- Social:
National Organization of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
Executive Director of NALEO, the National Organization of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials; former Chairman of the Los Angeles Redistricting Commission
PROFILE
Arturo Vargas
Guest
FROM Arturo Vargas
Which Way, L.A.?
The Worst Fear for Elected Officials in Southern California In 1964, the US Supreme Court revolutionized political power by ruling that all people should be represented equally: one person, one vote — in Congress, the state legislature and local jurisdictions. But it never said just what it meant by a "person." Now it’s agreed to consider defining "people" not as the whole population, but as the number of eligible voters. That could mean big change.
Which Way, L.A.?
Villaraigosa Won't Run for Senate Antonio Villaraigosa announced today that he would not enter the race for Barbara Boxer’s seat in the US Senate. The former mayor of Los Angeles said, "I am humbled by the encouragement I've received from so many to serve in the United States Senate, but as I think about how best to serve the people of this great state, I know that my heart and my family are here in California, not Washington, DC."
Which Way, L.A.?
A Defining Moment in the Ethnic Makeup of California California is called "the world's largest experiment in social diversity." Since 1999, when whites fell below 50%, there's been no majority racial ethnic majority. This is the month, demographers say that Latinos are becoming the largest of all the minorities . Latinos are now 39% of the state's population; non-Hispanic whites 38.8%. Asians are 12% and blacks are 6%, according to state statistics. KCRW's Saul Gonzalez starts us off with a scene setter.
Which Way, L.A.?
Is There 'Corruption' at LA City Hall? The LA City Council has scheduled a vote tomorrow on new boundaries for all 15 council districts drawn up by a commission appointed by the incumbent council members and Mayor Villaraigosa. The Mayor scheduled a meeting this afternoon with Korean American leaders and others, who threaten to sue if the council approves the new maps.
To the Point
Immigration and the Fourth of July In the aftermath of Arizona's new immigration law , with the prospect of other states passing similar crackdowns, President Obama has made an impassioned plea for comprehensive immigration reform, although there's no chance of action before November's elections. Transparently courting the votes of Hispanics, he bashed the Republicans. But he also addressed all sides of an issue that is polarizing the nation. He wants accountability for the federal government's failures, the greed of employers and the lawbreaking by undocumented workers. Will his speech help resolve differences or make them worse? Will it stop other states from going the way of Arizona?
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Minorities Be Left Out of Voters' Redistricting Commission? Sacramento has been paralyzed by partisanship, and Republicans and Democrats have kept it that way. In 2003, they drew up their own district boundaries, to make sure that elections made no change from Democrat to Republican or vice versa. It worked almost perfectly. But two years ago, voters said they'd had enough and passed Proposition 11 , giving the re-districting power to an independent commission. Now it's time for that commission to be selected so it can draw new districts based on this year's census .
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To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.