L.A. May Limit Size of Large Homes; Governor Allows Hospitals to Delay Seismic Retrofit; Workers Comp Accused of Squandering Millions; Writers Strike Update; Hygiene in History
L.A. May Limit Size of Large Homes
Addressing complaints from Los Angeles residents who fear that the spread of large, boxy houses across the city is spoiling the architectural flavor of small single-family neighborhoods, L.A. officials are discussing an "anti-mansionization" measure that would drastically limit the square-footage of new or remodeled homes. While some neighborhood activists welcome the proposal, others believe that it doesn't go far enough. Larry discusses the proposed measure, and the effect it would have on L.A.'s neighborhoods with Jane Usher of the Los Angeles Planning Commission, and Jack Weiss, L.A. City Councilman representing the 5th District.
Governor Allows Hospitals to Delay Seismic Retrofit
A majority of California's hospitals are at high risk of collapsing during a major earthquake. Governor Schwarzenegger is now allowing these financially struggling hospitals to bypass the construction of expensive building reinforcements until 2020. Is it dangerous to leave hospitals at risk of collapsing, for the sake of financial stability? Larry discusses California's struggling hospital industry with Jim Lott of the Hospital Association of Southern California and Chuck Idelson of the California Nurses Association.
Workers Comp Accused of Squandering Millions
A new state audit shows that over the last decade California's State Compensation Insurance Fund wasted millions of dollars on marketing companies that apparently provided "minimal services." Some of the organizations had financial ties to former board members of the workers' compensation insurance company. Larry discusses the scandal with Marc Lifsher of the LA Times.
Writers Strike Update
Despite recent speculation that the writers and studios were on the verge of reaching an agreement, it now appears as if the writers strike will extend indefinitely. The studios, unwilling to compromise over internet residuals, walked away from negotiations with the WGA Friday. Larry gets the latest on the labor dispute with Richard Verrier of the LA Times, Jim Kennedy of the Association for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and Craig Mazin, of the blog "The Artful Writer."
Hygiene in History
Did you know that the Romans scraped their skin to clean it? Did you know that during the Renaissance, kings and queens rarely bathed? Did you know most people didn't use soap until the late 19th century? Larry talks about these dirty facts and more with Katherine Ashenburg, author of The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History (North Point Press).