Which Way, L.A.?
The Politics of Climate Change; Supergraphic Advertising
LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is on a crusade against electronic billboards and supergraphics. Also, the 2010 census. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, Americans were increasingly worried about climate change until last year, when there was a surge in skepticism that's still growing. Is it the economy? The news media? What are the consequences for public policy in an election year?
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenThere's a crusade on against supergraphics draped over Los Angeles buildings and a crusade to save the biggest outdoor advertisement of all: the Hollywood sign. We talk with City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Also, the US census and what it means for LA. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Americans were increasingly worried about climate change until last year, when there was a surge in skepticism that's still growing. Is it the economy? The news media? What are the consequences for public policy in an election year?
Banner image: A supergraphic billboard near the 405 freeway is among those at 12 locations that are at the center of a nuisance abatement lawsuit by the city in a long-running struggle to enforce outdoor advertising laws. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesThe Politics of Climate Change
Is the seriousness of global warming exaggerated? When the Gallup Poll first asked that question in 1997, just 31% of Americans said "yes." By early this month the number had risen to 48% -- and attitudes in the past 13 years had become more politically divided .
Read the story27 minWhat about Banning Illegal Billboards?
LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is at war against certain outdoor advertisers. He got a judge to set bail at a million dollars for misdemeanor violations of city law, and wants fines of $5000 a day for supergraphics illegally draped on city buildings. He's also filed a nuisance-abatement suit in federal court.
Read the story19 minThe 2010 Census Questions Mailed Out Today
More than 120 million US census forms will start arriving in mailboxes today. The once-every-decade survey of Americans began in 1790 as a way of divvying up seats in Congress. Now it's also about divvying up $400 billion in federal aid for the next ten years.
Read the story7 min
