Issues - A Production of WPBT2

This Week on Issues - 01/30 & 02/01

Friday, January 30 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 1 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Vote on the Economic Stimulus Package
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted across party lines to pass an economic stimulus bill estimated to cost near $900 billion.  What are the political and financial implications of this package?
 
Guests:
Laura Kozloski Hart, Ph.D., Barry University
Casey Klofstad, Ph.D., University of Miami
 

ISSUE TWO: Interview with Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho
Education funding was thrown a small lifeline this week when Governor Charlie Crist vetoed cuts proposed by the state legislature in their attempt to balance the budget.  We discuss school funding with Miami-Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
 
Guest:
Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools

ISSUE THREE: State of the South Florida Housing Market
Despite a boost in existing home sales, the mortgage crisis could impede Florida’s economic recovery.  What’s in store for the South Florida real estate market?
 
Guest:
Jack McCabe, McCabe Research and Consulting

This Week on Issues - 12/12 & 12/14

Friday, December 12 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen joins us on the program to discuss her vote on the auto bailout, her thoughts on President-elect Barack Obama’s major public works plan, and aid to Haiti.

Guest:
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R) District 18

ISSUE TWO: HOT Lanes Wrong for South Florida?
Miami-Dade's high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes northbound on I-95 began charging users last week after months of no tolls to get drivers accustomed to the new layout.  Attorney and former City of Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez join us to share his concerns over South Florida's traffic woes.

Guest:
Xavier Suarez, Esq., Law Office of Xavier Suarez

ISSUE THREE: Political Week in Review
This week brings us a handful of political stories, from the price tag of Governor Charlie Crist's European trip, the Lawton Chiles family accusing the state of reneging on children's issues, and corruption in the state of Illinois.

Guests:
Sean Foreman, Ph.D., Barry University
Joy Reid, South Florida Times

Friday Sneak Peek

On this week's program, we'll talk to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, former City of Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, and review the week in politics.

This Week on Issues - 12/05 & 12/07

Friday, December 5 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 7 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Run-off Election
Early voting for Miami-Dade County's property appraiser began this week.  The two candidates of this special election join us to discuss what it means to assess property values.

Guests:
Pedro J. Garcia, Candidate for Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser
Gwen Margolis, Candidate for Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser 

ISSUE TWO: Final Ruling on Marlins Stadium Lawsuit
The final count pending in the Florida Marlins lawsuit by philanthropist Norman Braman was cleared recently, allowing the baseball team to continue plans to build a new stadium.  Miami Today’s Michael Lewis shares his math as to why the investment might not add up.

Guest:
Michael Lewis, Miami Today

ISSUE THREE: Sen. Martinez Drops Out of Race
Senator Mel Martinez announced this week that he will not seek re-election, stirring up rumors from both parties as to who could run for his seat in 2010.  Will it be a Jeb Bush versus Alex Sink match-up?

Guest:
Anthony Man, SunSentinel

Thursday Sneak Peek

On this week's program we'll review Senator Mel Martinez's decision to not seek re-election, talk to the two candidates in the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser's race, and discuss the final ruling on the Florida Marlins stadium.

This Week on Issues - 11/21/ & 11/23

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

ISSUE ONE: Eventual Bailout for Auto Industry?
U.S. automakers General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler met with congressional leaders this week to hash out a deal to bail out their struggling industry.  Will Congress wait until the new session to work on a rescue bill?
 
Guests:
Sean Foreman, Ph.D., Barry University
Manuel Lasaga, Ph.D., Strategic Information Analysis
 
 
ISSUE TWO: School Budget Crisis
When it comes to Florida's public schools, there's good news and bad news.  The good news is that graduation rates appear to have improved.  The bad news is a weakened economy has forced counties to cut their budgets even further.  How do fiscal challenges affect education?
 
Guests:
Robert Hill, Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University
Louie Rodriguez, Ed.D., Florida International University

ISSUE THREE: Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s Runoff Election
Darcie Lunsford, real estate editor for the South Florida Business Journal joins us to discuss the election of Miami-Dade’s property appraiser and whether assessing real estate value is an art or a science.
 
Guest:
Darcie Lunsford, South Florida Business Journal

This Week on Issues - 10/31 & 11/02

Friday, October 31 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 2 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Interview with U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek
Early voting is already underway and the long lines at polling sites indicate an overwhelming interest in this year's election.  Congressman Kendrick Meek joins us on the program to discuss early voting and his threat of legal action if it doesn't run smoothly.

Guest:
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, (D) District 17

ISSUE TWO: Media Roundtable on Presidential Race
Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama were both in the South Florida area this week, highlighting the importance of our state once again this election year.  We gathered a special panel of local journalists to discuss the presidential race as we approach Election Day.

Guests:
Jim DeFede, WFOR CBS4
Armando Gonzalez, El Nuevo Herald
Anthony Man, SunSentinel
Daniel Ricker, Watchdog Report

Thursday Sneak Peek

On this week's program we'll talk with Congressman Kendrick Meek on his response to early voting challenges and feature a special journalists' roundtable on the presidential election.

Issues: Florida Decision 2008 - Thursday October 16th

Tonight we feature our last set of congressional profiles. 

This time we focus on the District 21 race between Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and former City of Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, which has been called one of the ugliest in the country.

After the airing, click here to watch Diaz-Balart's interview.  Click here to watch Martinez's interview.

Issues: Florida Decision 2008 - Wednesday October 15th

As part of our continuing election coverage, Issues: Florida Decision 2008 will feature profiles of key congressional candidates in the South Florida area this week.

On tonight’s program we focus on District 25 with incumbent Mario Diaz-Balart and opponent Joe Garcia.

To watch the interview with Diaz-Balart, click here after the broadcast.  To watch Garcia's interview, click here after the broadcast.