Professor of Political Science, Sonoma State University
Professor of Political Science at Sonoma State University and co-author of Initiative-Centered Politics: The New Politics of Direct DemocracyPROFILE
David McCuan
Guest
FROM David McCuan
Which Way, L.A.?
California's Budget Madness Comes to a Close...Sorta Twelve billion dollars in tax increases, $15 billion in spending cuts, $11 billion in borrowing? In the wee hours of this morning, despite the knowledge that as a Republican he would face “dire political ramifications,” State Senator Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria finally said, yes, acknowledging that “the ramifications for the people of California are far much greater.” So, you might think it’s all over. After all the wrangling, it’s still possible the state could run out of money. Crucial parts of the $42 billion deal will have to be approved by the voters.
Which Way, L.A.?
Gay Rights, Voters' Will The state constitution promises equal protection to all Californians. Last summer, the State Supreme Court ruled that means same-sex couples can legally marry . On Tuesday, the voters passed Proposition 8 , which banned same-sex marriage by amending the constitution—or did it? Yesterday, three separate lawsuits were filed, contending that Prop 8 was not an amendment at all but an illegal revision.
Which Way, L.A.?
What Does Prop 8 Mean for School Curriculum? The State Supreme Court has declared that the Constitution gives same sex couples the right to be married. Proposition 8 would nullify that decision and limit marriage to one man and one woman. Early polls suggested it was likely to lose, but the "yes" side has been gaining, with big money and advertising that is not overtly based on religious doctrine.
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Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.