by Timothy Rutt
Former assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who recently declared his intent to run for state senate, is hosting a new talk show on Charter Communication's California Channel.
The half hour " The Question Is with Anthony Portantino" premiered this month, where Portantino discuss curent issues and problems facing California.
“We are extremely excited to have Anthony’s expertise, wit and political knowledge featured on Charter Communications. Anthony brings an amazing Rolodex of folks to draw from for guests and he has a knack for picking and probing into interesting topics. We think the show will be a hit with folks who want to spend a half hour to be entertained and educated about a broad group of issues,” said Del Heintz, Director of Government Relations of Charter Communications in a press release.
"The Question is .." has two shows filmed already: the first show features Dr. Michael Gottlieb, the physician who first identified HIV as a disease, and Eric Walsh, current director of the Pasadena Health Department and a past member of the President's Advisory Council on AIDS.
The second show, to be aired in August, features a discussion of AB109, the controversial prison realighment plan. Covina Police Chief Kim Raney, the current President of the California Police Chiefs Association and El Monte Councilmember Jay Gomez who is the President of the California Independent Cities Association are in the first segment. The second segment features Los Angeles County Assistand SheriffTerri McDonald, Assistant Sherriff, Rev. Peter Laarman from Justice Not Jails and Dominic Correy, a student "chaser" at Learning Works School in Pasadena.
“Before I go back into politics I want to share as much information on hot topics as I can," said Portantino in the press release. "Charter gave me the opportunity to probe current issues that I feel passionate about and to ask tough questions. It would have been irresponsible of me to pass this show up. So often, today’s programing features only a sound byte or two. The Question Is will endeavor to ask and answer questions about issues that the public should hear about and that no one else is digging into. I’m not shy and the questions will be tough on policy and opinion makers on 'The Question Is,'” concluded Portantino.
"The Question Is with Anthony Portantino" will air on California Chanel 101 Tuesdays andThursdays at 8 PM, and Saturdays & Sundays at 7:30 PM.
Portantino is currently a Visiting Fellow at the USC Unruh Institute of Politics and a member of the California Film Commission.
To View the First Show Go Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2VAWN_uzLE&feature=youtu.be
