge in the campaign to overturn a May state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. Thousands of gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot this summer, anticipating that the voters might counteract the court’s decision with a constitutional amendment that would outlaw such marriages in the future.

  A spokeswoman for the Yes on Prop 8 campaign told the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin that her organization’s counting on a large turnout of Latino voters, whom she described as “very committed to upholding the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.” In a statewide Field poll, almost half the state’s Latino voters said they’d support the amendment. Groups on both sides of the issue pledge to spend 10 to 15 million dollars promoting their take on Prop 8.

  Tools

  • August 25, 2008 12:49 PM
  • Categories: Politics/Public Affairs

• OC city considers limiting what colors homes can be painted

  Officials in one Orange County city will be talking to neighbors tomorrow night about a touchy matter of taste. KPCC’s Susan Valot says the La Palma City Council is responding to complaints that some homeowners are choosing from the bolder shades on the spectrum.

  Susan Valot: Some neighbors call the gold house with red trim in their La Palma neighborhood “the McDona