Issues - A Production of WPBT2

This Week on Issues - 02/27 & 03/01

Friday, February 27 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 1 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Are Lawmakers Good Stewards of Public Funds?
The SunSentinel recently uncovered the high price of providing transportation for Florida's Lieutenant Governor, Jeff Kottkamp.  With this example and others like it, we ask, how responsible are lawmakers with public funds?

Guests:
Joy Reid, South Florida Times
Jim DeFede, WFOR CBS4

 

ISSUE TWO: New Era of Bipartisanship?
In Tuesday’s Address to Congress, President Barack Obama once again called for a bipartisan spirit to help solve the country’s economic challenges.  What does it mean to be bipartisan, and can it really be practiced in contemporary politics?

Guests:
Anthony Man, SunSentinel
Joy Reid, South Florida Times
Joseph Uscinski, Ph.D., University of Miami
Charles Zelden, Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University

Thursday Sneak Peek

On this week's program we'll discuss what it really means to be bipartisan and whether lawmakers are responsible with public funds.  Helen Ferre is out this week, so the program will be hosted by Nightly Business Report correspondent Jeff Yastine.

This Week on Issues - 02/20 & 02/22

Friday, February 20 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 22 @ 12:30 PM

 

ISSUE ONE: Interview with City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff
Last Friday, the City of Miami commission voted on plans to build the Florida Marlins baseball stadium.  Commissioner Marc Sarnoff joins us on the program to discuss his pivotal vote and what concessions he feels should be addressed before approving the project.

Guest:
Marc Sarnoff, City of Miami Commission, District 2

ISSUE TWO: Real Estate Aid?
Homeownership was long been regarded as a staple of American life, and two proposals plan to bring relief to those caught in the current mortgage crisis.  We discuss President Barack Obama’s foreclosure plan and Governor Charlie Crist’s property tax proposals.

Guests:
Sean Foreman, Ph.D., Barry University
Manuel Lasaga, Ph.D., Strategic Information Analysis

The Effect of Hugo Chavez’s Lack of Term Limits
On Sunday, Venezuelan citizens voted to eliminate presidential term limits, paving the way for the country's president Hugo Chavez to run indefinitely.  But what will this mean for the United States?

Guest:
Marifeli Perez-Stable, Ph.D., Inter-American Dialogue

Thursday Sneak Peek

On this week's program we'll discuss Governor Charlie Crist's proposed property tax cuts and President Barack Obama's foreclosure plan, how Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez won't have term limits, and interview City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff.

Link Now Up

The link has been fixed--to watch last week's program, you can visit the Last Week page or press the Watch Now button on the upper right hand side.

Watch Now Link

This week's program is currently unavailable for viewing.  We'll let you know once we get it posted.  Due to the holiday weekend, it may not be until Tuesday.  All apologies.

This Week on Issues - 02/13 & 02/15

Friday, February 13 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 15 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Obama’s Town Hall in Florida
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama visited Ft. Myers for a town hall session to advance his stimulus package.  We discuss the significance of the Florida venue and the challenges ahead as the president promotes his bipartisan message.
 
Guest:
Robert Watson, Ph.D., Lynn University

ISSUE TWO: Manufacturing and Distribution of Fake ID’s
The manufacturing and distribution of false identification is not new—but the buyers and the methods used to replicate licenses may be.  How easy is it to get a fake ID?

Guests:
Valerie Boldrin, FAU Student Journalist
Darren Covar, Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

ISSUE THREE: Foreclosure Figures Down in Florida?
Figures released this week by RealtyTrac show foreclosures in the state have dropped—real estate analyst Jack McCabe explains how this can be and why improving the economy lies in solving the mortgage crisis.

Guest:
Jack McCabe, McCabe Research and Consulting

This Week on Issues 02/06 & 02/08

Friday, February 6 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 8 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Lawton “Bud” Chiles
In January, lawmakers tapped into the Lawton Chiles Endowment for Children and Elders in order to balance the state's troubled budget.  We talk to Governor Chiles’ son, Lawton “Bud” Chiles, on how to alleviate Florida’s fiscal crisis and whether he will run for governor in 2010.

Guest:
Lawton “Bud” Chiles III, Lawton Chiles Foundation

ISSUE TWO: Marlins Stadium in Final Stretch?
The plans for building the Florida Marlins baseball stadium are still underway, with a pivotal vote scheduled to be cast next Friday by county commissioners.  We discuss the pros and cons of the project.

Guests:
Michael Burnstine, Coalition Against Marlins Bailout
Eloy Cepero, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

ISSUE THREE: Florida House Speaker Saga
State Representative Ray Sansom temporarily resigned from his position as Florida’s House Sepaker amid an investigation of a possible ethics violation.  Joy Reid explains why we may have a Blagojevich-like scandal on our hands.

Guest:
Joy Reid, South Florida Times

Thursday Sneak Peek

On this week's program we'll discuss the changing Florida House leadership, the upcoming stadium vote and talk with Lawton 'Bud' Chiles about his family's endowment.