Special Episode: A discussion on Affordability with Lorena Gonzalez and Mike Madrid

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Affordability has become the buzziest of buzzwords around the California Capitol and beyond. It has become a major talking point for lawmakers, candidates for every office and even a certain governor with lofty ambitions beyond the Golden State. On this week’s podcast we share a lively and very candid discussion on affordability between two of the Capitol community’s most notable members – longtime political strategist, author and commentator Mike Madrid and former Assemblymember and current president of the California Federation of Labor Unions Lorena Gonzalez.

1:15 Introductions

2:00 Thoughts on the gubernatorial primary in terms of affordability

6:45 Insinuated promises

10:30 “There is no monopoly on good or bad ideas.”

15:37 “How many of these things are actually within their control?”

21:20 A lot of things could help

22:30 “In the digital age the most valuable commodity we have is our data”

26:21 “The old model doesn’t work”

29:15 Billionaire tax

36:20 Thoughts on the Insurance Commissioners race

41:30 Audience question – Responsibility of Labor in effecting affordability?

46:40 Audience question – Is this issue going to go away anytime soon?