How do you prosecute white collar crime? Prop 25 and busting budget gridlock. Some provisions of the health care reform law go into effect. A calm look at Tea Partiers. Later, LACMA’s new pavilion.
Bell ringing: how do you prosecute public corruption?
After the arrest of 8 city officials in Bell, AirTalk looks back to recent cases of corruption in local government for clues as to how the city employees will defend themselves against lawsuits brought by Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and Attorney General Jerry Brown. What will the officials say in their own defense? And will they serve time?
Guest:
John Hueston, partner with Irell and Manella, where he specializes in white collar criminal defense and the former lead prosecutor for the Enron trial of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling.
Bust budget gridlock – or else!
A bill on the ballot seeks to end the two-thirds legislative vote required in order to pass the California budget. Not only that – Proposition 25 would also require that legislators forfeit their pay in the years that they fail to bring in the budget on time. Now, there’s some incentive to get the job done – but will voters go for it? And on the other hand, Proposition 26 would change the simple majority vote required for many fees, levies, charges and tax revenue allocations to a two-thirds majority. Supporters call it the ‘Stop Hidden Taxes’ initiative, claiming that such fees are really taxes in disguise, a loophole that must be closed. Both initiatives, if passed, would amend California’s constitution. What are the pros and cons? And how can voters sort out the numbers?
Guests:
Joel Fox, head of the Small Business Action Committee
Marty Hittelman, President of California Federation of Teachers
Amid political wrangling, first provisions of Obama's health care law begin tomorrow
While major parts of the health care overhaul won’t be enacted until 2014, a few key provisions take effect tomorrow. Among the new changes- children can stay on their parents’ policies until age 26, and annual and lifetime limits on medical benefits will be eliminated. Health insurers also would be prohibited from excluding coverage for children with pre-existing conditions. At the same time, Republicans in Congress are looking for ways to repeal or roll back parts of the health care law. Primary targets include the requirement that employers offer insurance or pay a penalty, and the provision that most Americans have health insurance. What tactics would be employed to change the law, and what are the chances of success?
Guest:
Michael Cousineau, Associate Professor of Research in the Department of Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine
Chris Frates, Reporter for Politico; author of Politico Pulse
Inside Tea Party America
The GOP establishment was stunned last Tuesday night when a "tea party" backed insurgent candidate, Christine O'Donnell beat nine-term Rep. Mike Castle for the Delaware Senate nomination. That election and other Tea Party wins have provoked heated debate about who the Tea Partiers are, where they came from, what they stand for, and what they mean for the future of American politics. More than anyone else writing about the movement, Kate Zernike is examining the activists behind the Tea Party, their motivations, their philosophy and their mission. She tells all in her new book Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America.
Guest:
Kate Zernike, author of Boiling Mad and national correspondent for the New York Times
LACMA’s new pavilion
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will celebrate the opening of the new Resnick Pavilion with three exhibitions on October 2. Among the new exhibitions is "Eye for the Sensual," featuring European painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the collection of long-time LACMA patrons Lynda and Stewart Resnick. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the 45,000 square foot Resnick Pavilion is the largest purpose-built, naturally lit, open-plan museum space in the world.
Guests:
Michael Govan, Director and CEO of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Lynda Resnick, Vice Chairman of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Board of Trustees, as well as the Chair of the Acquisitions Committee and the Executive Committee