Podcasts about State Assembly

The massive data centers that AI needs require huge amounts of electricity and water. And they're popping up all over the state. Those data centers are likely to impact the electrical grid, electricity prices and the state's water infrastructure and supplies. Assemblymembers Rick Chavez-Zbur and Diane Papan are working to prevent those impacts from hurting Californians.     AB 2383 Ensures Large Energy Users Pay Their Fair Share and Strengthens Grid Reliability SACRAMENTO, CA - Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur's (D-Hollywood) AB 2383, legislation protecting California ratepayers from bearing the rising energy costs associated with large energy use facilities such as data centers, has passed the California State Assembly with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate. Strongly supported by the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and the Little Hoover Commission, this bill requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to establish a new electricity customer classification for large energy users to ensure the costs of serving these facilities are not shifted onto residential and small business ratepayers. "As California continues leading the world in innovation and artificial intelligence, we must make sure working families and small businesses are not left footing the bill for the enormous energy demands of large-scale data centers," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "AB 2383 ensures these facilities pay their fair share, protects ratepayers from cost shifts, and helps California plan responsibly for the future of our electrical grid." California is home to a rapidly expanding technology and artificial intelligence sector, driving increased demand for data centers that power cloud computing, AI systems, and digital infrastructure used worldwide. The California Energy Commission projects statewide peak electricity demand could exceed 66 gigawatts by 2040, with data centers accounting for approximately 6.7 gigawatts of new demand — roughly equivalent to the electricity use of more than 4 million households. As utilities receive increasing requests from large-load facilities seeking transmission-level service, regulators have identified significant gaps in how these customers are classified and charged for service. While the CPUC recently approved interim rules for large-load customers within Pacific Gas & Electric's territory, statewide long-term planning and ratepayer protections remain unresolved. AB 2383 requires the CPUC to establish a new classification for large energy use customers by 2028 designed to appropriately assign costs, avoid shifting infrastructure expenses onto other ratepayers, support grid reliability, and promote equitable contributions to state energy programs. The bill also requires utilities serving these facilities to enter into long-term service agreements with large energy users to help avoid stranded infrastructure costs and ensure financial responsibility remains with the facilities driving the demand. "Californians are one step closer to being protected from paying extra for energy-hogging data centers," said Victoria Rome, director of California government affairs at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council.) "Requiring data centers to pay for their energy usage makes sense for all ratepayers and helps keep electricity affordable across the board." "This bill is an important step toward protecting California ratepayers while enabling responsible economic growth," said Ethan Rarick, executive director of the Little Hoover Commission. "By requiring the creation of a separate rate classification for large energy use facilities, AB 2383 helps ensure that costs are appropriately allocated, and reflects our Commission's core finding that ratepayer protection must be the state's foremost priority in addressing large-load growth."    

Ralph talks to journalist and M.Div. Chris Hedges about Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence. Then, Ralph speaks with Rick Engler (former member of the US Chemical Safety and Hazards Investigation Board) about Trump's proposed closing of that agency. Finally, Ralph pays tribute to some recently departed friends.Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, who spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He is the host of The Chris Hedges Report, and he is a prolific author— his latest book is A Genocide Foretold: Reporting on Survival and Resistance in Occupied Palestine.I think that Pope Leo kind of missed the point of AI. In that he describes that it could be a positive force for Catholic education (these are his words), compassionate health care, creative platforms that tell the Christian story with truth and beauty. I think those were all indications to me that he didn't quite understand what AI is about. It's not about education, it's not about compassion, it's not about truth, and it's not about beauty. It is a very pernicious force that will go beyond, of course, replacing all sorts of labor, but creating a world where fact and fiction are blurred together.Chris HedgesI think that mass organization is kind of all we have left as we barrel towards an authoritarian state. Congress doesn't function, certainly doesn't function as Congress was designed to function. They have surrendered their traditional constitutional authority, including, of course, the call for Congress to declare war. And this kind of unitary executive branch—this was put into place, by the way, before Trump. He's just taken advantage of it…And I think that it's absolutely fundamental that we recapture that kind of militancy, that kind of organized workforce that has traditionally throughout our history been such an important corrective to democracy—along with, of course, journalism.Chris HedgesRick Engler is a former U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board member and labor advocate who founded the New Jersey Work Environment Council. He has advocated for successful landmark state and national public policies that ensure workers and the public's “right to know” about potential chemical dangers, and that promote safer processes, chemical incident prevention, and whistleblower protection.The CSB is unique. I mean, nobody would think of abolishing the National Transportation Safety Board. And no one should think about abolishing the Chemical Safety Board, which does the same thing. It's not about issuing, in this case, fines or violations. It's about trying to understand the underlying causes of what led to these incidents.Rick Engler[Trump's allies] have a certain religious fervor about this. When I talk to plant managers, the plant managers of the corporations are much more careful and nuanced in most cases. They don't want their own plants to explode. But somewhere at the higher corporate levels, I think they're just willing to take the risks that the tradeoff for them is: Trump is supporting them in so many ways, why interfere? Why become part of some nuanced opposition to the most extreme EPA attacks? But I do think the elimination of the CSB is driven by the Trump administration in a way that wouldn't be happening if it was just left to the chemical industry trade associations alone. I'm not sure that's an adequate answer. I'm actually kind of puzzled by it. Because it's also really clear that if there was any one major incident, it would cost so much money—not only in the human tragedy of the lives lost and neighbors harmed and evacuations and shelter-in-place and property damage, but these incidents destroy facilities.Rick EnglerNews 6/12/26* Our top stories this week come to us from California, where, after an excruciatingly protracted wait, authorities have finally called some of the most high-profile races. In Los Angeles, Democratic Socialist City Councilwoman Nithya Raman has secured the second slot in the mayoral race, beating out reactionary former reality television star Spencer Pratt, PBS reports. Pratt garnered significant attention from conservative media for his slick AI-generated ads and his false claims about living in an airstream trailer after his LA home burned down in the recent fires. In actuality, he was living in the posh Bel Air hotel, billed as a campaign expense, per TMZ. Now the question becomes whether or not Raman will be able to expand her coalition to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in November.* If Raman's victory is the good news however, the bad news is that Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hilton will advance in the gubernatorial race. He will face off against former California Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, who has accepted large campaign contributions from the California Association of Realtors, the California Medical Association and even Chevron, per CalMatters. This outcome means progressive billionaire Tom Steyer will not advance. Many are placing the blame for this on former Congresswoman Katie Porter, who remained in the race despite clearly failing to achieve any real viability throughout the race. This has drawn comparisons to Elizabeth Warren's perceived role as a spoiler candidate vis-a-vis Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Primary, particularly since Porter is a highly visible protégé of Senator Warren. In his concession speech, Steyer closed by telling his supporters “Pay attention. Know what you deserve, and know who is on your side. Understand who the villains are, and say their names out loud. Continue to demand more from your leaders and your government, until they give you the California – and the country – you know you deserve. I will be with you all the way.”* Elsewhere in California however, progressives scored major victories. In California's 22nd congressional district, Bernie Sanders-backed Randy Villegas secured a spot in the top two, beating out his opponent Jasmine Bains, who enjoyed the backing of AIPAC and 53 corporate donors, according to the American Prospect. He will face Republican incumbent Congressman David Valadao in November. Even more impressive is the victory of progressive challenger Mai Vang in California's 7th district primary, where she actually emerged as the top vote getter, beating out longtime incumbent Congresswoman Doris Matsui. However, because Matsui, who is 81 years old, won the second-most votes, she will still advance to the general election.* Another much-anticipated primary was held this week on the exact other end of the country. In Maine, Graham Platner trounced his opponents in the Democratic Senate race, winning over 70% of the vote despite a concerted campaign against him in the national press. In his victory speech, CNN reports Platner wrote off the smears, saying “They don't know Maine.” Furthermore, he said “If you believe, as I do, that we can change our politics, and change our country, then you must also believe that people can change…To all those who feel let down, disappointed, or disillusioned. It is my job to earn your trust, your faith, and your support. And I will spend every day of this campaign, and if I have the privilege, every day in the United States Senate, doing exactly that.” Platner will face off against five-term incumbent Senator Susan Collins in a race that will be decisive if Democrats are to have any chance of retaking the Senate in the 2026 midterms.* Turning towards the plains, two candidates are starting to show a surprising level of viability in heavily Republican, rural states. First, in Idaho, Todd Achilles is running as an independent against Republican incumbent Senator Jim Risch. Achilles served as a tank commander and armor officer in the Army before a varied career in the corporate world, education and now politics, according to Independent Voter News. The most striking development in this race is a new poll showing that while “Achilles starts out…behind by 14 points at 48-34…once voters hear biographical information about him and negative messaging about Senator Risch, he gains a full 17 points…[leading] Risch, 41% to 38%.” If accurate, this would be a stunningly close race in a state where registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats by a margin greater than 5-to-1.* In South Dakota, Brian Bengs, another veteran turned educator – turned, in this case, National Park Ranger – is running shockingly close to incumbent Republican Senator Mike Rounds in a head-to-head matchup. According to the South Dakota Standard, the latest polling shows Rounds leading Bengs 44% to 40%, with 16% undecided. Moreover, like the Achilles poll, when voters are given biographical information about Bengs and negative messaging about Senator Rounds, that margin flips to 44% in favor of Bengs, compared to just 42% for Rounds. If these polls are accurate and independent candidates – not just Achilles and Bengs but also Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Seth Bodnar in Montana – prove viable, perhaps even victorious, in states long seen as out of reach for non-Republicans, there will have to be a serious reckoning with the toxicity of the Democratic Party brand in the American heartland.* In Michigan, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has picked up perhaps the most critical possible endorsement in the state: that of the United Auto Workers. In a statement, the union wrote that “UAW members in Michigan want a fighter in Washington, D.C. who isn't afraid to push forward a strong working-class agenda with moral clarity…From Medicare for All to banning stock buybacks, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is ready, eager, and well-equipped to move our core issues in the U.S. Senate.” Whether because of this endorsement or not, El-Sayed now seems to be in the driver's seat in this primary. This endorsement dovetails with UAW President Shawn Fain's rumored frustration with the mainstream labor movement for not doing more to back labor candidates, such as Clare Valdez in New York, who was a UAW organizer before entering the State Assembly.* On the House floor meanwhile, lame-duck dissident Republican Congressman Thomas Massie delivered a barn-burner of a speech this week, demanding that the government reopen the investigation into the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, Al Jazeera reports. The attack on the Liberty, a US Navy vessel, killed 34 service members and injured 171 others. For decades, Israel has claimed that this was nothing more than an accidental incident of friendly fire, but the surviving veterans have long disputed this explanation, contending that it was a deliberate attack, either as a “false flag operation or because they simply didn't want anybody observing what they were doing that day.” Massie called on the House to “give them closure…It's long overdue. And then they can have their justice.”* Looking to Latin America, the presidential election in Peru is, predictably, coming down to a razor thin margin, WLRN reports. This race, between left-wing Senator Roberto Sánchez and Keiko Fujimori, perennial presidential candidate and daughter of former dictator Alberto Fujimori, currently stands at 50.004% for Fujimori and 49.996% for Sánchez, with 98.258% of the votes tabulated. Sánchez was favored to win after the in-country votes were counted, then Fujimori pulled ahead when the votes from Miami came in, other absentee votes eroded that margin and gave Sánchez the edge once again but Fujimori has yet again pulled ahead by a hair. This is Fujimori's fourth presidential campaign, making it to the runoff each time but ultimately losing by the narrowest of margins.* Finally, in Colombia, Progressive International reports that while Colombian President Gustavo Petro presides at the United Nations Security Council, “conservative forces in the country's legislature have conspired against the constitution to ‘SUSPEND' his presidency — just 11 days from the run-off presidential election.” While Reuters adds that the proposal must be “debated and approved by all ‌16 ⁠members of the [legislative Commission of Investigation and ​Accusation] and subsequently by the Senate before it can take effect,” it is hard to see this as anything besides an opportunistic grab for power while the proverbial cat is away. Petro's four-year term ends in August; the runoff in the presidential election, between leftist Ivan Cepeda and right-wing lawyer Abelardo ​De La Espriella, will be held on ​June 21st.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Share your thoughts and comments by sending me a text messageS.13 E.18 Simran Arora is running for office from the 80th Assembly District of Wisconsin.Simran appeared as a guest on my podcast to talk about her background, education, work experience, as well her policy priorities. Simran shared her views on property tax, housing, parental rights, education, data centers, AI, etc.ABOUT: Tawsif Anam is a nationally published writer, award-winning public policy professional, and speaker. He has experience serving in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in United States and overseas. Anam earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tawsif Anam's opinions have been published by national, state, and local publications in the United States, such as USA Today, Washington Examiner, The Washington Times, The Western Journal, The Boston Globe, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times, and The Dodgeville Chronicle. His writings have also appeared in major publications in Bangladesh including, but not limited to, The Daily Star and The Financial Express.Visit my website www.tawsifanam.net Visit my blog: https://tawsifanam.net/blog/ Read my published opinions: https://tawsifanam.net/published-articles/ Check out my books: https://tawsifanam.net/books/ 

In part one of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, a bill surrounding state child custody and parental laws passed the State Assembly and Senate this week and now heads to the governor's desk. The legislation would replace gender-specific terms like "mother," "father," and "paternity" used in places like family court with terms like "parentage," "gestating parent," and "non-gestating parent." The bill aims to make custody law more inclusive for LGBTQ+ parents and families who use assisted reproduction or surrogacy. Also media outlets confirm Graham Platner is very aware and very proud of his Nazi tattoo, the latest fallout from Scott Pelley's firing from CBS, Republicans should take advantage of the incorrect vote count in California, polls indicate the lowest approval rating for President Trump, and former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton will plead guilty to retaining classified information. For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ThePrintPod: Why Assam UCC can face more questions in court than in the state Assembly

In this episode of Look West, the conversation centers on California Democrats' commitment to protecting immigrant families and defending the values that make California strong. The discussion highlights how immigrants contribute to communities, culture, and the economy, while exploring efforts to get ICE out of sensitive locations and ensure that families can access schools, healthcare, and essential services without fear.

Brian talks to former State Assembly minority leader Brian Kolb about the state budget, talks about a possible deal in Iran, and talks to Marvin.

Dan talks about the ridiculous notion that Dems believe about the 1776 Fund Trump set up as a settlement for the IRS leaking his tax returns + State Rep. Jody Barrett joins Dan to talk about the leftist lunacy in the State Assembly | aired on Friday, May 22nd, 2026 on Nashville's Morning News with Dan MandisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week has been marked by intense political activity and rising internal tensions within the APC, as its primaries across House of Representatives, Senate, State Assembly, and governorship levels have been accompanied by complaints, protests, and allegations of irregularities. While some aggrieved aspirants have defected, others remain in the party with lingering dissatisfaction ahead of the upcoming presidential primary. On Nigeria Daily, we examine whether the APC is emerging stronger or heading into 2027 with deeper internal divisions.

Let's take a (low)ride with Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez as he honors the rich Chicano and Latino heritage that has helped define California's culture. Gonzalez has written the Lowrider License Plate Program (AB 2541). This initiative not only recognizes a powerful cultural legacy but also invests back into our communities by supporting arts and cultural programs through the California Arts Council. Jump in and ride along with us as we talk to Assemblymember Gonzalez.

The media is working overtime to manufacture the next viral panic, and pharma companies are making big money from the fear campaign. After confirming they were already working on a Hantavirus mRNA vaccine before the cruise ship outbreak – and also developing mRNA vax for ebola – Moderna's stock jumped 20%. What an odd coincidence… Diagnostic pathologist Dr. Clare Craig joins Dr. Drew to expose the suspicious timing behind the latest virus hysteria and what the pharmaceutical industry might be planning next – monkeypox, ebola, bird flu, or worse. Eric Bolling breaks down the economic warning signs flashing across the country as diesel prices near all-time highs. CA Lt. Gov. candidate Gloria Romero (running with Steve Hilton) exposes a new plot by California Democrats to repeal the “Top 2” primary system and change the rules of the election to maintain power. Dr. Clare Craig, BM BCh FRCPath, is a Diagnostic Pathologist and author of “Expired: Covid the Untold Story.” She practiced in the NHS for 15 years and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. She was the day-to-day pathology lead for the cancer arm of the 100,000 Genomes Project and led R&D at Genomics England. She is Co-Chair of the Health Advisory and Recovery Team (HART Group). Follow at https://x.com/ClareCraigPath Eric Bolling is a TV personality, political commentator, and author. He is the host of TheEDGE and a former co-host of Fox News' The Five. A former commodities trader at the New York Mercantile Exchange specializing in crude oil, gold, and agricultural commodities, he also served on the NYMEX Board of Directors. He is a 2-time NYT bestselling author. Follow at https://x.com/ericbolling Gloria Romero is a candidate for California Lieutenant Governor, running alongside Steve Hilton. A former California State Senate Majority Leader, she was elected to the State Assembly in 1998 and the Senate in 2001. She left the Democratic Party in September 2024 and joined the Republican Party. She is also a professor, educator, and businesswoman. Learn more at https://gloriaromero.com 「 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 」 • COVEPURE – Do you know what's in your tap water? Get $250 off your purifier at https://covepure.com/DREW ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• FATTY15 – The future of essential fatty acids is here! Strengthen your cells against age-related breakdown with Fatty15. Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit Subscription at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drdrew.com/fatty15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • PALEOVALLEY - "Paleovalley has a wide variety of extraordinary products that are both healthful and delicious,” says Dr. Drew. "I am a huge fan of this brand and know you'll love it too!” Get 15% off your first order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drdrew.com/paleovalley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • THE WELLNESS COMPANY - Counteract harmful spike proteins with TWC's Signature Series Spike Support Formula containing nattokinase and selenium. Learn more about TWC's supplements at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twc.health/drew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 「 ABOUT THE SHOW 」 This show is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Executive Producers • Kaleb Nation - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kalebnation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Susan Pinsky - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/firstladyoflove⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Content Producer • Emily Barsh - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/emilytvproducer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted By • Dr. Drew Pinsky - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/drdrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running for State Assembly.

What is or is not in New York State's roughly $265 billion annual budget affects every facet of life—education, health care, public transit, parks, public safety, the budgets of cities and towns large and small and so much more. By law, the budget was supposed to be completed by April 1. Six weeks later, negotiations between Gov. Kathy Hochul, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Senate President Andrea Stewart-Cousins continues to drag on. We spoke with Assembly member Emily Gallagher, a democratic socialist from Brooklyn first elected to the State Assembly in 2020, about how Gov. Hochul has used her disproportionate power to break the budget process to push regressive legislation that has nothing to do with the budget and how this mess can be fixed if the legislature can find the courage to take on the governor.

Emily Gallagher, a democratic socialist from Brooklyn first elected to the State Assembly in 2020, discusses how Gov. Hochul has used her disproportionate power to break the legislative process for deciding on the states roughly $265 billion annual budget to push regressive legislation that has nothing to do with the budget and how this mess can be fixed if the legislature can find the courage to take on the governor. Reneé Feltz discusses her epic cover story for the May print edition of The Indypendent titled “Trash Revolution: NYC Dumps Throwaway Culture for Sanitation Overhaul. Will It Succeed?”

A new KPBS investigation found the nonprofit that owns the Imperial Regional Detention Facility has received millions in tax breaks over the years. Plus, we take a look into the race for California's 75th State Assembly seat. And, the challenges faced by journalists in Tijuana.

Keith Cascio, "an Italian American from Brooklyn," is running for the California State Assembly District 55. Holding a bachelor's degree in from Duke University and a degree in software engineering, Cascio is a member of the Los Angeles County Republican Party. He is the treasurer and an executive board member of the LA County Republican Party.

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Our latest installment of The UnPopulist Live took place on Friday, April 24, when senior editor Berny Belvedere sat down with Center for New Liberalism co-founder Jeremiah Johnson and New York City New Liberals political director Tibita Kaneene to discuss NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first 100-plus days in office.What follows is the full video and transcript (lightly edited for flow and clarity) of the conversation. We hope you enjoy.Berny Belvedere: Thank you so much for joining us. I'm Berny Belvedere, senior editor at The UnPopulist. I'm joined by Jeremiah Johnson of the Center for New Liberalism. Jeremiah, tell us about your newsletter.Jeremiah Johnson: I write a blog called Infinite Scroll where I talk about the politics of the social internet—the ways that social media is changing culture and politics and how we discuss things. It's a little bit unserious nonsense, and a little bit very serious stuff.Belvedere: As all good cultural commentary is, so you're within the acceptable range. Tibita, why don't you introduce yourself a little bit?Tibita Kaneene: Hi, I'm Tibita Kaneene. I'm the political director of the New York City chapter of the Center for New Liberalism. Belvedere: The topic today is New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. As liberals, we're [naturally] interested in how he's doing as mayor. I was hoping we could start with something that Mamdani himself said at an event marking his 100 days in office, which was about 10 days ago. I have a quote from Mamdani that sets up the first question I want to think about together with you—on this issue of democratic socialism versus other types of liberalism out there today, like an abundance variant or even more mainstream liberalism.So here are Mamdani's own words: “On January 1st, I told New Yorkers that City Hall would hold a singular purpose—to make this city belong to more of its people than it did the day before. For 102 days, we have endeavored to do exactly that.” And he cited achievements that he thinks fulfill that claim, such as the opening of new childcare centers and buses running faster. After he did that, he said: “That is the change that government can deliver.” And this is the critical part: “It's the change that democratic socialism can deliver.” He said: “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom Mamdani brought in for that 100-day event, said: “I have been on platforms with hundreds and hundreds of mayors and all kinds of public officials. This is the first time I've ever been introduced by someone who talked proudly about democratic socialism.”I want to start on this theme. Thoughts?Kaneene: I think it's interesting that the two accomplishments he highlighted were delivering actual positive change, abundance type change. More schools, more seats in preschool—the whole idea of abundance is that we should have more good things, and that government should be functional and competent. And then the buses operating better: more and better transit is a pretty fundamental abundance issue. Belvedere: Just to follow up on that point: he promised both faster and free busing, and he's been able to deliver on one of the two—on “faster,” but not “free.”Kaneene: Yeah. There's this idea going around: “affordability in the front, abundance in the back.” Affordability is a very popular campaign issue and idea, but it's also an empirical goal. So once that's established, to deliver on it you have to focus on consequences as opposed to ideological or rules-based things. You have to actually make the rent cheaper. [It's not enough] to merely enact policies that can be seen as pro-tenant and anti-landlord—they have to have the effect of making housing better, cheaper, more plentiful. Now that he's in office, he has to do that. Democratic socialism is a broad idea, but when it gets down to brass tacks and you're an executive, then you have to actually do things—appoint competent people and enact policies that actually have results. I think that's what his challenge is, and what he's doing for the most part.Johnson: The grand rhetorical gestures are what they are, and he has a point of view on how he views the world. I am not a socialist, but if you are going to tell me that I'm going to have a socialist mayor, probably the variant that I would want is what has sometimes been called sewer socialism. This comes from Milwaukee. Generations ago, they had a couple of mayors who called themselves socialist, but rather than focusing on revolution and the dictatorship of the proletariat, they really focused on civic governance. How do we make the city work better? How do we provide public infrastructure? How do we make the sewers operate without overflowing? And by solving practical problems, they maintained their popularity.That is what I see Mamdani doing, at least in the first 100 days. He's not been all that focused on the big rhetorical flourishes, the big ideological ideas. He'll talk about them if he's asked. He'll mention it in a speech. But if you're in New York and you see what's actually happening and you see the things he's doing on the ground, a lot of it is just more like: “We've got a big sidewalk shed problem and I'm going to tackle it.” Or we had a big multi-week blizzard here in New York and he had a campaign about shoveling the snow faster than it's ever been shoveled before. Just competent, good governance stuff.I think that's what's allowed him to maintain his popularity thus far. The question is, as he moves deeper into his term, past the first 100 days, as he starts to actually focus more and more on the grand ideological projects, the publicly owned grocery stores, the free buses, all these big ideas that he has—are those going to work as well as the more basic stuff has worked? Because no matter what you call it, everybody likes it when city government functions efficiently. What comes after that is not quite as clear.Belvedere: I think a fair assessment of Mamdani would have to include that he is taking a few shots here—not just the kinds of things that might be dismissed as [Band-Aids]. They've attempted to put a plan in place for free childcare, and they're extending that to younger and younger ages—for the first time, two-year-olds are in play for getting free childcare. That's not a small thing. That's not like filling a pothole. But he is including enough of that other stuff that makes me think there's going to be a significant element of incrementalist-style change that he's going to produce, and then there will be a battle about what is driving that—is some kind of democratic socialist vision driving it, or is this mainstream liberalism or abundance liberalism dressed up as something else?“There's this idea going around: ‘affordability in the front, abundance in the back.' Affordability is a very popular campaign issue and idea, but it's also an empirical goal. So once that's established, to deliver on it you have to focus on consequences as opposed to ideological or rules-based things. You have to actually make the rent cheaper. [It's not enough] to merely enact policies that can be seen as pro-tenant and anti-landlord—they have to have the effect of making housing better, cheaper, more plentiful. Now that he's in office, he has to do that. Democratic socialism is a broad idea, but when it gets down to brass tacks and you're an executive, then you have to actually do things—appoint competent people and enact policies that actually have results.” — Tibita KaneeneI think all of us invested in the wider Mamdani discourse have to keep a couple of things in mind at all times. First—and this is the thing from which all other evaluative mistakes about Mamdani flow—you have to know that he is committed to the advancement of democratic socialism. It's not just something he's flirting with, it's not something incidental. Time and again, he brings this up. Now, his actions might be different, but we're just talking about how he's casting his own story and the story of his government.Every politician at this level is capable of downplaying philosophical influences. They know how to make passing nods to their past associations or affiliations while simultaneously creating distance from those views now. They all know how to do that. Mamdani could easily, if he wanted, tell a compelling story about how the ideology was critical to his formation and that he will keep with him the good parts—kind of like Obama after the Reverend Wright situation—but that he owes the people of New York a commitment to their well-being, not a commitment to a political program. Or he could say that what matters are results, not labels. There are a thousand ways for a politician to put a philosophical influence in the passenger seat, the rear seat, or even outside the car entirely. But Mamdani is fully leaning in rhetorically to the advancement of democratic socialism. So the idea that it was empty campaign rhetoric, and that he would, once in office, pivot to a rhetorical downplaying of democratic socialism's influence on his decision-making—that idea should at this point be put to bed.When we think about that, the second thing naturally comes up about Mamdani, especially for those of us who really want to analyze him correctly. There's a lot of people out there who weaponize him as a prop in their broader culture war takes. But for those of us doing our best to give his mayorship a good-faith assessment—we have to focus on the things that he's doing, not on the story he's telling about the things that he's doing. We have to not worry so much about socialism as a term. What he does matters more than what he says. That's not a grand philosophical conclusion, but I think it has particular application to Mamdani in one extra way. Given that he's rhetorically committed to advancing democratic socialism, the invocations of it will continue—those won't go away. But here's the really interesting thing: he'll find ways to frame his actions and policies—even ones that aren't exclusively democratic socialist—as though socialism is the thing driving them.Johnson: Well, yeah, this is what happens when you win an election and you're a young, popular guy and you have a very good social media team—you get to set the terms of the debate. You get to set the framing through which you are viewed. And that's how things operate in the early days. But in the long run, it's hard to hide from the results. Whether you want to or not, four years from now—three and a half, I guess—he's going to be running for reelection. People are going to be asking: “Did my rent actually go down? Did groceries get less expensive? Is the city well run?”The free childcare thing, right now, is just a very limited pilot—it's like 2,000 seats. They have plans to expand it to the whole city, but for now it's very limited. The benefit of popularity is that it gives you a little bit of a leash. It lets you kick your own team to some extent. You can betray the cause a little bit and they'll forgive you. But ultimately, you do have to succeed. You do have to actually make things better. And that's the open question: Is there going to be enough funding to actually make free childcare a thing city-wide? Or is it going to remain a limited pilot?Belvedere: I agree—it's empirically going to be borne out whether he can achieve the things [he's promised]. He'll need to. We'll see in the data whether he's succeeding. But this actually happens more subtly than just, “let's check to see if the rents have gone down.” Think about the term you brought up—”sewer socialism.” That is a subtle way for him to retain the democratic socialist mold even though he's talking about things that mayors from totally different political persuasions would be doing also.Years ago, when Pete Buttigieg was first emerging as a candidate for [national political office], he went on Ezra Klein's podcast. Klein gave him a chance to talk about what he was proud of accomplishing as mayor. Buttigieg said: “filling potholes.” He expressed how it can seem silly and mundane, but that it makes people's lives materially better. He was giving an incrementalist pitch for what he was doing. If Mamdani is doing the same things, but leaning into the frame that instead encompasses all of that under democratic socialism—even when a lot of the policies are the kinds of things that candidates from other persuasions do—that's why I'm saying it's not so much the words or how he labels what he's doing but the actual things he's doing that matters.Johnson: What's interesting about that is this is very different from how democratic socialism normally operates in the United States. Because the median person who is a democratic socialist and is in a position of public power is a member of Congress. We don't have a lot of extremely far-left, explicitly socialist mayors, but we do have a lot of the Squad [in D.C.]—your AOC, your Bernie Sanders, that group of people. And the incentives when you are in Congress are frankly to just simply be as extreme as you'd like. You're in a deep blue district, probably D+70, and so you just need to be as pure and say as many outlandish things as you want to. There's no punishment for any of that.But being an executive is different. We're already seeing this with the budget hole that New York City faces. Mamdani has a budget hole that he constitutionally has to fix. New York City cannot run deficits. So he has to fix that, and there's a limited number of ways he can do it. He can't just pick the policy he wants. There are state laws about which taxes can be raised and which cannot. So he needs the cooperation of the governor and the legislature if he wants to do certain things.When he made a video about, “well, we're going to increase property taxes on second houses,” he made sure to highlight a particular person's $200 million mansion. But now that guy is upset that he got singled out and is saying, “maybe I'm going to cancel my $6 billion planned center in New York and take it somewhere else.” Actions have consequences when you are an executive in a way that they very much do not when you are a legislator. So that's something to watch—he's going to face a lot more constraints than are typical for his kind of politician.Kaneene: Yeah, that's true. I think we've seen him be very practical on policy [issues]—the biggest example would be the SEQRA reform at the state level that's been proposed by Kathy Hochul. He supported her version. If you look at it relative to other U.S. states, it's one of the best environmental review reform bills—better than California's, for example.Belvedere: What is SEQRA?Kaneene: It's the State Environmental Quality Review Act. It's an environmental review required for any project, be it housing or energy, and it generally slows things down a lot. Its purview extends far beyond things that you and I might describe as environmental, and it's a huge source of red tape. The state legislature was trying to attach a prevailing wage requirement to that bill, which would have made building housing particularly expensive. Mamdani did not support that. Carl Heastie, who's the assembly speaker, is not a DSA person—he's to the right of Mamdani. You could see a world where Mamdani would attach to that proposal in opposition to Gov. Hochul, but he did not. And it worked: just yesterday, the State Assembly removed the prevailing wage, and that battle has been won. So SEQRA will probably go through now with no prevailing wage.“Some of this is messaging strategy. Mamdani comes from a family in the arts. His mom is a professional filmmaker. His videos are very well produced. He understands clipping culture—what really matters is not the event itself, it's the 20-second clip that comes out of it that will get played a million times on social media. Part of it is just the messaging strategy itself. But I also think—look at what Mamdani doesn't do. He doesn't dress weird, he doesn't try to do memes. His accounts never post memes. He's never dressing in funny outfits. He's not cursing. He's well-dressed and presentable and optimistic and he talks like he wants to change things. I think there's an impulse among middle-aged, moderate liberals sometimes to be like, ‘To chase the kids, we've got to do the memes. Someone get me a 20-year-old who knows memes for my internet account.' And it's just very cringe-worthy. It's terrible. What people respond to is when you believe what you're saying.” — Jeremiah JohnsonAnother thing—shortly after the election, a DSA candidate named Chi Ossé announced that he was going to take on Hakeem Jeffries, who's the Democratic leader in the House, in a primary challenge. And Mamdani not only declined to endorse—he publicly said, “You should not run.” He went to a DSA meeting and made a speech saying, “We should not endorse Ossé.” And Ossé actually dropped out. So that is him going to bat, not for a DSA person, but for a centrist Democratic leader. He's done very practical things both on the politics and on the broad policy side that I would say deviate from purely ideological DSA framing.Johnson: I want to give the two possible paths forward if you are Mamdani, speaking in broad generalities. I think what a successful Mamdani mayorship looks like is: he essentially uses his popularity to kick in the teeth of certain special interests. Political popularity lets you do things that piss off your own side, and they'll forgive you for it. If Mamdani wants to take on certain union requirements—New York has hundreds of regulations about when you have to use union labor, and it drives up costs and there's a lot of bureaucracy around it—if he wanted to take some of that on, the left would forgive him because he's so charismatic and popular among his base, and it would lower costs. Whether it's the environmental laws that Tibita is talking about, or unions, or getting rid of the community board veto that makes it so hard to build housing—using his popularity to kill off some progressive sacred cows could let him get a lot accomplished.The other thing that could happen is that he falls into the “everything bagel” paradigm—where, “I want to maintain my popularity, so I'm not going to try to piss off anybody in my coalition. I'll give the environmentalists all the environmental regulations they want, I'll give the unions everything they want, I'll give this group and that group” … until you end up in the same place the Biden administration ended up. They passed a lot of really ambitious legislation without actually being able to accomplish any of it because of this thicket of red tape, this kind of anti-abundance approach. There's a middle ground in between, but those are the two paths I see in terms of how he actually uses and leverages his current popularity. It's an open question. It's still early days.Belvedere: So, Tibita, I wanted to bring up the piece that you wrote for us a while back, where you did a profile of Mamdani.What I thought was brilliant about that piece—and I hadn't seen it anywhere else—was that you took the abundance liberalism frame, assessed his democratic socialist tendencies and some early manifestations of what that could look like, looked at some of his projected hiring, and assessed what his mayorship was trending toward. I wanted to see if you had a follow-up to your own pre-Mamdani-in-office assessment now that he's governing. The title was: “Will Mamdani Govern More as a Democratic Socialist or as an Abundance Liberal?” And the subtitle was: “His policy evolution and the team he's assembling suggests that he could be moving in a market-friendly direction.” What do you think about that now?Kaneene: Sure. So that piece came out three days before the election. On election day, Mamdani came out in support of the pro-housing initiatives on the ballot. Those were very abundance-oriented. We already thought he supported them, but that was good confirmation. Then his first deputy mayor, Fuleihan, is just a very experienced, very competent person to run the city. He's not ideological—he's competent, has experience under a variety of past administrations; he's older, senior, knows a lot of people, and just helps get things done. Would be a good deputy mayor for a Democrat of a variety of political stripes. His Deputy Mayor for Housing, Leila Bozorg, is just an amazing person. She was Deputy Commissioner of HPD. Everyone there who I know thinks she's amazing. The most prominent DSA person would be Cea Weaver—she's a longtime tenant advocate. But there's really not a super ideological DSA person in the senior executive team.Then I mentioned some of the things he's done from a policy standpoint. On the rent freeze—since that piece came out, he's reconciled somewhat with the guidelines board. They're voting on May 7. They're probably going to freeze it for a year. But he has had to come up with ways to offset the rent freeze by lowering costs for landlords. He looked at the math, he has good advisors around him, and so for the first year he's going to provide some relief on insurance costs. Affordability in the front, but abundance in the back in the sense that he has to make the math work. He can't actually force landlords to lose money because many of these buildings are already underwater. What would happen is we'd just lose supply because these buildings would fail to operate.Belvedere: Let me ask you about that, because “abundance in the back”—abundance is very far in the back there. I don't know many YIMBY advocates who on this point would say the answer is to freeze rent.Kaneene: Yeah, I mean—among his housing policies, it's the most problematic. That's why I focused on it in the piece. It's a price control, which reduces supply, which is counterproductive for trying to increase housing supply and thereby reduce the price of housing. Now, he has done some other positive supply-side things. For example, the ELURP—the Expedited Land Use Review Procedure—he's actually used that process to approve a housing development in the Bronx that was previously blocked by Vicky Paladino, the only MAGA city council member who, prior to the ballot initiatives, was able through member deference to unilaterally block development in her district. She even made a speech saying, “before, I blocked it; now because of this expedited process, I'm not able to block it.” So she's letting it happen. So that's a victory. He was able to green-light new housing supply within the first few months based on a new law that he has shown no shyness in using.There are a bunch of other projects. There's one in my community board district, the Bloomingdale Library, where they put out an RFP for a private developer to come in, build a new library and build a bunch of housing—mainly market rate with some affordable housing built in—at no cost to the city. He also has the Sunnyside Yards, a project in Queens above a rail yard that should produce over 12,000 homes. He famously went to see Trump at the White House and convinced him to sign on.Belvedere: I want to get to his relationship with Trump in a second. But first, you've given us good information about how Mamdani is doing on the housing front, and you've mentioned some things you wish he'd do differently. Let's move on to some of his food policies for a second. He had the food vendor reforms, and then the grocery store stuff. He wants essentially a publicly run store—one per borough?Kaneene: Yeah, one per borough.Belvedere: Maybe that's an incremental approach where he wants more over time, but the plan is for one per borough for now. Some essential goods would be at a significant discount, and not necessarily all products. The rest would be at normal price. Thoughts?Johnson: Yeah, I think this has the potential to quietly undermine … and none of this has broken ground yet, none of this is happening as of right now, but there's a plan, and the details of the plan do not fill me with confidence. What you need to know is that grocery stores, by their nature, are a very competitive, very low-margin business. This is already a fiercely competitive field. It's very hard to make money in it. And so anybody with any sort of rational expectation here should expect the publicly owned grocery stores to lose a lot of money, because they're going to be poorly run relative to traditional private grocery stores. And maybe you just don't care—maybe you're like, “I don't care if they lose money because I just value having a public grocery store.” But this is one of those things where it really easily could turn into that second scenario I talked about: he makes sure to give unions a lot of giveaways when he's building this type of grocery store, the actual building of the thing takes twice as long as we thought and twice as much money because of all the rules we had to follow.“I think there is moral clarity. I don't think there's been any moral compromise. I think that [Mamdani] can say, ‘Trump, I want you to pay for this housing development in Queens,' and morally there's been no compromise at all. … he still says Trump is a fascist. He still speaks out against a lot of his policies. I don't think there's been any moral compromise. I think he's like a moral beacon in a time where we don't really have any kind of moral leadership in the executive branch in Washington.” — Tibita KaneeneHe's already talking about the one they want for Manhattan. They've picked out a site. It's going to be something like three years and an obscene amount of money—far more money than it should take. Thirty million dollars to build one grocery store, which is far above what it would cost a private actor. And on top of that, the original justification for this whole thing was that there are food deserts in the city. Where he's chosen to build it is not a food desert. There's like five grocery stores within a 10-minute walk of this place.Belvedere: He talks about people being priced out of essential goods. And so he would need to substantiate that in a way that justifies this kind of cost and disruption.Johnson: We have tools to address that. If people can't afford food, that's why SNAP exists, that's why food stamps exist. Giving people money is such an easier solution than trying to build an entire public-sector grocery store that is going to be terribly run. Every time anything happens at that grocery store, the media is going to pounce on it. There's going to be shoplifting. If Mamdani lets them shoplift, it turns into a national story. If he has them arrested, also a story—that pisses off the left. There are landmines all over this, and it seems to me like he's going to end up stepping on some of them. There's going to be needless scandals about how they were built, which contractors got cushy deals. If you have a limited amount of political capital, one grocery store per borough is meaningless. It doesn't do anything. Why would you waste your time on this?Belvedere: And what you were saying, when you called food assistance just the easier option—not only is it the easier option, but it's the option where there is the least amount of state intervention required to achieve the eventual goal of getting people these goods. You don't have to have a state-run market—you can give people the tool that they use to then exchange at that market. It's a more back-end kind of assistance. But it also, as you were saying, allows you to focus on a whole lot of other things you said that you wanted to do for the city, rather than engaging in something where, yes, you're connecting a campaign promise to an actual thing that you're doing—there's consistency there, you can win from that—but the potential pitfalls you noted could really be an albatross. And as a different kind of objection to just “easier”: as liberals, we want to do the least government-involved version that we can whenever we can.Kaneene: I'm a little more sanguine about it. I'm agnostic about whether we should have a state grocery store or not. The main thing for me is I don't think it's going to provide any savings, for the reasons Jeremiah said—they're low-margin businesses. This one is a 17-minute walk from a Costco. You're not going to beat the ability to use your SNAP card and order from Amazon. All that being said, this was a campaign promise he focused on. I think during the campaign he realized that these stores are not going to actually be able to provide cheaper food without the city simply taking a big loss—and that's why he kept repeating that it's going to be one per borough, it's going to be a pilot. So I think it's something that he needs to do. He'll struggle to break even, he'll do his five, and the positive side is it will actually prove that these grocery store chains, whatever you might think about them, are operating pretty efficiently. And we might have reasons to hate Amazon, rightly or wrongly, but that's actually the cheapest food you can get. So I don't think it's as terrible as maybe Jeremiah thinks.But I do share the concern of it becoming a bigger issue, where he says now we're going to have publicly owned gas stations. I don't think there's any risk of that. I would bet money there's not going to be more than five. There might not even be five.Johnson: And my thing is more just—look, this is not going to sink the city, the fact that we try this experiment with five grocery stores. This city of nine million people will be fine. But it's one of those things that if I were him, if I put myself in his shoes trying to accomplish his goals, I would not want to waste my time on this, because there are just landmines everywhere. You're going to get caught up in some extremely stupid controversy—some worker at the store is going to complain that their boss mistreated them. And all of a sudden, it becomes DEFCON 5 because you're a socialist and how can you not side with the workers? There are so many things like that that have the potential to sap away your political capital. Why would you want to spend your political capital on something that frankly does not matter? It will not make food more affordable for nine million New Yorkers. It will be a cute little thing for like a couple hundred people who live near it. Why are you wasting your time on it?Kaneene: The base wants it. So he has to—while he's doing all the efficient and effective things that we want him to do, he does have to maintain his base. There are a lot of people who, if you ask them—casual people who don't follow politics—“name three things that Mamdani says he's going to do,” they would say: freeze the rent, fast and free buses, and grocery stores. They might not know anything else about him.Belvedere: And there's a listener who just chimed in and said: “I thought the idea was to bring fresh food to food deserts, not replace grocery stores.” That tees off a question about Mamdani that we'll find out as his mayorship continues: is this incrementalist approach—this sewer socialism, now recast in a positive light as something worth doing, this more bite-sized approach to reform—is it a beginning point to a far broader vision for how things need to be organized and done? Or is it the terminal point, where he's okay with one per borough?I think that question goes to how we interpret these actions. Are they a kind of red carpet for a farther-reaching democratic socialist reconfiguration? Or something you're just sprinkling in? Some people fear that it's the prelude to a far greater push. The way they're doing childcare is in that kind of phased, gradual way—by this year we're going to hit this amount of two-year-olds, then eventually we're going to cover down to six-week-old children, etc. So are we fine with the grocery stores because of their limited nature? If they were a prelude to a greater push, would people worry about them a little more?Johnson: Well, I'm sure there are some people out there who have that view, that Mamdani is doing this and we're going to build on it, it's going to be more and more of this kind of thing until we finally reach utopia. But reality has a way of smacking you in the face. The grocery stores are not going to be very successful, and therefore you won't get many more of them. The childcare is nice right now as a pilot for just 2,000 kids, but it's also very expensive even for just 2,000 kids—the price tag is well over a billion dollars. Somebody's going to have to pay for that, and it's not going to be the city. The city absolutely does not have that money. So it has to be the state.Belvedere: Can I tell you what he said? You evaluate it—you and Tibita. What do you think about this promise? He said: if you make less than a million dollars, you don't have to worry about any further taxes. And if the tax burden doesn't increase on people making fewer than a million dollars per year, that's something that many New Yorkers will find palatable.Johnson: Well, but it's also nonsense. Like—reality will slap you upside the head. This is the thing that Democrats have been doing that pisses me off, frankly. Mamdani says it's up to a million dollars. Cory Booker is trying to introduce some bill in Congress: if you make less than $120,000, you shouldn't have to pay income taxes. Everybody's saying no tax on tips, no tax on pet products, no tax on Social Security, no tax for the elderly, no tax on property. Everybody wants to be the anti-tax party, and say only millionaires and billionaires should ever have to pay a tax of any kind.Look, I'm not on the far left, but if you want to have a welfare state, if that's a thing you desire out of your government, the middle class has to pay taxes. There is no way to make the math work, that you can just tax billionaires exclusively and have this rich, lush, Scandinavian-style social democracy. It does not work. Reality will kick you in the face. You're going to eventually have to break your promises or deal with the reality that you can't deliver. Some of this stuff is fantasy land, and that's where it ultimately will come down.Kaneene: Yeah, I mean—that's the main bulwark against any expectation or fear of him really bringing on real European-style socialism, is that he's not willing to tax the middle class. And that's the real reason we don't have to expect—or worry, to put it neutrally—that we'll have any such program in the United States, because a middle-class tax increase is just politically untenable.“This is what happens when you win an election and you're a young, popular guy and you have a very good social media team—you get to set the terms of the debate. You get to set the framing through which you are viewed. And that's how things operate in the early days. But in the long run, it's hard to hide from the results. Whether you want to or not, four years from now—three and a half, I guess—he's going to be running for reelection. People are going to be asking: ‘Did my rent actually go down? Did groceries get less expensive? Is the city well run?'” — Jeremiah JohnsonBut to go back to the idea of the childcare pilot—actually, if you look at it, already the numbers of new seats are behind the ramp-up he had said he was going to do. And if you look at the budget, he's not budgeting for more money for pre-K seats. There's no more money. He's not increased the money coming from the state. And other examples—like the city FHEPS, which are basically housing vouchers—during the campaign he said he would support a lawsuit to increase housing vouchers, a classic demand subsidy which, as we know, is not good for increasing housing supply or lowering prices. But he came into office and now he's not going to increase housing subsidies. Again, the reality presented itself and he's made a choice. There are things he has to continue with as pilot programs, as ideological statements, that he's not going to bust the budget for or increase taxes on the middle class for. He's at least being advised correctly that even on taxing the wealthy, there's a maximum point of revenue—there's a point beyond which if you increase the marginal tax rate, you actually bring in less money. Taxing the rich has an actual objective limit, which he has to take into account because he cannot run a budget deficit at the city level.Belvedere: I want to ask about his relationship with Trump, but in the form of a thought experiment, to put the point provocatively.Imagine we're all sitting around 30 years from now talking about this era in politics, and we're talking to people who didn't live through it, telling them about the world-historical awfulness of Trump, and threat that he was—the would-be authoritarian who did more than any other president in our annals to degrade our institutions and veer us off a liberal democratic path, even in a fascist direction. Biden famously said “semi-fascist,” some people have moved beyond that [and have dropped the qualifier]. This is the kind of figure we're talking about. The man who defied federal judges to deport hundreds of people to foreign gulags. And they're now flipping through images and footage from this era and they see Mamdani in photos with Trump. They see and hear him in interviews, maybe downplaying his awfulness. He's had a recent interview where he said he has a “productive relationship” with Trump. Trump threatened to deport Mamdani—a U.S. citizen. What do you think about his stance toward Trump? Is there any worry there? Is it refreshing that he's able to just work with him despite his awfulness? I have some issues with the way he's approached the Trump relationship. What do you guys think?Johnson: Yeah—again, this is something I've said several times here, but the purpose of popularity is that it lets you kind of stab your own team in the back, at least a little bit. If a moderate Democrat went down to the White House and shook hands with Donald Trump and took a smiling picture with him and said, “I have a productive relationship with him and we're going to work together on important things,” the left would howl in outrage about how this is an unbelievable betrayal, that this person is a Republican in disguise enabling fascism, and so on. If Mamdani does it—he's popular. He's their guy. He's so charismatic and popular among his base that they're like, “oh cool, it's a strategic play, he's doing this for us.” It lets you get away with things that you otherwise couldn't get away with. From the perspective that Mamdani's got a strategic streak to him, it makes sense that he would rather the president not be persecuting the city, and so he's going to try to make that happen.Kaneene: I'm a consequentialist. He went to the White House with a goal of getting funding for the Sunnyside Yards project. He thought making that a Daily News cover would be a means to that end. He was correct. He went down there, took a picture, came back. During this time he was asked if he still thinks Trump is a fascist. He said yes. Trump has since lashed out at him on social media saying he's terrible. I don't think that privately he's saying nice things to Trump, or that Trump has any illusion that Mamdani likes him. I think Trump is actually impressed with Mamdani and kind of respects what he did—something that Trump could never do, which is get elected mayor of New York City, winning over the kind of elite Manhattan class that never liked Trump. He realizes Mamdani has a very powerful political base that he has to reckon with.So I don't have any issue with what he's done with Trump. He's constantly opining on issues—whether it's the Iran war or tariffs—on which he disagrees with Trump, doing so eloquently and powerfully on social media.Belvedere: Take the Iran war, for example. He told a story in an interview of a woman who was being harassed because she maybe looked Iranian or Middle Eastern, and it's a powerful story about how the war is creating divisions at home. He told it through a vivid narrative. You hear it and you start to gravitate toward his side because he's telling something that matters to human beings. He's a really capable politician. I'll give him that, and I want to see how he continues to navigate what is an extremely thorny proposition, but I'm a little worried. He's been able to keep ICE off New York City streets based on whatever overtures he's made to Trump—that is a real gain, for sure. He's essentially told Trump, “You can be the FDR to my LaGuardia.” He's casting Trump as someone who is actually going to make a positive contribution to New York. It's just too glowing, for me, about a guy who's undoing a lot of what we think of as important in America.In the most prominent interviews he's given [recently], he's backed off from that strong language about Trump. That's something to think about moving forward, how he handles that relationship. I would like a little more moral clarity from him when it comes to Trump, [even given that he has to have a working relationship with him].Kaneene: I think there is moral clarity. I don't think there's been any moral compromise. I think that he can say, “Trump, I want you to pay for this housing development in Queens,” and morally there's been no compromise at all. I think that in a time where we have …Belvedere: … He was asked directly, “Is Trump trustworthy?” And he said, “I'm going to keep talking to him.” To me, it's like—are we at a point where we can't say he's not been trustworthy? He absolutely has not been trustworthy. Declining to say he's untrustworthy … it's just a small warning to me that he's not willing to interact with Trump in the way Trump deserves.Kaneene: Yeah, but—it might be the case that he feels he can trust what Trump says to him in a personal meeting. That might genuinely be true. And he still says Trump is a fascist. He still speaks out against a lot of his policies. I don't think there's been any moral compromise. I think he's like a moral beacon in a time where we don't really have any kind of moral leadership in the executive branch in Washington.Johnson: It's just, what are you trying to accomplish? Is anyone's life better off because he called Trump a fat pig who deserves to die? What are we talking about here? It would be one thing if he was being like, “Well, Trump is going to help us fund this housing project, so we're going to help him with ICE in the city.” But he's not doing that. He's just being less than maximally mean.Belvedere: We're almost out of time, so let's get from you guys your broadest possible assessment of his mayorship so far. A hundred days in, a little more than that now, what do we think? What's your assessment?Johnson: Given what I expected out of him, seven out of ten so far.Belvedere: Tibita?Kaneene: I'd give him a B so far. A big reason—we'll see what happens with the city budget and with the rent freeze. Those are, I think, the two things for the first year. He has a chance to move to a B-minus/C-plus or up to a B-plus in the next 60 days based on those two things.Belvedere: What would it look like for him to crush the next part of the year, from your perspective?Kaneene: On the budget, on the merits, I think the city council is correct. If he came around to that, that would be a big deal. If he followed through on proposing substantive property tax reform—which I think he will do eventually—but if he did that, that would be a big deal.Johnson: That's the white whale of New York politics, actually reforming our property tax system.Kaneene: In particular, if he got rid of the tax disadvantage for multifamily homes, I think that part is doable. That would be a big deal.Johnson: If you're outside New York City, you should just know our property tax system is a mess. We have high property taxes, but beyond the fact that they're high—maybe that's fair, New York does a lot of things—the system itself is just a confusing maze. The valuations are all over the place. There's just weird stuff all over the place with our property tax system. Every mayor would love to regularize it, normalize it. And there's enough special exceptions that it's really hard to do without people getting furiously angry who benefit from the special exceptions. So if he could get that done—holy crap, yeah.Kaneene: Yeah. Speaking of pissing off some supporters—I think he has the political capital to piss off some homeowners in order to reduce the costs for apartment dwellers. I think he can do that, especially if he's seen as someone who is freezing the rent and doing the grocery stores and what have you.Belvedere: Jeremiah, one last question for you. You're a culture watcher. You spot trends and memes and people's reactions to politics. What do you think it is about Mamdani—and some of the others in his cohort—that they seem to do really well with younger people? What can liberal politicians learn from this cohort? They have vastly different characteristics—Bernie Sanders is an old white dude, Mamdani is very different—and yet they have the same kind of buzz and ability on that front. What can liberal politicians do better to match that?Johnson: Yeah, I mean, some of this is messaging strategy. Mamdani comes from a family in the arts. His mom is a professional filmmaker. His videos are very well produced. He understands clipping culture—what really matters is not the event itself, it's the 20-second clip that comes out of it that will get played a million times on social media. Part of it is just the messaging strategy itself.But I also think—look at what Mamdani doesn't do. He doesn't dress weird, he doesn't try to do memes. His accounts never post memes. He's never dressing in funny outfits. He's not cursing. He's well-dressed and presentable and optimistic and he talks like he wants to change things. I think there's an impulse among middle-aged, moderate liberals sometimes to be like, “To chase the kids, we've got to do the memes. Someone get me a 20-year-old who knows memes for my internet account.” And it's just very cringe-worthy. It's terrible. What people respond to is when you believe what you're saying.Belvedere: That wraps up our time together today. Thank you guys for joining me. I'm Berny, senior editor at The UnPopulist. Tibita is the political director of the New York City chapter of the Center for New Liberalism. And Jeremiah Johnson is co-founder of the Center for New Liberalism, and his newsletter is excellent. Thanks for joining. See you next time.Thanks for reading The UnPopulist! Subscribe to support our project.© The UnPopulist, 2026Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.We welcome your reactions and replies. Please adhere to our comments policy. Get full access to The UnPopulist at www.theunpopulist.net/subscribe

A 72-year-old man in Wisconsin just did something the state never expected… He tested their election system. Not with hacking tools. Not with insider access. Just a name… and a date of birth. That’s all it took for Harry Wait to request absentee ballots belonging to some of the most powerful officials in Wisconsin, including the Democrat Mayor of Racine and the Republican Speaker of the State Assembly. Let that sink in. Ballots… sent out… based on publicly available information. And when those ballots arrived? He didn’t vote them. He didn’t hide them. He turned them over to authorities. He exposed what he says is a massive vulnerability inside Wisconsin’s “My Vote” system, one that, he proved, could be exploited by anyone with basic information. But instead of being thanked… Instead of the system being fixed… Harry Wait was charged. Prosecuted. Convicted. Now he’s facing up to 7 years in prison. This is what Democrats do, they punish the good guys, especially if they are Republicans exposing Democrat inspired election fraud. Today, I walk you through exactly what Harry Wait did and what this means for election integrity going forward.

Tyler sits down with George Ermert, board member and policy chair of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, to break down what just happened with Wisconsin's Sandhill Crane hunt bill. The bill passed the State Assembly before stalling in the Senate. George explains the science behind a responsible Sandhill Crane hunt, the Eastern population numbers, USDA depredation tags, the coalition pushing this forward (Delta Waterfowl, Safari Club International, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation), what's coming in 2027, and how Michigan and Ontario are watching. Visit widucks.org for talking points and to get involved. Topics: Wisconsin Sandhill Crane hunt, waterfowl policy, conservation, hunting advocacy, Delta Waterfowl, USFWS, Eastern Sandhill Crane population. Check out the following links for even more content: Instagram Facebook Youtube More About the Upduck Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom is all abuzz about honey bees and thinks you should "bee" too. These pollinators help California farmers feed the world with cherries, melons, almonds and more. But bee colonies are dying at nearly unprecedented rates and the reasons why remain unclear. Join Assemblymember Ransom for a buzzworthy visit to a hive, hear from a local farmer who is a big fan of pollinators, and learn all about her ideas she's working on to Save the Honey Bees.

Why did the Universities of Wisconsin fire President Jay Rothman? A State Assembly member and university union leader have some ideas.

Billy Wimbish - was born around 1859. A Black man who made his life in the Alaska Interior, Wimbish earnedrespect among the miners of the Fairbanks district. In 1906, he served as lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against mineowner D.H. Cascaden on Cleary Creek. Judge James Wickersham ruled in the miners' favor, finding Cascadenliable for all wages owed. That legal victory, won in Alaska Territory as a Black man against a white mine owner,defined the kind of man Wimbish was.Lloyd Magruder - was born in 1825 in Maryland, descended from a Scottish ancestor who arrived as a prisonerof war in 1653. He served in the Mexican War, rising from private to second lieutenant. After a stint in Californiapolitics representing Sacramento in the State Assembly, Magruder moved to Lewiston, Idaho Territory, in July1862. He built a mercantile store and a pack train operation in a frontier capital still called "Ragtown" for its canvastents. He had a wife named Caroline and three children.Idaho and Alaska. 1863 and 1910. Two murders separated by forty-seven years and two thousand miles,connected by gold and the calculation that it was worth more than a man. In Idaho, a merchant named LloydMagruder loaded a fortune onto pack mules and trusted the wrong men. In Alaska, a miner named Billy Wimbishdisappeared from his claim, and the system did not look for him. Both cases were solved not by authorities butby friends who refused to stop searching. This is the story of gold fever and what it cost.Season 40: Two hundred and fifty years of American history. Fifty states. Fifty crimes. Two per episode, pairedby what connects them.This episode contains discussions of murder, violence, and the destruction of human remains. Crisis resourcesare listed at the end of these notes.Our Sponsors:* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chuck And Julie Show with Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden Colorado GOP Assembly Opt Out of Semi Open Primary and Lakewood Citizen-Led Referendum Guests, Ray Garcia and Karen Gordey Hundreds of Colorado Republicans overturn RINO Chair Horn's attempt to sabotage efforts to opt out of the disastrous semi open primary. Ray Garcia checks in with results from the chaotic State Assembly. In this episode of The Chuck & Julie Show, hosts Julie Hayden and Chuck Boniwell dissect the chaotic 2026 Colorado Republican State Assembly, highlighting a major grassroots victory regarding the primary election system. The program also features a deep dive into a landmark citizen-led referendum in Lakewood that successfully overturned high-density "upzoning" mandates despite significant opposition spending. The Colorado GOP State Assembly: Chaos and Grassroots Defiance The recent Colorado Republican State Assembly was characterized by significant logistical failures, with delegates waiting over four hours for credentials because badges and ballots were not prepared in advance. Despite these hurdles, the grassroots wing of the party achieved a major tactical win. Raymond Garcia, Chairman of the Colorado Hispanic Republicans, detailed how the assembly body moved to overrule the Executive Committee (ExCom). Specifically, the delegates overwhelmingly supported a motion to censure 15 ExCom members who had previously blocked legal efforts to opt out of Colorado's open primary system. This move authorizes attorneys Randy Corporon and John Eastman to proceed with a preliminary injunction aimed at preventing the Secretary of State from sending Republican primary ballots to unaffiliated voters for the June 2026 election. Legal Strategy and the "RINO" Establishment Conflict The discussion centered on the tension between "establishment" Republicans and the grassroots. Hosts argued that the current open primary system allows Democrats and unaffiliated voters to "meddle" in Republican selections, favoring candidates backed by "dark money" donors. Raymond Garcia and the hosts pointed out that since the open primary took effect in 2016, no Republican has won a statewide office in Colorado. The assembly also saw a contentious moment involving Kathleen Chandler of the Independence Institute, who was booed by the crowd after asserting that the ExCom knew better than the general body of delegates. Furthermore, logistical anomalies were reported in the governor's race, including a discrepancy of approximately 77–80 ballots compared to the number of credentialed voters. Lakewood's David vs. Goliath Referendum Victory Karen Gaudet of the Lakewood Citizens Alliance shared the results of a "two-to-one" victory in a special election held on April 7th. Citizens successfully overturned four city ordinances intended to "upzone" the entire city for high-density housing. The alliance faced a massive financial disadvantage, with the "No" side (supported by developers and prominent Democratic politicians) raising nearly 300,000 compared to the Citizens Alliance's 42,000. Despite this, the grassroots "ground game" of 84 volunteers secured more votes for the referendum than the mayor received in her own election. The victory is seen as a rejection of "social engineering" and a defense of single-family zoning and local "home rule" against state-mandated densification. National Security and Future Previews The show concluded with a brief discussion on President Trump's "economic war" strategy against Iran, specifically the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to cripple Iran's financial capabilities. The hosts also previewed an upcoming segment with Sue Moore of the Liberty Scorecard, who will address recent "libelous" comments made by gubernatorial candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer regarding the organization's integrity. The episode paints a picture of a resurgent grassroots movement in Colorado, successfully challenging both state-level party leadership and local municipal overreach. Whether through the "rabid" energy of the GOP Assembly or the "grit and determination" of Lakewood's suburban voters, the hosts emphasize that organized citizen action is currently outmaneuvering well-funded establishment interests.

Chuck And Julie Show with Chuck Bonniwell and Julie Hayden Colorado GOP Assembly Opt Out of Semi Open Primary and Lakewood Citizen-Led Referendum Guests, Ray Garcia and Karen Gordey Hundreds of Colorado Republicans overturn RINO Chair Horn's attempt to sabotage efforts to opt out of the disastrous semi open primary. Ray Garcia checks in with results from the chaotic State Assembly. In this episode of The Chuck & Julie Show, hosts Julie Hayden and Chuck Boniwell dissect the chaotic 2026 Colorado Republican State Assembly, highlighting a major grassroots victory regarding the primary election system. The program also features a deep dive into a landmark citizen-led referendum in Lakewood that successfully overturned high-density "upzoning" mandates despite significant opposition spending. The Colorado GOP State Assembly: Chaos and Grassroots Defiance The recent Colorado Republican State Assembly was characterized by significant logistical failures, with delegates waiting over four hours for credentials because badges and ballots were not prepared in advance. Despite these hurdles, the grassroots wing of the party achieved a major tactical win. Raymond Garcia, Chairman of the Colorado Hispanic Republicans, detailed how the assembly body moved to overrule the Executive Committee (ExCom). Specifically, the delegates overwhelmingly supported a motion to censure 15 ExCom members who had previously blocked legal efforts to opt out of Colorado's open primary system. This move authorizes attorneys Randy Corporon and John Eastman to proceed with a preliminary injunction aimed at preventing the Secretary of State from sending Republican primary ballots to unaffiliated voters for the June 2026 election. Legal Strategy and the "RINO" Establishment Conflict The discussion centered on the tension between "establishment" Republicans and the grassroots. Hosts argued that the current open primary system allows Democrats and unaffiliated voters to "meddle" in Republican selections, favoring candidates backed by "dark money" donors. Raymond Garcia and the hosts pointed out that since the open primary took effect in 2016, no Republican has won a statewide office in Colorado. The assembly also saw a contentious moment involving Kathleen Chandler of the Independence Institute, who was booed by the crowd after asserting that the ExCom knew better than the general body of delegates. Furthermore, logistical anomalies were reported in the governor's race, including a discrepancy of approximately 77–80 ballots compared to the number of credentialed voters. Lakewood's David vs. Goliath Referendum Victory Karen Gaudet of the Lakewood Citizens Alliance shared the results of a "two-to-one" victory in a special election held on April 7th. Citizens successfully overturned four city ordinances intended to "upzone" the entire city for high-density housing. The alliance faced a massive financial disadvantage, with the "No" side (supported by developers and prominent Democratic politicians) raising nearly 300,000 compared to the Citizens Alliance's 42,000. Despite this, the grassroots "ground game" of 84 volunteers secured more votes for the referendum than the mayor received in her own election. The victory is seen as a rejection of "social engineering" and a defense of single-family zoning and local "home rule" against state-mandated densification. National Security and Future Previews The show concluded with a brief discussion on President Trump's "economic war" strategy against Iran, specifically the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to cripple Iran's financial capabilities. The hosts also previewed an upcoming segment with Sue Moore of the Liberty Scorecard, who will address recent "libelous" comments made by gubernatorial candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer regarding the organization's integrity. The episode paints a picture of a resurgent grassroots movement in Colorado, successfully challenging both state-level party leadership and local municipal overreach. Whether through the "rabid" energy of the GOP Assembly or the "grit and determination" of Lakewood's suburban voters, the hosts emphasize that organized citizen action is currently outmaneuvering well-funded establishment interests.

Labor and community activists who have been confronting ICE in Minneapolis will speak in Madison and Labor Radio talks to one of them ahead of the event, the April 7 election shows many big wins for labor-endorsed candidates, the NLRB has finally ordered Amazon to bargain with its union, state union worker Ben Gruber explains why he is running for a State Assembly seat, and Madison holds a Workers Assembly modeled after a similar action in Minnesota.

Raising Expectations with Pastor Joe Schofield, Dr. Paul Hall, Stefanie Thayer, Dr. Craig Thayer, Pastor Ron Greer Guest, Elizabeth Wong Ahlers and her plan for a Comeback California Friends, We are excited to have our dear friend Elizabeth Wong Ahlers with us again this week, as she continues “Comeback California” running for State Assembly District 40! Her values, wisdom, family and faith are game changers for every problem we face in the former Golden State- California! Her insights and ideas will encourage and strengthen everyone in all 50 states and around the world ,as we watch God at work in the coming months! Please consider supporting Elizabeth and her journey to help retake California at her website: https://elizabeth4assembly.com/ Pastor Joe Schofield hosts a deep-dive session of Raising Expectations, featuring California State Assembly candidate Elizabeth Wong Ahlers. The discussion explores the intersection of conservative governance, spiritual resilience, and the urgent need for "righteous leadership" to address California's systemic challenges. The "Raising Expectations" Mission and Team The program serves as a platform for conservative believers to discuss personal, professional, and corporate decisions through the lens of faith. Host Pastor Joe Schofield is supported by a diverse team, including Dr. Paul Hall, Dr. Craig and Stephanie Thayer, and Pastor Ron Greer. The team emphasizes "finding God in the ordinary" and producing "authentic hope" through trust in Christ, a theme echoed in the various books authored by the hosts, such as Saved and Legitimate Faith. Reclaiming the Golden State: The Ahlers Platform Elizabeth Wong Ahlers, a fifth-generation Californian and mother of six, is running for the State Assembly in District 40 (Santa Clarita area). Her campaign is built on the "Mama Bear" instinct—a response to what she describes as a failing educational system, sky-high gas prices, and exploding homelessness. She argues that the current "one-party rule" has led to unsafe streets and a mass exodus of businesses, and she advocates for a return to innovation, opportunity, and freedom. Political Integrity and "Fake Republicans" A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on the internal friction within the Republican party. Ahlers criticizes candidates who have recently switched from the Democratic party but do not uphold conservative platform values, such as standing for the national anthem. She specifically points to an incumbent who reportedly missed 2,000 opportunities to vote "no" on harmful legislation, choosing instead to remain off the record to avoid political fallout. Ahlers asserts that her refusal to compromise on issues like Proposition 1 (abortion) has made her a target for the establishment, but she remains committed to her "conscience". Spiritual Warfare and the "Armor of God" The participants frame the political landscape as a manifestation of a spiritual battle. Drawing from Ephesians 6 and the Book of Daniel, they discuss the "demon princes" and "spiritual armies" that influence geographical areas. Dr. Paul Hall and Ron Greer use military analogies—such as being "over the target" when facing heavy fire—to encourage Ahlers. They emphasize that the "Armor of God" only protects the front, signifying that believers must continue marching forward by faith rather than retreating. Marriage and Family as the Campaign's Foundation Ahlers highlights her 36-year marriage to her husband, Ron, as the "culmination of their giftedness." She describes Ron as her "medic"—the strength and common sense that stabilizes her amidst political gunfire. She insists that her campaign team must respect this hierarchy, as any political victory that undermines the foundational unit of marriage would be a hollow one. This "complementary giftedness" allows them to navigate the "wicked and dark" areas of culture together. The episode concludes with a call to action for believers to disengage from "quietism" and actively participate in the political process. By standing firm in their worldview and refusing to compromise on core principles, the speakers believe they can inspire a "great California comeback" led by righteous leaders who represent the people's rejoicings rather than their groanings.

HR 81, as introduced, Aguiar-Curry. AI Summary This resolution, HR 81, officially proclaims the month of March 2026 as Women's History Month in California, recognizing the essential and often overlooked contributions of women throughout history to the nation and the state. It acknowledges women's groundbreaking achievements in various fields, their leadership in social change movements, and the ongoing need to address gender inequity. The resolution also highlights the origins of Women's History Week in 1978 and its subsequent establishment as National Women's History Month, emphasizing the importance of commemorating these accomplishments to benefit all by raising awareness. Finally, it directs the Chief Clerk of the Assembly to distribute copies of this proclamation to relevant organizations and individuals, including the Vice Chair of the California Legislative Women's Caucus and the Chair of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, to further promote the observance

On this week's 365 Amplified, Omar and Rob talk through the new initiatives of Improve Your Tomorrow, a program targetted at students of color in Madison that we first reported on a few weeks ago which has now expanded into Verona and which will host an information session next week. Then, they go over the latest polling on the race for Wisconsin governor. Next up, Tony Castañeda joins to talk about his run for State Assembly, his long history in leftist politics and social justice, and what he brings to the race as a musician. Finally, a bit about the upcoming Forward Madison season. Read Omar's reporting on Improve Your Tomorrow here and here. Check out the Marquette University polling here. Listen to the latest Black Oxygen here and 608 Soccer here.

Assemblymember Chris Ward (D–San Diego) held a press conference Tuesday at the State Capitol to announce the introduction of AB 1542, new legislation to strengthen protections for sensitive personal data; continued efforts to advance AB 322, a two-year bill to ban the sale of geolocation data; and renewed momentum for AB 1337, a two-year bill currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee to modernize public-sector privacy protections. The press conference brought together consumer advocates, civil rights organizations, and privacy experts to underscore the urgency of protecting Californians' personal information from misuse, exploitation, and sale without consent. “Californians should not have to worry that their sensitive personal information is being sold to the highest bidder,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward. “From precise location data to deeply personal information, these bills work together to stop the sale of geolocation data, strengthen protections for sensitive information, and ensure government agencies are held to modern privacy standards. California led the nation on privacy once before, and we must continue to lead as technology evolves.” Justin Brookman, Director of Tech Policy at Consumer Reports, warned that data-driven pricing and monetization practices are outpacing existing protections. “People should not have to worry that their sensitive personal information is going to be sold to the highest bidder,” Brookman said. “The California Consumer Privacy Act was groundbreaking, but it needs to be updated to address the realities of the modern data ecosystem. Companies should use personal information like geolocation to deliver the services we ask for—not to secretly monetize it through data brokers.” Advocates emphasized the heightened risks these practices pose to vulnerable communities. “When businesses sell and trade sensitive personal information like precise location or immigration status, they open the door to surveillance, targeting, and exploitation. Those harms fall the hardest on the most vulnerable in our community, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking," said Lan Le, Policy Advocate at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL). “These data privacy bills send a clear message: dignity and safety are rights, not commodities.” Supporters also highlighted the need to modernize how public agencies handle personal data. “In an era of increasing digital surveillance and data collection, it's crucial that our privacy laws evolve,” said Rindala “Rin” Alajaji, Associate Director of State Affairs at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “AB 1337 is a much-needed update to ensure local governments are held accountable for how they handle personal data.” Tracy Rosenberg, Executive Director of Oakland Privacy, underscored how the measures work together. “The bill duo of AB 1337 and AB 322 attacks our current dystopia in two vital ways,” Rosenberg said. “They modernize privacy protections, add transparency and limits around precise location data, and curb invasive practices that expose Californians to government and industry overreach.” John Bennett, Initiative Director at CITED, emphasized the broader democratic stakes. “Privacy and freedom of movement are cornerstones of a healthy democracy,” Bennett said. “It's time to strengthen our data privacy laws and fulfill the promise of California's constitutional right to privacy—so people can move, assemble, and participate in civic life without fear of surveillance.” Ward's legislative package builds on California's landmark privacy framework to protect sensitive personal data, prohibit the sale of geolocation information, and ensure privacy rights keep pace with modern technology.

February 10, 2026 Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo's Legislation to Protect Veterans Signed Into Law Chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Celebrates Major Victory for California veterans SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, Chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, today announced that the Protecting Veterans from Predatory Practices Act (SB 694) was signed into law, strengthening California's protections for veterans and service members seeking the benefits they have earned. The Protecting Veterans from Predatory Practices Act, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta and co-authored by Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, was a top priority for Assemblywoman Schiavo. SB 694 stops illegal, deceptive and predatory practices by unaccredited companies who exploit veterans. These VA benefit claim sharks sometimes charge veterans as much as $20,000 for services that they can instead access for free from County Veteran Service Officers and other federally accredited organizations. “As Chair of the Military and Veterans Committee and the daughter of a disabled veteran, alongside so many, we fought to protect disabled veterans from illegal fees charged by predatory claims sharks,” said Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo. “Veterans who earned their benefits through service and great sacrifice, deserve every penny. With the Governor's signature of SB 694, we are making it clear that we will always protect our veterans and hold predators accountable.” The Protecting Veterans from Predatory Practices Act brings California law into alignment with federal law and accreditation standards and strengthens enforcement tools to protect veterans from financial harm. It establishes clear guardrails to prevent illegal fees and financial exploitation by requiring individuals who assist with veterans' benefits claims to meet federal accreditation standards. It also creates important privacy protections by restricting the misuse and sharing of veterans' private data. “Today, I am proud to stand with a coalition of veterans organizations in celebration of the signing of SB 694, legislation that continues our commitment to vigorously protect those who have sacrificed so much to protect us," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Claim sharks pose a financial risk to veterans who need help with their benefits claims. SB 694 will degrade and deter the ability of these predatory individuals or companies to exploit veterans seeking help accessing their benefits. I thank Senators Archuleta and Cervantes, and Assemblywoman Schiavo, for authoring this legislation and Governor Newsom for signing it into law and making it clear: If you want to charge veterans for help with their benefits claims, you must be accredited by the VA." “Veterans served this nation with honor and sacrifice, and they have earned every benefit their country owes them,” said Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. “This legislation ensures veterans are protected from individuals who prey on their trust, their service, and their need for help. This law reinforces California's commitment to honoring veterans with real, meaningful protections.” The signing of the Protecting Veterans from Predatory Practices Act builds on California's broader efforts to safeguard veterans, service members, and their families who call California home to ensure they receive the benefits that they have earned. The Protecting Veterans from Predatory Practices Act takes effect on January 1, 2027. ### Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 and re-elected in 2024 to represent the 40th Assembly District, representing the Northwest San Fernando Valley, Val Verde, Castaic and the Santa Clarita Valley. Upon her election, she was appointed as Assistant Majority Whip by the Speaker of the Assembly and now serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. During her first term she brought back a record $93 million district investment in school and community safety, seniors meal programs, veteran housing, domestic violence services and creating local jobs. Prior to her election, Assemblywoman Schiavo was a Nurse Advocate and Small Business Owner who worked in the labor movement for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, Assemblywoman Schiavo helped deliver healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, to more than one million people. In the Northwest San Fernando Valley, she co-founded an organization that helped secure housing for Veterans experiencing homelessness, has delivered more than 50,000 meals to people in need, and increased resources to help keep our communities safe. Assemblywoman Schiavo lives in Chatsworth with her creative kid where they love to hike in the Santa Susana Mountains.

On the podcast this week, we have: An update on the harm reduction clinic proposed for Madison's East Side, as the org that won the contract seemed to say they're pulling out of the project but then said they're not Our thoughts on the murder of Alex Pretti and a rundown of Wisconsin gun laws An interview with State Assembly candidate Juliana Bennett Rob's experience with an AI massage robot, which is a thing he never expected to type or talk about, much less experience Follow the latest news on Madison365.org and watch for Madison365 on Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram & Threads.

Assemblymember John Harabedian's (D-Pasadena) Mortgage Forbearance Act, has been signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.AB 238, the Mortgage Forbearance Act, provides essential relief to survivors of the Los Angeles Fires by allowing a pause on mortgage payments for up to a year. Fire victims entering into forbearance will not face any penalties or credit damage during the pause in payments. Importantly, the bill also prohibits lenders from requiring lump sum payments at the conclusion of the forbearance period, allowing homeowners to focus on rebuilding.“For months since the fires, survivors have been forced to make two housing payments: one for their temporary rental accommodations and another mortgage payment for a house that either doesn't exist anymore or is uninhabitable due to smoke and ash damage. AB 238 will ease the financial burden that too many families are facing by allowing them to pause their mortgage payments for up to a year while they get back on their feet,” said Assemblymember Harabedian (D-Pasadena).After the fire, Assemblymember Harabedian worked with the Governor to secure initial commitments of 90-day forbearance periods from nearly 400 lenders in California. AB 238 takes effect immediately. If you encounter any difficulties with your servicer, please notify the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) which is charged with ensuring your rights under this new law are upheld. You can also contact Assemblymember Harabedian's district office at (626) 351-1917 for assistance.The Governor's decision has brought us a step closer to recovery.

We're honored to welcome Assemblymember Tasha Burner, who represents California's 77th Assembly District, encompassing coastal communities from Carlsbad and Encinitas south through La Jolla to Coronado.   Assemblymember Boerner has served in the State Assembly since 2018 and currently chairs both the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy—a committee to address the urgent threats facing California's coastline.  Her environmental leadership is evident in her successful legislation, including AB 823, which unanimously passed to ban plastic microbeads in leave-on personal care and cleaning products, and groundbreaking work to address plastic glitter pollution. Before her legislative career, she served on the Encinitas City Council and Planning Commission, where her advocacy began with a simple goal: getting a stop sign installed near her children's school.  Assemblymember Boerner holds a Master's degree in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor's in Political Science from UC Berkeley. She brings a blend of local government experience, business acumen, and passionate advocacy for coastal resilience, environmental protection, and community-centered policy to her work in Sacramento.  Join us as we discuss her approach to environmental leadership, coastal adaptation, and shaping California's environmental future.  And to learn more about the work the Assemblymember is doing, check the video series, Tea Time with Tasha.  

In late December, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would formally recognize the Montaukett Nation. This, despite the fact that there was broad support for the legislation, which passed the State Assembly unanimously and the State Senate in a vote of 59-1. The bill sought to reinstate recognition to the Montaukett Nation by reversing a 1910 court ruling that improperly stripped it away by ignoring an earlier U.S. Supreme Court decision under which the nation would have qualified for recognition. It was the seventh time in recent years that such a bill has died on the New York governor's desk. This week, the editors are joined by reporters Michael Wright and Jack Motz as well as Montaukett Executive Director and Government Affairs Officer Sandi Brewster-walker, who has worked extensively over the past decade to gain state recognition, and State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, the bill's co-sponsor, to talk about why this has been such an uphill battle for the Montauketts.

Hometown Radio 01/12/26 4p: Democrat Susannah Brown challenges Dawn Addis for state Assembly

Jimmy Vielkind recaps the proposals in Gov. Hochul's "state of the state" address, where she focused on affordability, and offers analysis of the speech as the governor is running for re-election.

Jimmy Vielkind, New York State Issues reporter for WNYC, reviews a slew of bills signed by Governor Hochul at the end of 2025 and previews the State Assembly's upcoming legislative session.

Gavin Newsom's unconstitutional gerrymandering scheme Prop 50 passed with California voters. In today's show, we break down what these election results mean for the future of our state and what we can learn from Democrat wins in New Jersey, Virginia and New York. Then, Susan Shelley joins us to discuss all the latest Democratic financial shenanigans – including the pension fund losing millions on clean energy investments, a proposed wealth tax on California billionaires and blatant corruption in the Homeless Industrial Complex. Finally, we speak with State Assembly candidate Shannon Kessler about her fight to protect girls' sports.

The first formerly incarcerated person ever elected to the Nevada Legislature, Assemblymember Jovan Jackson, joins us on Prison the Hidden Sentence. From serving time in prison to serving his community in the State Assembly, Jovan's journey is one of resilience, redemption, and purpose. He opens up about how his lived experience fuels his fight for criminal justice reform, restoring voting rights, and expanding opportunities for families impacted by incarceration. This inspiring conversation highlights how one man transformed his past into a platform for change—and why his historic election brings hope to communities in Nevada and beyond.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here's How »Join the Prison: The Hidden Sentence Community today:https://prisonthehiddensentence.com/LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association and former State Assembly member from the Bronx, joined the show to discuss the challenges in rent-stabilized housing, the perspective of landlords and building managers, the prospects of a Mayor Mamdani and the candidate's promise to freeze stabilized rents for four years, and much more about housing policy. (Ep 538)

On this episode: Voters in the Garden State head to the polls this Fall to decide some of the tightest and most interesting races in the country, choosing a new governor, all 80 members of the General Assembly, special elections, and more. NJ.com's Brent Johnson joins the show first to break down the gubernatorial race between Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, exploring voter enthusiasm, turnout challenges, campaign spending, and the key issues shaping the contest — from taxes and the economy to the role of President Donald Trump.Then Ballotpedia's Briana Ryan walks through what voters will see on their ballots, early voting trends, and how recent changes to New Jersey's ballot design could influence results. Follow along with our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/New_Jersey_elections,_2025Check out Brent's reporting: https://www.nj.com/staff/bdjohnson/ Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6 Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.

Next month, New York City may elect as its next mayor a man who was pretty much unknown to the broader public a year ago. Zohran Mamdan, who is currently thirty-three years old and a member of the State Assembly, is a democratic socialist who won a primary upset against the current mayor, Eric Adams, and the former governor Andrew Cuomo, who was trying to stage a political comeback. Mamdani now leads the race by around twenty percentage points in most polls. His run for mayor is a remarkable story, but it has not been an easy one. His campaign message of affordability—his ads widely tout a rent freeze in the city—resonates with voters, but his call for further taxing the top one per cent of earners has concerned the state's governor, Kathy Hochul. In Congress, Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have yet to even endorse him. “There are many people who will say housing is a human right, and yet it oftentimes seems as if it is relegated simply to the use of it as a slogan,” Mamdani tells David Remnick at his campaign headquarters, in midtown Manhattan. “It often comes back to whether you're willing to fight for these ideals that you hold.” Donald Trump, for his part, dubs Mamdani a Communist, and has threatened to withhold federal funds from New York if he's elected, calling such a vote “a rebellion.” An attack by the President “will be an inevitability,” Mamdani says, noting that the city's legal department is understaffed for what may be an epic battle to come. “This is an Administration that looks at the flourishing of city life wherever it may be across this country as a threat to their entire political agenda. And New York City looms large in their imagination.” Zohran Mamdani's campaign was chronicled by Eric Lach, a staff writer covering New York politics and life for The New Yorker. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Next month, New York City may elect as its next mayor a man who was pretty much unknown to the broader public a year ago. Zohran Mamdan, who is currently thirty-three years old and a member of the State Assembly, is a democratic socialist who won a primary upset against the current mayor, Eric Adams, and the former governor Andrew Cuomo, who was trying to stage a political comeback. Mamdani now leads the race by around twenty percentage points in most polls. His run for mayor is a remarkable story, but it has not been an easy one. His campaign message of affordability—his ads widely tout a rent freeze in the city—resonates with voters, but his call for further taxing the top one per cent of earners has concerned the state's governor, Kathy Hochul. In Congress, Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have yet to even endorse him. “There are many people who will say housing is a human right, and yet it oftentimes seems as if it is relegated simply to the use of it as a slogan,” Mamdani tells David Remnick at his campaign headquarters, in midtown Manhattan. “It often comes back to whether you're willing to fight for these ideals that you hold.” Donald Trump, for his part, dubs Mamdani a Communist, and has threatened to withhold federal funds from New York if he's elected, calling such a vote “a rebellion.” An attack by the President “will be an inevitability,” Mamdani says, noting that the city's legal department is understaffed for what may be an epic battle to come. “This is an Administration that looks at the flourishing of city life wherever it may be across this country as a threat to their entire political agenda. And New York City looms large in their imagination.” Zohran Mamdani's campaign was chronicled by Eric Lach, a staff writer covering New York politics and life for The New Yorker.

In this episode of Back in Session, Ryan Stevens and Ryan DeMara welcome New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Inganamort for a wide-ranging and energizing conversation about life in the Garden State and the real challenges facing small-town America. From managing forest fire risks to fighting burdensome state mandates and championing the legendary New Jersey diner culture, Assemblyman Inganamort brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective from both local and state politics. Tune in to hear about his path from Eagle Scout to mayor to the State Assembly—and why he's staying put to fight for the state he loves. Plus: Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll, the art of bagels, and why good governance starts on your street.About Assemblyman Inganamort:24th District - All of Sussex & Parts of Morris & Warren CountiesMichael Inganamort was sworn into the General Assembly in January 2024.A communications and public policy professional, Inganamort started his career in politics in 2002 at just 18 years old when he was elected to the Sussex County Republican Committee.He went on to serve at the U.S. Department of Interior and in the office of U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett before managing several successful political campaigns. Inganamort was the mayor of Chester Township following five years on council, including three years as council president.He earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 2006 from American University and a master's degree in American government from Georgetown University in 2007.He is an Eagle Scout and volunteer merit badge counselor who often talks to area troops about civic duty.Inganamort and his wife Lauren met at Sparta Junior High School, graduated from Sparta High School, and were married at Blessed Kateri Church in Sparta. They are the proud parents of three daughters and reside in Chester where they are parishioners at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church.Learn more: https://www.njassemblygop.com/225/Michael-Inganamort

America is facing deep political division. Republican vs. Democrat, Left vs. Right. But what will it truly take for us to come together as one nation again? On this episode, former California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto sits down with host and special guest co-host Joey for an honest conversation about America's current political climate. From the challenges facing both major parties to the growing frustration among citizens, Mike shares his perspective on what's fueling the divide and outlines practical steps everyday Americans can take to ensure their voices are heard by elected officials. Follow Mike Gatto: Website – www.mikegatto.com Twitter – @MikeGatto Follow Joey: TikTok – @joey_doesit

Listen to Friday's "Dan O'Donnell Show," as Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman indirectly confirms Dan's report on the department redirecting officers away from the street takeover task force. Plus, a huge update on the Democrat Civil War in the State Assembly.

LA County considers a new program to help wildfire survivors and ICE victims pay their rent. A school emergency alert system for immigration sweeps goes before the State Assembly. It's time for parents to start researching LA Unified's specialized programs for next year. Plus, more.Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.comVisit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency! Support the show: https://laist.com

Joe Borelli, Managing Director at Chartwell Strategy Group and former New York City Council Minority Leader, joined the show to discuss how President Trump is doing so far in his second term and the unfolding election for New York City Mayor. The Staten Island Republican spent over a dozen years in elected office, in the State Assembly then City Council, until earlier this year when he left government for the private sector. (Ep 525)

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:05pm- Prior to signing an executive order on Monday, President Donald Trump applauded his administration for successfully negotiating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. 5:10pm- Over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer met with China's Vice Premier for Economic Policy He Lifeng in Geneva, Switzerland. By the meeting's conclusion, an agreement was reached to pause onerous tariffs between the world's two largest economies for 90-days. U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports will be reduced from 145% to 30%, while China's tariffs on American imports will go from 125% to 10%. While speaking from the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump said, “we achieved a total reset with China” and that his administration's negotiators will continue to seek remedies for China's unfair trade policies—which have included currency manipulation, unbalanced trade, and intellectual property theft. 5:20pm- A South Jersey candidate for State Assembly is selling feet photos online, during a traffic stop Springfield, Ohio police discovered a pet raccoon playing with a meth pipe (the racoon was thankfully unharmed, but may need rehab), and who is Trump's mystery friend that takes “the fat shot drug”? 5:30pm- Dr. EJ Antoni—Research Fellow in The Heritage Foundation's Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Trump Administration's 90-day tariff agreement with China. Plus, is Pope Leo XVI a registered Republican…or are these just online rumors? Who knows!