Despite Huge Shortfall, City Budget Negotiations Continue
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Los Angeles' elected officials weren't talking in public today as were negotiating with powerful unions. Will layoffs, furloughs and cutbacks in services be needed to save $405 million? Plus, California prison officials admit they may be held in contempt by federal judges. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, attacks on America's first black President and his proposals have inflamed America's ongoing controversy about race and politics at a time of economic anxiety. We look at the possible consequences.
Main Topic
Incivility and the Race Card in US Politics ()
At town halls and tea parties, on cable TV and on the Internet — even in Congress --America's political discourse is increasingly angry and vitriolic. With the first black president in the White House, Republicans and the media are accused of inflaming racial anxieties. At the same time, massive new government programs in times of economic distress are legitimate subjects for heated debate. We talk about the roots of the outrage and the consequences for the Republican and Democratic parties. America's political discourse is increasingly angry and vitriolic, across the country and in the halls of Congress.
Guests:
- John Mercurio: Senior Editor, The Hotline
- Rick Perlstein: author and historian, @rickperlstein
- Dan Schnur: Director of the Unruh Institute of Politics, USC, @danschnur
- Richard Thompson Ford: Professor of Law, Stanford Law School
Links:
Making News
State Unlikely to Meet Federal Demands on Prison Population ()
Late tomorrow, state prison officials will report that they have failed to meet inmate population reductions demanded by a panel of federal judges. Yesterday, on a conference call with legislative staff members, the deputy chief of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation admitted he and others may be held in contempt. That's according to Timm Herdt, in Sacramento for the Ventura County Star.
Guests:
- Timm Herdt: State Bureau Chief, Ventura County Star
Main Topic
Facing Huge Shortfall, City Budget Negotiations Continue ()
LA Mayor Villaraigosa says he'll veto an early retirement program he once supported. After two days of long, closed-door sessions with a coalition of labor unions, the City Council voted unanimously to keep the idea alive. But, with the city spending a million dollars a day more than it takes in, layoffs and furloughs are more likely than ever.
Guests:
- Rick Orlov: City Hall Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Daily News, @Rickorlov
- Barbara Maynard: Spokesperson, Coalition of LA City Unions
- Jack Humphreville: Rate-payer Advocate, Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council
- Bob Schoonover: President, SEIU Local 721
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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.
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