The Brian Lehrer Show

There's been a major wave of migration from Puerto Rico since 2006, and the island is dealing with high levels of crime and unemployment. Carlos Vargas-Ramos, research associate from the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, explains what's going on and takes your calls if you've recently moved from Puerto Rico or have friends and family there.  

Larry Schwartz, secretary to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), goes through the details of the "Big Ugly" -- New York's annual budget for the fiscal year that started 4/1 -- plus what's expected before the end of the legislative session.

New York City is set to launch the proposals for the post-Sandy Rebuild by Design project. Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, discusses the project and what comes next to help the area recover -- and prevent the next disaster.

Nicholas Confessore, politics reporter for the New York Times covering lobbying and campaign finance, explains the details of yesterday's Supreme Court ruling that struck down some limits on federal campaign finance donations, and what it means for the influence of large donors in politics.

WNYC is launching a new crowdsourcing sleep project called Clock Your Sleep. In today’s family meeting, we’ll look at why sleep is necessary and healthy, and yet, why it’s often so hard to get a good night’s slumber. Insomniacs, day sleepers and even those of you who get eight hours a night like clockwork are all welcome! Carl Bazil, professor of clinical neurology and director of the Division of Epilepsy and Sleep at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, takes your calls and explains why a good night’s sleep is crucial for good health. Then: WNYC’s John Keefe explains how the station’s Clock Your Sleep project works. Plus: Shelby Harris, the director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Montefiore Medial Center, hears your solutions to your sleep struggles and offers some of her own; and coping strategies from those of you who work strange hours. 

Bette Midler, award-winning entertainer, founder of the New York Restoration Project and the author of A View from A Broad, looks back on her first world tour with the Harlettes in 1980 and talks about her work on behalf of New York City's neglected parks and green spaces.

The WNYC transportation team has seen early copies of a report on how the financially troubled Citi Bike program could be rescued by real estate mogul Donald Trump. Paul Steely White of Transportation Alternatives discusses the initial proposal for "Trump Wheels" and what it means for bikers all over New York City.

The New York State budget allocated funds for universal pre-k, but it didn't set a figure for after-school programs. Jill Colvin, senior political reporter for the Observer, talks about what's next for Mayor de Blasio's push for middle-school after-school funding and why casino funds are involved. Plus: why the Working Families Party is calling this a "Wall Street" budget, and why teens will be more heavily penalized if they're caught texting while driving. 

Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, discusses the ethics reform changes that were included in the New York State budget deal, and the ones that fell away during negotiations.

Fatal drug overdoses in New Jersey have risen to more than one per day. Patty DiRenzo, a parent and advocate, and Frank Greenagel, addiction and recovery treatment counselor, chair of the task force established by the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and professor at Rutgers University, discuss a new report that addresses the heroin and prescription drug use crisis in the state, including its recommendations for addiction treatment and policy changes.

WNYC is running a vote to find NYC's best bodega cat -- with the next round of voting starting today. Brian Lehrer Show producer Jody Avirgan discusses the laws around bodega cats, whether they are properly cared for, and what makes them so darn cute. They are illegal according to NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 25, but many owners are willing to risk the fine because cats are the most effective way to deter rodents -- and the fine for animals and the fine for mice are just about the same amount. Some vets, however, are concerned that bodega cats don't get proper care. In 35 years of practice, Ted Weiner of Gotham Animal clinic tells WNYC he's never seen a bodega owner bring in a cat for treatment.

Initial reports indicate that Obamacare is on track to meet the enrollment goal of 6 million people, but the state-by-state landscape is much different. Sarah Kliff, senior editor at the soon-to-be-launched news site Vox.com, explains why some states, like Connecticut and New York, have done well and why others, like New Jersey, have done so poorly.  

State English Language Arts (ELA) testing starts Tuesday for grades 3-8, beginning the second year of assessments aligned to Common Core. Yasmeen Khan, WNYC reporter covering education for Schoolbook.org, answers your questions about this year's tests and whether the opt-out movement is gaining traction.

Hall of Fame umpire Doug Harvey, who officiated over 4,000 games and is the co-author (with Peter Golenbock) of They Called Me God: The Best Umpire Who Ever Lived (Gallery Books, 2014), talks baseball on the day of the Mets home opener.

Ester Fuchs, professor of public affairs and political science and director of the urban and social policy program at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and former adviser to Mayor Bloomberg, looks at the new New York State budget deal that was reached over the weekend. Plus, she discusses a new report that details a successful apprenticeship program for minority youth to learn construction trades in NYC. Fuchs explains why it's vital to help minority kids access these solid middle-class jobs.