Larry sits down with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck for his monthly check in, diving into the influx of high-profile sexual assault investigations, security in LA after terrorist attacks in New York and Sutherland Springs, and a new Text 9-1-1 system. We also discuss the deductions the GOP tax plan will axe next year; bring you tips on how to travel with kids this holiday season; and more.
As tax reform bill heads for Trump’s desk, the political implications of its passage for both parties
After nearly a year without a major legislative victory, despite controlling the White House and both houses of Congress, congressional Republicans are just a few minor changes away from chalking one up in the ‘W’ column.
The $1.5 trillion tax reform bill passed the Senate in the early hours Wednesday morning by a 51-48 vote along party lines, sending it back to House leaders for a vote today. There were three provisions in the Senate’s version to which the Houses still had to agree, as the House and Senate must send identical legislation to the president’s desk before he can sign it. The House passed the second version just after 1 p.m. EST, sending it to President Trump’s desk for a signature.
What are the political implications in the short and long term for the bill’s passage? How are leaders in both parties responding?
For more on how Californians voted, check out this story from KPCC’s Mary Plummer.
Guests:
Damian Paletta, White House economic policy reporter for The Washington Post; he tweets
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
Caroline Heldman, associate professor of politics at Occidental College and author of “Protest Politics in the Marketplace: Consumer Activism in the Corporate Age” (Cornell University Press, 2017); she tweets
Chief Beck on sexual assault allegations in Hollywood, the department’s new Text 9-1-1 system, LAPD’s partnership with the 49ers and more
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck joins Larry Mantle for his monthly check-in.
Topics discussed include:
The increase in high-profile sexual assault investigations and what comes next – plus, LA prosecutors’ new Hollywood sexual assault task force
The past and future of gang injunctions in LA
A 61 percent increase in the number of police officers killed while on duty across the nation in 2016
An LAPD captain’s accusation that the LAPD is twisting crime statistics, and Chief Beck’s response
An update on security in LA after two New York terrorist attacks and the Sutherland Springs shooting
The LAPD union’s partnership with the San Francisco 49ers and other law enforcement to push for stricter gun measures
The new Text 9-1-1 system released in LA County on Dec. 1
A check-in on rules for releasing video from officer body cameras: when can we expect a decision from the Police Commission?
Guest:
Charlie Beck, chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department
New GOP tax plan could mean a messy year for IRS — here’s your guide to axed deductions
President Trump is expected to sign into law the country’s first major tax overhaul in decades.
The House approved final revisions to the bill after the Senate voted 51-48 on its version early Wednesday morning. The overhaul includes a permanent tax cut for corporations, from 35 percent to 21 percent, and is also expected to lower individual tax rates for the short term.
But a majority of deductions favored by Californians are getting the ax. For starters, a $10,000 deduction cap on state, local, income and property taxes, a drop in mortgage interest deduction on loans, even alimony payments and public transit incentives will be affected.
Larry Mantle speaks with two tax experts on what this could mean for your wallet and how taxpayers might need to change their approach to filings in 2019. Call in with your questions at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Michael Di Pietro, a certified public accountant based in Pasadena
David Rae, a certified financial planner and president of DRM wealth management
Oh hey, Shohei: What Angels acquisition of Japanese star two-way ballplayer means for their AL West chances
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were a club in need of excitement.
Despite being the home of one of baseball’s brightest young stars, outfielder and perennial MVP threat Mike Trout, the Halos finished just below the .500 mark in 2017, putting up a middling 80-82 record in a division that was dominated all year long by the Houston Astros, who would go on to win the World Series.
Enter 23-year-old Japanese megastar Shohei Ohtani, arguably the most sought-after Japanese baseball player to enter the Major Leagues since Daisuke Matsuzaka came to the league 10 years ago. Ohtani signed with the Angels earlier in December, ending months of speculation about where he might ultimately land. But unlike any of his predecessors, or really any other player in baseball, Ohtani is a double threat as both a hitter and pitcher. Last season, playing for the Nippon-Ham Fighters, one of his fastballs was clocked at 102.5 mph, a league record. He’s also hit several home runs over 500 feet (check out this blast that hit the roof of the Tokyo Dome).
Less than a week after he was signed, however, a report surfaced that Ohtani had a minor tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow of his right arm — his pitching arm. While many pitchers suffer minor tears and continue to pitch through the injury, prolonged use of the damaged ligament could lead to more trouble down the road in the form of Tommy John surgery.
What can we expect from Ohtani when he suits up for the Angels this season? Should fans be worried in the long term about the injury to his throwing arm? How unique is Ohtani in the sense that he can both hit and pitch at an elite level?
Guest:
Jeff Fletcher, Angels beat writer for Southern California News Group; he tweets
‘Are we there yet?’ How to travel with kids this holiday season
The holiday season is upon us, but even a vacation can feel like work if you’re wrangling crying kids into car seats to the tune of the “Moana” soundtrack which you’ve heard for the twenty-third time that day.
Traveling with kids, whether by plane, train or car, can be daunting. But according to Ondine Cohane’s recent piece in the New York Times, there are some tricks to make things easier. Like letting everyone in the family pick at least one activity. Or setting more lenient vacation rules that include extended computer time, but being clear that at home, things will return to normal.
What are your horror stories about traveling with kids? Success stories? Which tips and tricks do you find most helpful?
Guest:
Mike Spohr, editor of Buzzfeed Parents and co-author of “The Toddler Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Whiny Unfed”; he tweets