Podcasts about politifest

The mayor is just flat ignoring the budget the city council passed and will not fire the top managers the Council cut. And you thought budget drama was over. Local water managers are demanding an apology from one of their colleagues. Apologies after demands for apologies are always the best apologies. We’ll explain why this matters. And Jakob published an extraordinary analysis and maps this week of how many fewer kids there are in San Diego schools. Why that is. SHOW NOTES SEGMENT 1 Meet the Beat: Voice in North County Join our North County reporter, Tigist Layne on July 24 at the Escondido History Museum at 6 p.m. to talk about the stories she’s watching that impact residents in North County. Seats are limited. RSVP at vosd.org/events. Politifest Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit. This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 San Diego City Budget Mayor: Nah, I Won’t Be Laying Staff Off by Mariana Martínez Barba July 15, 2025 SEGMENT 3 Where’d the Kids Go San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse. Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has decline by about five percent. That means there are 27,000 fewer students in local schools. State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions. by Jakob McWhinney July 15, 2025 SEGMENT 4 Water Wars Water Managers Want Apology by Scott Lewis July 9, 2025 Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego. Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor Bella Ross, social media producer Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer. Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got through Politifest. We're going to discuss some of the many things people said and didn't say. It was a big day for us.  Also, why does Brian Maienschein, who is running for city attorney, have a campaign finance account for an attorney general race in 2030. We posted an explainer we can give you the cliff's notes on.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A million dollars has already gone into the big county supervisors race from outside groups – most of it in support of mayor Kevin Faulconer, and if you're in the district, you can tell from your mailbox. Usually mail waits until ballots are out.  That'll be our introduction into Politifest Week. We've been trying to run the show like normal while preparing for our big annual gathering. We're going to go through some of the sessions we're most excited to see.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're in your podcast feed early this week with another Politifest 2023 drop: "What We Know About Homelessness" with Dr. Margot Kushel. Kushel, one of the nation's foremost experts on health and homelessness, sat down with Voice of San Diego senior investigative reporter Lisa Halverstadt to break down an unprecedented study on homelessness Led by Kushel, the study included interviews of nearly 3,200 people across the state. Kushel summarized the study's findings for us in this interview, including demographic breakdowns, behavioral health, substance use and treatment, and supports the state needs. See all our videos, transcripts and reports from Politifest 2023 at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least three people in law enforcement are running for local elected office. Two police officers seek to unseat the San Diego mayor and City Council President. Another is aiming for Poway City Council. This week, we discuss the candidates — and why cops are seeking political power. Plus: Coronado passes a new housing plan to comply with state law. Barrio Logan Planning group is breaking. The City Attorney job debate continues. Watch all our panels from Politifest 2023 at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politifest 2023 was dedicated to housing and water, California's foremost crises. The public affairs extravaganza featured lively debates and discussions dedicated to these complex issues — aiming to make break news and inform the public. Now, we'll be dropping some of our favorite panels in the feed for you. First up is our capstone convo with California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Our regular podcast hosts — Scott Lewis, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney — roped in LA Times reporter Liam Dillon and Voice environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer, who are experts on this year's themes. Ahead of Bonta's arrival, they reviewed highlights of the day from our water panels. Then they got into housing laws. This podcast ends with Dillon interviewing Bonta one-on-one, drilling down on housing policy, homelessness and shelter. See more at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, one of the most controversial plans in local politics was quashed. The San Diego Association of Governments board voted to remove the driving fee from all future plans. The fee was devised as a funding source to supplement gas tax revenue as hybrid and electric cars became more popular. And it was a driving deterrent to help the region meet its emission targets. But now that idea is dead. Not coincidentally, Hasan Ikhrata is leaving SANDAG as executive director soon. In this episode we review how it happened, the political implications and what's next for SANDAG. Plus: College rankings explained. Blowout in Barrio Logan over police. Politifest is nigh! Get your tickets at politifest.org See Andrea, Scott and Jakob's newsletters at vosd.org/newslettersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, students at Correia Middle School in Point Loma reported seeing a classmate brandish a gun. The following week, more allegations surfaced about the classmate in question. School Facebook groups blew up; parents spun. And in the aftermath, families demanded answers about San Diego Unified's discipline policies. In this episode, host Jakob McWhinney clarifies the messy story. Plus: More arguments on the City Attorney job change. San Diego water costs soar. Western water leaders duke it out at Politifest. Get your Politifest tickets now at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, San Diego City Councilman Kent Lee joined us for a live show in North Park. Cozied up to the beer fermenters in Original 40 Brewing, hosts Scott Lewis, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney spilled the tea on local public affairs. Because that's what the people came for, right? Talking points: Civic Center redevelopment project. The housing crisis. The cost-of-living crisis. Nudists. And audience games! Support the show — and local journalism — at vosd.org/supporter Register for Politifest 2023 at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we dig through the Politifest 2022 content mines to bring you the spiciest takes from the region's coolest annual politics summit. The conceit of Politifest was that purposeful political discussions need to be out in the open, in front of voters and residents. Too often, candidates for office — or opposing sides of a major local issues — settle their differences in private. We're trying to change that. Let's play the hits! See everything you may have missed at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homelessness is our region's foremost humanitarian crisis — and one of the most divisive political issues. Voice's Lisa Halverstadt got into it with San Diego's two most powerful politicians, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and Chair of the County Board of Supervisors Nathan Fletcher. Talking points: Bathrooms. Safe lots. Homelessness prevention and tenant protections. The service provider shortage. Housing policy. Bill Walton. See more at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The candidates for National City mayor joined us for our inaugural Politifest South — a two-part kickoff event for Politifest 2022 hosted at the Emo Brown Foundation in Chula Vista. Panelists:Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-SolisCity Councilmember Jose RodriguezCity Councilmember Ron Morrison Talking points: Unions and labor. The city manager. Low riders. Cleanliness. See everything Politifest at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The candidates for Chula Vista mayor joined us to put a stamp on our inaugural Politifest South. This is the second of a two-part live podcast for Politifest 2022, hosted at the Emo Brown Foundation in Chula Vista. Panelists:Ammar Campa-NajjarChula Vista City Counclimember John McCann Talking points: Police and firefighters. Homelessness. Sales taxes and city revenue. Chula Vista roots and residence. SANDAG. See everything Politifest at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the November election, San Diego City Council candidates are taking stands on an upcoming ballot measure that would allow the city to study and eventually implement a special fee for trash collection. This week, we discuss where candidates stand, how it could be a new, divisive feature of local politics and probe some of the touchy terms that get thrown around on this issue. (It's not a fee!) Related: The city needs to get that food waste recycling program rolling by January. Plus: The blow-back from Bill Walton's homelessness emails to Mayor Todd Gloria. See you soon! Get your tickets to Politifest 2022 at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a fiery week in the San Diego City Council chambers. City Attorney Mara Elliott accused Council President Sean Elo-Rivera of trying to silence her. In doing so, she indirectly accused him of sexism, arguing her predecessors — all men — were held to different expectations than her by the Council. City Councilmember Raul Campillo took a fierce tone with the development team chosen to take over the Sports Arena redevelopment project. Campillo was the only vote against the project. He pressed the developers on their experience with projects this size, allegations of wage theft, tax subsidies and more. This week, we recap the drama and replay some of the highlights from this week in city politics. Plus: NBA legend Bill Walton confronts the mayor on homelessness. And Elo-Rivera wants to talk about it. Politifest 2022 is nigh! Tickets here: https://cvent.me/GQ7dnWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, an unprecedented heatwave preyed on fans and players during San Diego State University's first game of the season, christening its stadium in sweat. Fans said there was nowhere to escape the sun. Reports showed attendees ditching their hard-won seats for shelter and succumbing to heat-related illness. This comes on the heels of SDSU's nationwide coverage for its response to an alleged gang rape by its football players last Halloween. This week, we discuss SDSU's recent slate of news-making stories, including its plan to open a satellite location in Chula Vista. Also: School board election breakdown. The latest on the Sports Arena redevelopment. Politifest preview. Get your tickets to Politifest 2022 at politifest.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, the state passed Senate Bill 2 — a bill made to alleviate the cost of shelter in California by providing an ongoing source of funds to build affordable housing we so desperately need. Since then, the state has collected more than $1.6 billion from fees on real estate transactions. Lookin' pretty good, right? Here's the catch: In the five years since SB 2 passed, the state has spent a fraction of the earnings. This week, we discuss the bill, its promise and praise by San Diego state reps, and the impact seen so far. Plus: What happened to the (California) theater? Pickeball wars. Politifest preview. Peep our newsletters at vosd.org/newslettersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, we dedicated our annual local news summit to: law and justice. Politifest 2021 happened this week and it was full of great, though sometimes difficult, conversations about surveillance, criminal sentencing, the trauma of incarceration and more. This week, we're giving you the short and sweet summaries of a few panels. And we'll discuss some of the most crucial moments that spotlight how directly law enforcement can shape society. Plus: A local labor leader got money he wasn't supposed to and the CDC and New York Times are wrong about San Diego's vaccination rates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, we dedicated our annual local news summit to: law and justice. Politifest 2021 happened this week and it was full of great, though sometimes difficult, conversations about surveillance, criminal sentencing, the trauma of incarceration and more. This week, we're giving you the short and sweet summaries of a few panels. And we'll discuss some of the most crucial moments that spotlight how directly law enforcement can shape society. Plus: A local labor leader got money he wasn't supposed to and the CDC and New York Times are wrong about San Diego's vaccination rates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation has hit California pretty hard and it's San Diego even harder! There are a lot of factors that have caused the cost of living to rise - from supply chain issues to the pandemic. Not to mention, places of employment are having a very tough time staffing! And Scott Lewis, CEO of the Voice of San Diego joins the show to talk to you about Politifest!

Four years ago, former mayor Kevin Faulconer signed a lease for the city to take over a warehouse in Kearny Mesa where crews could repair fire trucks. No fire trucks have been repaired there ever. And now, the city wants to spend $15 million to rebuild the facility it may never own. This week, we discuss all we know that's gone wrong so far. Plus: Redistricting drama is heating up. One commissioner resigned abruptly this week as the once-a-decade process to draw political maps is upon us. Register for Politifest at vosd.org/politifest Hang out with your new favorite podcast at vosd.org/101podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four years ago, former mayor Kevin Faulconer signed a lease for the city to take over a warehouse in Kearny Mesa where crews could repair fire trucks. No fire trucks have been repaired there ever. And now, the city wants to spend $15 million to rebuild the facility it may never own. This week, we discuss all we know that's gone wrong so far. Plus: Redistricting drama is heating up. One commissioner resigned abruptly this week as the once-a-decade process to draw political maps is upon us. Register for Politifest at vosd.org/politifest Hang out with your new favorite podcast at vosd.org/101podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's expensive to live in San Diego. You know this already. But it's about to get worse. As housing prices balloon, another basic need is getting costly: water. This week, we reported that the San Diego County Water Authority predicts the cost of water could swell up to 10 percent starting in 2023. Scott and Andy review everything you need to know about San Diego water and these rate hikes. And in the second half of the show, the latest San Diego Housing Commission drama and why it matters for the local housing crisis. Sign up our upcoming events (Cannabis Equity and Politifest) at vosd.org/events Check out San Diego 101: How We Get Our Water vosd.org/sd101 Support VOSD and our future at vosd.org/give See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's expensive to live in San Diego. You know this already. But it's about to get worse. As housing prices balloon, another basic need is getting costly: water. This week, we reported that the San Diego County Water Authority predicts the cost of water could swell up to 10 percent starting in 2023. Scott and Andy review everything you need to know about San Diego water and these rate hikes. And in the second half of the show, the latest San Diego Housing Commission drama and why it matters for the local housing crisis. Sign up our upcoming events (Cannabis Equity and Politifest) at vosd.org/events Check out San Diego 101: How We Get Our Water vosd.org/sd101 Support VOSD and our future at vosd.org/give See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's another highlight from Politifest 2020. After the election, Democrats could control the County Board of Supervisors for the first time in a generation. VOSD host Scott Lewis leads a discussion with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and candidate Nora Vargas — both Democrats. They're going to talk about what could change if they were in control. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Scott's weekly politics newsletter, The Politics Report: voiceofsandiego.org/politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's another highlight from Politifest 2020. After the election, Democrats could control the County Board of Supervisors for the first time in a generation. VOSD host Scott Lewis leads a discussion with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and candidate Nora Vargas — both Democrats. They're going to talk about what could change if they were in control. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Scott's weekly politics newsletter, The Politics Report: voiceofsandiego.org/politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're dropping episodes that feature some of the best conversations from Politifest 2020, VOSD's annual political affairs summit. In this episode: San Diego mayoral candidates Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria join VOSD host Scott Lewis for one of our most-watched debates. They covered a lot of ground about the candidates and their vision for the future of San Diego. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Scott's weekly newsletter, the Politics Report: vosd.org/politics Get our weekly show, the Voice of San Diego Podcast, wherever you're listening now. Or go to vosd.org/pod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More highlights from Politifest 2020 coming at you. In this episode: San Diego mayoral candidates Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria join VOSD host Scott Lewis for a debate about the future of San Diego. They cover a lot of ground here. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Scott's weekly politics newsletter, The Politics Report: voiceofsandiego.org/politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More highlights from Politifest 2020 coming at you. In this episode: San Diego mayoral candidates Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria join VOSD host Scott Lewis for a debate about the future of San Diego. They cover a lot of ground here. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Scott's weekly politics newsletter, The Politics Report: voiceofsandiego.org/politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The San Diego mayor's race is responsible for a lot of bulging mailboxes and dead trees right now. This week, we sift through political mailers and how each camp is using it to their benefit. Plus: The latest chapter in the 101 Ash St. epic and Politifest memories. Gorge yourself on politics with your Politifest Youtube playlist. Get it at politifest.org Subscribe to our daily newsletter at vosd.org/morning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The San Diego mayor's race is responsible for a lot of bulging mailboxes and dead trees right now. This week, we sift through political mailers and how each camp is using it to their benefit. Plus: The latest chapter in the 101 Ash St. epic and Politifest memories. Gorge yourself on politics with your Politifest Youtube playlist. Get it at politifest.org Subscribe to our daily newsletter at vosd.org/morning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this week, we're dropping bonus episodes featuring some of the best conversations from Politifest 2020. In this episode: An overview of each measure on the statewide ballot, from rideshare drivers to affirmative action. VOSD editors Sara Libby and Jesse Marx will help you understand what each measure would do and who's lining up for and against them. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Sara's weekly newsletter, The Sacramento Report: voiceofsandiego.org/newsletters We'll be back on Friday afternoon, as usual, with your weekly debrief from Scott and Sara. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this week, we're dropping bonus episodes featuring some of the best conversations from Politifest 2020. In this episode: An overview of each measure on the statewide ballot, from rideshare drivers to affirmative action. VOSD editors Sara Libby and Jesse Marx will help you understand what each measure would do and who’s lining up for and against them. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Sara's weekly newsletter, The Sacramento Report: voiceofsandiego.org/newsletters We'll be back on Friday afternoon, as usual, with your weekly debrief from Scott and Sara. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this week, we're dropping episodes that feature some of the best conversations from Politifest 2020, VOSD's annual political affairs summit. In this episode: An overview of each measure on the statewide ballot, from rideshare drivers to affirmative action. VOSD editors Sara Libby and Jesse Marx will help you understand what each measure would do and who's lining up for and against them. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org Get Sara's weekly newsletter, the Sacramento Report: vosd.org/newsletters Get our weekly show, the Voice of San Diego Podcast, wherever you're listening now. Or go to vosd.org/pod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this week, we're dropping bonus episodes featuring some of the best conversations from Politifest 2020. Up first is a conversation about police reform with California Attorney General Xavier Bacerra and Alain Stephens, reporter from The Trace. In this interview: racial discrimination, the future of policing and realistic reforms. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org We'll be back on Friday afternoon, as usual, with your weekly debrief from Scott and Sara. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this week, we're dropping bonus episodes featuring some of the best conversations from Politifest 2020. Up first is a conversation about police reform with California Attorney General Xavier Bacerra and Alain Stephens, reporter from The Trace. In this interview: racial discrimination, the future of policing and realistic reforms. Watch more Politifest panels at politifest.org We'll be back on Friday afternoon, as usual, with your weekly debrief from Scott and Sara. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we hash out San Diego's new homeless planning woes, a suspended City Council campaign and the fluidity of reality around Prop. 15. Check out some of our free Politifest panels, including Sara Libby's ballot measure crash course, at https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego Share us with your friends! www.vosd.org/pod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we hash out San Diego's new homeless planning woes, a suspended City Council campaign and the fluidity of reality around Prop. 15. Check out some of our free Politifest panels, including Sara Libby's ballot measure crash course, at https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego Share us with your friends! www.vosd.org/pod See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast, we're gearing up for Politifest 2020: Pick Your Future. We'll preview some of the most exciting panels, interviews and discussions to look forward to during the week-long virtual conference, including Sara Libby's ballot measure crash course and Attorney General Xavier Bacerra on policing. Plus: A couple hot stories from the 'Jesse Beat' and the Port of San Diego has to pay up. Get your tickets to Politifest at politifest.org Keep up with all our stories with the Morning Report: vosd.org/morning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast, we're gearing up for Politifest 2020: Pick Your Future. We'll preview some of the most exciting panels, interviews and discussions to look forward to during the week-long virtual conference, including Sara Libby's ballot measure crash course and Attorney General Xavier Bacerra on policing. Plus: A couple hot stories from the 'Jesse Beat' and the Port of San Diego has to pay up. Get your tickets to Politifest at politifest.org Keep up with all our stories with the Morning Report: vosd.org/morning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Diego State University is not an island. That may seem obvious, but Gov. Gavin Newsom had to say so explicitly after county supervisors asked the state to exclude SDSU's COVID cases from the county's overall numbers. At the time of our recording this week, San Diego was poised to head to the most restrictive purple tier, which would tighten rules for businesses. This week on the VOSD podcast, we stewed over these arguments from the county and how one could slice up numbers to navigate the less-than-intuitive color scheme that determines what counties can and can't do. Register for Politifest 2020 today! We have a full schedule of events at this year's virtual, week-long summit. Check it out at politifest.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Diego State University is not an island. That may seem obvious, but Gov. Gavin Newsom had to say so explicitly after county supervisors asked the state to exclude SDSU's COVID cases from the county's overall numbers. At the time of our recording this week, San Diego was poised to head to the most restrictive purple tier, which would tighten rules for businesses. This week on the VOSD podcast, we stewed over these arguments from the county and how one could slice up numbers to navigate the less-than-intuitive color scheme that determines what counties can and can't do. Register for Politifest 2020 today! We have a full schedule of events at this year's virtual, week-long summit. Check it out at politifest.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At this year’s Politifest, Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis moderated a debate about the measure between homeless advocate Michael McConnell and Gil Cabrera, a San Diego Convention Center board member. Catch the latest episode of Good Schools for All at vosd.org/schoolspodTalk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.

We’re obviously still not Politifest 2019, so for this week’s podcast, we pulled out the most memorable moments from the event, including some hot takes from San Diego mayoral candidates Tasha Williamson, Barbara Bry and Todd Gloria.   Catch the latest episode of Good Schools for All at vosd.org/schoolspod   Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Scott Lewis, Andrew Keatts and Sara Libby dive in to the program for Politifest 2019: The Housing and Transportation Summit. See this year’s lineup and get tickets tickets at politifest.org Catch the latest episode of Good Schools for All at vosd.org/schoolspod Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Hosts Andrew Keatts, Sara Libby and Adriana Heldiz review this year’s ‘billsplosion’ at the state capital and consider San Diego’s impact. Andy mentions Politifest in the show. See this year’s lineup and get tickets tickets at politifest.org Catch the latest episode of Good Schools for All at vosd.org/schoolspod Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Tasha Williamson is running for mayor of San Diego. She has a lower profile than her fellow Democrats vying for the seat — Assemblyman Todd Gloria and City Councilwoman Barbara Bry. She joins the podcast for one of our first 2020 election bonus episodes ahead of the March primary. We're hosting a mayoral debate at Politifest. Get your tickets at politifest.org Tell us what you think of the show, and who we should talk to next. Hit us up onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Stadiums, hotel taxes, vacation rentals and transit policy: This episode is basically a VOSD nerd's Christmas. This week, we talk about big plans on the city's horizon. And County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher joins the show to talk about transit and his new role at MTS. Politifest is just weeks away! Get your tickets now at politifest.org Catch the latest episode of Good Schools for All at vosd.org/schoolspod Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.   

Unlike presidential debates that are watched by millions, local political debates are rarely televised, yet they offer some of the only chances for voters to hear city and county candidates who will have direct say over so much of their lives. This week we talk about those debates. Local debates happen more than you’d think. Podcast co-host Sara Libby, for instance, moderated a city attorney debate last Monday between Mara Elliott and Robert Hickey. Then Hickey and Elliott met again two days later for another candidate forum in City Heights. As a result, there’s a debate circuit that forms, as our colleague and frequent debate host Andrew Keatts explains. Opposing candidates who see each other night after night become familiar with each other’s talking points and maintain collegial bonds. Unless they don’t: Keatts talks about one of the wilder local debates he’s hosted, our Politifest debate over a ballot measure that will change city election law. We also talk about the U.S. Senate “dabate” between state Attorney General Kamela Harris and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, and share other observations about the history of debating in San Diego. Favorite Things Andy’s favorite thing is the new HBO series “Westworld.” My favorite thing is normal people who far outnumber reporters even though reporters often end up fetishizing working-class Americans, like Ken Bone, the accidental star of the recent presidential debate. Sara’s is Sutter Brown, California’s first dog, as well as a touching Sacramento Bee editorial on mortality and our pets.

Those of you who were able to attend our Politifest presentation on the 17 state ballot measures not only got to learn about the ins and outs of the many complex measures facing California voters, you also got to witness our strong hat game. We've recreated that presentation here on the latest San Diego Decides episode — unfortunately, you'll just have to imagine us wearing weird hats as you listen. Some of the measures are relatively straightforward: One legalizes pot, for example. Another abolishes the death penalty. Others are quite tricky. Prop. 65, in fact, exists almost solely to confuse voters. That's the one that is sort of, kind of, about banning plastic bags, but will only become law if Prop. 67 — the actual plastic bag ban — passes, and Prop. 65 passes as well but with more votes. Told you it was confusing. We run down all 17 ballot propositions in this episode, so get comfy, take notes and godspeed. And if you need some insight on the other huge slate of measures you'll weigh in on — the local San Diego measures — check out this handy guide.