Which Way, L.A.?
Redrawing the Lines of California's Political Landscape
Californians have voted to take the politics out of drawing district boundaries for the Legislature, Congress and the Board of Equalization. All a new citizens commission has to do is make elections competitive and representative of racial, ethnic, geographic and gender diversity, a serious challenge considering the force of the pressure likely to be applied by interest groups of all kinds. We talk with the new commission’s first chairman. Also, the suicide of a possible suspect in the killing of Ronni Chasen. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" isn't dead yet.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenCalifornians have voted to take the politics out of drawing district boundaries for the Legislature, Congress and the Board of Equalization. All a new citizens commission has to do is make elections competitive and representative of racial, ethnic, geographic and gender diversity. If that sounds impossible, it just might be, considering the force of the pressure likely to be applied by interest groups of all kinds. We talk with the new commission’s first chairman and others. Also, the suicide of a possible suspect in the killing of Ronni Chasen. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the Pentagon today asked the Senate to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell," and ran into Senator John McCain.
In this episode
3 storiesRonnie Chasen Murder Suspect Kills Himself
Last night there was a suicide of a possible suspect in the killing of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen. The man, known as Harold, reportedly shot himself to death in the lobby of an apartment building on Santa Monica Boulevard. Beverly Hills police reportedly were approaching him to serve a search warrant.
Read the story8 minNonpartisan Goals and Political Expectations
Elections are supposed to be competitive between political parties, but consider this. In the past 10 years in California, just one out of 53 congressional seats has changed hands, only six of 80 Assembly seats and no seats in the State Senate. That's because the state legislature drew district boundaries to preserve the status quo.
Read the story18 minSenate's Do-or-Die Time for Don't Ask Don't Tell
Admiral Mike Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made a personal appeal to the Senate Armed Services Committee today to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Read the story27 min
