City to Cut Watchdog Programs to Save Layoffs
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The Los Angeles City Budget is being cut, squeezed and trimmed by the Mayor and the City Council. Are they taking the opportunity to reduce the power of two agencies created by voters to increase citizen participation and make sure elected officials observe campaign limits and regulations? Also, what caused the Jesusita Fire near Santa Barabara? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, President Obama is just one supporter of gay rights who draws the line at same-sex marriage. We talk about a movement that's been picking up speed, and efforts to speed it up as well as slow it down
Main Topic
The Fast Track to Same-Sex Marriage ()
Last week the Washington, DC City Council voted 12-to-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The lone “no” vote came from a former civil rights leader who was called a “bigot” by a gay council colleague. A group of African-American ministers stormed the hallway outside, and police were called in to restore order.
Same-Sex Marriage Legislation/Court Decisions:
Vermont Legislature (TtP on)
Massachusetts Supreme Court (TtP on)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Iowa Supreme Court
Maine Legislature
California Supreme Court
Passage of California's Prop 8, court appeals to (Which Way, L.A.? on)
Guests:
- Andrew Koppelman: Professor of Law, Northwestern University
- Derek McCoy: Minister, Hope Christian Church
- Mignon Moore: Professor of Sociology, University of California at Los Angeles
- Rick Jacobs: Founder, Courage Campaign, @rickjacobs
- Maggie Gallagher: President, National Organization for Marriage
Links:
Making News
Brush Clearing Possible Cause of Jesusita Fire ()
They're mopping up now in Santa Barbara County: 13 square miles of the Jesusita Fire are now 70% contained thanks to fog and diminishing winds over the weekend. Authorities are asking the public for help in identifying who was clearing brush with power tools on private land. Dennis Bozanich is Acting Public Information Officer for Santa Barbara County.
Guests:
- Dennis Bozanich: Acting Public Information Officer, County of Santa Barbara
Main Topic
City to Cut Watchdog Programs to Save Layoffs ()
The LA City Council's trying to close a $530 million shortfall in a $7 billion budget, and major cuts are expected. The big stuff includes possible layoffs, a reduction in hiring new police officers and closing parks and libraries. But some relatively “little” things, including cuts to the Ethics Commission, are raising political questions. Created by a vote of the people, it's being slashed by almost 18% percent compared to an average of less than 10% across the board. Another proposal that has raised a firestorm of protests would cut the budget of neighborhood councils from $50,000 to as low as $11,200.
Guests:
- Jessica Levinson: Director of Political Reform, Center for Governmental Studies, @LevinsonJessica
- Phil Willon: Reporter, Los Angeles Times, @LATimesWillon
- Raphael Sonenshein: Professor of Political Science, California State University Fullerton, @PBI
- Rick Orlov: City Hall Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Daily News, @Rickorlov
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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