Inspector General Laura Chick, Unaffordable?
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The whole state has been hit by heavy weather, with record rainfall in Southern California and record snowfall up north. We look at the aftermath -- from mud-clearance in Laguna Beach to skiing at Mammoth Mountain, which officially has the most snow in the world. Should kids be required to wear ski helmets? Also, official economizer Laura Chick is economized out of her job by incoming Governor Jerry Brown. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, federal agencies are spending tens of billions of dollars on domestic intelligence, so much it's impossible for anyone to keep track. Is it making America safe from terrorism or creating new threats to Constitutional rights?
Making News
Storm Damage ()
As the recent storms picked their way through Southern California, Laguna Beach got 10 inches of rain this week. Evacuation orders were lifted today, but access to some neighborhoods is still blocked by mudslides. The worst of it was downtown, where mud and water flowed into 26 businesses. Kelly Boyd is a Laguna Beach City Councilman and owner of a bar called the Marine Room.
Guests:
- Kelly Boyd: Laguna Beach City Councilman
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Main Topic
Economizer Laura Chick 'Economized Out' ()
Laura Chick was an Los Angeles City Council Member whose next office was City Controller, where she polished her reputation as a relentless auditor. When she was termed out, Arnold Schwarzenegger asked her to make sure that $50 billion in federal stimulus money were being properly spent. Now Governor-elect Jerry Brown says he'll abolish her job to save money.
Segment image: Governor Schwarzenegger names Laura Chick to the first-in-the-nation position of Inspector General to act as watchdog over the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds as they are dispersed in California, April 3, 2009
Guests:
- Laura Chick: Inspector General of Federal Stimulus Dollars, State of California
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Safety on the Ski Slopes ()
Most Southern Californians may be complaining about heavy weather, but it’s great news for skiers. SkiInfo.com reports that Mammoth Mountain has the most snow in the world, with 16 feet in the past 4 days. That means a lot of people will be hitting the slopes, along with their children.
Guests:
- Jasper Shealy: Professor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Dave Byrd: Director of Risk and Education, National Ski Areas Association
Main Topic
Explosion in Domestic Intelligence Gathering ()
The Department of Homeland Security is spending tens of billions of dollars on domestic intelligence and is coordinating with state and local organizations. More than 70 so-called "fusion centers" have been established across the country.
Guests:
- Steven Hewitt: Director, Tennessee Fusion Center
- Michael German: Policy Counsel, ACLU
- Brian Jenkins: Senior Advisor, President of RAND
- Loch Johnson: former Assistant, Church Commission
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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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