Most Americans see Obama as more liberal than they are. State Supreme Court decides on redevelopment money. Top Science Stories of 2011.
More Liberal than Thou?
According to a new Gallup/USA Today poll Americans see themselves ideologically closer to Jon Huntsman, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. Furthest away are Michele Bachman and Barack Obama. Using a 5 point scale with 1 being very liberal and 5 being very conservative, the mean score is 3.3 which puts the average American slightly to the right ideologically and most closely aligned with Jon Huntsman. Overall 42% of Americans describe themselves as very conservative or conservative, 19% very liberal or liberal and 37% as moderate.
WEIGH IN:
What does this tell us about the political climate going into the Iowa Caucuses next week? What does the high number of conservative respondents portend for the GOP candidates?
Guest:
Arnold Steinberg, veteran political strategist and analyst
State Supreme Court decides on redevelopment money
The California Supreme Court made a decision in the fate of hundreds of redevelopment agencies on the legality of seizing $1.7 billion in redevelopment money to balance California’s budget.
Redevelopment agencies in the bay area filed a lawsuit against the state’s budget plan earlier this year, contending that it violates Proposition 22, a measure that bars the state from diverting local funding, including redevelopment revenue, to pay its bills. But state lawmakers and Governor Brown insist the Legislature has the final word over redevelopment funds.
This morning, the court ruled that Governor Brown and the Legislature have the authority to eliminate municipal redevelopment agencies, but not force them to redirect their taxes to local services. The state is not allowed to impose new funding requirements. Eliminating some 400 redevelopment agencies could boost this year's state budget by about $1.7 billion.
WEIGH IN:
What does the court's decision mean to redevelopment agencies? Will it help close the state budget shortfall? If the redevelopment agencies appeal the decision, what are their chances of staying afloat?
Guests:
Julie Small, KPCC Capitol Reporter
Chris Norby, Republican California State Assemblyman, represents 72nd district including Fullerton
Top Science Stories of 2011
This last year saw a possible challenge to the theory of relativity with the discovery of subatomic particles able to travel faster than the speed of light, incredible advances in the treatment of AIDS and a supercomputer won a game show. Social media paved the way for social unrest, and NASA bid farewell to one of its most successful programs-the space shuttle-as another successful program-the Kepler satellite faces a budget crisis. Join Larry to cast your vote for the top story of the year. Unlike your high school science classes, there are no wrong answers!
Guest:
Joe Palca, Science Correspondent for NPR