Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our guest today is one of the most accomplished figures in recent California political history: The first person in 150 years to lead both chambers of the Legislature, as well as being the first woman – and the first openly LGBTQ woman – to do so at all. And, if she succeeds in her latest political quest, California’s first woman Governor. Of course we are talking about Sen. pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our guest today is Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, a longtime advocate for increased availability of mental healthcare. While a member of the state Assembly Steinberg authored Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, which has generated millions for mental healthcare in California. In 2015 he launched The Steinberg Institute, which has helped enact sweeping improvements in California mental health policy, including securing $2 billion to provide housing and care for homeless people living with mental illness (No Place Like Home). He joined us today to discuss efforts to address California’s twin crises: homelessness and mental health, and this week’s Senate leadership transition.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In his reporting, Brian Joseph explores the nuances of Sex Trafficking, its cultural influences and possible reform options. He joined us today to talk about “The Life,” the intersection of Pimp culture and Pop Culture, Sen. Shannon Grove’s SB 14, one of last year’s most controversial bills, and more.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We are joined today by communications expert Nathan Click of Click Strategies. Click serves as a political advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and led communications efforts in the Governor’s successful campaign against the Recall. With last week’s announcement that journalist Bob Salladay would be replacing Anthony York as Gov. Newsom’s Communications Director, we thought it was a great time to ask Click about what the job is like. Click also shared his thoughts on the Senate race, the effect of the early primary, and weighed in on Initiatives that are likely to be on November’s ballot, including a repeal of Prop. 8.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Veteran California political data expert Paul Mitchell joins us to talk about his recent CA120 column examining shifting behavior by California’s Latino and Asian voters. We also look at California’s confusing Presidential Primary ballot, and the recent Berkeley IGS Poll that found Rep. Barbara Lee in fourth place – behind Republican Steve Garvey – in the race to fill Sen. Feinstein’s seat.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: As California stares down the largest budget deficit in a decade, lawmakers – most of whom have never governed during a down time – will be facing hard choices. Labor lobbyist Kristina Bas Hamilton remembers the rough days of the Great Recession, and sat down with us to talk about what this go round might be like, and how it will differ from the past. She also talks with us about her podcast, and her new book, Changemaker: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Sh*t Done at the California Capitol, a How-To guide for working with lawmakers.
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CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our final episode of 2023, with three special segments: First up, we talk with Sammy Perez of Prison Fellowship to learn about the Angel Tree Program, which helps incarcerated parents provide a Christmas gift and a personal message for their children. Next up, we are joined by retired Capitol Weekly editor John Howard to talk about Rich Ehisen’s first year at the helm of Capitol Weekly; and finally, we buckle in for a countdown of the Top 10 candidates for Who Had the Worst Year in California Politics.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: KQED’s Marisa Lagos joins us for a look back at the biggest stories of the past year. Lagos is a correspondent for KQED’s California Politics and Government Desk and co-hosts a weekly show and podcast, Political Breakdown. We discuss Governor Newsom’s year, hot labor Summer, the success of the YIMBY movement, the death of Dianne Feinstein and arrival of Laphonza Butler, and much, much more.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: A new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California finds that many Californians no longer believe the American Dream holds true, or believe that the dream is harder to achieve in California than in other states. We’re joined by Dean Bonner, associate survey director and research fellow at PPIC, to talk about the results of the survey, how they compare to earlier iterations, and about the survey process itself.
Podcast
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In the year or so since billionaire Elon Musk took over Twitter (now X), the platform has changed: As a tool for reporters, X is a shadow of what Twitter once was. Lara Korte of Politico joined us to talk about the decline of the platform, how it came to be such an essential part of newsgathering and how and where to stay up-to-date on political news in the wake of X’s dysfunction.
Sen. pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins
