The Tax Question; Viva Los Tacos!; Summer Movie Trends; Filmweek Reviews
The Tax Question
Governor Schwarzenegger is a California Republican. And that's supposed to mean that tax increases are out of the question. But a feature in today's LA Times says that in light of the growing budget deficit, now looming at $20 billion, a tax hike is back on the table. Is the Governor laying the groundwork for a tax increase, even as he publicly continues to say "no way!" Larry tries to find out. Larry's guests include Evan Halper, L.A. Times Staff Writer, Aaron McClear, Press Secretary for Governor Schwarzenegger, and Raphael Sonenshein, Professor of Political Science at Cal State University Fullerton.
Viva Los Tacos!
Taco truck owners and their culinary fans are up in arms over an ordinance recently passed by the LA County Board of Supervisors. The new law, which is set to go into effect on May 15, will make it illegal to park vehicles in the same spot for longer than one hour. Vendors who resist will face fines of up to $1000 or six months in jail, or both. Though taco trucks have long been regulated by the county, the previous law carried only a small $60 fine. Developers and restaurant owners, particularly in East LA, support the harsher regulations and are pushing for tough enforcement. Critics fear it will put their beloved taco trucks out of business. Larry talks with Phil Greenwald, Attorney representing some of the taco truck owners, Ron Mukai, Business Owner and Board Member of the East LA Chamber of Commerce, and Miriam Torres, co-owner of Hermanes Torres taco truck.
Summer Movie Trends
May officially kicks off the summer movie season. Larry and our FilmWeek critics Claudia Puig and Lael Loewenstein ask our listeners what films they're looking forward to and why. What makes a film worth seeing in a theatre, considering that after paying for parking, tickets, babysitter, gas, popcorn, it could run you upwards of $75 for an evening out? Is movie going as a collective and social experience in danger of being supplanted with home viewing?
Filmweek Reviews
Larry and critics Lael Loewenstein, of Variety, Claudia Puig, of USA Today, and Charles Solomon, of amazon.com review some of the week's new feature films including "Iron Man," "Made of Honor," Redbelt, as well as the documentaries "Standard Operating Procedure" and "Swimming in Auschwitz." Peter Rainer joins in to talk about two recent film festivals in Bermuda and Palm Beach.