Which Way, L.A.?
Cash for Clunkers Running on Fumes
Cash for Clunkers ran through $1 billion in less than a week. We get the latest on efforts to keep it going. Also, a local judge takes a controversial case away from the jury. And why did LACMA cancel a program dedicated one of LA's major industries? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, states all over the country are cutting back on prisons. A 20-year crackdown has contributed to a $100 billion financial shortfall.
By Warren Olney • • 57m ListenCalifornia car dealers want to see “Cash for Clunkers” re-funded. We get a progress report on negotiations with the US Senate. Also, a local judge takes a controversial case away from the jury, and a film critic says the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is making its own problems worse. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, forget about being labeled as “soft on crime,” states all over the country are cutting back on prisons. A 20-year crackdown has contributed to a $100-billion financial shortfall. Are there cheaper alternatives that still protect public safety? Will the crisis lead to reform?
Banner image: Cars traded in as part of the federal 'Cash For Clunkers' program are parked at the Galpin Ford in Los Angeles. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
In this episode
4 storiesWill Broken State Budgets Mean Prison Reform?
In the past 20 years, state prison budgets have increased by 303 percent, outgrowing everything else except Medicaid. America's prison population is now much larger than China's, and five states spend more on corrections than higher education.
Read the story35 minJudge Dismisses Suzie Pena Lawsuit
Four years ago, a 19-month old Susie Peña was killed during a police shootout with her father. He was killed too after police stormed his office. Her mother sued the Los Angeles Police Department for wrongful death and negligence. Today, after three weeks of trial, Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu took the case away from the jury.
Read the story7 minCash for Clunkers Running on Fumes
As it was leaving town for the August recess last Friday, the House of Represented voted to spend another $2 billion on Cash for Clunkers —which ran through its first billion in less than a week. The Senate is still at work in Washington, but it may not be so eager to refund a popular program. Peter Welch is President of the California New…
Read the story8 minNo More Film Program at LACMA?
After 40 years, the LA County Museum of Art has screened movie classics, but a declining audience for the weekend film program means it's been losing money. LACMA says it's rethinking it approach to the art of cinema by shutting the program down . Kenneth Turan is film critic for the Los Angeles Times .
Read the story6 min
