Patt Morrison - Tuesday, 2/16/2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

1-3 p.m.

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

1:00 - 1:40

OPEN

1:40 - 2:00

Repair California stalled

A week after citing the movement was being derailed due to "dirty tricks" by Sacramento special interests groups, the Bay Area-based group hoping to organize a statewide constitutional convention announced Friday they have hit a bump in the road, lack of money. The group has called California's government "dysfunctional" and that major reforms are necessary to reduce the influence of special interest groups and end the gridlock in Sacramento. We find out exactly why the group has stopped its campaign, and how will this affect future reform groups from shaking up the status quo.

Guest:

John Grubb, Campaign Director for Repair California

CALL HIM:

2:00 - 2:30

The Obama Administration puts the kibosh on Snickers

The Obama Administration is in the midst of a massive campaign (headed by 1st lady Michelle Obama) to push unhealthy snack foods (sodas, French fries, and yes, Snickers) out of public schools and replace them with healthy alternatives. The goal is to reduce childhood obesity but the price tag for all the nutritious food could be high. Apparently, the plan is getting some tepid bipartisan support in Congress (legislation is on the horizon) but the jury is out on whether kids will go for replacing their Twinkies with carrots.

Guests:

UNCONFIRMED- DO NOT PROMOTE THESE GUESTS:

Senator Saxby Chambliss

Senator Blanche Lincoln

Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary

Dr. William H. Dietz, an obesity research at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

CONFIRMED:

Representative, National PTA

Kevin Keane, senior vice president of the American Beverage Association

They are voluntarily taking high-calorie drinks out of schools

2:30 - 3:00

Can They Do That?

If you like your job, I would be careful about that bumper sticker on your car. Most Americans have no clue that the First Amendment doesn't apply to private corporations at all; you could be fired because of a status update on your Facebook. In terms of its employees, a corporation can fire you for anything short of eavesdropping on your personal conversation. Feel safe? Didn't think so. Workers have very little protection against being fired, believe it or not, and it doesn't even have to be considered legitimate business rationale. Patt talks to the advocate of workers everywhere, Lewis Maltby, about precautions you can take to help keep your job.

Guests:

Lewis Maltby, Author of Can They Do That? and president of the National Workers Institute