StingRay surveillance technology is raising privacy and constitutionality concerns; Tess Vigeland explores Leimert Park; Should fossil fuel subsidies come to an end?; Mexico's Semana Santa celebration brings shoppers to the U.S.; California smokers could pay higher health care costs under Obamacare, and much more.
StingRay surveillance system raises privacy, constitutionality concerns
No, it's not the flat, bottom-dwelling sea creature you take efforts to avoid when you're wading along in the ocean. This breed of StingRay is an elaborate surveillance system that simulates a cell phone tower and is used to locate and track individual cell phones.
Unites States authorities have been using these sophisticated surveillance systems to track criminals for at least five years now, but now privacy activists are raising some serious concerns. Today, the ACLU will urge a federal court in Arizona to disregard evidence obtained via stingray surveillance, in what could have important implications for use of the method without a warrant.
The issue is also being raised in California after the ACLU obtained "troubling" emails through a Freedom of Information Act request, which showed that Department of Justice officials in northern California acknowledged not being forthright about the use of StingRays.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation even referred to the technology as the, "biggest technological threat to cellphone privacy that you don't know about."
Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima, who's written about this topic, joins the show with more.
Should fossil fuel subsidies come to an end?
Most of us here in Southern California keep a pretty close eye on gas prices, and though they may seem high at times, they're actually artificially low.
That's according to the International Monetary Fund, which this week released a report calling for countries around the world to stop "mis-pricing" fossil fuels and replace those subsidies with carbon taxes to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Joining me to explain how that would work is Amy Myers Jaffe, she's the executive director for energy and sustainability at UC Davis.
In Mexico, Semana Santa (Holy Week) means retail pilgrimage to the US
This week is Semana Santa, or Holy Week. It's a big week in Mexico when schools cancel classes and businesses take a holiday. It's also a big week for retailers in the U.S. Southwest, because Mexican shoppers cross the border in droves. For San Antonio, it's one of the biggest weeks of the year for retail sales, and as Fronteras reporter Joey Palacios explains, hopes are high for this year's Semana Santa spending spree because of a powerful peso.
Music pulsates at San Antonio’s Shops at La Cantera, a high-end shopping mall. The cash registers are also pulsating as shoppers from Mexico are here looking for deals and quality merchandise.
Aldolfo Muzquiz is from the state of Coahuila. He and his family make several trips here a year, but Holy Week is a special time to leave Mexico.
“You basically shut down all the commerce and all the work there so the people have the chance to go to the states and do their shopping as well as relax during vacation,” Muzquiz said.
Muzquiz adds he and his family feel safer shopping in the U.S. with the ongoing violence in his country. Even with a stronger peso, Maria Ortiz from Guadalajara says she has more buying power here.
“In Mexico everything is expensive. Everything. Here? No. There sales are very good for us,” she said.
The Mexican peso is enjoying a two-year high in comparison to the dollar. And it’s trending up as there’s optimism that economic reforms in Mexico will spur greater growth.
That’s a good trend for San Antonio merchants like Humberto Fuentes who cater to Mexican shoppers. He’s an assistant manager at a Clark’s, which sells shoes and purses. He says during Holy Week, Mexican nationals boost sales about 60 percent.
“I think it’s an extra push, it doesn’t make us or break us but it definitely helps us with achieving our budgets, our goals for the end of the year,” Fuentes said.
However, Holy Week isn’t the only Mexican boost Texas gets — Christmas and July are also high spending times for visitors. Ramiro Cavazos of San Antonio’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce says the owner of two of the city’s affluent shopping malls, including La Cantera, reports patrons from Mexico make up 50 to 60 percent of the shopping clientele during these time periods. He claims many flock to Texas due to its friendly climate.
“I think they’re coming here because they feel welcome," Cavazos said.
Cavazos said San Antonio is a bilingual city and culturally connected to Mexico. But says some other Southwestern metropolitan areas are not.
The economic impact here as whole is clear. In a three-year study of 20 Texas counties the credit card company VISA monitored the spending habits of Mexican nationals. There was a 66 percent increase in spending from March to April last year. In dollars, that’s a jump from $168 million to $279 million.
Steve Niven is an economist with the Saber Institute, a creation of San Antonio’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and St. Mary’s University. They study regional economies. Nivin says boosts like this are something you would not see in other parts of the country.
“If you’re the metropolitan economy of Kansas City you’re probably not going to see these kinds of impacts. It’s a nice little addition to our economy that provides more diversification in our economy, and helps provide a little stability as well,” Nivin said.
This kind of economic impact is unique to the southern border. And as Mexico’s economy continues on the upswing with a growing middle class, Holy Week spending could increase as its proven in the last three years of the study.
What's behind the strength of the Mexican peso?
The Mexican peso now buys more dollars than it has at any time in the past five years. That edge in currency exchange means shoppers coming north into the U.S. are finding lots of bargains. But why is the peso doing so well?
To find out, we've reached Marcela Meirelles, head of Latin American research at the LA-based investment firm, TCW.
She says the peso has increased in value against the dollar by about five percent in the past year. But it's still down significantly from the levels it reached before the financial crisis.
Meirelles points to a couple of factors that are now pushing up the value of the Mexican currency. She notes that increasing wages in China have made it more attractive for producers - especially U.S. companies - to manufacture goods in Mexico. Government plans for reform, she says, are another reason traders have been bidding up the peso.
While a stronger peso might cause prices to increase for Mexican consumers, TCW's Meirelles believes, overall, it's a good thing for the Mexican people. She says the country's good economic fundamentals, coupled with expected governmental reforms, mean Mexico's future is looking brighter.
California airports compete for contract to test drones for civilian use
Drones — those small remote controlled aircrafts — may soon fill the skies in some parts of California. That's because several airports in the state are competing for a federal contract to test out drones for civilian use. The untapped civilian market is estimated to be worth billions.
Here to tell us more is John Rose, Deputy Director of Public Policy at The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Bigger chickens means more expensive wings
The wholesale price of these poultry pieces soared 76 percent on average last year. That rapid growth is due in part to the actual growth of chickens, they're becoming much bigger. But larger chickens aren't necessarily a good thing for restaurants that serve chicken wings.
Here to explain is Star Tribune in Minneapolis reporter Mike Hughlett. He covers the food and agriculture industries.
Who's the ‘labor candidate’ in the race for LA mayor?
Last year, as the Los Angeles City Council prepared to roll back pensions for new city workers, one of the most powerful political players in town walked up to the podium and scolded them.
“You have totally ignored the collective bargaining process,” said Maria Elena Durazo, the leader of the LA County Federation of Labor.
Then she issued an ominous threat: “It is going to come back and haunt you.”
Durazo and leaders of city labor unions were angry the council raised the retirement age from 55 to 65 and reduced benefits for new hires. They argued the council acted illegally because it failed to formally consult the unions that represent city workers.
Courts are still considering whether cities can change pension rules for future new employees unilaterally, but Durazo and others are now punishing city councilman and mayoral hopeful Eric Garcetti for supporting the rollback, and for his earlier votes in favor of unpaid furloughs and layoffs to address budget deficits.
Last week, the labor federation – a conglomerate of unions that represents 600,000 workers countywide – endorsed Garcetti’s rival, City Controller Wendy Greuel.
But UCLA Labor Center Director Kent Wong notes that Garcetti is hardly anti-labor, as some in the labor movement would have voters believe.
“Both Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti have been friends of labor,” he said.
Unions break from labor group to back Garcetti
That’s why there’s a split among labor unions in the mayor’s race that is not reflected in the unanimous vote the federation touted for Greuel. Labor groups supporting Garcetti, including the Teamsters, longshore and teachers unions – frustrated with attacks on their candidate – refused to attend the final vote.
“We figured because of the utter disregard for Eric’s background and accomplishments, that there was no purpose to attend,” said Teamsters political director Ed Rendon.
“He was interrogated like you would interrogate an egregious, anti-union operator,” Rendon said of how Garcetti was treated in one union meeting. “It was horrendous.”
Labor unions prefer to present a united front in politics. That’s not what’s happening in the contest to succeed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Wednesday, Rendon stood outside a labor rally for Garcetti at a union hall in downtown L.A. He said the councilman has been more helpful than Greuel in unionizing truckers at the Port of Los Angeles and limiting the expansion of non-union stores like Walmart.
“A lot of times we have to chase and chase to try to get people to answer our call. Eric Garcetti has never been one of those people,” said Rendon.
City worker unions spend big to oppose Garcetti
Unions representing city workers, including Department of Water and Power employees and LAPD cops, spent nearly $3 million against Garcetti in the primary election, and are expected to spend at least that much in the runoff. The private sector unions backing Garcetti likely will spend a fraction of that, although they promise vigorous get-out-the-vote efforts among their members.
Bob Schoonover, who heads the largest city union – the Service Employees International Union Local 721 – said the stakes are higher for his members. He maintains Garcetti can’t be trusted when it comes to union contracts up for renewal next year.
“Eric obviously has a track record," Schoonover said recently. "There’s some things in there where he very much voted against our interests.”
The longtime labor leader said he’d rather see Greuel across the negotiating table when it comes time to talk wages and benefits for the trash truck drivers, sewer workers and mechanics he represents.
“Y'know, you can have disagreements with Wendy," he said. "But if you can actually prove to her that you’re right, she’ll see what you’re talking about.”
Pension vote one reason behind union split
Historically, public and private employee unions have not always agreed. One big difference today is pensions.
Rendon of the Teamsters said he’s comfortable with Garcetti’s vote to reduce public pension benefits for new city workers to address deep budget deficits.
“On the private sector side, our members all across this country have suffered as well,” he said. “We’ve taken concessions, we’ve taken two tier [when new employees receive less benefits]. Why should the city or county be any different?”
He noted the city council vote on pension changes last year was unanimous.
The council vote came despite warnings from the labor federation's Durazo about the effect on city workers.
"You are taking a drastic step, potentially pushing city workers into poverty when they retire," said Durazo.
Rendon said he sympathizes with his city union brethren, but argues they should be more concerned about Greuel’s new advisor, former Mayor Richard Riordan, who’s advocated far more dramatic cuts in pension benefits.
Greuel has said she is proud she has a variety of advisers. She’s also sent mixed messages.
After suggesting she might seek to re-open negotiations over pension changes, Greuel was asked to clarify her stance by another of her powerful backers: the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
The mayoral hopeful now says she’s comfortable with the pension reforms approved last year and would only seek talks with union leaders to avoid a lawsuit. It’s essentially the same position as Garcetti’s.
So how different would the two be on labor issues? Not much, said Wong.
“Because of the intensity of this campaign, minor differences tend to get blown out of proportion,” he said. “I think that’s what we see here.”
Voters will see a lot more of that as the May 21 runoff nears.
City Hall Pass: Mayoral endorsements, Farmers Field and more
It's Take Two's ticket to all the latest political news coming out of downtown Los Angeles with KPCC's political team of Frank Stoltze and Alice Walton.
The Dinner Party: 'Ungoogleable,' entrees vs. tapas, and cold fusion
Every week we get your weekend conversation starters with Rico Gagliano and Brendan Newnam, the hosts of the Dinner Party radio show.
On tap this week: Why you're not allowed to say "ungoogleable" in Sweden, the elimination of entrees in restaurants, and this week back in 1989 two scientists claim to have discovered cold fusion.
Neighborhoods: Leimert Park's important place in LA's music and cultural history (Map)
Millions of people live in the city, occupying diverse neighborhoods like Little Tokyo, Echo Park and Glassell Park. But how much of the city do you really know? In Take Two's series, Neighborhoods, reporter Tess Vigeland takes us to Leimert Park in South Los Angeles.
Leimert Park may be most well known because of Hollywood lore — The Black Dahlia was found back in 1947 — but the area is even better known for its extraordinary cultural history. So much so that it's even got it's own two-block walk of fame. While you're there, listen to the ghosts of music past, present, and future, as introduced to my by 67-year-old independent filmmaker and longtime Leimert Park resident Ben Caldwell:
"The history that's more fascinating to me, is the history of the '20s, '30, '40s and '50s, of looking at the real strong cultural density of the artists. You can't name a black American artist who didn't live or work within a 5-mile radius of this place," said Caldwell. "Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Richard Pryor, he got his chops together here at Maverick's Flat. If anything, this is the Hollywood."
So what made Leimert Park the meeting place for these famous musicians and creatives?
"The first thing is the clubs, they had a strong club scene. Even when I was here, there was at least 10 clubs within a 2-block radius," said Caldwell. "From Reggae to Blues to Rhythm & Blues, to the total experience that had the high-end performers from The Impressions and The Temptations. All of that was within these few blocks."
Caldwell himself has had a hand in bringing new music to these streets. He founded a performance space and community arts center called KAOS Network that helped breed acts from hip-hop artists Eazy-E and Yo-Yo in the '80s, to a decade later, Project Blode, an open mic night that spawned the careers of freestyle rappers like Nocando.
"I really love this neighborhood, because it's the only place in Los Angeles where I can find good Jamaican food on the regular," said James McCall, better known as the rapper Nocando. "LA is kind of like, it's a melting pot, but somewhat segregated. If you are in the neighborhood where my studio is, Atwater Village, it's just like this, except for its not black."
Indeed, Leimert Park has one of the largest African-American populations in the Western United States. According to US Census data from 2000, Leimert Park's population is about 79.6 percent black, 11.4 percent Latino, 4.6 percent Asian and 1 percent white. Nocando offers his suggestions for someone visiting the area for the first time:
"Come to Leimert Park, go to Ackee Bamboo and get some good Jamaican food, go to the World Stage and listen to some cool jazz," said Nocando. "Right around the corner on Crenshaw there's like four barbershops, it's like the most competitive barbershop area, so it's pretty hard to get a bad haircut, bad barbers don't last here."
See which locations Tess visited in Leimert Park, plus a few more notable spots:
View Neighborhoods: Leimert Park in a larger map
Calif. smokers could pay higher health insurance under Obamacare
Obamacare could be expensive for some smokers. Under a provision of the federal health care law, states can allow health plans to charge tobacco users up to 50 percent more for their health insurance premiums. But there is a move afoot to protect California smokers from higher prices.
The provision allowing for a "tobacco surcharge" was designed in part to encourage smokers to quit. But critics say the smokers surcharge is discriminatory, which goes against the spirit of Obamacare.
Not only does the surcharge discriminate, but it can negate the benefits of subsidies offered under the federal health care law, said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow with the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A low-income person buying a $6,000 policy who qualified for a subsidy might see the price of the policy drop to $3,000, but "the tobacco surcharge would knock it back up to $6,000 again," said Pollitz.
That was the finding of a study published last summer by the Institute for Health Policy Solutions in Washington, D.C. Institute President Rick Curtis wrote the study. He points out that the rate of smoking nationally and in California is highest among lower-income people – who often must juggle several jobs to support their families. The resulting stress, Curtis said, makes breaking the tobacco addiction even harder.
"For somebody who is totally hooked after many years, and older – and those kinds of people often do need more medical care, they have emphysema and so forth – they have two bad choices: go without health insurance and be impoverished that way, or get health insurance and be impoverished," said Curtis.
The Centers for Disease Control puts the nation’s annual price tag for smoking at more than $190 billion in medical care and lost productivity.
State Assemblyman Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) has written legislation that would make California among the first states to ban higher premiums for smokers.
"We want smokers to actually have health care coverage," said Pan. "And through having health care coverage they’ll have access to smoking cessation treatment as well as, of course, health care for not only smoking related but even their non-smoking related illness."
And that seems to make sense to those involved with the issue. Pan says his bill faces no opposition – not from cigarette companies, anti-smoking groups, anti-cancer advocates, or the American Lung Association.
Officials at the Lung Association's California branch said in a statement that because smoking is so hard to quit, it’s essential to provide tobacco users with affordable health insurance, rather than make them pay more for it.
In 'Ground Operations,' American war vets find new lives in organic farming
When veterans come home from war, two of the toughest challenges they often face are recovering from the horrors of combat and finding work.
The V.A. reports that nearly 30 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan vets have been diagnosed with PTSD. At the same time, veterans faced a 9.9 percent unemployment rate in 2012, higher than the national average of 8.1 percent for that same year.
There's one vocation that may well help on both fronts: farming. A new documentary called "Ground Operations" looks at the growing number of veterans who are taking up farming nationwide.
This morning, we're talking to two veterans who are featured in the film.
Tia Christopher is a Navy veteran and the chief of staff of a group called the Farmer Veteran Coalition. D'Artagnan Scorza ia a Navy veteran and farmer in Inglewood.
"Ground Operations" will screen in Downtown Los Angeles Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Click here for more information.