Do public works projects stimulate local economies?

On Thursday's Your Call, we'll take a look at the public infrastructure projects that we depend on. How is public money being allocated and who is making these decisions? What are we still good at making locally? This past Sunday the final sections of the Bay Bridge were delivered from Shanghai. The bridge builders estimate they saved $400 million by outsourcing to a Chinese company. But at what point is that extra burden to taxpayers worth the trade to stimulate local economy? Has local hiring on these major projects become inefficient? Do public works projects no longer stimulate local economies? It's Your Call with Rose Aguilar and you.

Guests:
Corey Marshall, Good Government Policy Director from SPUR (San Francisco Planning & Urban Research Association)

Dr. Gray Brechin, Historical Geographer and Author

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How important is "snail mail" to you?

On the next Your Call, we'll talk about the health of the country's mail carrier system. The U.S. Postal Service is facing a fiscal crisis that's threatening to close post offices, raise rates, and reduce services. Can digital communication take the place of postal correspondence? Join us live at 11 or send us an email at feedback@yourcallradio.org. How do post offices help create community? And what's at stake when the Postal Service loses ground? It's Your Call with Sandip Roy and you.

Guests:
John Beaumont, California state president of the National Association of Letter Carriers

Mandalit Del Barco, NPR reporter covering USPS proposal to eliminate Saturday mail delivery

Noah Adams, NPR reporter covering USPS rural deliveries

Philip Rubio, Assistant Professor of History at North Carolina A&T State University and author of There's Always Work at the Post Office

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Why is the public sector under attack?

What explains the attacks against government employees and are any of them warranted? On the next Your Call, we'll have a conversation about public workers. In this election year, they have become political targets. A recent study found that government workers in California have better benefits than private workers, but they earn less. What else do we need to know? Join us live at 11 or send us an email at feedback@yourcallradio.org. Whether you're a public or private sector worker, what do you make of the claims we're hearing about pay and pensions? It's Your Call, with Rose Aguilar and you.

Guests:
Jeffrey Keefe, Professor of Labor and Employment Relations at Rutgers University and co-author of the study, The Truth about Public Employees in California: They are Neither Overpaid nor Overcompensated

Mark Paul, senior scholar at the New America Foundation and co-author of California Crack-up: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It

Ken Tray, social studies teacher at Lowell High School and political director for United Educators of San Francisco

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