The State Legislature Takes Aim at Election Campaign Reform

Making News

Chief Bratton To Serve Second Term ()

William Bratton will have five more years as Chief of the LAPD. His reappointment to a second term came on a unanimous vote today from Mayor Villaraigosa’s Police Commission. Bratton was first appointed by former Mayor Jim Hahn.

Guests:

• Andrew Blankstein: Reporter for the Los Angeles Times, @‏anblanx

Links:

• LAPD’s Bratton gets a second term

Main Topic

Is the L.A. Ethics Commission on the Skids? ()

Democrats and Republicans in Sacramento are moving a bill that would gut the laws that limit campaign contributions in Los Angeles and other cities. The bill passed by a vote of 77 to nothing in the State Assembly, and it’s now being heard in the Senate.  The bill's author is Republican Martin Garrick of San Diego who says the bill is just a clarification of existing regulations. Others say it means that anything goes. 

Guests:

• Bob Stern: President, Center for Governmental Studies

Reporter's Notebook

Scandal and Resignations at the Smithsonian ()

The Smithsonian Institutions run nineteen museums along with the Washington Zoo, but behind the scenes all has not been well. In March, Lawrence Small resigned as Secretary of the Smithsonian, a job he held for seven years. Yesterday his deputy Sheila Burke also stepped down, saying she took note of criticism but more importantly, that she wanted the organization to “move on.” Tomorrow, another shoe is expected to drop in the reform of an independent report on management practices.

Guests:

• James Grimaldi: Investigative reporter for the Washington Post

Links:

• Museum's Deputy Secretary Resigns
• Smithsonian Panel Calls for Accountability After Flap