Issues - A Production of WPBT2

Watch This Week's Issues

Here are the links to watch this week's program on uVu.

Friday, July 30 @ 7:30 PM and Sunday,  @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Miami-Dade Property Tax Increase?
ISSUE TWO: 2010 Election Polling

This Week on Issues - 7/30 & 8/01

Friday, July 30 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 1 @ 12:30 PM



ISSUE ONE: Miami-Dade Property Tax Increase?
Last week, Miami-Dade County Commissioners proposed to raise property taxes to help account for falling property values.  But can the County align its budget through other means?

Guest:
Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Commission, District 7

 

ISSUE TWO: 2010 Election Polling
A Quinnipiac University poll released this week shows Democratic Senatorial candidate Jeff Greene leading Kendrick Meek by 10 points and Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott leading Bill McCollum by 11 points.  Will the momentum against career politicians carry the primary election?

Guests:
Sean Foreman, Ph.D., Barry University
Robert Watson, Ph.D., Lynn University

Voter Registration Deadline TODAY (Monday, July 26th)

The voter registration deadline for Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties is today, Monday, July 26th.  The primary election is being held August 24, 2010.  If you're not registered yet, visit the Florida Division of Elections to find out more information on where and how to register.

Watch This Week's Issues

Here are the links to watch this week's program on uVu.

Friday, July 23 @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, July 25 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: 1 of 2, 2010 Florida Amendment Four on Property Rights and Land Use
                     2 of 2, 2010 Florida Amendment Four on Property Rights and Land Use
ISSUE TWO: Oil Drilling Special Session

This Week on Issues - 7/23 & 7/25

Friday, July 23 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 25 @ 12:30 PM



ISSUE ONE: 2010 Florida Amendment Four on Property Rights and Land Use
If passed, Amendment Four would require municipalities to seek voter approval in order to change their existing comprehensive land-use plans.  Advocates say it will reduce uncontrolled growth, while opponents say it will hurt one of Florida’s vital industries.  We discuss the pros and cons of this amendment.

Guests:
Bett Willett, Florida Hometown Democracy
Clarence Anthony, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy



ISSUE TWO: Oil Drilling Special Session
Tuesday’s Legislative special session on oil drilling lasted less than two hours and ended without a vote.  What was behind this political theatre, which cost taxpayers $50,000?

Guest:
Michael Mayo, Sun Sentinel

Watch This Week's Issues

Here are the links to watch this week's program on uVu.

Friday, July 16 @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, July 18 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with City of Miami Commissioner Willy Gort
ISSUE TWO: Interview with Jackson Health CEO Eneida Roldan

This Week on Issues - 7/16 & 7/18

Friday, July 16 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 18 @ 12:30 PM

 

Interview with City of Miami Commissioner Willy Gort
Several years ago, a battle waged between making the Miami River a working river or a residential one.  In the midst of the housing boom, it seemed the river's days as a marina were over.  City of Miami Commissioner Willy Gort explains how the tide has since changed.

Guest:
Wilfredo “Willy” Gort, City of Miami Commission, District 1

 

Interview with Jackson Health CEO Eneida Roldan
Back in February, the future of Miami-Dade's public hospital, Jackson Memorial, looked dark. There were talks of layoffs and branch closings, plus rumors the hospital could not afford basic supplies.  What does the fiscal health of the hospital look like today?

Guest:
Eneida Roldan, M.D., Jackson Health System

 

Watch This Week's Issues

Here are the links to watch this week's program on uVu.

Friday, July 9 @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, July 11 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: 1 of 2 Journalists’ Roundtable: Political News of the Week
                     2 of 2 Journalists’ Roundtable: Political News of the Week
ISSUE TWO: Release of Cuban Political Prisoners

This Week on Issues - 7/09 & 7/11

Friday, July 9 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 11 @ 12:30 PM



ISSUE ONE: Journalists’ Roundtable: Political News of the Week
Florida Governor Charlie Crist called for a special session on Thursday to address offshore drilling.  In Broward, County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin resigned and later turned herself in to authorities on a charge of public corruption.  Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott is suing the state over public financing rules that would help Republican rival Bill McCollum.  We discuss these and other political stories of the week.

Guests:
Brad Bennett, South Florida Times
Joy Reid, The Miami Herald
Chuck Strouse, Miami New Times



ISSUE TWO: Release of Cuban Political Prisoners
Guillermo Farinas, a member of the political opposition, has been on a hunger strike calling for the release of Cuba's political prisoners who are ill.  Earlier this week, the Cuban government met with officials from the Catholic Church and the foreign minister of Spain and agreed to release 52 of them.  Is this the end of the status quo?

Guest:
Marifeli Perez-Stable, Ph.D., Florida International University

David Rivera is a No-Show at Downtown Bay Forum

Issues' host Helen Ferre moderated an event on Wednesday June, 30th at the Downtown Bay Forum.  The District 25 introductory event is an opportunity for candidates to present themselves to others in the Miami political community.  Republican Frontrunner David Rivera was noticeably absent from the event and there was plenty of speculation as to why.

For more on this story, Issues' regular Joy Reid has a post on her blog,The Reid Report.

Or you can go to Miami Herald's political blog, Naked Politics.

Also, click here to watch a segment from Friday's (7/02/10) Issues where Helen and Dan Ricker discuss the event about 2 minutes in.