Issues - A Production of WPBT2

Watch Now Links Up

Sorry for the delay--here are the links our last edition of Issues:

Friday, August 28th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 30th at 12:30 pm

Interview with U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings
Interview with U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Miami-Dade County Salary Raises

"Watch Now" Links Down

Unfortunately, we will  not have video of this week's Issues until sometime after Monday morning.

Please check back then or catch Issues over the air Sunday at 12:30 pm on WPBT2.

U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, 1932-2009

WPBT2 graphic designer Rob Reep offered us his visual tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy:

This Week on Issues - 8/28 & 8/30

Friday, August 28 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 30 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE:

One-on-One with U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, (D) District 23
One-on-One with U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, (R) District 21

These South Florida lawmakers join us on the program to discuss topics of the day such as healthcare reform, the passing of Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist choosing his former chief of staff, George LeMieux for the vacant U.S. Senate seat.

ISSUE TWO: Miami-Dade County Salary Raises
The Miami Herald published several articles regarding key members of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez's staff receiving salary increases weeks after the Mayor’s speech on budget cuts, but with paperwork back-dated to last year.  We discuss this and the reaction the story has caused in the community.

Guest:
Matt Haggman, The Miami Herald

Watch this Week's Issues

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

Friday, August 21st @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, August 23rd @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Broward School Superintendent James Notter
ISSUE TWO: Panel Discussion on Community Renewal Act (SB 360)

This Week on Issues - 08/21 & 08/23

Friday, August 21 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 23 @ 12:30 PM

Guest Host: Darcie Lunsford, South Florida Business Journal

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Broward School Superintendent James Notter
Broward County School Superintendent James Notter joins us on the program to discuss back-to-school news such as swine flu precautions and how budget cuts and teacher layoffs might impact the county.

Guest:
James Notter, Broward County Public Schools

ISSUE TWO: Panel Discussion on Community Renewal Act (SB 360)
The Community Renewal Act, also known as Florida Senate Bill 360, was signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist on June 1st, but not without controversy.  This law relaxes the requirements for construction with the goal of encouraging more development to spur our weakened economy.  But local governments say they are left picking up the tab, and so far 18 agencies have joined lawsuits claiming the law is unconstitutional.  Does the Community Renewal Act encourage business or harm municipalities?

Guests:
Carolyn Dekle, South Florida Regional Planning Council
Joe Goldstein, Builders Association of South Florida
Mayor Eric Hersh, City of Weston
Ken Tuma, Urban Design Kilday Studios

Watch This Week's Issues

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

Friday, August 14th @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, August 16th @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Republican Senatorial Candidate Marco Rubio
ISSUE TWO: Debating the U.S. Sugar Deal

This Week on Issues - 08/14 & 08/16

Friday, August 14th @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 16th @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Republican Senatorial Candidate Marco Rubio
Pundits say former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio is an underdog in his senatorial aspirations against Governor Charlie Crist in the Republican primary.  Can a conservative Republican win over Florida, who voted for President Barack Obama in the November election?

Guest:
Marco Rubio, Candidate for U.S. Senate (R)

ISSUE TWO: Debating the U.S. Sugar Deal
The U.S. Sugar deal has been wrapped in political and environmental entanglements since the time it was initially proposed.  We gathered a panel to discuss where the deal stands today and what is best for the state of Florida.

Guests:
Eric Buermann, South Florida Water Management District
Kirk Fordham, Everglades Foundation
Joe Klock, Jr., Esq., Rasco Klock Reininger Perez, P.L.
Claudio Riedi, Esq., Lehtinen Riedi Brooks Moncarz, P.A.

Watch this Week's Issues

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

Friday, August 7th @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, August 9th @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Congressional News: Martinez Resignation, Sotomayor Confirmed
ISSUE TWO: Interview with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto
ISSUE THREE: Budget Cuts to Arts Programs

This Week on Issues - 08/07 & 08/09

Friday, August 7 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 9 @ 12:30 PM
 

ISSUE ONE: Congressional News: Martinez Resignation, Sotomayor Confirmed
Congress is abuzz regarding the sudden resignation of Republican Senator Mel Martinez. This announcement comes a day after he voted against his party in favor of confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court.  We discuss this and other political news this week.
 
Guests:
Hugo Arza, Esq., Law Office of Hugo P. Arza
Mayor Michael Pizzi, Town of Miami Lakes
 
 
ISSUE TWO: Interview with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto
County government is not immune to our current fiscal crisis.  But County Commissioner Javier Souto thinks his district in unincorporated Miami-Dade is being shortchanged.  He joins us to explain.
 
Guest:
Javier Souto, Miami-Dade County Commission, District 10
 
 
ISSUE THREE: Budget Cuts to Arts Programs
Budget cuts always seem to come at the expense of cultural programs such as music and the visual arts. But why target these programs when they generate revenue?
 
Guest:
Adolfo Henriques, Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council