Which Way, L.A.?
California Voters to Decide on Prop 72, Health Insurance
More than six million Californians don't have health insurance, even though a substantial number are working. A new law requires employers with more than 50 workers to provide insurance or to pay a fee to the state, but it won't go into effect unless Proposition 72 passes two weeks from tomorrow. Ironically, it was put on the ballot by business, which wants you to vote "no," but because it's a referendum on a current law, it must be worded that way. Supporters say it's long overdue, and that it will keep a million people out of emergency rooms. Opponents say it puts government in charge of healthcare and will drive small businesses out of the state. Warren Olney gets two very different perspectives from an attorney with Consumers' Union and a local small business owner. Making News: Last Day to Register to Vote It's still not too late to register for next month's election, but there are only a few hours left. Conny McCormack, LA County Register-Recorder, is expecting more than 130,000 last-minute registrations. That's keeping her enormously busy making provisions for eleventh-hour registration at the County's Norwalk facility. McCormack offers some useful ideas for procrastinators, as well as those seeking provisional and absentee ballots, and touch-screen voting. Reporter's Notebook: AARP Goes Hollywood It used to be called the American Association of Retired People, but Americans get their AARP membership cards in the mail when they turn 50. So why is AARP recruiting in Hollywood, the headquarters of age discrimination? Nancy Griffin, AARP Magazine's West Coast editor, says Tinseltown is simply trying to reach a lively market of over-50 consumers who lead busy lives and spend generously on entertainment.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenMore than six million Californians don't have health insurance, even though a substantial number are working. A new law requires employers with more than 50 workers to provide insurance or to pay a fee to the state, but it won't go into effect unless Proposition 72 passes two weeks from tomorrow. Ironically, it was put on the ballot by business, which wants you to vote "no," but because it's a referendum on a current law, it must be worded that way. Supporters say it's long overdue, and that it will keep a million people out of emergency rooms. Opponents say it puts government in charge of healthcare and will drive small businesses out of the state. Warren Olney gets two very different perspectives from an attorney with Consumers' Union and a local small business owner.
Last Day to Register to Vote
It's still not too late to register for next month's election, but there are only a few hours left. Conny McCormack, LA County Register-Recorder, is expecting more than 130,000 last-minute registrations. That's keeping her enormously busy making provisions for eleventh-hour registration at the County's Norwalk facility. McCormack offers some useful ideas for procrastinators, as well as those seeking provisional and absentee ballots, and touch-screen voting.
AARP Goes Hollywood
It used to be called the American Association of Retired People, but Americans get their AARP membership cards in the mail when they turn 50. So why is AARP recruiting in Hollywood, the headquarters of age discrimination? Nancy Griffin, AARP Magazine's West Coast editor, says Tinseltown is simply trying to reach a lively market of over-50 consumers who lead busy lives and spend generously on entertainment.
