Internal documents leaked on NYC congestion pricing reveal a push to kill the program

This morning, The Gothamist broke news of mistakenly posted correspondence by the federal government which detailed the flaws of New York City’s congestion pricing tolls. The city began the experiment on January 5, and while the results have been positive for the city, the Trump Administration is not a fan. The federal government has threatened to withhold funding and regulatory approvals as outlined in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul if the MTA’s congestion pricing plan isn’t nixed by May 21. If it stays on track, congestion pricing could generate $500 million for the city, which the city will put back into improving public transportation. Today on AirTalk we’re discussing congestion pricing in NYC and also looking into its feasibility in Los Angeles. LA has a vastly different urban layout, with a more car-dependent culture and less comprehensive public transit than NYC. Even so, congestion pricing has been considered over the decades. So could it work here? And how would it work given the complex network of freeways that feed in and out of not one, but many different city centers. Joining us on AirTalk to discuss his breaking story is Stephen Nessen, reporter covering transportation at The Gothamist, David Banks, lecturer at the University at Albany, Suny in the Department of Geography, Planning and Sustainability and Genevieve Giuliano, distinguished professor of public policy at USC.

The pros and cons to having the same job as your partner

You share a workplace, a commute, maybe even the same uniform. But you also share a home, a couple kids, and maybe a dog? When you share a life together, what’s it like to also have the same job as your partner? For some, maybe it begins as an HR nightmare, but for many, working in the same field as your partner can be a source of connection, empathy and excitement. Two doctors can understand the grueling hours and demands of their partner. Two journalists can relate to the volatility of their partner’s industry. Two actors can share hacks for memorizing their lines! Today on Airtalk, we want to hear from you! Are you in the same field as your partner? Do you have the same job title? What are the pros and cons? Call us at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com

What LA’s budget shortfall means for affordable housing efforts

Facing a nearly $1 billion deficit, the city of Los Angeles is set to finance much less affordable housing over the next year under a proposed budget released this week by Mayor Karen Bass. The budget calls for a nearly 80% drop in city financing of new affordable housing units, declining from 770 homes in the current fiscal year to 160 homes in the next fiscal year. Speaking with reporters Tuesday at a San Fernando Valley car dealership, Bass said economic conditions are increasingly unfavorable to housing development. Today we talk about what the budget shortfall will mean for affordable housing and where various measures to assist those efforts stand. Joining us to discuss this is David Wagner, LAist housing reporter. If you have thoughts or questions, call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.

What do we know about the benefits of microdosing and psychedelics?

Microdosing is gaining popularity with a new breed of health seekers. These self-experimenters take a very small amount of psilocybin mushrooms or LSD to try to reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Some claim the practice gives them access to joy, creativity and connection they can’t get otherwise. This isn’t a full-blown acid trip — or even close. If you see visions, it’s not a microdose. People who microdose don’t do it every day. Instead, they take tiny doses intermittently, on a schedule or when they feel it could be beneficial. One small study suggests any psychological benefits come from users’ expectations — the placebo effect. But the science is still new and research is ongoing. Today on AirTalk, we’ll explore the current research out there for microdosing and the benefits of psychedelics. Joining us is Harriet De Wit, professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago.

TV Talk: ‘Étoile,’ ‘Andor,’ ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North,’ and more!

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Roxana Hadadi, TV critic for Vulture and Jen Chaney, tv critic for Vulture.

TV Shows:

• Andor (Disney+)
• The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Amazon Prime Video)
• Étoile (Amazon Prime Video)
• The Last of Us (HBO Max)