Today on AirTalk, we discuss the bills that passed in the California Legislature. Also on the show, we discuss low kindergarten enrollment; learn more about the struggles that some couples are experiencing in the pandemic; and more.
Legislative Roundup: What Bills Made It Through The Final Hours Of Session?
California lawmakers had until Monday night to push forward any remaining bills as the 2020 legislative session came to an end.
Like many things, the novel coronavirus has led to a chaotic session this year, which has been cut short and has kept lawmakers out of the statehouse for weeks at a time. According to analysis from the Los Angeles Times, it’s clear officials weren’t particularly happy with how things wrapped up and there were whispers about whether Gov. Gavin Newsom should convene a special session between now and the November election.
Newsom has already signed a piece of legislation lawmakers passed, which protects tenants from eviction. The effort has been backed by advocates who say it’s critical in protecting those facing hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers also passed bills to ban police chokeholds and to allow the DOJ to investigate police shootings. Today on AirTalk, a state politics reporter joins Larry for a legislative wrap up. We discuss which bills made the cut, and how partisan politics impacted the final hours of session. Do you have thoughts or questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Hannah Wiley, state politics reporter for the Sacramento Bee who’s been following the legislative session; she tweets
DOC AMA: California Coronavirus Numbers Continue To Fall, LA County Officials Consider Reopenings & More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from UCSF.
Topics today include:
Amid coronavirus, avoid nonessential dental care, WHO says
America is running low on a crucial resource for COVID-19 vaccines
Bay Area may be turning corner on coronavirus as cases stabilize, drop in most counties
LA County Health Officer advises residents to skip Labor Day traditions
Officials to discuss possibly reopening more businesses in LA County
California's deadliest month of the COVID-19 pandemic is August
Key to preventing COVID-19 indoors: Ventilation
Guest:
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
Couples Are Experiencing Unprecedented Strain In The Pandemic. Some Have Reached A Breaking Point.
After months of pandemic-related restrictions and changes, many relationships are under pressure.
Couples are contending with economic challenges, intensified parenting duties and more time together than ever, while seeing less of their wider circles of family and friends. Almost one in ten married or partnered people say they are likely to separate when the pandemic ends, which is up from May. Some couples have found themselves facing issues that precede the pandemic, but which have been clarified and exacerbated by all the time spent in tight quarters with few outlets. Others are struggling with the virus itself, either because they disagree on how to navigate safety precautions or are grappling with how COVID-19 has been politicized. Women are also disproportionately shouldering the childcare burden in the pandemic, which can affect their career and lead to irreparable resentment for their relationship. How can couples that are struggling find ways to make their relationship a source of fulfillment? And when is it time to move on?
Today on AirTalk, we speak with a licensed marriage and family therapist to learn more and answer your questions. Are you experiencing pandemic-related relationship strain? How are you navigating it? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Elisa Dombrowski, licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in couples and relationship therapy; she is the founder of the Corona Del Mar Counseling Center and an adjunct professor of psychology in the graduate program at Pepperdine University
With Kindergarten Enrollment Down Sharply Due To COVID-19, Parents Share How They’re Schooling Their Young Kids This Fall
The Los Angeles Unified School District released numbers on Monday showing a steep decline in Kindergarten enrollment for the 2020-2021 academic year, despite overall enrollment numbers remaining mostly the same.
Superintendent Austin Beutner said in a Monday broadcast that schools in lower-income neighborhoods had seen the most drastic enrollment drop. According to the Los Angeles Times, figures released Monday by LAUSD showed 6,000 fewer Kindergarten students enrolled compared to last year, a year-over-year drop of 14 percent.
Today on AirTalk, we’d like to hear from you if you’re the parent of a Kindergartener. Did you decide to enroll your child this year? Why or why not? If you did enroll your child, how is distance learning going for you? If not, how if at all are you supplementing your child’s education? Join our live conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Howard Blume, reporter covering education for The Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Artineh Samkian, associate professor of clinical education at the University of Southern California; she is a former sixth grade teacher and research analyst at First5LA, an organization that funds health, safety, and early education programs for children prenatal to age 5
Prop 19: Property Tax Transfers And Funding For CA Fire Response
Come November, California residents will have a number of ballot measures to consider as they cast their ballot. The initiatives cover an array of efforts including reinstating affirmative action, allowing those on parole to vote and implementing the controversial split roll tax.
Proposition 19, which would expand the ability of homeowners 55 years old and up to transfer their property tax assessment when they move, is also up for consideration. This also extends to homeowners who are disabled or experience a natural disaster. The proposition would also mean those who inherit properties from relatives are less likely to maintain low property tax payments unless they use the property as their primary residence, for example. California’s long and controversial history with property taxes stems from the passage of Prop 13 in 1978. Some argue Prop 19 takes away protections in place from Prop 13 and replaces it with a massive tax increase. But proponents, including the California Association of Realtors, argue the proposition could help incentivize long-time homeowners to move, making room for new families. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the pros and cons of Prop 19. Do you have thoughts? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer; she tweets
Susan Shelley, a columnist and a member of the editorial board of Southern California News Group, which includes the Orange County Register and Los Angeles Daily News, she’s also vice president of communications at Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; she tweets