President Obama announced plans to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors by executive order. What would that mean? Then, a look at ballot initiatives that could have an impact on income inequality in California. Next, controversy over flying the rainbow flag atop West Hollywood's City Hall, a California bill that would ban the 'affluenza' defense--and advancements in rapid DNA testing.
President Obama to push up minimum wage for federal workers
During tonight's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama will announce an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for federally contracted workers, according to a White House statement.
Economists at the leftist Economic Policy Institute estimate "1 in 5 employees working for private firms for the benefit of the federal government are likely working for poverty wages." The move comes as the president has continued to push Congress to raise the minimum wage for all workers, which has met resistance from Republican leaders.
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News Sunday, "The minimum wage is mostly an entry level wage for young people.... We have a crisis in employment among young people right now, and generation 18 to 30, people that got out of college, are finding there are no jobs for them. The last thing we want to do is have even fewer jobs for younger people."
How could this executive action affect the debate in Congress? What will be the economic impact of the policy?
Guests:
Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President, Economic Policy Institute (a think tank focused on low- and middle-income workers); former commissioner of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; former staff attorney and legislative director in the U.S. House of Representatives and committee counsel in the U.S. Senate.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute (a think tank focused on free-market principles) and former chief economist of the US Department of Labor; Economist for Presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.
California turns to the ballot to address income inequality
Income inequality is expected to be a major theme of President Obama's State of the Union address tonight. There are signs that the gap between the rich and poor in America has been widening for decades and there is no consensus in Washington over what, if anything, to do about it.
It's unlikely Obama will be able to move any proposals through a deadlocked Congress this year so the real developments may come on the state level. Several ideas are percolating through California and may end up as ballot initiatives in the November election.
Potential initiatives including raising the state's minimum wage to $12 per hour, a cap on hospital executive's compensation and a plan to tax oil companies for each barrel produced in the state. It's early days and it's unclear which initiatives will make it past the signature stage. But is there a new political appetite for solutions to the income inequality problem?
Is the widening wage gap something that even needs to be addressed? How does the public respond to these types of wage-equalization initiatives?
Guests:
Jon Fleischman, publisher of FlashReport.org and former executive director of the state Republican Party
Kathay Feng, executive director of California Common Cause
Joe Garofoli, wealth and political reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle
Should West Hollywood City Hall fly the rainbow flag? (Poll)
The City of West Hollywood is reconsidering whether City Hall should fly the rainbow flag.
The flag was first raised in June, after a WeHo resident and business owner proposed it at a City Council meeting. But this month, the flag was unceremoniously taken down by city officials, prompting outcry and the move to rethink the removal.
Some 40 percent of residents in WeHo are gay. Proponents say given the city’s sizable LGBT population, it makes sense for City Hall to fly the rainbow flag, a symbol of solidarity and pride of the community. But critics say that WeHo already sports numerous displays of LGBT empowerment, including the rainbow crosswalks, and the city should also be inclusive of its non-LGBT community members.
UPDATE: In response to the concerns of some community members about the rainbow flag no longer being displayed atop the City Hall building, the City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, briefly discussed the issue. There was a decision at that meeting to add an agenda item to a future City Council meeting to revisit the discussion and weigh the issue. The next City Council meeting is on Monday, February 3, 2014
WEST HOLLYWOOD STATEMENT:
“At its November 18, 2013 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to affirm the practice of displaying only the official flags of the United States, the State of California, and the City of West Hollywood on public facilities and to fly the flags at half-mast in recognition of a tragedy or someone’s death.
The decision also affirmed the policy of displaying unofficial flags on public property and public facilities for special occasions such as the month of November for Transgender Awareness Month and June for Gay Pride month. However, the rainbow flags will continue to fly permanently on flagpoles in the medians along Santa Monica Boulevard between Robertson and La Cienega Boulevards.”
Guests:
John Duran, City of West Hollywood councilmember
Tom Demille, Past WeHo city council candidate and a community organizer
Pentagon researchers hone in on rapid DNA identity tests
Scientists working with the Department of Defense say they are closer to DNA analysis that takes just 90 minutes instead of two to three weeks, as first reported by USA Today. The science of DNA analysis revolutionized criminal investigations - small and large. Reducing the time DNA analysis takes to just 90 minutes could greatly aid law enforcement in criminal investigations. According to USA Today, rapid DNA analysis programs being tested by the Pentagon could allow investigators to test DNA in the field, as opposed to sending samples to a clean lab.
According to Jenn Elzea, a pentagon spokeswoman that spoke with USA Today, Pentagon researchers expect to finish prototypes of the Accelerated Nuclear DNA Equipment system by June. Elzea said the Pentagon is developing guidance “for the use of rapid DNA analysis.”
What impacts will faster DNA identification have on criminal investigations? Aside from law enforcement, what fields will benefit from faster DNA testing? How will rapid DNA analysis be regulated?
Guest:
Chris Asplen, executive director of the Global Alliance for Rapid DNA Testing; Former U.S. Assistant Attorney. Global Alliance is a trade association established to ensure the reliability of rapid DNA testing as it is integrated into judicial systems and other applications
California bill seeks ban on 'affluenza' defense
New legislation in California may outlaw criminal defence based on economic privilege. The bill, proposed by California Assemblyman Mike Gatto, is inspired by a drunk driving case in Texas.
The 16-year-old perpetrator, who admitted his guilt in the accidental deaths of four victims and serious injury of a fifth, heavily incorporated his upbringing into his defense, claiming his rich, neglectful parents raised him with no consequences. The driver, Ethan Couch, was sentenced to time in a private substance abuse facility (paid for by his parents) and 10 years probation -- he will serve no time in jail.
Though it remains unclear whether the “affluenza” defense is what decided the case, the backlash caused by the decision has been fierce. Gatto’s bill seeks to prevent use of this defense in California.
Can overly indulgent parents negatively affect their children’s outlook on crime and punishment? Is the “affluenza” defense valid? Is it worth banning?
Guests:
Mike Gatto, Assemblyman, Forty-Third District representing the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood and others.
Darren Kavinoky, founder of 800-no-cuffs, the Kavinoky law firm, with offices in Los Angeles and throughout California
Time Warner launches SportsNet LA for Dodgers ball -- will cable and satellite providers buy in?
Time Warner Cable launched the site for their exclusive Dodgers network. The channel’s television debut is set for February 25th, just before the Dodgers begin their spring training games.
As part of their $8.5 billion dollar deal with the Dodgers, Time Warner has sole access to games and behind-the-scenes coverage -- the cable provider is responsible for securing deals with other cable and satellite operators to air the channel.
SportsNet LA is expected to cost about $5 per subscriber. Negotiations over pricing and subscription levels have begun already and may last until just before opening day. Time Warner struck similar deals with providers for their Lakers channel.
How do cable and satellite operators negotiate contracts when one provider has exclusive access to a channel? What is fair to consumers when it comes to pricing?
Guests:
Courtney M. Brunious, Associate Director of the University of Southern California's Sports Business Institute.
Michael Grebb, Executive Editor, CableFAX
AirTalk Live Event: FilmWeek 2014 Oscar Preview at the Egyptian Theatre
Larry Mantle and the KPCC film critics are ready for their close-ups. The 11th annual “FilmWeek on AirTalk” Academy Awards preview is coming to the historic Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard at 1:00pm on Sunday, February 23rd.
Larry will be joined by Andy Klein of the L.A. Times Community Papers chain, Wade Major of IGN's DigiGods.com, Claudia Puig of USA Today, Tim Cogshell of Alt Film Guide, Alynda Wheat of People Magazine, Peter Rainer of the Christian Science Monitor, Henry Sheehan of CriticsAGoGo.com, Charles Solomon of Amazon.com and Lael Loewenstein, KPCC Film Critic.
KPCC 89.3 FM'S "FilmWeek" Oscar Preview 2014 is co-presented by KPCC 89.3 FM and the American Cinematheque.
Purchase tickets at Fandango.com.
AirTalk Live Event: Is there bias against Asian-Americans in university admissions?
Studies suggest that Asian-American students at highly selective universities have mean SAT scores considerably higher than their classmates yet are rejected at a disproportionate rate. Enrollment at the Ivies remains stagnant as the number of Asian students in the US has more than doubled in that period.
Is there a benign explanation for these numbers? Rumors of discriminatory quotas abound -- what’s really happening?
Join us for an AirTalk special event on Wednesday February 12, 2014. 6:30 PM-8:00 PM at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy downtown (Across the Plaza from the Japanese American National).