PROFILE
FROM Robert Atkinson
The President and America's infrastructure: Bait and switch? America's bridges, roads and airports are crumbling, but President Trump's trillion dollars for infrastructure isn't really a public works program. It looks more like tax breaks and profits for developers than government spending. Organized labor likes the prospect of new jobs, but objections from both the Left and the Right are a real challenge to the bipartisanship needed to pass it in Congress. Americans may not see increased gasoline taxes or airport fees any time soon — and they may not see infrastructure improvements where they're needed most, either.
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The Kavanaugh Factor and the Midterm Elections Republicans have secured their long-term goal: a right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. There are conflicting expectations for rulings on abortion, immigration, voting rights--and the powers of both the White House and Congress. In this divided nation, public trust in the rule of law is also at stake. How will the bitter battle over Brett Kavanaugh impact next month’s midterm elections?
A Longshot Contender for LA Sheriff Retired Lt. Alex Villanueva is running to unseat Sheriff Jim McDonnell
What you need to know about the Gas Tax Last year, California legislators increased California’s gas tax by 12 cents a gallon. The revenue raised from the increases, over $5 billion a year, is supposed to be spent on improving transportation in the state. But there’s been a backlash to the gas tax increase, resulting in Proposition 6 on the November ballot. If passed, it would roll back the tax and require all future fuel tax increases to get voter approval.
As sidewalk gardens grow on Skid Row, homeless residents lose a sidewalk In a city with tens of thousands of people living on its streets, sidewalk space can be a hot commodity. Businesses want to keep the sidewalk clear for customers, but the city’s housing crisis means that for some people, the sidewalk is home. Some property owners have reportedly used sprinklers or private security guards to make sure no one sets up camp outside their doors. And in recent months, people living on the streets have noticed a new tactic – business owners effectively occupying a portion of the sidewalk themselves.