Capitol Weekly Podcast

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at the California Insurance Crisis, which was held in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 14, 2025This is Panel 2: The Los Angeles Fires, featuring Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore; Steve Hawks, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety; Kelsey Szamet, Eaton Fire Survivors Network; Nancy Wallace, UC BerkeleyModerated by journalist Dan MorainThanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS 

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at the California Insurance Crisis, which was held in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 14, 2025This is Panel 3: What Next?, featuring Sen. Roger Niello; Alex Hall, UCLA; John Norwood, Norwood Associates; and Denni Ritter, American Property Casualty Insurance AssociationModerated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol WeeklyThanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS 

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at the California Insurance Crisis, which was held in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.This is Panel 1: The State of the Insurance Industry, featuring Amy Bach of United Policyholders; Rex Frazier, Personal Insurance Federation of California; Meredith Fowlie, UC Berkeley.Moderated by Levi Sumagaysay of CalmattersThanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at the California Insurance Crisis, which was held in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.This is the KEYNOTE – CALIFORNIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RICARDO LARAIntroduced by Rich Ehisen, Capitol WeeklyThanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

In March, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a 22-bill package aimed at reforming the building permitting process in California, an effort to fast-track housing development statewide. Wicks described the package as an effort to “slash red tape, remove uncertainty and to drastically reduce the time it takes to get new housing approved and built” in California. Asm. Wicks joined us to talk about the bills, why they are needed, and what it will take to get the package to the governor's desk this year.Next up, we're joined by Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero to talk about the impact of the new Trump tariffs on the nation's busiest port. Long Beach has already seen a significant reduction in shipping traffic this month; now, with zero container ships leaving China destined for California ports, empty shelves - and job losses - are likely not for behind.Plus, as always, we tell you Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics1:33 Insurance2:43 Gubernatorial candidates4:29 "I wrote my Master's thesis on the Recall"5:14 Obligatory Alex Vassar reference5:55 New Capitol Weekly Insiders survey6:38 California Journal7:43 Asm. Buffy Wicks9:18 "People Want Change"10:25 The need for CEQA reform11:43 "A coalition of the willing"14:36 A streamlined housing package on the governor's desk in September14:47 BCTC and the Carpenters16:49 "In California we make it too damn hard to build"18:08 Permitting reform20:24 "Government has to deliver for people"21:58 Housing and Transportation Policy is Climate Policy24:17 "As someone who grew up in a trailer, and dreamt of a wooden house someday..."24:36 Where does the package go next?25:28 $10 Billion affordable housing bill26:01 Shout out to Asm. Joe Patterson27:33 Two things to solve the Housing Crisis28:04 Crisis Fatigue32:49 Mario Cordero33:22 Impact of the tariffs34:40 The timing36:43 May 2025 numbers vs. past39:38 Are ships sitting offshore, waiting to come in?42:29 "China plus one"43:24 State of the wareshouses at the Port46:02 How many workers are impacted?48:01 The Green Port Policy54:01 "When I was about 10 years old I wanted to be the Mexican-American Leonard Bernstein"56:24 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Our 400th episode! On today's show we welcome April Manatt, Executive Director of the California Problem Solvers Foundation. The California Problem Solvers' mission is to help elected officials find solutions through collaboration and mutual respect, and work in service to the people they represent. In short, to "put people over party," a nearly radical idea in today's hyper-partisan political environment.Prior to joining the Problem Solvers, Manatt ran the California Legislative Staff Education Institute. CLSE, a program of Capitol Impact, is dedicated to professional development for legislative staff, offering opportunities for staff to gain a deeper understanding of complex policy issues through discussions with experts, field trips and engagement with other staffers.Manatt spoke with us about her work in both of these organizations, and the importance of bipartisanship in policy making bridging the divide.Plus, as always, we tell you Who Had the Worst Week Week in California Politics.:20 400th Episode3:38 What's new at Capitol Weekly5:07 Speaking of interns: Ellie Appleby and Leah Lentz 9:14 April Manatt9:47 California Problem Solvers Foundation and Caucus12:53 "A labor of love"13:20 A challenging time to be doing this work15:18 Your role in the org16:43 Who funds the Foundation?19:20 California Legislative Staff Education Institute24:00 Relationship building24:39 How do staff participate?26:55 Attitude of the Problem Solvers Caucus31:56 Getting legislators out of the building to see what they are voting on32:57 Obligatory Alex Vassar mention33:57 What efforts have the Problem Solvers been involved in?37:06 What's on the agenda for the Foundation?40:03 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

We have a packed show today: first up, we chat with California Secretary of State Shirley Weber about The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, proposed federal legislation that would require all Americans to reregister to vote, in person, with either a birth certificate or passport. Weber outlines concerns that the law would effectively disenfranchise millions of voters who may not have access to their birth certificate, and those - like many married women - whose documents no longer match their birth name. And, perhaps an even bigger problem: who pays?  Counties project millions in costs to administrate, but the  legislation includes no funding mandate.We also spoke with Trans activist Ebony Harper, founding executive director of California TRANScends, and the author of The Trans Manifesto. Harper shared how she is responding to the current wave of anti-Trans sentiment, her reaction to Governor Newsom's recent podcast comments, and how Coast to Coast and NPR shaped her life.Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?1:38 Capitol Weekly Update2:13 Correction: Dan Weintraub was the first California politics blogger3:33 Big Day of Giving: May 15:49 SOS Shirley Weber on the SAVE Act6:21 "What are they trying to save?"7:25 What does it do?8:41 Disproportionately affects women11:12 The fraud problem13:11 The cost to counties15:05 Impact on Trans people16:51 Litigation?18:01 Most states see this as an obstacle19:56 Ebony Harper24:01 How do you respond to the current moment?27:55 The Trans Manifesto30:09 The governor's comments carry a lot of weight, but..34:12 Anti-Trans messaging36:13 "The same playbook"37:13 Origin Story39:18 Coast to Coast and NPR42:37 "We're still coming out every day, even though it's a hostile environment"43:24 Where is Ebony Harper in five years?45:44 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Jeff Pearlman has been a sportswriter for three decades, and is the best-selling author of ten books on sports, including Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, which was adapted as the HBO series Winning Time. In February 2025 he turned his attentions to the ultimate contact sport: politics. His new Substack newsletter, The Truth OC, digs deep into Orange County politics, skewering what he refers to as "the crazy people" in many Orange County local governments. If he is unabashedly partisan, he brings the receipts, sharing photos, videos and other documents of officials behaving badly - or at least strangely.He spoke with us about his decision to cover local politics, how a lifetime of sportswriting prepared him for this beat, and why Democratic messaging "sucks." :36 Oral History of Speaker Robert Hertzberg1:45 Problems at the State Bar3:01 Experts Expound: The best and worst political jobs in California3:51 Welcome Jeff Pearlman8:39 The Truth OC10:57 Style12:52 Seal of God13:49 "You bring the receipts"16:08 Impact in the community18:04 Enjoying the cruelty22:13 How did sportswriting prepare you for this?25:06 "I find him so exasperating"25:52 Getting in your face29:02 The N word at a school board meeting30:55 Don't let things disappear34:16 Will this affect your sportswriting career?36:32 What journalists/writers do you follow?37:37 The new Jon Fleischman38:33 How long will you do this?40:33 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Democratic Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo joined us to talk about her legislative priorities, the Los Angeles Fires, the Chiquita Canyon Landfill environmental crisis, and why cuts to the VA are personal for her. And as always, we tell you Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.1:25 Best and worst jobs in California politics?3:08 Welcome, Asm. Schiavo3:35 The 3 Hs: housing, homelessness and healthcare4:15 #AB3016:17 The impact of the Los Angeles Fires9:29 How has the state's resPonse been?11:18 And the insurance companies?13:09 Chiquita Canyon Landfill fire17:42 "There is one man who has cancer. He looks out his front door and four of his neighbors have cancer. It's not normal."21:37 VA cuts - a personal story26:18 Can California offset cuts?28:16 Realistically, what can the #caleg get done this year?31:49 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

California political data expert Paul Mitchell joins us to talk about his recent polls that explored public reaction to Governor Gavin Newsom's This is Gavin Newsom podcast, and the results of the first Capitol Weekly Insider Survey, which asked how and where the Capitol Community gets its news.1:11 Capitol Weekly Internship application deadline: April 183:40 What about the Gov's podcast?14:20 Methodology17:44 Capitol Weekly Insiders Survey20:13 LinkedIn21:33 X/Twitter23:01 Bluesky25:23 Starter Packs26:53 Facebook29:02 Democratization of the dialogue30:45 Alex Vassar mention32:13 How to get the survey33:28 Becerra Effect?36:41 Will 2026 be another Blue Wave?39:28 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Today we welcome Asm. David Tangipa, the freshman Republican legislator from the 8th Assembly District, and at 29, the youngest member of the California Legislature. Tangipa grew up off Watt Avenue in Sacramento, not for from McClellan Air Force Base. The impact that McClellan's closure had on Tangipa's friends and neighborhood left a lasting impression - and an awareness that policy decisions affected lives in very real ways. Sports offered a way out of the neighborhood; encouraged by his high school football coach, Frank Negri, Tangipa attended college at Cal State Fresno where he played tight end for the Fresno Bulldogs. Tangipa began working in real estate and got involved involved in Fresno politics, serving as a field representative for Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig. In 2024 he launched a bid for the open 8th District Assembly seat, challenging the favorite, former Congressman George Radanovich. Radanovich led in the Primary, but lost by 7 points in the general.  Tangipa joined us to talk about his path to Sacramento, his extraordinarily short tenure on the Assembly Insurance Committee, and why he - the first Tongan ever to serve in the #caleg - is not part of the AAPI Legislative Caucus.Plus: Who had the worst week in CA politics?1:01 SB581 story2:35 Welcome Paula Treat and Matt Rodriguez3:31 Conferences coming: AI on July 8; Health Care on October 16:05 Welcome Asm. Tangipa7:09 Origin story10:26 "By the time I was 14 years old I was 6'4 and 200 pounds"12:10 vs. George Radanovich14:01 Sacto vs. Fresno16:33 Removal from committees19:42 Relationships with other legislators25:40 Any news on Federal fire funding?29:14 Thoughts on the new building reform package?32:34 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Longtime political columnist Dan Walters joins us to talk about his fifty years covering state capitol politics. Walters began covering politics in 1975 - just months after Jerry Brown was sworn in for his first term as Governor - and hasn't stopped since. He began writing his column for the Sacramento Union in 1981 and continued when he moved to the Union's crosstown rival The Sacramento Bee in 1984. He has been with CalMatters since 2017.  Walters spoke with us about how the capitol has changed in the half century he has been covering it, shared his favorite Jerry Brown story, and finally came clean about how he scooped the rest of the press corp on the state Budget story, over and over again.  Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?:58 A viral story2:16 Capitol Insiders Survey3:44 California Insurance Crisis4:45 Welcome Dan Walters5:32 most notable changes in 50 years?8:22 Vic Pollard12:40 The two groups who came out of nowhere13:21 The Third House15:33 How DID you get the Budget in advance?17:36 "All hell broke loose"20:15 Down at David's Brass Rail21:40 Apocalypse Right Now27:28 Thoughts on "This is Gavin Newsom" 31:36 The Great Mentioners34:39 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Claire Conlon has a long history in the capitol community. She got her start as a legislative aide in 2011, and has held a wide variety of roles since, including Press Secretary for Senate leader Kevin de León and Chief of Staff to Asm. Cottie Petrie-Norris. While building that impressive resume, she did something unusual: she left. In 2017 Conlon left the capitol, the state, and eventually the country, traveling the world for a full year - job title "Vagabond" on her Linkedin. Returning to the state in 2018, she picked up where she had left off. In 2023, she left the capitol again - this time for private industry. She is currently the Senior Director of State Government Affairs for Biocom California, where she manages and implements their state legislative policy agenda.Claire shared stories from her capitol journey and other travels, offers advice for new legislators, and talks about her new role in California's second largest industry.  Plus - Who had the Worst Week in CA Politics?1:11 First time on a podcast!3:55 What was it like to be a Press Sec. for a Legislative leader?4:15 Dee Dee Myers shout-out5:21 Origin story9:12 From school to the capitol11:40 Around the world15:33 What did the trip change for you?18:06 Advice for new legislators20:37 Thoughts on gender parity in the Senate21:43 New role at Biocom23:02 Second-largest industry in California24:14 St. Patrick's Day dancers at the capitol25:27 Favorite state capitol?26:38 Hot topics: Drug affordability and access29:38 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly's conference The Resistance: California vs. Donald Trump, which was held in Sacramento on Wednesday, February 26, 2025This is PANEL 2 – CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENTPanelists: Kip Lipper, Chief Policy Advisor on Energy and Environment to the Senate pro Tem; Catherine Reheis-Boyd, Western States Petroleum Association; Victoria Rome, Natural Resources Defense CouncilModerated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol WeeklyThanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Capitol Weekly presented an online conference, The Resistance: California vs. Donald Trump.This is PANEL 3 – IMMIGRATIONPanelists:  Senator María Elena Durazo; Luis Alvarado, Luis Alvarado Public Affairs; Kevin R. Johnson, UC Davis School of Law; David Trujillo, ACLU California ActionModerated by Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles TimesThanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Capitol Weekly presented an online conference, The Resistance: California vs. Donald Trump.This is PANEL 1 – HEALTH CAREPanelists: Beth Malinowksi, SEIU California; Devon Mathis, California Assembly (Ret.); Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Health Access California; Dr. Richard Pan, California Senate (Ret.);Moderated by Samantha Young, KFF Health NewsPlease note: During this discussion, a speaker questions whether there may be a connection between Autism Spectrum Disorder and vaccines. Numerous studies over the past two decades have debunked a connection between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.Thanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Capitol Weekly presented an online conference, The Resistance: California vs. Donald Trump.President Donald J. Trump launched his second term with a flurry of executive orders on immigration, energy and climate, health care, civil rights and more. California led the resistance to administration policies during the first Trump Administration, suing the federal government over 100 times; Now the state's Democratic leadership is gearing up for Round 2.In this episode we present The Keynote, by one of the officials in the forefront of that battle, California Attorney General Rob Bonta. He is introduced by Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen.Thanks to our California Conferences sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS 

Brian Joseph has worked as a newspaper reporter and investigative journalist for two decades, writing for Capitol Weekly, the Orange County Register, the Sacramento Bee and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, among other publications. He recently released his first book: Vegas Concierge: Sex Trafficking, Hip Hop and Corruption in America. Using public and private records as well as exclusive, first-person accounts from primary sources, the book shows how prostitutes and pimps ply their trade, how law enforcement agencies trip up and their investigations become compromised, and how self-interest corrupts news organizations and the corridors of power.  He spoke with us about what drive him to write the book, the connection to Hip Hop and corruption, and what news organizations have gotten wrong in coverage of the issue.  Plus: Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?1:50 The California connection3:36 Shannon Grove4:14 How did the book come about?6:31 The victims8:06 How prevalent is sex trafficking in the US?9:47 The effect of the internet12:04 The connection to Hip Hop and corruption15:10 How have the profiled subjects reacted?16:45 Repeat victimization18:34 How have news organizations made it worse20:32 Intense book tour moments23:26 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io 

Our guest today is the Parliamentarian to the Assembly Speaker, Brian Ebbert. Ebbert has spent over three decades in the Assembly starting as an Assistant Clerk in 1991. He served as Assembly Floor Director from 2017 to 2014; he announced his retirement last year (and even got the cake) but agreed at the end of 2024 to stay on one more year as Assembly ParliamentarianWhat does the Assembly Parliamentarian do? In this role, Ebbert is the senior procedural and parliamentary advisor to the Assembly Speaker and his leadership team. He is responsible for daily coordination of the Floor business, strategic motions, and procedures of the House, and provides expert procedural analysis and advice to Majority Party leadership team. He also develops logistics, rules, and procedures for Floor sessions, and - one of his favorite duties - identifies, drafts, and implements House rule changes for each two-year legislative session.  Ebbert joins Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster to talk about the Parliamentarian's role, how the legislature has changed in the time he has been there, and about his brief but fascinating time in the Canadian Parliament.  Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?1:53 The role of Parliamentarian4:56 "You can read a book about football... but that doesn't make you a football player"7:15 From Speaker's Floor Director to Parliamentarian10:33 Questions from members12:30 The flow of information15:17 Touchy topics19:44 Impact of Social Media23:49 How has the institution changed?26:16 Length of Floor sessions28:36 Procedural rule changes30:29 Two weeks in the Canadian Parliament42:24 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

It may not feel like it, but Donald J. Trump began his second presidential term less than three weeks ago. The reality TV star turned GOP president wasted no time implementing his agenda, issuing dozens of Executive Orders, clearcutting opposition officials and entrusting billionaire donor Elon Musk with a broad mandate to revise the functions of the US government, often in seeming conflict with federal law and the constitution. These unilateral actions are testing the bounds of executive power beyond anything seen in American politics before.Congress – led by Trump's Republican Party - has been largely silent, with minority Democrats raising objections but to little effect. The courts have begun to weigh in, with mixed results. What to make of these unprecedented times in American history?To talk about all this, we're joined by Thad Kousser, professor of Political Science at UC San Diego. Kousser has written extensively on US and California politics and is an astute observer of American political life. He spoke with us about President Trump's “everything everywhere all at once” strategy, what Democrats can and can't do, and how this all plays in California.1:34 Perspective3:50 Democrats caught flat footed5:30 Billionaire buddy: Elon Musk9:09 Donald Trump's political superpower12:42 What does this mean for the Democrats?17:02 What aren't congressional Dems doing more?20:14 The California legislature and Donald Trump23:18 "Flooding the zone"26:43 >>Picture of dog drinking coffee, surrounded by fire

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California's 4th Assembly District, which includes Napa, Lake, Yolo, Colusa Counties and part of Sonoma County. She is the chair of the bipartisan California Legislative Women's Caucus and is also the Assembly Majority Leader. As Majority Leader, Aguiar-Curry guides her party's legislative strategy, coordinates with committee chairs and helps ensure the efficient progression of bills. As chair of the Women's Caucus, she helps promote policies and budget priorities that improve the well-being of women, children and families. She sat down with Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster to talk about finding common ground with her Republican colleagues, her role in helping new legislators get their feet under them, and Democratic priorities for 2025.  Plus - Who had the Worst Week in California Politics?:54 The Women's Caucus4:22 Working with a bipartisan caucus and new members6:27 California and Trump: common ground?8:40 Affordability13:10 What have we learned from the fires?18:55 Getting new legislators up to speed22:43 Priorities25:16 The legislature and the governor27:20 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

We're joined today by Dr. Shirley Weber, California's Secretary of State. Governor Newsom appointed the four-term assembly member as Secretary of State in 2020 to fill the remainder of Alex Padilla's term when Padilla went to the US Senate. Voters elected her to a full term on November 8, 2022.  Serving as the state's chief elections officer is a natural fit for Weber, whose family left Arkansas during the Jim Crow era after her father was threatened for agitating in favor of voting rights. The family settled in southern California, where her mother became a longtime poll worker, with the family home often serving as a polling place.Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster spoke with Weber about administrating elections, why it takes so long to get results in some districts, and how to inspire young Californians to care as much about voting as Weber's family does. Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?:55 "A Boring Election"2:29 29 bomb threats4:23 Why does it take so long to get a final count in some districts?6:07 Ballot curing9:13 Election integrity12:11 Poll workers15:49 "We were the polling place"16:21 A place called Hope17:37 "They had planned to kill my father"21:03 How to get young people to vote?25:12 Engaging high school students26:24 "The life of voting"31:01 #WWCA: Take a chill pill37:54 The Resistance: California vs. Donald TrumpWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

We hear a lot of discussion about what it takes to campaign for Governor of California, but, as in the 1972 film The Candidate, not so much about what it takes to govern the state. Former Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg has served as an advisor to governors and want-to-be-governors for decades. With the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026 heating up, Hertzberg joined us to share his Six Principles for Governing California. Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics?:45 How to govern2:27 Mervyn Dymally3:58 Six Guiding Principles for Governing California 4:55 1. Queen Calafia7:42 2. Robert Redford, Wax on Wax off, and Picasso9:56 3. The Princess Bride10:56 4. Jimmy Carter14:35 5. Exit Memo15:45 6. Love Actually19:29 Two-way ears22:30 Governor Pete Wilson26:56 Thick skin30:50 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io  

Today we welcome a first-time guest to the podcast: Stephanie Roberson, of Stephanie Roberson Strategies. Roberson formed SRS, a boutique, black-owned single member firm, in late 2022 after 15 years representing the California Nurses Association. During Roberson's tenure, the Nurses waged fierce battles in the capitol over guaranteed universal healthcare, and confronted the COVID epidemic. She sat down with us to talk about her decision to go out on her own, her experiences with CNA and her mentors and role models.2:01 A shift in the lobbying community3:06 Broadcast news?4:59 Pivot5:57 A broader group of clients8:48 The Nurses and COVID12:47 The reality of lobbying vs. the image14:03 The best and worst of times17:07 Going solo18:26 "Presumptive Eligibility"21:28 More women in prominent roles22:40 Bob Hertzberg!25:02 Role models and mentors30:51 Priorities for 202536:56 DC40:36 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by Politico's Chris Cadelago for a deep dive (our longest-ever episode?) into California politics in 2024 - and a look at what the Horseshoe might look like next year as Nathan Barankin takes over for departing chief of staff Dana Williamson. Plus: Who Had the Worst YEAR in California Politics?  We give you our Top 10.2:44 From Dana Williamson to Nathan Barankin5:42 Ann Patterson7:20 Power couple9:23 The Horseshoe12:20 Newsom's year16:40 Newsom, the legislature and those pesky propositions21:12 Crime28:53 The shift in the Latino vote33:00 The Senate race37:21 Turmoil in Los Angeles and San Francisco42:35 AI49:36 Transitions: KDL, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy56:23 Impact of Gaza1:02:18 Who had the Worst Year in California Politics1:02:46 Katie Porter1:08:28 Pamela Price1:11:43 Riddhi Patel1:17:06 Sheng Thao1:21:25 Andrew Do1:24:33 Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil1:28:30 Michael Weinstein1:33:11 George Gascon1:37:08 Kamala Harris1:43:29 Omar Torres1:49:05 Wrap up - and where did Lara Korte go?Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

It's a short week, so we've got a short episode for you. Rich and Tim look south for Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics.  We'll be back next week with a special end-of-year wrap up - don't miss!Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Ranked Choice Voting had a bit of a "moment" in 2022, helping send Democrat Mary Peltola to congress in Alaska, and clearing a first-ballot hurdle for statewide acceptance in Nevada. This year, proponents of the RCV process got proposals on the ballot in four states (Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and the confirmation vote in NV), but ultimately found themselves on defense, losing all four, and also losing a Missouri ballot measure to ban the method from use in the state.  A measure to repeal RCV in Alaska failed by just 743 votes. Conversely, use of RCV continues to expand in cities and other localities. In Washington DC, a measure to introduce RCV passed with over 70% of the vote this year.Our guest today, Josh Rosa, is on the Steering Committee of Better Ballot Sacramento, an organization promoting adoption of Ranked Choice Voting in Sacramento.  Rosa is a lecturer at Sacramento State and has a long history in the capitol community, including a stint in the Schwarzenegger administration. We chat about the various types of RCV and look at the pros and cons of the system.Plus - Who had the Worst Week in California Politics?Show Notes:3:06 What is Ranked Choice Voting?6:26 Benefits10:29 Downsides13:23 What is driving newfound opposition to RCV?17:05 How does the Sacramento plan stack up?20:02 Insights?26:47 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly's conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024This is PANEL 3 – IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTSPanelists: Jess Bartholow, SEIU California; Michelle Cabrera, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California; Beth Capell, Health Access California; Scott Graves, California Budget and Policy CenterModerated by Kristen Hwang, CalmattersThanks to the sponsors of the event:CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERSWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

One of the many stories out of the 2024 election was President Trump's improved performance with voters of color. While voter data is still being analyzed, it is clear that the former and future president made significant inroads in 2024 with constituencies with whom he has historically lagged, notably Latinos. For a politician who based his first presidential campaign on a promise to build a wall between the US and Mexico and referring to Mexican immigrants as drug dealers, criminals and rapists, ANY improvement is a big shift.But, that shift was not uniform: While a majority of Latino men favored Trump in November, three in five Latina voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris, rejecting Trump for the third time. Why the disparity between Latinas/Latinos, and could the Democrats have done more outreach to this crucial constituency?Our guest today is Sonja Diaz, a civil rights attorney and former policy advisor to California Attorney General Kamala Harris, and Co-Founder of the Latina Futures 2050 Lab. Prior to starting the Latina Futures, 2050 Lab, Diaz co-founded and directed the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, the first comprehensive think tank within the University of California system dedicated to addressing the policy needs of the nation's second-largest racial/ethnic group.Plus, Who had the Worst Week in California Politics?Show Notes:1:13 The Latina Futures 2050 Lab4:29 Policy advisor to AG Kamala Harris6:17 Latinas make up 12% of all female voters13:19 A deeper systematic problem?15:25 "Persuadability exists in very narrow forms"19:11 The Special Session24:59 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

As her final term in the senate comes to an end, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman joined us to reflect on her twelve years in the state legislature. A self-described "pragmatic progressive," Eggman represents the 5th Senate District - San Joaquin County, parts of Stanislaus County and the Sacramento County community of Galt - areas which saw a significant Republican shift this year; San Joaquin County went to Trump in 2024.  We asked what she thought her party could do to speak to disaffected voters, what she saw as her successes from her time in office, and where she goes from here.Plus, Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?:40 How can Democrats do a better job of connecting with voters?5:13 Messaging9:25 "You can't let the base drive the conversation"10:48 Disconnect on crime12:22 "People will rise to the expectations we put on them"15:44 The status of CA's mental health system18:50 A look back and a look forward20:41 The End of Life Act21:49 Involuntary care22:44 Right to Repair26:01 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io 

While most political junkies have their eyes on DC in the wake of Donald Trump's successful bid to return to the White House, we're looking south, where Los Angeles voters delivered a seismic shift to the region's politics, passing Measure G, which expands the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five members to nine, and Charter Amendment DD, which creates an independent redistricting commission for the city. Support for reform measures exploded after the 2022 release of "The Tape," a secret recording of council members Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon and LA County Labor Fed President Ron Herrera making racist and derisive comments about their colleagues and constituents, and planning a gerrymander of Nithya Raman's district in order to oust her. Two years after the release of the tape, de Leon was the only one of the four still in place, and on November 5, District 14 voters handed the former state senator his walking papers in favor of DSA candidate Ysabel Jurado, giving the Democratic Socialists a four seat bloc on the city council. We asked political consultant and California Target Book co-editor Robb Korinke to walk us through what just happened and what it all means.Plus: Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?2:01 Measure G4:37 County Executive5:52 What will the new districts look like?9:30 Charter Amendment DD11:48 KDL15:38 Nithya Raman16:15 Adrin Nazarian17:02 George Gascon19:20 Turnout23:00 Incumbency25:24 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.In this episode we present The Keynote: THE NATIONAL PICTUREThe National Picture was recorded live at the UC Student and Policy Center, and featured a panel of expert voices from both sides of the aisle. The discussion shared insights into how the 2024 election will influence California's policy and politics in 2025 and beyond.Panelists: Mark Baldassare, Public Policy Institute of California; Marva Diaz, Marva Diaz Strategies; Thad Kousser, UC San Diego; Paul Mitchell, Political Data Intelligence; and Kristin Olsen-Cate, California Strategies.Moderated by Laurel Rosenhall of the Los Angeles Times

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.In this episode we present Panel 3: A LOOK AHEADWhat happens now? A Red Wave election threatened Dem super majorities in Sacramento and soundly rejected progressive crime policies across the state. And, the results of the presidential contest are more consequential than ever: President Trump will head back to the White House in January 2025 with promises to deport millions and punish his political enemies. Given this titanic political shift, what will be the big issues under Sacramento's capitol dome next year? And, what does it mean for the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026?Panelists: Susannah Delano, Close the Gap California; Jon Fleischman, Fleischman Consulting Group; Jodi Hicks, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California; Evan McLaughlin, California Professional Firefighters; Roger Salazar, ALZA StrategiesModerated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.In this episode we present Panel 2: THE BALLOT INITIATIVESCalifornia voters confronted a wide variety of themes on this year's ballot - how did they vote on these important issues, and why?Panelists: Brandon Castillo, Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs; Jeff Gozzo, Gozzo Strategy & Campaigns;  Susie Shannon, AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Becky Warren, Elevate Public AffairsModerated by Robin Epley of the Sacramento Bee

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.In this episode we present Panel 1: FACE OF THE ELECTORATEPresident Trump improved his numbers with independents, men, Muslims and Latinos; Will Republicans in tight House races see similar results? Also – a rundown on key California races – the battles for Congress and the Legislature. Who were the voters in 2024?Panelists: Mike Madrid, author, The Latino Century; Courtni Pugh, Hilltop Public Solutions; Tim Rosales, The Rosales Agency; Michael Wagaman, Wagaman Strategies; Bill Wong, The Ronin Project.Moderated by Christopher Cadelago of POLITICO

We have reached the end of the road - Election Day. After a years-long presidential campaign filled with twists, turns and surprises, we are at the deciding point: will the next president be former president Donald Trump, or Vice President Kamala Harris?  And, which party will control congress? Does the path to control of the House run through Orange County? What does all of this mean for California's 2026 gubernatorial race?  Political data guru Paul Mitchell joins us to read the tea leaves and tell us what to expect on Election Night.Show Notes:1:26 What do we know?2:36 The polling6:15 A new name6:49 Any surprises in the data from the past few days?8:04 That Selzer Poll11:23 Herding13:42 Turnout15:54 The Latino Vote18:53 Congress21:47 The 2026 governor's race25:34 Post-Mortem28:38 Will we know who won the presidential contest on Tuesday night?Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly's conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024This is the KEYNOTE – Asm. Jim Wood in conversation with Rich Ehisen of Capitol WeeklyThanks to our sponsors:CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly's conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024This is PANEL 2 – OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY: TARGETSPanelists: Ben Johnson, California Hospital Association; Lynne Kinst, Hemophilia Council of California; Elizabeth Mitchell, Purchaser Business Group on Health; Dr. Richard Pan, California Health Care Affordability BoardModerated by Sigrid Bathen, Capitol WeeklyThanks to our sponsors:CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

Capitol Weekly presented HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Over a dozen experts and elected officials joined us for our annual look at Health Care in the Golden State. Today we present Panel 1: AI in Health Care.Artificial intelligence (AI) has huge potential to innovate and reshape health care. AI has the potential to benefit both providers and patients, with improved diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, robot-enhanced precision medicine and much more. Proponents of AI believe it will significantly improve the quality of care for patients – but how can we use these new tools responsibly?Panelists: Kara Carter, California Health Care Foundation; Sam Chung, California Life Sciences; Matthew D. Solomon, MD, Kaiser Permanente; Chris Waugh, Sutter Health. Moderated by Samantha Young, KFF Health NewsThanks to our sponsors:CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

Political data expert and regular Capitol Weekly contributor Paul Mitchell joins us for a look at the most competitive congressional districts in California. The race for control of Congress is tight, and these districts could decide which party holds the House in 2025.  And he tells us which polls to watch (and which to ignore) and makes his prediction in the Kamala Harris- Donald Trump race.  Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics4:00 CA 22 - Salas v. Valadao11:47 CA 3 - Kiley v. Morse14:44 Brutal abortion ad17:46 CA 27 - Whiteside v. Garcia21:44 CA 47 - Min v. Baugh26:59 CA 41 - Calvert v. Rollins29:07 CA 9 - Gray v. Duarte33:49 What are good polls to follow?35:38 The prediction markets38:29 Polls to avoid41:31 Could hurricanes affect the presidential race?42:50 On the spot: Presidential prediction45:18 First gubernatorial debate of the 2026 campaign50:01 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Through spirited discussion and reasoned debate, proponents for each side explored the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in a conversation moderated by a journalist. Today's episode presents: Proposition 36 ALLOWS FELONY CHARGES AND INCREASES SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN DRUG AND THEFT CRIMES. INITIATIVE STATUTE. If passed, would allow felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions. Fiscal Impact: State criminal justice costs likely ranging from several tens of millions of dollars to the low hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Local criminal justice costs likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually. The "Yes" side was presented by Tino Rossi Tino Rossi is the vice president at Swing Strategies, where he has helped Fortune 100 companies, trade associations, and statewide ballot measure campaigns craft diverse coalitions and effective messages that move voters and impact public opinion on the state's most complex issues. He has been an integral part of multiple successful statewide ballot measure fights, historic legislative negotiations, and prominent regional and statewide public affairs campaigns. Preceding his role at Swing Strategies, Tino mastered building diverse statewide coalitions, generating earned media, and executing effective grassroots campaigns at Meridian Pacific, Inc. The "No" side was presented by Cristine DeBerry Cristine Soto DeBerry is an attorney with twenty-five years of experience generating and implementing criminal justice policy. Drawing on her life experience as an immigrant, a crime survivor, a social justice advocate, and her work as both a public defender and a prosecutor, Cristine led the San Francisco District Attorney's Office for a decade as Chief of Staff to DAs George Gascón and Chesa Boudin. As Chief of Staff, DeBerry spearheaded numerous large-scale policy reforms include developing the nation's first automatic clearance of marijuana convictions, creating the nation's first “race blind charging” tool, and implemented a fully restorative justice program for juveniles. After a decade in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Cristine launched the Prosecutors Alliance. The Alliance is the nation's first reform focused law enforcement association dedicated to activating prosecutors to transform their state prosecutorial systems. The moderator was Lindsey Holden of POLITICO Lindsey Holden is a politics reporter based in Sacramento. She helms California Playbook PM, POLITICO's must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State. Lindsey previously reported for the Sacramento Bee, where she spent two-plus years covering the state Legislature. At the Bee, Lindsey and a coworker won two 2024 Sacramento Press Club awards for “Stuck in Migration,” a series on California migrant farmworker housing. Before the Bee, Lindsey was a staff writer at the San Luis Obispo Tribune reporting on local politics, housing and the Covid-19 pandemic. A Southern California native raised in the Midwest, Lindsey attended DePaul University where she was a track and field student-athlete before pursuing a journalism master's degree at Medill. Capitol Weekly is a 501c3 nonprofit created to inform, enlighten and educate Californians about public policy and state governance, and to provide a nonpartisan platform for engagement with public officials, advocates and political interests. Thanks to our underwriters for this event: BICKER, CASTILLO, FAIRBANKS & SPITZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, THE NO ON 33 CAMPAIGN, and THE YES ON 34 CAMPAIGN

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Through spirited discussion and reasoned debate, proponents for each side explored the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in a conversation moderated by a journalist. Today's episode features a discussion of Propositions 33 and 34. In a state known for confusing, contentious ballot-box battles, Props 33 and 34 may be some of the most confounding ever, especially for the average California voter, who isn't likely to be familiar with the background that plays a central role in both Propositions 33 and 34 but isn't actually mentioned in the text of either. AIDS Healthcare Foundation buys prescription drugs for HIV and AIDS patients at a federally endorsed discount. The foundation then turns around and bills insurers for the full price of those drugs, generating millions of dollars for the foundation. AHF president Michael Weinstein has used that windfall to fund ballot measures on housing development, drug prices, requiring the use of condoms in porn and, most notably, rent control, twice: in 2018 and 2021. Both times, Weinstein failed to persuade Californians to pass measures promoting affordable housing, which he calls “a human right, a social justice issue.” The California Apartment Association opposes Prop. 33, and also are behind Proposition 34, which seeks to blow up Weinstein's business model for funding ballot measures. On paper, Prop. 34 would require that healthcare providers who spent more than $100 million on anything other than direct patient care over a decade and operated housing with more than 500 high-severity health and safety violations spend at least 98 percent of their revenue from the federal discount prescription program on patients. Those parameters actually could apply to more than one organization but make no mistake: the measure is squarely aimed at hindering Weinstein's serial funding of ballot measures. Because these measures are inextricably intertwined, we have chosen to present them together. Proposition 33 EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Proposition 34 RESTRICTS SPENDING OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG REVENUES BY CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. The "Yes on 33/No on 34" side was presented by Susie Shannon Susie Shannon is the Policy Director for Housing Is A Human Right. Susie has worked with unhoused and low-income communities since 2005. Having previously been unhoused herself, she advocates for unhoused and low-income communities through rent control policy, preserving public housing, fighting for new housing to be prioritized for the unhoused, and promoting adaptive reuse and prefabricated modular buildings for the unhoused. The "No on 33/Yes on 34" side was presented by Nathan Click Nathan Click is a national public affairs and communications expert. His California based firm, Click Strategies, builds communications and public affairs campaigns for civic leaders, non-profit organizations and private sector clients. Click Strategies serves as a political advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and led all communications efforts in the Governor's campaign to Stop the Republican Recall, with Click serving as a senior advisor. Click Strategies serves as a political advisor to Attorney General Rob Bonta and a number of political and civic leaders across the nation. Click recently served on U.S. Senator Alex Padilla's transition team, a role he reprised from his tenure working for then U.S. Senator Kamala Harris. The moderator was Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly Rich Ehisen has been a reporter and editor for almost 30 years and is currently the editor in chief at Capitol Weekly, which covers the California State Capitol in Sacramento. For two decades previous he was the managing editor of the State Net Capitol Journal, a LexisNexis publication that covers state public policy issues and trends nationwide. In that role he was also the producer and host of the SNCJ Deep Dive podcast and the SNCJ Hot Issues webinar series. He is also the producer and moderator of The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words, a podcast and YouTube show that features his discussions on writing with authors, reporters and writers from across the artistic spectrum. Capitol Weekly is a 501c3 nonprofit created to inform, enlighten and educate Californians about public policy and state governance, and to provide a nonpartisan platform for engagement with public officials, advocates and political interests. Thanks to our underwriters for this event: BICKER, CASTILLO, FAIRBANKS & SPITZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, THE NO ON 33 CAMPAIGN, and THE YES ON 34 CAMPAIGN

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Today's episode presents The Keynote for this event: A look at California's congressional and legislative races, with California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks and Assemblymember James Gallagher, moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly. James Gallagher James Gallagher has represented California's Third Assembly District since 2014. Before joining the Assembly, he served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors for six years. James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at UC Berkeley before completing an Assembly Fellowship in Sacramento and a law degree at UC Davis, where he graduated at the top of his class. He advocates for small businesses and farmers in his law practice and is a partner in his family's farming operation. Gallagher is married to his high school sweetheart, Janna; the two live in Sutter County where they are raising their five young children. Rusty Hicks In 2019 Rusty Hicks was elected as Chair of the California Democratic Party – the nation's largest state party comprised of more than 10 million California Democrats. Prior to his election as Chair, Hicks served as both President and Political Director of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor - representing 300 local unions and 800,000 hardworking women and men. Hicks has played a leading role in a number of important political and policy efforts: in 2008, he served as the California Political Director for Obama for America. Hicks is a Veteran of the United States Navy and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012-2013. He lives on California's North Coast with his wife, Sandra Sanchez, and their constant sidekick, a chocolate lab, Charlie. The moderator was Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly Rich Ehisen has been a reporter and editor for almost 30 years and is currently the editor in chief at Capitol Weekly, which covers the California State Capitol in Sacramento. For two decades previous he was the managing editor of the State Net Capitol Journal, a LexisNexis publication that covers state public policy issues and trends nationwide. In that role he was also the producer and host of the SNCJ Deep Dive podcast and the SNCJ Hot Issues webinar series. He is also the producer and moderator of The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words, a podcast and YouTube show that features his discussions on writing with authors, reporters and writers from across the artistic spectrum. Capitol Weekly is a 501c3 nonprofit created to inform, enlighten and educate Californians about public policy and state governance, and to provide a nonpartisan platform for engagement with public officials, advocates and political interests. Thanks to our underwriters for this event: BICKER, CASTILLO, FAIRBANKS & SPITZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, THE NO ON 33 CAMPAIGN, and THE YES ON 34 CAMPAIGN

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Through spirited discussion and reasoned debate, proponents for each side explored the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in a conversation moderated by a journalist. Today's episode presents: Proposition 32 - RAISES MINIMUM WAGE. INITIATIVE STATUTE. If passed, Proposition 32 would raise minimum wage as follows: For employers with 26 or more employees, to $17 immediately, $18 on January 1, 2025. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, to $17 on January 1, 2025, $18 on January 1, 2026. Fiscal Impact: State and local government costs could increase or decrease by up to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. State and local revenues likely would decrease by no more than a few hundred million dollars annually. The "Yes" side was presented by Saru Jayaraman Saru Jayaraman is the President of One Fair Wage and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, Berkeley. After 9/11, together with displaced World Trade Center workers, she co-founded the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC), which grew into a national movement of restaurant workers, employers and consumers. She then launched One Fair Wage as a national campaign to end all subminimum wages in the United States. The story of Saru and her co-founder's work founding ROC has been chronicled in the book The Accidental American, and the story of the One Fair Wage campaign has been profiled in the new film Waging Change. Saru is a graduate of Yale Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The "No" side was presented by Jot Condie Jot Condie is the President and CEO of the California Restaurant Association. Before joining CRA, Jot was the legislative director for the California Manufacturer's Association, where he lobbied on behalf of California's Fortune 500 companies. He also served as the chief lobbyist for the Southern California Air Quality Alliance, a consortium of aerospace, manufacturing and high-tech companies with an interest in air quality regulation issues. Before joining the Manufacturer's Association, Jot worked in the State Capitol as staff director for Assistant Assembly Majority Leader, directing a staff of policy consultants and legislative aides. Prior to serving as staff director he was a legislative director for the Assembly Minority Whip and managed political campaigns in state legislative races. The moderator was Phil Willon of the Los Angeles Times Phil Willon is an assistant editor based in the Sacramento bureau of the Los Angeles Times and guides coverage of California politics and assists with state capital coverage. He previously covered Gov. Gavin Newsom, the 2018 governor's race and the 2016 U.S. Senate race. Before heading north, Willon covered Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and roamed Southern California's mountains and deserts as the newsroom's state correspondent in the Inland Empire. Prior to joining The Times, Willon served as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for the Tampa Tribune. At the Tribune, Willon also covered Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, Hurricane Andrew and the investigation leading to the arrest of serial killer Danny Rolling. He began his newspaper career as the Kent Island correspondent for the Capital in Annapolis, Md. Willon grew up in Southern California and graduated from UC San Diego. Capitol Weekly is a 501c3 nonprofit created to inform, enlighten and educate Californians about public policy and state governance, and to provide a nonpartisan platform for engagement with public officials, advocates and political interests. Thanks to our underwriters for this event: BICKER, CASTILLO, FAIRBANKS & SPITZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, THE NO ON 33 CAMPAIGN, and THE YES ON 34 CAMPAIGN

Former California State Assemblymember and current Fair Political Practices Commissioner Catharine Baker has been appointed director of the newly opened University of California Student and Policy Center, UC's hub in Sacramento, located just steps from the state capitol. Baker will lead public programming and outreach, aimed at introducing UC students and faculty into the capitol community - and vice versa.  The Center will present speakers, debates, and briefings on state policy issues; in recent months, the center has hosted conversations with California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Senate pro Tem Toni Atkins as part of its 2024 California Leaders Speaker Series.  Baker joined us to talk about her goals and priorities for her new position.  Plus - a DOOZY of a "Worst Week in California Politics!"Show Notes:3:35 Welcome Catharine Baker4:09 A Roger Salazar sighting?8:24 What does the UC Student and Policy Center do?11:09 Priorities13:39 How to approach partisanship?19:21 Diversity of the UC campuses?21:20 The UC Center Internship Program24:40 The future26:13 Events, etc. https://uccs.ucdavis.edu28:20 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Last year, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors passed a law that criminalized spectating at the sideshows — the wildly dangerous illegal stunt driving exhibitions that have plagued Oakland and other cities for decades.  The move comes as local jurisdictions attempt to curtail the outlaw events that have real costs: damage to infrastructure, injuries to participants and spectators, and increasingly, violence.  A sideshow following a Juneteenth celebration near Oakland's Lake Merritt erupted into a mass shooting that wounded 14. But will arresting those just there to watch the spectacle help?Our guest today, Oaklandside reporter Jose Fermoso, says no, and joined a lawsuit led by the First Amendment Coalition to challenge Alameda County's sideshow law. Fermoso covers traffic issues, and has dug deep into sideshows, the culture they evolved from, and their cost to the community. The new law prevents him from reporting directly on sideshows himself, and criminalizes anyone who might have footage that could help his reporting - or the police.  What is the best way to combat these destructive displays?1:18 What is a sideshow?5:02 A jail sentence and fine for watching the show7:33 How to reduce sideshows?8:22 The lawsuit11:55 How to report on the issue without violating the statute?13:55 Cost to the community20:59 Infrastructure as policy30:26 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

In September 1933, in the depths of the Depression, Dr. Francis Townsend wrote a letter to his local newspaper, the Long Beach Press-Telegram. He had an idea that would end the Depression and alleviate the endemic poverty for the nation's elderly. His plan was simple: the Federal Government should give each American 60 years and older a pension of $200 a month (equivalent to about $4700 today) - with the requirement that they HAD to spend the money within a month. The pensions would be paid for by a nationwide 2% transaction tax.The idea caught on, spawning 8000 Townsend Clubs with a peak of two million members - 1% of the US population at the time - and roughly 10% of the nation's senior citizens.  California congressman John McGroarty introduced the first Townsend Plan bill in 1935, much to the dismay of the Roosevelt administration, which was then working to pass the Social Security Act. By the late thirties there were over 100 members of Townsend Caucus in congress, and individual states - including California - proposed Townsend-inspired initiatives of their own.Our guest today, Dr, Edwin Amenta is the author of When Movements Matter: The Townsend Plan and the Rise of Social Security. He tells the story of the Townsend Plan, how it became a movement and how it changed the conversation about old age pensions in America and ultimately shaped the Social Security we know today. Plus, Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics?Show Notes1:16 Who was Townsend?2:18 $200 a month2:47 One of the largest organizations in US history3:26 One person with an idea to a nationwide movement5:08 What did retirement look like at the time?7:23 Legislation10:01 John McGroarty11:42 No political home16:11 The Townsend Caucus18:21 "Ham and Eggs"19:50 Culbert Olson21:12 The evolution of Social Security24:37 Political football29:08 What became of Townsend and his movement?33:12 "I just love a spectacle"34:10 #WWCA    Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

With election day less than three months away, jobs and the economy are under close scrutiny. California's unemployment rate is 5.2%; up from 4.7% one year ago, and one of the highest in the nation. And, what jobs are out there often pay poorly and have limited opportunities for advancement.Our guest today, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz is the CEO of Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) - a San Francisco nonprofit that helps jobseekers gain the skills and confidence to secure high quality jobs at a living wage.  Since 1973, JVS has helped more than 100,000 Californians find quality jobs and gain economic mobility. While the organization is rooted in Jewish tradition, JVS serves individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths.Countryman-Quiroz spoke with hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster about the JVS mission, what makes a "High Quality Job" and why California workers and employers need more access to job training. Plus, Who had the Worst Week in California Politics?SHOW NOTES1:04 What is JVS?5:51 What makes a High Quality Job?8:04 How is the current job market?10:39 How is AI impacting the job market?14:13 The USA provides less training than other industrialized countries. What are we missing?21:25 JVS successes23:54 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Last week we talked about this year's Top 100 list... In this episode, we're starting off with a confession: Mistakes were made.One of the hallmarks of The Top 100 is that the contents of the list are very tightly held until the moment of publication. That secrecy creates various logistical problems, not the least of which is proofreading. Only a handful of people, most of whom work in the Capitol Weekly office, are involved in the editing or proofing process at any level. Having so few eyes on the List is a recipe for error, and this year we had a doozy: we left someone off.Dan Dunmoyer, of the California Building Industry Association has been a regular on the Top 100 for five years, since he succeeded former CBIA President and CEO (and former state Senator) Dave Cogdill. CBIA is a major player in a state where the Housing Crisis is a top concern for most voters - and their representatives in the legislature.  Dunmoyer has been on the List every year since 2019 - and he was supposed to be on this year's edition.Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster talk about what went wrong, and chat with Dunmoyer about California Housing Policy, why some cities are building more housing than others and how California can start to course correct after decades of anti-housing policy.  Show Notes:45: Mistakes were made3:19 Welcome, Dan Dunmoyer5:52 Setting the record straight7:19 A big year for Housing issues9:36 Comparing building costs between California and neighboring states12:04 Environmental Policy vs. Greenhouse gas policies15:01 The local angle21:57 This is not a Republican - Democrat issue - it's a California issue23:55 Is desire for home equity value driving anti-housing policy?25:32 The cities of Dallas and Houston build more housing than the entire state of California27:23 Where is the legislature?31:15 Gubernatorial candidates?35:16 Volunteer proofreaders39:36 WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io  

Last night we published the 16th edition of Capitol Weekly's Top 100 - our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. We look at the mostly behind the scenes players who influence policy, elections and governance, including Capitol staff, lobbyists, Agency staff, donors, business leaders, activists, Labor leaders - and even journalists.Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by former KQED reporter and LA Times Bureau Chief John Myers, who left journalism for communications two years ago, but still keeps a watchful eye on Golden State politics. Few political observers are more respected than Myers - one of the many reasons he was a mainstay of the Top 100 List for more than a dozen years. (His kids nicknamed his Top 100 portrait 'Old Squinty.') Myers, Ehisen and Foster discuss the broad themes that underlie the 2024 list, look at the new faces, and talk about the names on the inaugural Top 100 Hall of Fame.1:52 Live tweeting the California Budget4:18 The Top 100 Hall of Fame5:37 George Skelton9:23 Donna Lucas11:07 Gale Kaufman15:58 Steve Maviglio19:49 Aaron Read23:32 Themes of the 2024 Top 10025:43 The executive branch and organized Labor30:59 Jennifer Barrera31:00 Rob Lapsley32:06 Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher32:41 Tia Orr32:48 Yvonne Wheeler33:50 Oscar Lopez35:04 Danny Curtin36:38 Janus Norman37:05 Tony Bui, Laiza Negrete and Ramona Prieto40:14 Taryn Luna41:22 Chris Cadelago41:30 Ashley Zavala47:47 Who is NOT on the list - and why?49:56 John Latimer50:00 Liz Snow50:06 Myesha Jackson50:22 Building the list59:03 Susannah Delano1:01:39 Venn Diagram1:04:34 Last ThoughtsWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

We'll be releasing a special episode on Wednesday morning to talk about the 2024 Capitol Weekly Top 100, which will publish Tuesday night.... in the meantime we've got a very short episode with Who Had the Worst Week in Callifornia Politics, and talking about a Big Change coming to the Top 100 this year: The Top 100 Hall of Fame!  The Top 100 Hall of Fame will honor those who have had an illustrious career in the Capitol community - and who have been a dominant presence on the Top 100 list over the last 15 years. In the 2024 inaugural Hall of Fame class we will acknowledge five California political professionals who rank at the top of their class.  We'll announce them, along with the year's Top 100 list, at our Top 100 Party at the Sutter Club on Tuesday, August 6.Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io