California's Continuing Fiscal Crisis; Miranda Revisited; The U.S. Interstate Highway System
California's Continuing Fiscal Crisis
During his campaign, Governor Schwarzenegger promised to repeal the Vehicle License Fee. He said that he would get the lost VLF funds to cities and counties from another source. Upon election, Schwarzenegger repealed the VLF fee, but now he is having trouble finding other money to give to the cities and counties. Cities and counties across the state will lose varying percentages of their general fund, and they are angry. Meanwhile, the state legislature and the Governor continue to try and negotiate to solve the budget problem. Host Larry Mantle hears from a variety of people, including Zev Yaroslavsky, County Supervisor for the 3rd Supervisorial District, Mike Montgomery, Capital Bureau chief at KXJZ News, Sharon Runner, Republican Assemblywoman representing the 36th district, Jackie Goldberg, Democratic Assemblywomen from the 45th District and Jean Ross, Executive Director of the California Budget Project.
Miranda Revisited
What happens if law enforcement officers either inadvertently or deliberately fail to inform a suspect of his or her rights before questioning? On Tuesday the Supreme Court heard arguments that put the practical meaning of Miranda (the landmark 1966 decision that established the now familiar warnings that law enforcement officers must give to suspects before questioning them about a crime) and its utility, very much in question. At issue was the admissibility of evidence obtained by police after failing to inform suspects of their rights. Larry Mantle discusses this case and Supreme Court decision to uphold the McCain Feingold campaign finance reform law. They will also talk about the order by an Appeals Court in Florida to retry a boy who is serving life in prison for the killing of a 6 year-old girl when he was 12. Robert Pugsley, Professor of Law at Southwestern University School of Law, joins Host Larry Mantle to discuss Miranda.
The U.S. Interstate Highway System
The U.S. Interstate Highway system changed the face of the nation just fifty years ago, when the only links between America's cities were simple two-lane roads filled with stop signs, traffic lights, and rail and cattle crossings. Joining Larry is Dan McNichol, author of The Roads That Built America: The Incredible Story of the U.S. Interstate System (Barnes and Noble Books).