Prop. 29 aims to tax cigarettes & fund cancer research. Prop. 28 seeks to change California Legislature’s term limits. Six candidates vie to replace Cooley in L.A. County District Attorney race. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed to retire. Best spots for outdoor dining in Southern California.
Prop 29 aims to tax cigarettes & fund cancer research
California voters have been inundated with ads against Proposition 29. The referendum on the June 5 ballot seeks to raise taxes on cigarettes by $1 a pack. The proponents want to make tobacco more expensive so as to discourage young smokers, and to spend the tax revenue on cancer research, smoking cessation, prevention of tobacco-related disease and on law enforcement.
The opponents include tobacco companies, business groups and anti-tax organizations, such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. California already has an 87-cent tax on cigarette packs. The national average is $1.46.
The fight over this proposition has become expensive, according to MapLight which tracks campaign money. Funding by the opponents has topped $40 million -- the bulk coming from Philip Morris. The "Yes" side has raised just over $11 million -- mostly from the American Cancer Society.
The imbalance may be showing in a recent poll. It shows support for the measure dropping in recent weeks. The Public Policy Institute of California found "Yes" voters decreased from 67 percent in March to 53 percent last week. Opposition rose from 30 percent to 42 percent.
What are the main arguments, for and against? How will you vote?
Guests:
Jane Warner, President & CEO, American Lung Association of California; representing the Yes on 29 campaign
David Spady, State Director, Americans for Prosperity; representing the No on 29 campaign
Prop 28: Should we change the California Legislature’s term limits?
Prop 28 seeks to change California Legislature’s term limits: Should term limits be tweaked in California? One state ballot measure up for vote on June 5 is Proposition 28, which seeks to reduce the amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years.
The proposition, officially named the California Change in Term Limits Initiative, would allow a citizen to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the state Senate or a combination of both. Currently, under a 1990 term limit law, legislators may serve no more than six years in the Assembly and eight years in the state Senate.
The proposition would apply only to lawmakers elected after the measure’s passage. Supporters of the proposition include the state Democratic Party and a broad coalition called Californians For A Fresh Start, which includes the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, League of Women Voters of California and nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group California Common Cause. They say the measure makes legislators more accountable, giving them time to develop expertise and write better laws instead of running for the next office.
Opponents to Prop 28 include the state Republican Party and groups such as the National Tax Limitation Committee. They say the proposition is a misleading increase in term limits, since it would allow lawmakers to serve up to 12 years in one legislative arm.
Why do you support or oppose Prop 28? Should the current term limits system in California get a makeover?
Guests:
Kathay Feng, executive director of nonprofit advocacy group California Common Cause, part of broad coalition Californians For a Fresh Start supporting Prop 28
Jon Fleischman, former vice chairman of the California Republican Party who writes the blog flashreport.org and heads the No on Prop 28 coalition
Six candidates vie to replace Cooley in LA County District Attorney race
Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley is retiring after holding the seat for more than a decade. The six candidates seeking the top job are Chief Deputy District Attorney Jackie Lacey, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and Deputy District Attorneys John Breault, Bobby Grace, Alan Jackson and Danette Myers.
All are experienced prosecutors with a shot at winning the nonpartisan race. Three are African American –- Grace, Lacey and Meyers –- and two are women. Los Angeles County has never before had a black or female district attorney, so history could be made with this election.
The position is arguably the most powerful job in L.A. County’s criminal justice system, as it oversees the prosecution of 60,000 felons annually and can be a steppingstone to higher office. County voters will cast their votes on June 5.
To win outright, a candidate must get more than 50-percent of the vote. If that doesn’t happen, the top vote-getters will meet in a November runoff. Tonight, Larry will moderate a candidates’ debate in KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum. In advance of that, he sits down with KPCC’s Frank Stoltze to handicap the race and ask listeners what they’d like to know about the candidates.
Complete list of candidates:
John L. Breault III, Deputy District Attorney
Bobby Grace, Deputy District Attorney
Alan Jackson, Gang Homicide Prosecutor
Jackie Lacey, Chief Deputy District Attorney
Danette Meyers, Senior Deputy District Attorney
Guest:
Frank Stoltze, KPCC reporter
CSU Chancellor Charles Reed to retire
For 14 years Charles Reed, Chancellor of the California State University California has presided over the CSU’s 23 campuses that educate about half of the college graduates in the state of California and most of its teachers. Reed, who is 70, announced Thursday that he is retiring.
As Chancellor of the CSU system, Dr. Reed witnessed an era of unprecedented budget cuts, tuition increases and soaring enrollment. In the last four years alone, the state has cut more than $1 billion from CSU's budget, while trustees have doubled tuition and fees to $7,017.
Many students groups and faculty expressed anger at Reed for the cuts and tuition hikes but some of his closest colleagues have seen him navigate in an era of austerity and applauded the chancellor on Thursday. "California owes a deep debt of gratitude to Chancellor Reed," Mark Yudof, president of the University of California, said in a statement.
What would you like to ask Chancellor Reed about his time heading the CSU?
Guest:
Charles Reed, EdD., Chancellor of the Cal State University system
Best spots for outdoor dining in Southern California
When it's 75 degrees out and the sun is shining or setting, who can help but gravitate towards outdoor patios for that Sunday brunch, afternoon Panini or early evening cocktail. Given our famously good weather, you’d think there would be sidewalk cafes everywhere in Southern California. In fact, we are a bit behind most of the rest of the world in that regard. But Katie Burbank, Senior Community Manager at L.A. East, says there are plenty of gorgeous restaurant patios for dining, drinking and people watching.
"I just went to Austin a couple of months ago, and I realized how rich Austin is with the patio culture, and got very envious, and then realized, 'Wait a second. I live in L.A., there are so many places to go, all over for patios,'" she said.
Some are well known, like The Alcove Café & Bakery in Los Feliz. Others are more tucked away, like the secluded patio at the Cliff’s Edge in Silverlake with that giant coral tree in the middle. If you fancy a hike after your bite, there’s always the adorable little Trails Café right in the heart of Griffith Park. And if you’re looking to get high – literally – head to Perch in downtown Los Angeles for cozy, outdoor fireplaces and dramatic rooftop views. If you’re looking for soaring ocean views, The Resort at Pelican Hill offers Italian cuisine and a striking seaside setting.
For you desert rats, there’s no shortage of hot patios, many with cooling misters, such as La Brasserie Bistro and Bar in Palm Springs, which might make you say “Oui!” to more outdoor dining. But where are those hidden gems? We’ll get expert Katie Burbank's low down and take calls from listeners to get their hottest tips on the coolest places for patio dining this summer in Los Angeles and beyond.
Katie recommends:
Eveleigh
Location: 8752 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Notes: "It is breathtaking at right about sunset. They have this beautiful little atrium in the back, and you can eat, and they have a great mixology program as well. Monday night they have great bartending specials."
Website
Habana
Location: 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA
Notes: "[It's] absolutely gorgeous at night time. It's very Havana, Cuban, and they have tons of lights that just light up the patio area. It's at this place called The Lab, an open air market."
Website
The Churchill
Location: 8384 W. 3rd St. (at S Orlando Ave.), Los Angeles, CA
Notes: "It's attached to the Orlando hotel. They have a fireplace outside so you can do day to night – day drinking if you're a day drinker, or you can enjoy a nice meal in the evening."
Website
Listeners recommend:
In Los Angeles and Los Angeles County:
Abricott in Pasadena
Blue Dog Beer Tavern in Sherman Oaks
Cafe Laurent in Culver City
Cafe Stella in Silver Lake
Cowboys and Turbans in Silver Lake
Eclectic Wine Bar & Grille in North Hollywood
El Gallo Grill in Los Angeles
Figtree's Cafe and Grille in Venice
Fiori Market in Pasadena
Greystone Manor Supper Club in Los Angeles
Heirloom Bakery in Pasadena
L.A. Buns in Downey
La Playita in Hermosa Beach
Mike & Annes in Pasadena
Nelson's in Rancho Palo Verdes
Ray's Restaurant at LACMA
Rive Gauche Cafe in Sherman Oaks
The Cat and Fiddle in Los Angeles
The Raymond Restaurant in Pasadena
Vinoteque in Los Angeles
Zip Fusion Sushi in Los Angeles
Elsewhere:
29 Palms Inn in San Bernadino County
Boccali's Pizza and Pasta in Ventura County
Dutch Garden Restaurant in Santa Barbara
Fisherman's Seafood Restaurant in San Clemente
Las Casuelas Nuevas in Rancho Mirage
Madison Square & Garden Cafe in Laguna Beach
Molly's Souper in San Bernadino County
River's End Cafe in Seal Beach
Schooner or Later Restaurant in Long Beach
Summerland Beach Cafe in Summerland
Zin American Bistro in Palm Springs
Guest:
Katie Burbank, Senior Community Manager LA East, Yelp