Public Counsel
President of Public Counsel, the largest pro bono law office in the nation and the public interest law firm of the Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Bar Associations
PROFILE
Hernan Vera
Guest
FROM Hernan Vera
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Will a new civilian oversight committee prevent police scandals? The LA County Sheriff’s Department is getting a civilian oversight committee for the first time. The department has been plagued by scandal; sheriffs have been convicted of assault and misconduct inside county jails, and former undersheriff Paul Tanaka was convicted of obstructing an FBI investigation into that abuse.
Which Way, L.A.?
If You Don’t Have a License, Who Gets the Car? The City of Los Angeles impounds the cars of unlicensed drivers for up to 30 days, which costs an average of $2000. Mayor Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck want to end that practice—but the police rank and file say that would endanger public safety. As we’ll hear, it’s all about the lives--and livelihoods--of illegal immigrants, who aren’t allowed to get licenses in the first place.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Impact of Federal Budget Cuts on California The federal budget bill that still awaits final approval on Friday is 459 pages long, and nowhere does the word "California" appear, but this state accounts for about 10 percent of federal spending. Federal cuts will hit hardest at the people who depend the most on public support. We hear from housing, health, environmental and legal advocates.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
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.