Issues - A Production of WPBT2

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 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

Watch this Week's Issues

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

Friday, June 26th and Sunday, June 28th

ISSUE ONE: FCATs and Accountability
ISSUE TWO: Citizen Journalism and Mass Media
ISSUE THREE: Political “Affairs”

Watch This Week's Issues

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

Friday, May 22nd and Sunday, May 24th

ISSUE ONE: Is the Growth Bill good for Florida?
ISSUE TWO: The State of Higher Education
ISSUE THREE: Gas Prices

This Week on ISSUES - 5/22 & 5/24

Friday, May 22 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 24 @ 12:30 PM

ISSUE ONE: Is the Growth Bill good for Florida?
A controversial bill loosens state oversight and eliminates fees for developers.  Will it provide a needed economic boost, or will it prove disastrous for the state's ability to manage growth?

Guests: 
State Rep. David Rivera, (R) District 112
State Rep. Oscar Braynon, II, (D) District 103
Jim Murley, Florida Atlantic University

ISSUE TWO: The State of Higher Education
State universities explore avenues to ensure financial stability, including possible tuition hikes.  How will this affect the access and affordability of a university education in Florida?

Guest:
Mark Rosenberg, Florida International University

ISSUE THREE: Gas Prices
As the summer driving season approaches, gas prices start to spike.  What's behind the increase and when will the price of fuel reach its peak?

Guest:
Jorge Pinon, University of Miami

Thursday Sneak Peek

On this week's program we'll talk about the rising gas prices, the state of Florida's universities with new FIU President Mark Rosenberg and have a roundtable discussion on the highly contested Growth Management Bill.

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