SacTown Talks

Today we welcome back to the program Senator Dave Min. Min represents Senate District 37 and  serves as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, which has jurisdiction over the state’s environmental stewardship. We discuss Min's legislative priorities, the environment, biodiversity, homelessness and more.  

(08:47) End of session, wins and losses

(12:55) Preventing mass shootings and improving gun safety

(17:02) Electrification, decarbonization and renewable energy goals

(25:30) Difficulty passing public safety bills in CA

This episode was recorded on 10/02/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Steve Cruz of Cruz Strategies. Cruz has over 20 years of legislative and political experience having worked on behalf of a multitude of interests, both public and private, before the California State Legislature and various state agencies. We discuss Cruz's journey to politics, housing, effective lobbying, and more.

(07:09) Becoming a lobbyist in Sacramento

(16:37) Pursuing homebuilding and development

(23:30) Successful business development for lobbying

(27:44) How can we build more homes?

(36:06) Steve’s interest in low riding cars

This episode was recorded on 09/27/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo. Schiavo represents Assembly District 40 and previously was a small business owner and nurse advocate who worked in the labor movement for more than 20 years. We Schiavo's legislative priorities, housing, homelessness, healthcare, and more.

(03:58) The issue with healthcare and insurance

(09:23) Schiavo’s background, making it to Sacramento

(21:04) Schiavo’s bill package and focuses

(24:12) Electric roads bill

(31:26) Affordable housing

This episode was recorded on 09/21/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back to the program Assemblymember Mike Gipson. Gipson represents Assembly District 65 and previously served as Mayor Pro Tempore for Carson City. We Gipson's legislative priorities, gun control, law enforcement, foster care, and more.

(05:42) End of session, bills, and budget

(14:14) Talking homelessness 

(18:55) Police and criminal justice reform

(24:06) Education for foster care youth

This episode was recorded on 09/19/2023
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back, attorney, lobbyist, and author, Chris Micheli. Micheli is back, talking about his two new handbooks on legislative drafting in California and understanding the California legislative process.  

Available now!  

https://he.kendallhunt.com/search?search_api_views_fulltext=Chris+Micheli

This episode was recorded on 09/15/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program political journalist Lara Korte. Korte is a co-author of POLITICO California Playbook. We discuss Korte's career in journalism, POLITICO, and all things political reporting.
 

This episode was recorded on 09/05/2023.
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Phil Ting. Ting represents Assembly District 19 and serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. We discuss Ting's career, education access, affordability, housing, and more.  

(02:24) Ting’s journey to politics

(08:10) College affordability and access

(13:13) Eliminating APPI hate

(19:16) The Housing Accountability Act

(25:09) End of session suspense 

This episode was recorded on 08/31/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. Zbur represents Assembly District 51 and previously worked in environmental law. We discuss Zbur's career, LGBT rights, issues with homelessness, housing, the environment, and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 08/16/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(01:35) Zbur’s path from law to politics

(09:47) Being gay before strides in the LGBTQ movement

(17:07) Talking environmental law

(23:51) Zbur’s motivation for running for Assembly

(28:26) LGBTQ rights and states with anti-LGBTQ views

(37:41) AD51 priorities

Today we welcome Tom Campbell, former United States Representative, law professor, and current chair of the Common Sense Party. We discuss Campbell's career, as well as a deep dive on the Common Sense Party and why California would benefit from another party.

This episode was recorded on 08/11/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome Jeff Farrah, Executive Director of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. Farrah and the AVIN believe autonomous vehicles will make our world safer, more efficient, and provide life-changing mobility benefits to those who are disadvantaged. We discuss self-driving vehicles, transportation, cyber security and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 08/02/2023
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome back Chris MacKenzie, Senior Director of Communications for Chamber of Progress. Mackenzie has a strong background in connecting with center-left voters and thought leaders through digital media campaigns and traditional press outreach. Today we are focused on artificial intelligence. Development, advancement, regulation, legislation and more.

This episode was recorded on 07/20/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. Pellerin represents Assembly District 28 and previously served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County from 1993 until her retirement in December 2020. We discuss Pellerin's background career, issues with homelessness, marriage rights, the election system and more.  

This episode was recorded on 07/12/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(06:04) Pellerin’s work with historical members and transitioning to Santa Cruz

(10:15) Voting technology and the future of voting

(15:13) Marrying couples as County Clerk during COVID

(20:49) ACA5 and the right to marry

(23:04) Talking mental health care and addressing homelessness 

(28:06) Pellerin’s bill package

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria. Soria represents Assembly District 27 and as a first-generation American daughter of farm workers, knows firsthand about hard work and sacrifice, having worked alongside her parents in the Central Valley’s agricultural fields throughout her childhood. We discuss  Soria's background career, issues in the Central Valley, healthcare, water, housing and more.  

This episode was recorded on 07/3/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(05:26) Talking Bay Area Caucus, speaker change, and leadership

(10:14) Hospitals and healthcare in the Central Valley

(18:05) Water quality issues in the Central Valley

(21:00) Budget goals and accomplishments

(27:51) Talking fentanyl and related bills

Today we welcome Jennifer Capitolo, Executive Director of the California Water Association. Capitolo has previously served in the Department of Finance under Governor Gray Davis and as a district representative for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Assemblymember Ellen Corbett. We discuss Capitolo's career, CWA, groundwater, California drinking water and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 06/30/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(06:33) The current state of water in CA and affordability 

(14:12) Is California tap water safe to drink?

(21:15) Water conservation and environmental regulations

(29:33) Wasting money on vended and bottled water

(38:18) Talking water storage

Today we welcome Chris MacKenzie, Senior Director of Communications for Chamber of Progress. Mackenzie has a strong background in connecting with center-left voters and thought leaders through digital media campaigns and traditional press outreach. We discuss Mackenzie's career, the Chamber of Progress, the CA Journalism Preservation Act and more. 

This episode was recorded on 06/23/2023 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(03:57) Talking Chamber of Progress

(08:36) What is AB 886? 

(12:43) Concerns with disinformation and the CA Journalism Preservation Act

(19:48) Support and opposition for AB 886 and the future of money in media

Today we welcome to the program Monica Miller. Miller is the owner and President of Sacramento Advisors, LLC. We discuss Miller's career, involvement in non-profits, work in foster care and more. 

This episode was recorded on 06/22/2023 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(02:29) Miller’s nonprofit work

(06:17) Utilizing the budget 

(08:48) Miller’s journey from foster youth to government 

(17:32) Improving foster care and preventing homelessness 

(25:23) Successful lobbying without resources

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Gregg Hart. Hart represents Assembly District 37 and previously served as Planning Commissioner, City Council Member, California Coastal Commissioner, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor. We discuss Hart's career, issues with housing, the environment, budget goals and more.  

This episode was recorded on 06/20/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Bill Essayli. Essayli represents Assembly District 63 and previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney as well as a Riverside County Deputy District Attorney. We discuss Essayli's career in law, gun violence, incarceration, drug issues and more.

This episode was recorded on 05/24/2023

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(05:40) Essayli’s career in law and path to politics

(12:50) Talking Essayli’s bill package

(15:37) Firearm enforcement bill and Bowies Law

(19:09) Gun control and prisoner rehabilitation

(24:01) Talking budget goals

Today we welcome to the program, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. Smallwood-Cuevas represents Senate District 28 and is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center. We discuss the election, issues with the prison system, employment, housing and more. 

This episode was recorded on 05/23/2023 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(09:04) Affordable housing and cost of living in LA

(14:36) Involvement in community organizing 

(23:19) Motivating running for Senate and working with the new legislative class

(34:23) Bills and legislative focuses

(44:27) Talking committees

Today we welcome to the program labor and employment law expert, Ryan McCoy. McCoy is Partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP, with a focus on employment litigation. We discuss employment litigation in CA, wage issues, AB5 and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 05/18/2023
 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(03:57) What is PAGA? 

(08:00) Talking labor code violations

(14:56) 2024 voter initiative and the effect of COVID on employers

(24:48) AB5 and the impact on litigation 

(30:08) Discussing the Cal-WARN Act

(34:05) Labor code changes McCoy would make