State of Affairs - Politics of Reopening Schools, Momentum Builds for a More "Center" Political Party, What's Next for Police Reform in LA?

File: The California state capitol building in Sacramento.
Lori Galarreta/KPCC

Take Two | February 19, 2021

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49:18

State of Affairs: The Politics of Reopening Schools

From the battle over when to reopen to schools to the Governor's stimulus plan, we cover all the latest in California politics for State of Affairs. Today's guests are KQED's Marisa Lagos and Claremont McKenna professor Jack Pitney.

Momentum Builds for a Center-Right Party

In the wake of the Senate voting to acquit former President Trump after the House impeached him for the second time, some Republicans are wondering about their future and discussing a potential new "center-right" party.

Guest:

California Assembly Member Chad Mayes, and an independent, representing Yucca Valley.

Police and Social Justice Reform: What's Next?

For people in Los Angeles, one of the most-anticipated changes is a new relationship between LA’s law enforcement and communities of color. Hopefully. But what would it look like? Since the start of the year, we’ve been holding a series of conversations with experts and stakeholders -- each giving their take on what’s ahead, and today we want to look at the idea of re-allocation. Activists want to redirect some of the budget earmarked for law enforcement agencies back into the community. There are some programs that have been in LA for years that could be models for what the city spends its money on … and that organizers say could help prevent crime before it happens. One of those programs is 2nd Call. It’s a non-profit in South LA that, according to its mission statement, aims to “save lives, by reducing violence and assisting in the personal development of high risk individuals.”

Guest:

Skipp Townsend, co-founder and executive director of non-profit 2nd Call.

The Stress of California's Broken Unemployment System

After nearly a year of delayed payments and abrupt suspensions, California's unemployment system has left many jobless workers in severe financial distress. KPCC's David Wagner tells us about one women who is trying to crack the system.