To Tax or Not to Tax Big Oil?

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California's budget crisis threatens to decimate state and local government, but tax increases are off the table, at least for the moment. What about taxing oil like Alaska and Texas? Also, state poet laureate emeritus Al Young on this weekend's book fair in Leimert Park. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, in Cairo, President Obama celebrated Islam and said it's time to end tensions between Muslims and the United States.

State and local services may not survive California's budget crisis. Whatever happened to Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to tax big oil? What is the LA Times hearing from readers when they're asked for solutions? On Reporter's Notebook, Al Young, the state's former poet laureate, on his appearance this weekend in Leimert Park. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, in Cairo, President Obama celebrated Islam and said it's time to end tensions between Muslims and the United States. He cited the Koran and his own personal history. Will his words make a difference to Palestinians and Israelis?

Banner image: A gas station near the British Petroleum (BP) Arco Wilmington refinery advertises its gas prices after oil hits another new record at $109 a barrel on March 11, 2008 in Wilmington, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producers:

Sonya Geis, Karen Radziner