Governor Jerry Brown delivered the 2014 State of the State Address this morning. What are the most important issues in California this year? Is enough research being devoted to measuring the safety of GMO crops? Later, can wearable tech prevent drowsy driving crashes?
Governor Jerry Brown delivers 2014 State of the State Address
California Governor Jerry Brown delivered his annual State of the State address this morning to a joint session of the Legislature. Brown’s speech focused on the California economy, including the budget surplus, pension funds, education, and prison realignment.
Brown stressed the volatility of the economy and business cycles and touched on the natural problems that California faces, saying, “We are not out of the woods and we certainly are not out of the drought.”
The Governor addressed a range of climate change concerns -- drought, clean emissions, and more. What are the most important issues in California this year? Is the Governor’s speech reflective of the population’s needs? How might things change in 2014?
Guests:
Darrell Steinberg, Senate President Pro Tem, D-6th District (most of Sacramento County)
Tim Donnelly, State Assemblyman, R-33rd District (including Apple Valley, Big Bear Lake and Victorville) and a Republican gubernatorial candidate for California
Dan Walters, Political columnist, The Sacramento Bee
Metro to consider new proposals for the LAX light rail
Los Angeles International Airport is still without a plan to connect to public transportation after the county planning board quashed plans to build a light rail line under the airport's terminal area. Metro's planning staff recommended discarding four possible plans to connect LAX to a light rail system because of concerns over safety and the huge amount of money it would cost.
The recommendations could put the brakes on a long-term plan to connect LAX to both the Green Line and the forthcoming LAX/Crenshaw Line that will, in the next decade, come within a few miles of the airport but stop short of a connection.
Two of the county Board of Supervisors still want Metro to continue exploring plans to tunnel under the terminal and connect the metro lines directly to the airport despite the difficulties. One of the proposals likely to be considered is a plan to build a station near the iconic LAX pillars and passengers would reach the terminals by a people mover.
The full board will consider alternative proposals on Thursday. The delays continue to frustrate travelers who, right now, have very few options for public transportation.
As a traveler, what type of public transportation would you like to see at LAX? Would a lot of transfers deter you from using public transportation to the airport? Which airports have a better model for connecting to public transportation?
STATEMENT from Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director Los Angeles World Airports:
“While we have some concerns from a constructability, operational, and safety perspective on tunneling under the runways, we are supportive of Metro if their decision is to continue to study and analyze alternatives. Our goal is to work with Metro to implement a transportation plan that will reduce congestion, modernize our operations and encourage mass transit to and from LAX.”
Guests:
Zev Yaroslavsky, LA County Supervisor
Brian Sumers, Airports and Airlines Reporter, The Los Angeles News Group and a self-described aviation geek
Is the anti-GMO crowd ignoring science?
In recent years, there’s been a groundswell of concern about the safety of genetically modified organisms (G.M.Os) in the food supply and efforts across the country to require mandatory labeling on G.M.O. food products.
Consumer advocacy groups protest companies who produce G.M.O. crops. More than half of all Americans believe that genetically modified foods are unsafe, according to a 2013 ABC News poll--and advocate groups are calling for more investigation into G.M.O. health risks.
But within the scientific community there is a general consensus that there is no evidence suggesting GMOs are harmful to eat and much of the science often cited by those concerned about GMOs has been discredited.
Does the anti-G.M.O. movement ignore science? Or is the science not clear enough to alleviate their long-term health worries? Is enough research being devoted to measuring the safety of GMO crops? How should scientific findings and people’s concerns be weighed as states push labeling measures?
Guests:
Amy Harmon, reporter for the New York Times
Pamela Ronald, co-author of Tomorrow’s Table UC Davis
Bill Freese, staff scientist at the Center for Food Safety
Can wearable tech prevent drowsy driving crashes?
It’s not just truck drivers who have been known to nod off behind the wheel on a long haul. If you count yourself among those who are turning up the music and rolling down the windows to keep yourself awake while driving drowsy, there may be another solution in store.
Vigo, a Bluetooth earpiece with an infrared sensor that monitors blinking to detect when users are tired, is nearing its target goal on Kickstarter. The device monitors drivers and plays an alarm or a song when someone starts to nod off -- it’s intended to keep exhausted drivers off the road, and to wake up those who find themselves on the verge of sleep.
While Vigo has yet to integrate it’s fully functional wearable device with a newly designed app, critics, including Yahoo’s David Pogue, think the earpiece shows promise. Could wearable technology help a market of tired drivers stay safe? Is it reasonable to think that consumers might spend $80 on this kind of device? What are the most reliable ways to drive safely while you’re exhausted?
Guests:
David Pogue, vice president of Yahoo! Tech, monthly columnist for Scientific American and host of science shows on PBS’s “NOVA.”
Dr. Steven Bloc (Phd), Senior Traffic Safety Researcher, Auto Club of Southern California
Is the GOP’s image changing fast enough to win elections?
At the Republican National Committee’s winter convention, the party is taking a hard look in the mirror. Former senior aide to President George W. Bush, Ari Fleischer asks “Are we a more inclusive and welcoming party yet?”
This year’s meeting marks one year since plans were initiated by RNC chairman Reince Priebus to broaden GOP appeal to what political scientists call the “coalition of the ascendant.” The group, which includes racial minorities, women, and gay voters, has in recent elections eluded Republican candidates, resulting in losses in the Senate and two Democratic presidential victories.
The Republican National Committee has laid out structural changes, including major plans to change the party’s approach to immigration reform, but implementation has been slow. Policy reforms aimed at rebranding have been held back by infighting in the GOP-controlled House.
National approval ratings for Republicans have been continuously down since the 2012 election, As the Republican party sets its sights on the 2016 senate, what changes are expected? Is the party divided? How will the GOP adapt politically to expand its effectiveness?
Guests:
Shawn Steel, Republican National Committeeman in California; Founding Director, California Chapter of Club for Growth - an influential conservative lobbying group; Past Chairman, California Republican Party
Ruben Barrales, Republican Political Consultant and President of the political action committee Grow Elect, which focuses on Latino voter outreach and recruiting Latino Republican candidates for office.
Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist; founder of Rodriguez Strategies; former senior Obama advisor in 2008
Warren Buffett offers $1 billion for the perfect March Madness bracket. Sounds easy, right?
Even the Oracle of Omaha needs a little help when it comes to predicting the winning March Madness team. Warren Buffett and Quicken Loans, the online retail mortgage lender, have teamed up to offer anyone out there $1 billion to come up with the perfect Men's NCAA Tournament bracket.
Sounds good, no? But let’s consider the odds, which Math Professor Jeff Bergen at DePaul University actually did in 2012.
In light of the sheer impossibility of the task, Quicken and Buffett’s largesse suddenly makes sense.
Are you going to submit your bracket? Who do you think might win the NCAA championship? How do you come up with your bracket? Is this the most genius marketing move ever?
Guests:
Jeff Bergen, math professor at DePaul University in Chicago. He calculated the odds of hitting a perfect March Madness bracket in 2012
Jeremy Tucker, Associate Director, Brand Development at Innovation Protocol, a brand management and development firm in Los Angeles