Issues - A Production of WPBT2

This Week on Issues - 03/13 & 03/15

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

ISSUE ONE: Interview with Broward School Superintendent James Notter
Superintendent James Notter joins us on the program to discuss the novel proposal to switch Broward County high schools to a four day school week and of the fiscal challenges the school system faces given our weakened economy.

Guests:
James Notter, Broward County Public Schools

ISSUE TWO: U.S. Sugar Deal:  Is Now the Time?
Last June, Governor Charlie Crist announced plans to buy land from the U.S. Sugar Corporation in an ambitious project to restore the Everglades.  But given the $1.34 billion dollar price tag, is now the time for such a large purchase?

Guest:
Paul Brinkmann, South Florida Business Journal
Eric Buermann, South Florida Water Management District

ISSUE THREE: Mass Transportation in Palm Beach County
Government stimulus funds have promised to aid infrastructure needs--but what about improving mass transportation in a traffic-heavy area such as South Florida?  What can be said of the balance between the needs of the general population versus those who are disadvantaged?

Guest:
Chuck Cohen, Palm Tran

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 - 01/09 & 01/11

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

 

ISSUE ONE: Interview with City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz
As the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz joins us to discuss the organization’s Mainstreet Economic Recovery Plan, and shares the latest in local projects such as the Port of Miami Tunnel and the Florida Marlins stadium. 

Guest:
Mayor Manuel A. Diaz, City of Miami

ISSUE TWO: Florida’s Education Quality 10th Best?
Respected publication Education Week released their annual rankings on Wednesday, placing Florida as the 10th best in the country in education quality.  How did the state place so high when public perception of our state's education is so low?

Guest:
Louie Rodriguez, Ed.D., Florida International University

ISSUE THREE: Lawmakers Tackle the Economic Crisis
The Florida legislature began a special session to balance their budget on Monday--amidst growing concern both at the state and national level of the strength of our economy.  We discuss how lawmakers are dealing with the fiscal emergency.

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

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 - 09/12 & 09/14

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

ISSUE ONE: New School Superintendent for Miami-Dade
Weeks of tension came to a resolve on Wednesday when the Miami-Dade school board settled with Superintendent Rudy Crew to buy out the remainder of his contract.  Was it policy or personality that led to Crew’s ouster? 

Guest:
Joy Reid, South Florida Times

ISSUE TWO: Judge Rules in Favor of Florida Marlins Stadium
Earlier this week, a judge sided with the Florida Marlins and Miami-Dade government by ruling the new stadium plans serve the public good.  We discuss the hearing and what the county still needs to do to proceed with the project.

Guest:
Charles Rabin, The Miami Herald

ISSUE THREE: Politics Influencing Hurricane Aid?
While most would agree that disaster relief is desperately needed in hard-hit countries such as Cuba and Haiti, Cuba's current political situation creates a challenge.  Should we lift the restrictions on remittances to Cuba temporarily for 90 days in the wake of Hurricane Ike?

Guests:
Jose Azel, Ph.D., University of Miami
Ralph De La Cruz, SunSentinel