former Executive Director, Southern California Association of Governments
Senior fellow at the USC School of Policy, Planning and Development; former Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments
PROFILE
Mark Pisano
Guest
FROM Mark Pisano
Which Way, L.A.?
Voters Put Essential Services on the Chopping Block In the aftermath of last week's election , education is on the chopping block, non-violent prisoners will be getting out early and California may be the only state in a first-world country with no subsistence benefits for children. Governor Schwarzenegger and other elected officials say they're responding to "the voice of the people." But is the people's "voice" really so clear?
Which Way, L.A.?
Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles Go for Cleaner Air Together, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles handle more cargo than any other harbor in the US and provide more well-paying jobs by far than Hollywood. But they're also among the worst polluters, spewing volumes of dangerous emissions and particulates, which experts say are causing hundreds of early deaths each year. When Antonio Villaraigosa became mayor, he vowed to slash the emissions using new technologies, while still allowing the ports to expand. Last week Port Commissioners adopted a $2 billion action plan for "green growth." Ships will burn cleaner fuel and shut down their engines at the wharfs. Sooty container handling equipment will be replaced with trucks and cranes that use natural gas or other fuels. Heavy diesel trucks may be replaced altogether with mag-lev container movers. Do the technologies exist for this industrial transformation? Who will pay for it? Will it really help those already hurt by the pollution? Jim Sterngold guest hosts.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Voters have Spoken: Now, Who Gets the Money? California voters passed $43 billion worth of new bonds to relieve overcrowded highways and schools, repair levees and provide affordable housing. That's almost half the state's annual budget. Now, 58 counties and hundreds of cities all want their piece of the action. The Business, Transportation and Housing Agency will play a big role in who gets how much. Is there a formula based on need? What about politics?
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
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.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.