Should Californians Change the Initiative Process?

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Californians hate government—with one exception. They love the initiative process which has allowed them to vote up or down on new laws dealing with major issues. The best example is Prop 13, passed in 1978 to limit the skyrocketing tax on property. On Reporter’s Notebook, they’re tearing down the Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier.

Main Topic

Can the Initiative Process be Changed? ()

In the June election, California voters will be confronted once again with dueling initiatives — two different measures dealing with the same subject in different ways. This time it’s the government taking of land by eminent domain. In the meantime, the confusion voters will undoubtedly face is a classic example of what we’re addressing today, which is the initiative process itself. When voters directly set policy as Prop 13 did with the property tax, they essentially become a fourth branch of government. But the measures they’re asked to decide are often extremely complex.

Guests:

• Tracey Westen: CEO, Center for Governmental Studies
• Mark Baldassare: President of the Public Policy Institute of California
• Ted Costa: CEO, People’s Advocate
• Harvey Rosenfield: Public Interest Lawyer and founder of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights

Reporter's Notebook

Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris Wheel Headed for Oklahoma ()

The Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier is one of Southern California’s popular tourist attractions - or it was until today. The last rides have been taken, and the Ferris wheel is being taken down to be reassembled in Oklahoma.

Guests:

• jeff Klocke: Director of Sales and Marketing, Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier

Host

Warren Olney

Considered the dean of Southern California broadcast journalists, Warren tackles the issues Southern Californians care about. Expanding that concept, To the Point deals with issues of national concern and is on air in most major metropolitan markets across the country. On any day, you’ll hear a fast-paced, news-based talk show featuring multiple perspectives on a single major issue, with Newsmaker and Reporters Notebook features, as well. 

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Air Date

Live:

Produced by

Karen Radziner, Frances Anderton

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Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.