We take a look at each candidate's strategy and prep as they gear up for tonight's debate; airlines are seeking to limit the types of service animals allowed on planes but disability rights advocates are pushing back; Long Beach has proposed a new general tax to local businesses that distribute marijuana - some wonder if it could be a bellwether; Plus, we dive into the new venues added to L.A.'s Olympic bid.
AirTalk election 2016: the debate ahead and a look at the CA congressional races that are heating up
Who’s ready for tonight’s political equivalent of a prizefight?
In boxing there's the expression "styles make fights." We couldn't have a much bigger stylistic contrast than between these two candidates.
What will this bout look like? Massive numbers of us are expected to tune at 6 tonight for the first Presidential debate. What tone will Trump strike against Clinton? Will he use the in-your-face, dismissive, approach of the GOP primary debates, or tone it down? He's in real need of women voters.
Can he appeal to them tonight? Can Clinton energize younger voters? During her campaign, Clinton has forcefully argued Trump is a dangerous choice as president. How could she effectively make that case to those who are leaning toward taking the risk of a Trump presidency?
We also get the latest on California congressional races like the one between Orange County’s Darrell Issa and Douglas Applegate.
Guests:
Pilar Marrero, senior political reporter at La Opinion and other ImpreMedia Newspapers
Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy and executive director of The Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University
Carla Marinucci, POLITICO California Playbook reporter
Airlines plan new regulations for service animals in-flight
The list of plane-approved therapy animals may soon shrink.
Currently, service animals and emotional support animals can fly in-cabin, free of charge. But which animals qualify as support animals is up for debate.
A committee of airline representatives and disabled rights advocates have been working on new rules to define the types of animals to be permitted on planes.
Airline reps say too many passengers falsely claim their pets as support animals. They want to limit the list to dogs and miniature horses. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation wants limits for a different set of reasons – mainly, dander, and its subsequent allergy inducing effects.
So should airlines limit the types of service animals allowed on flights? Is there an appropriate compromise to suit both airlines and disabled rights advocates? Or do passengers have a right to fly with their support animals, be they pigs, turkeys or dogs?
Guest:
Brett Snyder, President of the airline industry blog the Cranky Flier
Weighing the impact of Long Beach’s proposed marijuana tax
The city of Long Beach has proposed a new measure that would add a general tax to local businesses that distribute marijuana, should the drug be legalized statewide in November.
As reported by the Long Beach Press Telegram, Measure MA would include a 6 percent gross receipts tax on medical and non-medical marijuana businesses in the city, with the option to increase to a maximum tax rate of 8 percent. The city tax would be added to the drug’s built-in statewide tax.
The tax revenue would go to the city’s regulation of the marijuana industry. It would also fund homeless assistance programs and 9-1-1 emergency response. If the measure passes, along with statewide legalization of marijuana and a local initiative to legalize medical marijuana in Long Beach, the city predicts it would bring in $13 million annually.
But a July ballot initiative, Measure MM, proposed a rate that would not put a tax on recreational marijuana. In addition, it would impose a 6 percent tax on medical marijuana dispensaries with an option to lower the rate.
Proponents of Measure MM are concerned with patients who may not be able to afford expenses the tax would impose, and force them to buy unregulated marijuana on the black market.
Those behind the higher tax rates of Measure MA, including Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, are emphasizing the potential public safety resources that would receive more funding, should the measure pass.
Measure MA could also set a precedent for other cities, and force businesses and consumers to buy and sell marijuana in areas with lower tax rates.
What do you think about Measure MA, and how it could impact the potential sale of marijuana from city to city in California? Should recreational and medical marijuana be taxed to fund public safety programs, or is this just another way to keep people from using the drug if it becomes legalized?
Guests:
Robert Garcia, Mayor of Long Beach; he is in support of Measure MA; he tweets
Adam Hijazi, sits on the board of directors for the Long Beach Collective Association
Joel Warner, Denver-based writer and former staff writer at the International Business Times, where he covered the marijuana industry; he tweets
Anaheim, Long Beach and more added to LA 2024 Olympic bid
New venue locations have been added to L.A.’s 2024 Olympic bid, including the Honda Center in Anaheim, the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades, Lake Perris, and most notably, Long Beach.
The volleyball competition would be held at the Honda Center, while the golf competition would be held at the country club; and a total of six events will be held in Long Beach, the biggest Olympic presence in the city’s history.
Though the International Olympic Committee won’t select the host city until Sept. 13, 2017, what will it take for the designated venues to be event-ready?
Guest:
Rich Llewellyn, Legal Counsel to the Mayor of Los Angeles
Happy Anniversary, Off-Ramp! 10 years broadcasting LA culture with KPCC's John Rabe
"Culture is the intersection of people and life itself," as put by actor Wendell Pierce, and those intersections in LA are found along a plethora of freeways and in stories created by "Off-Ramp” with John Rabe celebrating it's 10th year on KPCC.
Join us on AirTalk as Larry and John Rabe, host of KPCC’s “Off-Ramp” reminisce about John’s favorite stories and interview subjects including: the inimitable Huell Howser; plus a groundbreaking interview with Bob Tur, now Zoey Tur; and violinist Julie Gigante whose cultural imprint on LA can be found quite literally on a freeway - the 110 North.
We welcome calls from listeners who want to share their favorite memories of Off-Ramp.
Guest:
John Rabe, host of KPCC’s “Off-Ramp,” which is celebrating its 10th year on air