Senate passes financial reform bill. Debating Prop 16- who should control electricity service? And it's FilmWeek on AirTalk. Larry and the critics review the week's new movies, including Shrek Forever After, MacGruber, Solitary Man, and Holy Rollers. Later, a wrap-up of the Cannes Film Festival.
Senate passes sweeping financial reform
After ending debate early Thursday, the Senate passed the most far-reaching financial regulatory bill since the Great Depression on a 59-39 vote. Passage was a top legislative priority for President Obama, who called the bill a major step for consumer protection. The sweeping measure is designed to close the regulatory gaps and end the speculative trading practices that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. The package must now be reconciled with the bill adopted by the House in December. How will these reforms impact the way banks do business? Do the reform measures go too far or not far enough? And what will the result be for every day citizens?
Guests:
Neil Irwin, National Economy Correspondent, Washington Post
James Gattuso, Senior Research Fellow in Regulatory Policy at Heritage Foundation’s Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies
Heather Booth, Executive Director, Americans for Financial Reform
Prop 16 debate: regulating electricity service
On June 8, California voters will decide how their electricity service is controlled with Proposition 16. If passed, it would require two-thirds voter approval before local governments use public funds to start a municipal utility or expand the service areas of existing utilities. The vote requirement also would apply to starting "community choice aggregation" programs, which allow local governments to buy electricity on the wholesale market and set rates for residents. Supporters of Prop. 16 say that it will give voters a say in how local districts spend their tax money. Opponents argue that it is an effort to monopolize the industry from Pacific Gas & Electric, which has paid nearly $35 million in support of the measure. Larry Mantle hears arguments from both sides of the debate.
Guests:
Robin Swanson, Spokesperson for the Yes on Prop 16 campaign
Mark Toney, Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network (TURN). He serves on the Steering Committee of No on Prop. 16
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Jean Oppenheimer, Andy Klein of Brand X and Charles Solomon animation critic and historian for amazon.com, discuss the week’s new film releases including Shrek Forever After, MacGruber, Solitary Man, Holy Rollers, Kites, Looking For Eric, The Best Worst Movie, The Oath, and The Father Of My Children among others.
Guests:
Jean Oppenheimer, FilmWeek critic Andy Klein, Brand X Charles Solomon, animation critic and historian for amazon.com Live tweeting this week's reviews:
Wrapping up the Cannes Film Festival
Before the curtain falls on the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Larry and guests chat about this season’s cinematic highlights. What are the hottest, must-see films? Who will take home the big prizes this weekend?
Guests:
Kirk Honeycutt, chief film critic for The Hollywood Reporter
Justin Chang, senior film critic for Variety