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Oakland City Council To Vote on Homeless Encampment Restrictions Oct 20, 2020

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The Oakland City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a plan to clear homeless camps in "high sensitivity areas" near schools, businesses, residences and parks. The policy would also set health and safety standards for encampments. City officials say the policy appropriately balances the needs and rights of the unsheltered with those of their neighbors. But advocates for the unhoused say the rules offer no path to permanent housing and would simply push the homeless out of sight into areas with no schools, grocery stores or other essential services. We'll discuss the proposal and its potential impacts if approved.

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Reporter Jim Tankersley on the Economy and Election 2020 Oct 19, 2020

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No matter which party prevails in November, the next president will inherit an economy in shambles, with the latest jobs report showing nearly 900,000 weekly unemployment claims - the highest number since August. President Trump has been vague about his economic plan, but vows to cut taxes for the middle class, impose tariffs on companies that move abroad and to repeal Obamacare. Joe Biden, on the other hand, has proposed raising taxes on those earning more than $400,000 per year, making four-year public colleges and universities tuition-free for families making less than $125,000 per year and a $2 trillion plan to combat climate change. Jim Tankersley, tax and economics reporter for The New York Times, joins Forum to discuss the candidates’ economic plans, where we stand with COVID relief, and the latest updates on Trump’s taxes.

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Election 2020: Dave Cortese and Ann Ravel Vie for South Bay State Senate Seat Oct 19, 2020

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Two Democrats are competing for the Silicon Valley-based state senate seat vacated by Jim Beall, who termed out this year. On the ballot are Dave Cortese, a Santa Clara County supervisor, and Ann Ravel, an attorney and former member of the Federal Election Commission under President Barack Obama. We'll hear the candidates' positions on the economy, housing, education and the state's COVID-19 response, and we’ll take your questions.

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How the Coronavirus Pandemic Places a Greater Burden on Working Women Oct 16, 2020

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Women dropped out of the U.S. workforce at a rate eight times higher than men last month, according to CNN. Meanwhile, a recent report from McKinsey and Lean.org found that one in four women are considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce due to Covid-19. Women in service industries have seen their jobs disappear, while those who are able to work from home are struggling to shoulder more responsibilities. Many of the pressures women already face in the workforce such as the gender pay gap, barriers to advancement and lack of flexibility have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Some experts warn that the pandemic could wipe out hard-won progress women have made in leadership and wages over past years. The crisis could, however, usher in new policies, standards and support systems for women across industries and income levels. We’ll talk with experts about how working women are faring during the pandemic and how to address the challenges.

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As some Bay Area Schools Reopen, Many Others Stay Shuttered Oct 16, 2020

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Public schools in San Francisco and Alameda county remain closed for in- person learning while some school districts in Marin and Santa Clara county have opened to students. We’ll discuss why counties and school districts with similar rates of Covid are adopting different approaches to reopening and we’ll look at the challenges facing Bay Area schools as they plan to reopen. And we want to hear from parents, students and teachers. How do you feel about how your school district has handled the pandemic? Are you comfortable with returning to school? If not, what would you like to see before you or your child heads back?

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California Republicans Refuse to Remove Unofficial Ballot Boxes Oct 16, 2020

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The California Republican Party said on Wednesday that it will continue to use unauthorized vote-by-mail drop boxes, despite a cease-and-desist letter from California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra. The unofficial boxes have been found in districts with closely contested congressional races, and have been widely criticized by state Democrats as an attempt to confuse voters. Republicans argue the boxes are a form of “ballot harvesting,” which allows voters to designate someone else to collect and return their ballot under state law. We’ll talk with KQED politics and government editor Scott Shafer for an update on the situation. We’ll also talk with him about the Trump administration’s decision, announced Friday, to reject California’s request for wildfire disaster relief.

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Election 2020: Prop. 19 Would Allow Some Homeowners to Hold On to Low Property Tax Rates … And More Oct 15, 2020

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Proposition 19 on California’s November ballot would amend the state’s property tax structure in multiple ways. First, it would allow homeowners who are either age 55 and older, severely disabled or lost their home to wildfire to take their existing property tax rates with them when they move multiple times. Second, it would partly clamp down on what’s known as the Lebowski Loophole, which allows people who inherit homes from their parents to keep the existing tax rate. The measure would also direct some funding to wildfire prevention efforts. We break down Prop. 19.

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Election 2020: Proposition 24 and the Debate Over Online Privacy Protections Oct 15, 2020

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In 2018, state lawmakers passed the California Consumer Privacy Act, a landmark bill aimed at protecting consumers and their digital data. The law took effect earlier this year and allows consumers to tell companies not to sell their personal information, among other protections. Now, Proposition 24 wants to take protections even further than those outlined in the existing law. But consumer advocates are divided on the measure. While all are in favor of protecting consumer privacy, there’s disagreement over the best strategy. We'll take up the debate and unpack what a "yes" or "no" vote would mean.

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Proposition 23 Puts Kidney Dialysis Rules Back in Front of California Voters Oct 15, 2020

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California's Proposition 23 on this November’s ballot would require outpatient kidney dialysis clinics to have a licensed physician on site during operating hours and to report certain medical data to government officials, among other rules. Supporters, including the Service Employees International Union, say the rules are needed to keep patients safe. But opponents say that clinics already supply relevant data to health officials and that keeping a doctor on duty is unnecessary and would be so costly that some clinics might have to close. We'll analyze the arguments for and against Proposition 23.

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Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings for Amy Coney Barrett Focus on Future of Healthcare, Abortion and Voting Rights Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

In three days of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Democratic senators focused on portraying Barrett as an extreme conservative and Republicans touted her credentials. Barrett, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and former law professor, spoke with ease about the constitution, case precedent and her originalist legal philosophy. She avoided questions about her legal views on issues that may face the Supreme Court such as abortion rights, the legality of the affordable care act and whether she would recuse herself from deciding conflicts around the 2020 election. We’ll discuss the confirmation hearings and the Supreme Court’s decision this week allowing the Trump Administration to stop the 2020 census count early.

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