The LA city budget- deal or no deal? Then Larry looks at the governor's plan to reduce prison overcrowding, as well as new energy standards for big-screen televisions. And it's FilmWeek on AirTalk. Larry and the KPCC film critics discuss this week's new releases.
City budget: deal or no deal?
The Los Angeles City Council is scheduled to vote on a final budget today. City negotiators have been trying to reach a compromise with union leaders over the controversial early retirement plan. How will the city address its $400 million deficit?
Guest:
Frank Stoltze, KPCC reporter
State prison plan due today
Under order from federal courts, Governor Schwarzenegger must submit a plan today to reduce overcrowding in California's state prisons. U.S. District judges called for a reduction last month after ruling that prison overcrowding was causing inadequate medical and mental health care for inmates. Will the state’s plan satisfy the judges?
Guests:
Michael Rothfeld, Reporter for the L.A. Times
Senator George Runner, CA State Senator, R-Lancaster, District 17
Steve Fama, Senior Staff Attorney for the Prison Law Office
Guzzling televisions?
The California Energy Commission is releasing new standards for television sets today, in a bid to slow down increased electricity demand caused by the popularity of widescreens. They say it could actually reduce the number of power plants needed in California. But what will this mean for the industry?
Guests:
David Katzmaier, Senior Editor, CNET.com
Doug Johnson, Senior Director of Technology Policy for The Consumer Electronics Association
Ken Lowe, Co-founder and Vice President of VIZIO
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Henry Sheehan of henrysheehan.com, Andy Klein of Brand X and Charles Solomon of amazon.com discuss the week’s new releases, including Love Happens, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, The Informant, Bright Star, The Burning Plain, American Casino, Laila’s Birthday, Crude, Paris, and You, the Living. Larry will also talk with KPCC film critic Peter Rainer of the Christian Science Monitor about the Montreal and Toronto film festivals, and talk with our critics about the deaths this week of Larry Gelbart, Henry Gibson, and Patrick Swayze.
Guests:
Andy Klein, film critic for Brand X
Henry Sheehan, film critic for henrysheehan.com
Charles Solomon, animation critic and historian for amazon.com
Peter Rainer, film critic for The Christian Science Monitor