Will Proposition 1-A Finally Resolve State Budget Problems?
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Despite a rash of mass killings, calls for increased gun control are falling on deaf ears. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, has the NRA prevailed in Washington and state capitols? Will American guns continue to flow to Mexican drug cartels? Also, LA Unified gives 1900 teachers a break, Phil Specter is convicted of second degree murder, and Californians get another election. Will Proposition 1-A finally resolve the state's budget problems or make them worse?
Main Topic
Why Hasn’t a Spate of Murders Led to More Gun Control? ()
In the past month, 57 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence in eight incidents, which included mass killings of 10 and 13 at a time. The shooting victims included children and other family members, nursing home residents, immigrants and police officers. In recent months, a church, a college and a day center all have been shot up. It appears the shooters all acquired their weapons legally. Gun control advocates have renewed calls for action, but as one political scientist put it, “the silence has been deafening”—from the state legislatures, Capitol Hill and the Obama White House. Meantime, American weapons are winding up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels.
Guests:
- Martin Kady: Deputy Congressional Editor, Politico, @mkady
- Tim Egan: Online Opinion Columnist, New York Times
- Kim Stolfer: Chairman, Firearms Owners against Crime
- David Levdansky: Democratic State Representative, Pennsylvania
- Bill Newell: Special Agent in Charge, Phoenix Field Division of the ATF
Links:
Making News
LAUSD Drops Plan to Cut 1,900 Teachers ()
Last month, the Los Angeles Unified School District sent pink slips to some 6000 teachers. Today, about 1900 got a reprieve. Howard Blume covers education for the LA Times.
Guests:
- Howard Blume: Reporter, Los Angeles Times, @howardblume
Making News
Phil Spector Found Guilty of Second Degree Murder ()
In the re-trial of music producer Phil Spector, the jury today convicted him of second degree murder. The victim was actress and House of Blues VIP hostess Lana Clarkson. A former federal prosecutor, Jean Rosenbluth is Professor of Law at the University of Southern California.
Guests:
- Jean Rosenbluth: former Federal Prosecutor
Main Topic
Will Proposition 1-A Finally Resolve State Budget Problems? ()
After three months of deadlock, Governor Schwarzenegger and Democrats in Sacramento rounded up three Republicans to pass a budget. But they insist that a $48-billion shortfall won't be resolved unless voters pass six ballot measures on May 19. The most important is Prop 1-A, the Budget Stabilization Act, which would cap spending, extend recently enacted taxes, and enlarge the “rainy day” fund.
Guests:
- Tom Campbell: former Director, California Department of Finance
- Janis Hirohama: President, California League of Women Voters
Links:
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.
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