Which Way, L.A.?
To Tax or Not to Tax Big Oil?
California's budget crisis threatens to decimate state and local government, but tax increases are off the table, at least for the moment. What about taxing oil like Alaska and Texas? Also, state poet laureate emeritus Al Young on this weekend's book fair in Leimert Park. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, in Cairo, President Obama celebrated Islam and said it's time to end tensions between Muslims and the United States.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenState and local services may not survive California's budget crisis. Whatever happened to Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to tax big oil? What is the LA Times hearing from readers when they're asked for solutions? On Reporter's Notebook, Al Young, the state's former poet laureate, on his appearance this weekend in Leimert Park. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, in Cairo, President Obama celebrated Islam and said it's time to end tensions between Muslims and the United States. He cited the Koran and his own personal history. Will his words make a difference to Palestinians and Israelis?
Banner image: A gas station near the British Petroleum (BP) Arco Wilmington refinery advertises its gas prices after oil hits another new record at $109 a barrel on March 11, 2008 in Wilmington, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesBarack Obama and the Muslim World
President Obama delivered his much-awaited speech at Cairo University, paying tribute to the Egyptian people and the contribution of Islam to the history of science and culture. But he called this "a time of tension between the US and Muslims around the world" caused by historical forces, including colonialism, the Cold War and the changes…
Read the story35 minTo Tax or Not to Tax Big Oil?
California is the third largest oil producing state in the country, but the only one without an oil "severance" tax, a tax when oil is pumped out of the ground or "severed" from the Earth.
Read the story11 minLeimert Park Book Fair This Weekend
On Saturday, the Leimert Park Village Book Fair will be back for its third year with 150 authors, writers, storytellers and poets.
Read the story7 min
