Patt Morrison Fri 3/6/09

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Friday, March 6, 2009

1-3 p.m.

 

1:00 - 1:30 

TARP COP:  Elizabeth Warren

It seems so long ago when the Bush administration began handing out hundreds of billions to take care of troubled assets - that didn’t go exactly as planned, did it? - overpaying for assets, money spent on bonuses and private jets. Elizabeth Warren heads the congressional panel assigned to undo some of the damage and ride herd on the tens of billions that remain - how are they being spent? Can they be spent more wisely? Are we getting a big enough bang for our buck? The TARP COP looks both forward and backward on the government response to this broad financial crisis.

 

Guests:

Elizabeth Warren, chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel; professor of law at Harvard Law School

SHE CALLS US:

 

 

1:30 -  2:00 

FDIC Chair Scares the Hell Out of Everyone

In era where banks are failing at a remarkably high rate and volume, the guarantee of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is the only thing allowing bank customers to sleep easy at night.  That guarantee looks a little shaky after comments this week by FDIC Chair Sheila Bair who warned that without increased bank fees “the deposit insurance fund could become insolvent this year.”  The fund lost $33.5 billion in 2008 and was further drained by 16 bank failures this year, hence the drive to charge banks more money to replenish the fund.  With more bank failures a certainty this year and into next, is your mattress looking like a good investment?

 

Guests:

Andrew Gray, FDIC director of public affairs

CALL HIM: 

 

 

2:06 – 2:20 

New Metro Head for Los Angeles

MTA's CEO Roger Snoble is retiring. Yesterday the agency announced his replacement, former MTA bus driver and current Orange County Transportation Authority head Art Leahy. Leahy will take over an agency with a $3.4-billion budget and nearly 10,000 employees. He'll also oversee several construction projects, including the Exposition line to the westside of LA, and a future subway extension. What role will the federal stimulus package fill in the agency's transit goals? And how will Leahy navigate the delicate politics that is Los Angeles transportation?

 

Guests:

Art Leahy, current CEO of Orange County Transportation Authority, starts with Metro on April 6

WILL CALL IN                                   

 

 

2:21 – 2:30

Are Other Earth-like Planets Out There?

NASA's Kepler mission is set to lift-off tonight [Friday, March 6] and be on its way to find the first Earth-size planets orbiting stars in habitable zones - regions where liquid water could pool on the surface of the planets.  For three and one-half years, the satellite will stare at more than 100,000 stars in a single, large patch of sky near the Cygnus and Lyra constellations, looking for planets with the potential for life.  Are we alone, or is there a budding earth-twin out there somewhere?  We ask the scientists behind the mission.

 

Guests:  TBD 

 

 

 2:30 –  3:00 

Death by Leisure

Leisure isn't one of the seven deadly sins, but perhaps that should be amended. Chris Ayres' is here with his story of excess, enabled by a once-burgeoning housing bubble. Complete with caviar facials, supped-up cars, and foie gras pina coladas—yes, really—his cautionary tale exemplifies how America's spend-now-pay-later ethos of leisure is partly to blame for our current economic turmoil.

 

Guests:

Chris Ayres, author of Death By Leisure

IN-STUDIO

 

Fire Department: Change your Batteries

“Change Your Clock  /  Change your

 Batteries as we “Power through It All”

 

As we turn our clocks forward to Daylight Saving Time (DST) this weekend, March 8, 2009 we are reminded to prepare an emergency power kit for our family and make sure it includes fresh batteries for flashlights and portable radios.  Also, change the batteries in every smoke detector and carbon monoxide device in your home. 

 

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, we want to remind citizens of the importance of changing batteries in there smoke detectors, and understand that having a working smoke detector in your home clearly increases your chances of survival during a fire. The device may alert members of  your family while you are asleep, giving you the extra critical seconds for survival.  Follow these simple tips when handling and maintaining smoke detectors:

 

1   Install smoke detectors on all floors of your home or apartment

 

1   If hardwire or electrical current is used, be sure to have a backup battery operated smoke detector, should there be a power outage.

 

1   Mount alarms high on walls at least 4 to 12 inches from ceiling.  For angled ceilings or vaulted ceilings, place detectors at highest point

 

1   Never paint over a smoke detector and use a vacuum cleaner when cleaning detector of lint or dust buildup.

1   Have an escape plan in place and assure every member recognizes the sound of the smoke detector alarm and knows what to do when it is activated

 

1   Test your smoke detectors monthly for proper operations and replace batteries at least “Twice a year”. If the smoke detector “Chirps” frequently, this is an indication of a low battery, change it immediately!

 

For more information contact the Public Affairs Office at (323) 881-2411, or visit website www.fire.lacounty.gov for additional safety preparedness information.

 

DOCKWEILER YOUTH CENTER HALFWAY COMPLETE

 

 

NEWS FROM DON KNABE

Supervisor, Fourth District

County of Los Angeles

822 Hahn Hall of Administration

 

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   Contact:        David A. Sommers

                                                                                               (213) 974-1095

                                                                                                            (213) 453-6446 (cell)

 

DOCKWEILER YOUTH CENTER HALFWAY COMPLETE

Los Angeles, March 3, 2009 – Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the construction of the Dockweiler State Beach Youth Center is now over halfway complete.  The estimated completion date of the youth center, located at the end of Imperial Highway and Vista del Mar, is May 2009.

 
        The $6.4 million project is jointly funded by County of Los Angeles Prop A and State of California Prop. 12 bond funds.  The project will provide a youth activity center at Dockweiler State Beach and will serve as the southern headquarters for the Los Angeles County W.A.T.E.R. (Water Awareness, Training, Education and Recreation) youth education program offering aquatic sports camps.

 
The 8,800 square foot building will consist of multi-purpose meeting and training facilities, administrative space, indoor storage facilities, restroom and locker facilities and storage for beach equipment.

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REVISE - RE: Patt Morrison Thurs 3/5 - see Shannon Minter

 

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 5, 2009

1-3 p.m.

 

1:00 – 1:30

Proposition 8 has its Day in Court

Both sides go at it in three hours of argument today to determine whether a voter initiative that changed the constitution to ban gay marriage is valid. They present those arguments before the same California Supreme Court justices who less than a year ago said there is no constitutional bar to same sex marriage. We hear from a reporter who was inside the courtroom and two legal scholars, who will explain both sides’ reasoning.

 

Guests:

Maura Dolan, LA Times reporter covering the arguments.  She talks with us from outside the courtroom.

 

Mark Rosenbaum, Legal Director of the Southern California ACLU (AGAINST UPHOLDING PROP 8)

CALL  HIM @

• He helped frame and write the legal challenge to Prop. 8 that will be argued on March 5 by a coalition of civil-rights groups for which the ACLU is a co-counsel

 

John Eastman, Dean of Chapman University's School of Law (FOR UPHOLDING PROP 8)

CALL HIM @

• He wrote a legal brief in the case.

 

 

 

1:30 – 2:00

OPEN

 

 

[NPR NEWS]

 

2:00 – 2:30

Proposition 8: Lead Counsel Speaks

As the California Supreme Court breaks for the day after hearing arguments for and against overturning Prop 8, the ban on same-sex marriage passed in last November's election, we check in with the lead counsel for both sides. What were their arguments and how were they received?

 

Guest:

NO ON UPHOLDING PROP 8

Shannon Minter (MR.), lead counsel who will present the oral argument against upholding Prop 8. He is legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco. He was a lead counsel in the state Supreme Court case decided last May that allowed same-sex couples to marry, a ruling that was reversed in November when voters approved Proposition 8.

CALL HIM @

 

YES ON UPHOLDING PROP 8

Andrew Pugno (POON-yoh), co-counsel to Kenneth Starr, who will be presenting the arguments that Proposition 8 is the will of the people and should be upheld. (Pugno will not be addressing the court himself.)  He was general counsel for The Yes on 8 campaign.

CALL HIM @

 

 

 

2:30 – 2:40

OPEN

 

 

 

2:40 – 3:00

The Long Reach of the Black Hand

There’s an army of 60,000 heavily armed soldiers that more-or-less control California’s prison system and a large part of organized crime in our state, yet manages to stay out of the headlines.  The Mexican Mafia, in spite of its name, is an American creation that continues to thrive and adapt to new law enforcement tactics and to the changing nature of the drug trade into the U.S.  Chris Blatchford’s book “The Black Hand” traces the history of “La Eme” through the rise of Rene Boxer Enriquez, who rose from a Mexican Mafia enforcer in East L.A. to a mob leader.  Chris charts the growth of a mob organization that may ultimately be more influential than the Italian mafia.

 

Guests:

Chris Blatchford, author of “The Black Hand”; Fox 11 News correspondent

IN STUDIO

 

 

 

Patt Morrison Thurs 3/5

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 5, 2009

1-3 p.m.

 

1:00 – 1:30

Proposition 8 has its Day in Court

Both sides go at it in three hours of argument today to determine whether a voter initiative that changed the constitution to ban gay marriage is valid. They present those arguments before the same California Supreme Court justices who less than a year ago said there is no constitutional bar to same sex marriage. We hear from a reporter who was inside the courtroom and two legal scholars, who will explain both sides’ reasoning.

 

Guests:

Maura Dolan, LA Times reporter covering the arguments.  She talks with us from outside the courtroom.

 

Mark Rosenbaum, Legal Director of the Southern California ACLU (AGAINST UPHOLDING PROP 8)

CALL  HIM @

• He helped frame and write the legal challenge to Prop. 8 that will be argued on March 5 by a coalition of civil-rights groups for which the ACLU is a co-counsel

 

John Eastman, Dean of Chapman University's School of Law (FOR UPHOLDING PROP 8)

CALL HIM @

• He wrote a legal brief in the case.

 

 

 

1:30 – 2:00

OPEN

 

 

[NPR NEWS]

 

2:00 – 2:30

Proposition 8: Lead Counsel Speaks

As the California Supreme Court breaks for the day after hearing arguments for and against overturning Prop 8, the ban on same-sex marriage passed in last November's election, we check in with the lead counsel for both sides. What were their arguments and how were they received?

 

Guest:

NO ON UPHOLDING PROP 8

Shannon Minter (MR.), legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco. He was a lead counsel in the state Supreme Court case decided last May that allowed same-sex couples to marry, a ruling that was reversed in November when voters approved Proposition 8.

CALL HIM @

 

YES ON UPHOLDING PROP 8

Andrew Pugno (POON-yoh), co-counsel to Kenneth Starr, who will be presenting the arguments that Proposition 8 is the will of the people and should be upheld. (Pugno will not be addressing the court himself.)  He was general counsel for The Yes on 8 campaign.

CALL HIM @

 

 

 

2:30 – 2:40

OPEN

 

 

 

2:40 – 3:00

The Long Reach of the Black Hand

There’s an army of 60,000 heavily armed soldiers that more-or-less control California’s prison system and a large part of organized crime in our state, yet manages to stay out of the headlines.  The Mexican Mafia, in spite of its name, is an American creation that continues to thrive and adapt to new law enforcement tactics and to the changing nature of the drug trade into the U.S.  Chris Blatchford’s book “The Black Hand” traces the history of “La Eme” through the rise of Rene Boxer Enriquez, who rose from a Mexican Mafia enforcer in East L.A. to a mob leader.  Chris charts the growth of a mob organization that may ultimately be more influential than the Italian mafia.

 

Guests:

Chris Blatchford, author of “The Black Hand”; Fox 11 News correspondent

IN STUDIO

 

 

 

Rain Advisory for today, March 4, 2009

***Media Inquiries: please call (213) 240-8144.***

For Immediate Release:
March 4, 2009

Rain Advisory:
Advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches in effect until Sunday,
March 8th at 7:00 a.m.

LOS ANGELES - Because of current rainfall, the County Health Officer is
cautioning residents who are planning to visit Los Angeles County
beaches to be careful of swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters
around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers. Bacteria, debris,
trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain
areas are likely to enter ocean waters though these outlets.

"Fortunately, discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only
comprises a small portion of the beach, and therefore, anybody who wants
to go to the beach will be able to enjoy their outing," said Jonathan
E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and Health Officer. "We
do advise swimmers and surfers to stay away from the storm drains,
creeks and rivers as there is the possibility that bacteria or chemicals
from debris and trash may contaminate the water near and around these
areas, and some individuals may become ill."

Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks, and
rivers are exempted from this advisory. This advisory will be in effect
until at least Sunday, March 8th at 7:00 a.m. This advisory may be
extended depending on further rainfall.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24-hours a day on
the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662. Information is also
available online at our website:
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach/.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and
improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles
County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and
services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control,
and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000
employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more
about Public Health and the work we do, please visit
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.


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KNABE SEEKS TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF LOCAL JOBS

 

NEWS FROM DON KNABE

Supervisor, Fourth District

County of Los Angeles

822 Hahn Hall of Administration

 

        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           Contact:        David A. Sommers

                                                                                                       (213) 974-1095

                                                                                                                   (213) 453-6446 (cell)

 

KNABE SEEKS TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF LOCAL JOBS

Los Angeles, March 4, 2009 – Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, is seeking to create as many as 10,000 temporary jobs in Los Angeles County thanks to funding available in the Federal Stimulus Package. Knabe introduced legislation this week that would utilize over $100 million in federal funding to create subsidized employment opportunities in County departments, private sector employers, non-profit organizations, and in cities across Los Angeles County.

“There is a limited timeframe when this federal funding is available, so we have no time to waste to make sure our unemployed residents can benefit from the thousands of jobs we can create right here in Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Our local unemployment rate is hovering around 10-percent and we have a major opportunity to help our residents by creating immediate jobs thanks to this funding.”

The goal of the motion is to place 10,000 unemployed local workers in financially subsidized positions from May 2009 through March 2010.  The funding would come from the federal Emergency Temporary Aid for Needy Families Contingency Fund and would provide a minimum of $100 million to the County to create temporary jobs. The federal portion of the funding provides 80-percent of the subsidy, and the County would have to provide a 20-percent share.

“Subsidized employment is one of the major priorities of this fund, and we intend to take full advantage of the significant network we have in place to provide training and employment to ensure this funding gets out the door and put towards jobs,” said Knabe. We cannot do this alone - we will be engaging both our County Workforce Investment Board, as well as the other eight Workforce Investment Boards across the County to help us employ these folks.”

Under Knabe’s motion, the County’s Chief Executive Officer will determine the feasibility of creating and coordinating employment opportunities that are possible through the available federal funding.

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