The Political Food Fight at LAX
Host:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Los Angeles is known for its world-class diversity of good restaurants, but you'd never know it at LAX, even though it's called the "international" airport. Today, some of the city's best-known chefs staged what they call an "Eat-In," to demonstrate what would be offered by new concessions airport officials want to install. But, with $600 million at stake, the old concessionaires aren't quitting without a fight. We hear from travelers, chefs and a City Councilman who complains about lobbyists "all over the place." On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Arizona has appealed yesterday's federal court ruling that the toughest provisions of a new immigration law are unconstitutional. Demonstrators were arrested today in Phoenix.
Main Topic
The Political Food Fight at LAX ()
JD Power says Los Angeles International Airport is 18th out of 19 major American airports when it comes to passenger satisfaction. One of the complaints is the food. Airport officials have been hearing that message for years so, in April, they set up a bidding process for food concessions. HMS Host, which has been feeding LAX travelers since 1965, came in last among four bidders. The winner was an outfit called SSP, which included well-known Los Angeles chefs. The City Council will make the final decision and, with some $600 million at stake, HMS Host is not going away quietly. We hear from Host, council members, random travelers, and chefs working with SSP, who showed their stuff at today’s "eat in" in downtown LA.
Guests:
- Kathy Briski: Incoming President, Los Angeles Business Travelers Association
- Coby King: Spokesperson, HMS Host
- Bill Rosendahl: Los Angeles City Councilman, @Bill_Rosendahl
- Tony Cardenas: Los Angeles City Councilman
Links:
Main Topic
Arizona, the Federal Courts and Illegal Immigration ()
Crucial aspects of Arizona's new immigration law have been ruled unconstitutional, and they won't go into effect today as scheduled. But that decision will be appealed and both sides are eager to show that they aren't backing down. Protesters against the law are being arrested today in Phoenix by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a major supporter of cracking down on illegal immigrants.
Guests:
- Anna Gorman: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times
- Leo Banks: Reporter, Tucson Weekly
- Gabriel Chin: Professor of Law, Public Administration and Policy, University of Arizona
- Mark Krikorian: Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies, @MarkSKrikorian
- Tom Saenz: President and General Counsel, MALDEF, @MALDEF
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.
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
