Today on AirTalk, we give updates on president Donald Trump's health conditions following his COVID-19 diagnosis. Also on the show, we break down proposition 15 and its controversial "split-roll" tax; discuss measure J on this year's ballot; and more.
Trump’s COVID-19 Diagnosis: What We Know & The Political Dimensions Of Medical Messaging
President Donald Trump was hoping for a Monday discharge from the military hospital where he is being treated for COVID-19, a day after he briefly ventured out while contagious to salute cheering supporters by motorcade — an outing that disregarded precautions meant to contain the virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans.
White House officials said Trump was anxious to be released after three nights at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where doctors revealed on Sunday that his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick. Still, the doctors said Trump’s health was improving and he could be discharged as early as Monday to continue the remainder of his treatment at the White House.
Trump “is ready to get back to a normal work schedule” and was optimistic about a Monday release, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Fox News. He said a determination would be made after further determination by his medical team.
Less than one month before Election Day, Trump was eager to project strength despite his illness. The still-infectious president surprised supporters who had gathered outside the hospital, riding by Sunday in a black SUV with the windows rolled up. Secret Service agents inside the vehicle could be seen in masks and other protective gear.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO; she tweets
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
Margaret Susan Thompson, associate professor of history and political science at Syracuse University
Prop 15: Controversial ‘Split-Roll’ Tax On Commercial Properties
Should commercial properties be taxed by their property’s market value? That’s what a vote for California’s proposition 15 would mean.
Proposition 15 would mean commercial properties would be taxed at market price instead of purchase price. The measure, if passed, would be phased in starting in 2022. Not all businesses would have to adhere to the rule though. There’s an exception for small businesses, which are defined as independently owned and operated and 50 or fewer employees.
Proponents of the measure say the revenue is desperately needed, and this is the way to bring it in. It’s estimated that the initiative would generate between $8 and $12 billion a year. The funds would be distributed to specific areas with portions going to local governments, school districts and community colleges.
Opponents of the measure argue that this is an attack on Prop 13, which is how the state’s current tax assessment is determined. That measure requires that residential and commercial properties be taxes based on purchase price. Some also say now is not the time for this measure due to economic hardships.
Today on AirTalk, we talk through the pros and cons of Prop 15 and what it will mean for voters and businesses. Do you have thoughts or questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
John Kim, executive director of the Advancement Project California, which is a racial justice public policy organization; he tweets
Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a taxpayer rights group
Measure J: Proposed Charter Amendment Earmarks County Revenue For Community Investment
Los Angeles County voters will have a weighty fiscal decision on their hands Nov. 3.
In August, County Supervisors voted to place a charter amendment on the ballot to require the county to spend a sizable chunk of its budget on programs such as housing, youth development, mental health care and criminal justice diversion programs. If approved, the county would be required to designate at least 10% of its locally generated, unrestricted revenue to community investment initiatives. In the event of a budget emergency that threatens mandated programs, supervisors could vote to reduce that amount. Amending the county's charter to make the 10% threshold permanent takes voter approval.
The idea was first approved on July 21. Supporters have dubbed Measure J the "Reimagine L.A. County" charter amendment because it was developed with the support of groups in a coalition of that name, including the United Way, L.A. Community Action Network, Abundant Housing and more. The motion was co-authored by supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis. It passed 4-1, with Board Chair Kathryn Barger the lone "no" vote, citing concerns about county worker layoffs and impact to public safety.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll debate Los Angeles County Measure J. For more on Measure J from KPCC’s Libby Denkmann, click here. You can also visit our Voter Game Plan at LAist.com, where you’ll find information on all the races and measures that will be on your November ballot.
With files from LAist
Guests:
Isaac Bryan, spokesperson for the “Yes on J” campaign, director of public policy for the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African-American Studies, and founding executive director of the UCLA Black Policy Project, a policy think tank at UCLA to intentionally study policy interventions to improve the material conditions of Black Life in California and beyond; he tweets
Michele Hanisee, spokesperson for the “No on J” campaign and president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for Los Angeles County
Coffee Facing Its Own Pandemic In Latin America
We are no strangers to viral diseases affecting our daily lives, but as the world fights COVID-19 there is another battle that may affect your daily routine.
According to an article by the Atlantic, the production of coffee has dropped drastically due to a viral fungi known as “rust,” having destroyed countless crops all over Latin America.
Despite a country like Guatemala housing over 100,000 of the world’s coffee producers, the lack of government assistance has made the effects of rust much more painful for poor farmers who are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain themselves during this coffee pandemic.
Today on AirTalk, we take a look Latin American coffee producers and how their struggles against rust fungus will have major implications for consumers of the beloved beverage all over the world.
Guests:
Chuck Jones, founder and owner, Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena who operates a five-generation coffee farm in Guatemala
Mary Catherine Aime, professor of mycology and director of the Purdue University Herbaria, which studies and collects over 200,000 living organisms including plants and fungi
Protests Break Out In Los Angeles Over Armenia and Azerbaijan Conflict
Over the weekend, protesters came together outside the CNN building in Hollywood to draw attention to fighting that escalated between Armenia and Azerbaijan late last month.
Around 500 protesters gathered in Hollywood Saturday and Sunday, calling for more accurate coverage of the conflict. Dozens of civilians have died since Sept. 27, in the most recent escalation of the decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Although the region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, its inhabitants are primarily ethnic Armenians. Protesters in LA said Azerbaijan instigated the conflict, and argue that Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia are benign attacked with force by richer, more powerful countries.
Today on AirTalk, we’re learning more about the conflict and the protests in Los Angeles. Thoughts? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Shushan Karapetian, deputy director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies