Should there be restrictions on the kinds of food people can buy with food stamps? Police and firefighters' are facing pension reform. Is the middle class dying or going strong? A pair of economists duke it out. Birds vs. airplanes - who has the right of way in the friendly skies? Dale Ogden, the Libertarian candidate for Governor of California. And, the latest news.
Should soda be banned for food-stamp users?
In an anti-obesity push, New York’s Mayor Bloomberg has floated a proposal to ban the use of food stamps for soda and other sugary beverages. Supporters argue that the government shouldn’t buy things that make people ill because taxpayers ultimately foot the health care bills. But critics say the government already intrudes on people’s lives too much. How far should the government go in restricting what people buy with food stamps? Should California pursue a policy similar to the one being considered in New York?
LA city officials announce pension reform plan
Mayor Villaraigosa and City Controller Wendy Greuel held a press conference this morning to announce a proposal to reform pensions for new police officers and firefighters. The plan, designed to regain control of pension costs, would force newly hired cops and firefighters to work longer, in order to qualify for enhanced retirement benefits. The proposal would save the city an estimated $175 million for every 1,000 new officers and firefighters hired. If adopted by the City council, the plan must also be approved by voters. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Supervisors are set to vote tomorrow, on a series of pension reforms that could save the county $200 million. Will the plans win approval from lawmakers and voters? How will union members respond?
Guest:
Frank Stoltze, KPCC Reporter
Middle class America—bigger, better, or an endangered species?
It depends who you ask and their political perspective. The American middle class is getting clobbered—everything costs more relative to wages. The rich are consolidating more and more wealth while many middle class folks are falling into the ranks of the poor. Okay. But many conservative economists say the American middle class is better off than ever. They cite figures which indicate that the real income of the middle class has more-or-less steadily increased since the 1960s. So who’s right? Dueling economists duke it out.
Guest:
Chris Thornberg, Principal, Beacon Economics
Ambassador Derek Shearer, Professor of Diplomacy, Occidental College, Los Angeles
Libertarian underdog for California Governor
In the race for California's next Governor, frontrunners Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman grab most of the spotlight, but there will be other names on the November 2 ballot - including Libertarian candidate Dale Ogden. Ogden's campaign slogan is "Vote for the Liberator," echoing the Libertarian dogmas of individual freedom and fiscal responsibility. What else is on Ogden's agenda? How does he hope to overcome his underdog status and win votes in this election?
Guest:
Dale Ogden, Libertarian Party candidate Governor of California
These skies aren't big enough for the both of us
Wildlife is great. Jet air travel is great. But get them together, and you have the potential for tragedy. Just think of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, which was forced to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River after the airplane's engines ingested Canada geese. Another flight had to return to the runway in Alaska after a bald eagle took out one of its engines. The solution to this problem for people isn't always pretty for the birds and can raise the ire of animal rights activists. Surely nobody wants to see flocks of birds exterminated - so what is the answer? What’s the right balance between protecting the flying public and wildlife?
Guest:
Michael Begier, national coordinator of the Department of Agriculture’s Airport Wildlife Hazards Program