Today we'll analyze today's Supreme Court hearing on the Defense of Marriage Act -- will this case add thousands of benefits for married same-sex couples? We'll also discuss changes to funding in state parks. Later, we'll consider later start times in Long Beach middle schools and speak with Freelancer's Bible author Sara Horowitz about the freelancer's union. All that and more, on AirTalk.
High Court sets eyes on Defense of Marriage Act
The Supreme Court heard arguments today in the case of United States v. Windsor, which will determine whether the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. DOMA currently restricts more than 1000 federal marriage benefits to opposite sex couples, including many for veterans.
If struck down, the federal government would recognize all legal marriages, regardless of the couples’ genders. How should the Supreme Court handle same-sex marriage? How could the DOMA ruling differ from the Prop. 8 ruling?
Listen to the arguments: Listen to the oral arguments and comment on the parts that affect you or that you found interesting. Just type your thoughts into the box that says "Add your comment" and hit the post button.
Read the transcript and notes: Click the "Document" tab to read the transcript in full. To see highlights, click "Notes."
Guests:
Greg Stohr, Supreme Court reporter, Bloomberg News
John Eastman, professor of law and former dean at Chapman University Law School; Chairman of the Board, National Organization of Marriage that lobbies against same-sex marriage; Director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, a public interest law firm affiliated with the Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy; Eastman authored an amicus brief for the Proposition 8 case and one for the Defense of Marriage Act case.
David Cruz, Professor of law, The Gould School of Law, University of Southern California; Cruz was in Court today for the DOMA hearing; Constitutional law expert focusing on the First Amendment and civil rights.
Report finds state Department of Parks and Recreation mismanaging state parks
“The old model is obsolete.” So finds the Little Hoover Commission report on California’s State Park lands. 1.5 million acres of land are designated as state park land, and the Little Hoover report says those state parks are in sorry shape, victims of incompetent management from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Compounding the issue are economic factors: Tight budgets mean park facilities can’t be upgraded at a time when visitor numbers are falling, further dampening revenue generated by the parks.
What should California do in response to this report? What are the best options for state parks? What other agencies, entities, and grassroots groups could do a better job? What could happen to 1.5 million acres of parkland if poor choices are made at this apparently critical time?
Guests:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director of the Little Hoover Commission
Craig Middleton, Executive Director of the Presidio Trust, a self-proclaimed “new” model of park management. He was interviewed as part of the Little Hoover report
Carolyn Schoff, President of the California League of Parks Association and President of the Friends of Pio Pico State Park
PDF:
See a map of all of California's state parks, recreation areas and natural preserves.
Historic Supreme Court arguments on Marriage
The Supreme Court doesn’t usually release audio recordings and transcripts of hearings on the day they occur, but the court is making an exception for this week’s landmark marriage equality cases.
RELATED: A guide to the Supreme Court arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act (Audio)
Tune in for excerpts and analysis of the arguments in United States v. Windsor as the justices take on the Defense of Marriage act.
Guest:
Lawrence Rosenthal, Professor of Law, Chapman University School of Law in Orange
Long Beach middle schools to start an hour later
The Long Beach school board has voted to start classes an hour later for middle schoolers. If the change is adopted, that dreaded morning bell would ring at 8.50 in the morning, later than the current 7.40am start time. The school board says it will help save money. Many experts say adolescent minds will learn better with the extra sleep.
What about the parents who no longer can drop off their kids on their way to work? Will the school board help them work around their soon-to-be jammed up morning schedules? What about the effects of extracurricular activities that take place before and after school? Will there be enough time for sports and drama and band if school doesn’t finish until nearly 4pm?
Guest:
Kyla Wahlstrom, Director, Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota
The Freelancer’s Bible
The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Government Accountability Office estimate that there are more than 20 million contract workers in the United States. While contractors may have more flexibility than full-time staffers, they are exposed to greater economic vulnerabilities. The Freelancer’s Union based in Brooklyn is working to address contractor’s greatest concerns such as health insurance and other benefits.
In her latest book, “The Freelancers Bible” Sara Horowitz, the executive director of the Freelancer’s Union offers tips on how independent contractors should navigate the world of freelancing.
How do freelancers get health insurance? Should all workers unionize? How should a freelancer schedule her time? How fast is the freelance economy growing?
Guest:
Sara Horowitz, Executive Director of the Freelancer’s Union