Supreme Court rules on the privacy of text messages sent at work. Up next, big pension rollbacks for California state employees? Then, the top stories from Orange County. Later, will California voters legalize marijuana this November? AirTalk convenes a town hall debate.
No sexting on the job!: Supreme Court upholds search of text messages at work in City of Ontario v. Quon
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that an Ontario, California police chief did not violate an officer's constitutional rights by reading through text messages on the officer's work pager. The police chief had been searching for department violations of using the work pager for personal reasons. Do you agree with the ruling? And with technology ever-changing, what are the privacy limits on communications?
Guest:
David Savage, Supreme Court reporter for the Los Angeles Times
Rollbacks to California state employee pensions
Four unions representing state employees in California, including firefighters and CHP officers, have agreed to pension rollbacks. New hires will have to wait five years longer to retire, and current employees will have to immediately up their contributions to at least 10% of their salary. In exchange, the 23,000 works affected would no longer face furlough days. Will the union membership approve of the deal? Will this quid pro quo approach help patch California’s gaping budget gap? And will other unions sign on?
Guest:
Shane Goldmacher, Staff writer for the LA Times in the Sacramento Bureau
Orange County Journalists Roundtable
The biggest stories this week in Orange County: UCI suspends the Muslim Student Union. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens drops "appointed" from her title. What Measure C will mean for Costa Mesa. Mission Viejo residents can shoot rabbits with pellets. Divisive 154-acre development in San Juan Capistrano. And, Disney parks female employees may now uncover their arms and legs.
Guests:
Gustavo Arellano, staff writer for the OC Weekly and author of Ask A Mexican
William Lobdell, co-publisher of the Newport-Mesa Daily Voice, an online local paper. He is also a partner in the web venture iBusinessreporting.com
Teri Sforza, Staff Writer for the Orange County Register
Should California legalize pot?
Supporters say it’s safer than alcohol or tobacco and improves quality of life. Detractors call it a gateway drug rife with health risks. This November, California voters will get to decide if marijuana should be legalized for recreational use in California. Would marijuana tax revenues help balance the state budget? Would a legal trade in marijuana reduce the influence of cartels or blight neighborhoods with storefront pot shops? And could the ballot measure stand up to a federal challenge?
Panelists:
Jim Gray, retired judge, Superior Court of Orange County
Lee Baca, Sheriff, Los Angeles County
John Russo, City Attorney, Oakland
Mark Kleiman, Professor of Public Policy Director, Drug Policy Analysis Program, UCLA