Today on AirTalk, we look at what's next for SB50 as it fails to pass for a third time in the California Senate. Also on the show, we preview the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries and talk about a plan to revamp Hollywood Blvd. that aims to make more space for pedestrians.
Controversial SB 50 Officially Dead After Failing To Pass In The Senate. Now What?
The controversial bill known as SB 50 officially failed to pass in the California Senate Thursday for the second time.
Lawmakers voted it down Wednesday but gave author Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, one more shot at getting it passed. According to the Sacramento Bee, Wiener only needed three more lawmakers to vote in favor of it, but no dice. The bill failed for the third year in a row. The legislation aimed to get California counties and cities to scale back zoning that limits high-density housing near transit and job centers. Wiener has said it’s necessary to address the state’s housing crisis. But the bill comes with intense opposition from local governments and homeowners who worry that it will only lead to luxury developments, according to Politico.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest updates on SB 50 and what the future holds for the long-running piece of legislation.
Guest:
Jeremy B. White, co-author of Politico’s California Playbook, where he covers politics in California; he tweets
Previewing The Primaries: Iowa And New Hampshire
The first state primaries are just around the corner, with voters hitting the polls in Iowa on Monday and New Hampshire set to vote the following week.
Candidates are in the final stretch of campaigning in Iowa and it’s still too close to call who may take the hawkeye state. With the number of people who have entered and left the race in the past year, candidates have been building towards the Iowa primaries. Recent polls have indicated that former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders are neck in neck for the lead in Iowa with only an average of a few points of difference between the candidates. Mayor Pete Butigeg and Senator Elizabeth Warren are trailing behind, rounding out the top four. New Hampshire polls reveal a different standing as Sanders holds the lead by a comfortable margin over all the other candidates. Even at this point in the race, it’s still hard to tell who could win the Democratic Party’s nomination. The Iowa primaries may start to provide a clearer picture on who that candidate will be.
Today on AirTalk, we take a look at what’s happening in Iowa right now, preview the New Hampshire primaries, and talk about what these two races might mean for other state primaries going forward.
Guests:
Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou, campaign reporter for Bloomberg who’s currently in Iowa; she tweets at
Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter and author of the Morning Score for Politico; he tweets at
Proposal Calls For Major Revamp Of Hollywood Boulevard. What Do You Think?
If you've ever taken a visiting friend or family member to the Hollywood Walk of Fame at their behest (and against your advice), you know the pure ecstasy of seeing the glimmer fade from their eyes when expectation meets reality. *chef's kiss*
Welcome to Hollywood Boulevard, where dirty sidewalks overflow with tourists, brawling pop culture characters, street performers, and vendors as tour buses and endless cars lumber along the street. It's not the glamourous space depicted in post cards — and it's not a safe space either. The streets that encompass the Walk of Fame (Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue; Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard) are part of Los Angeles' High-Injury Network — the 6% of city streets where 70% of pedestrian deaths and severe injuries occur. But L.A. City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell wants to flip the script on Hollywood Boulevard with a master plan that aims to reduce car lanes — and in some places possibly eliminate them — to increase space for people taking in the sights and sounds on foot.
Today on AirTalk, we take a look at the details in the proposal. We want to hear your thoughts. Do you live near the area? Do you think the changes would be positive or negative and why? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Read the full story on LAist here.
Guests:
Ryan Fonseca, writer and editor for LAist; his latest piece is “Here's What Hollywood Boulevard Could Look Like With Less Space For Cars And More Space For Humans”; he tweets
Mitch O’Farrell, Councilmember of the 13th District, which encompasses Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Historic Filipinotown, Hollywood, Little Armenia, Mid-Wilshire/Koreatown, Thai Town and Silver Lake; he introduced the plan to make over Hollywood Blvd this week; he tweets