Then There's California

Sacramento State Senator, Dr. Richard Pan, talks about the COVID-19 vaccine, the importance of encouraging Californians to trust and commit to the vaccination process...while also pushing back against those who continue to use social media and violence to promote anti-vaxxer deceptions. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

Long Beach State Senator Lena Gonzalez talks about her legislative effort to help further bridge the chronic digital divide affecting California's families, her new, historic appointment as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee...and how she 'waits' for unity to bridge California's other social, racial and economic divides. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast episode!

State Senator Connie Leyva, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, & CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, discuss the complicated and evolving dynamics surrounding public school closures and online learning during the COVID pandemic, and the efforts being made to help educators, parents and students navigate the educational and logistical challenges. Please click here for a clo...

State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, the new Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, talks about public policy, health, and social justice priorities for our Latinx communities in 2021. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

As Bay Area State Senator Jerry Hill prepares to leave the legislature because of term limits, he reflects on his extraordinary 30-year career in politics on the state and local level, and how injustice, harm to human beings and corporate malfeasance were the catalyst for his policies of consumer protection and business & government. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

On the 2nd anniversary of the devastating Woolsey Fire in Malibu, in November 2018, State Senator Henry Stern, the Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee, candidly reflects on the emotional and psychological impact of evacuating & surviving a wildfire, and explains how the record-breaking wildfires of 2020 remind CA about the work still to be done to confront the economic and envi...

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson discusses the impact the COVID pandemic and the economic/employment crises are particularly having on working women, working moms, stay-at-home moms...and women of color in all of those categories - as well as the burden it places on relationships and the emotional health of families. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio!

Senator Scott Wiener, Chair of the CA Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus, explains how, because of COVID, Pride Month observances and celebrations are 'virtual' in 2020, how the pandemic is affecting the LGBTQ community...and he candidly reflects on the lessons learned from the AIDS epidemic 4 decades ago, that are informing and affecting the ways the community is surviving the current global health crisi...

In the wake of the death of George Floyd and the uprisings and protests around the world, State Senator Steven Bradford, Vice-Chair of the CA Legislative Black Caucus, reflects on America's problem of systemic racism and violence against communities of color...and how it all MUST be the catalyst for radical changes in public policy, law enforcement tactics and a sharpening of our collective effort...

Senator Holly Mitchell, Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, discusses the sobering challenge of keeping our state's fiscal house in order while protecting Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic, about the health disparities currently facing communities of color...and how she hopes the effects of this pandemic will be a wake-up call about having responsible leaders in government. Click here fo...

State Senator Anna Caballero describes the 'real-time' risks and burdens shared by farmworkers, undocumented immigrants and low-income populations in CA's rural communities, during the COVID-19 pandemic; many are deemed 'essential workers' and have to keep working to survive...but still face health risks in the fields and orchards, with minimal protections and benefits. Please click here for a clo...

CA State Senator Bill Monning shares how this COVID-19 pandemic experience is impacting the demographically- and economically- diverse communities in his Central CA coastal and inland senate district, how he and his legislative colleagues are conducting state business in a 'quarantined California,'...and what 'returning to normal' could - and should- be like for our impacted state. Please click he...

State Senator Bill Dodd and CA Dept. of Health Director (Emeritus), Dr. Karen Smith, MD, discuss the medical, statistical and personal impact of life in California during a pandemic, and how following the advice of health care professionals during this time, can save lives. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

As California and other states begin their roll-out of the 2020 Census, CA State Senator Tom Umberg, Co-Chair of the Senate Select Committee on the 2020 Census - and Senator Jim Beall, the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee - discuss our state's efforts to ensure a successful census process...and make sure ALL Californians are counted. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this ep...

CA. State Senator Robert Hertzberg is already a California legend. The Senate Majority Leader, Assembly Speaker-Emeritus and clean energy entrepreneur discusses his 50-year (so far) career in politics and the private sector, his vision of California's history and future, the mosaic of his home communities in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles...and his legislative priorities for 2020. Please c...

State Senator Ben Allen, in conversation about SB54, his legislation establishing an historic framework for drastically reducing single-use plastic & packaging waste by 2030. SB 54 was approved by the CA State Senate in 2019, and currently awaits a full vote by the State Assembly. Click here to access a closed-captioned version of this audio!

State Senator Connie Leyva, Chair of the CA State Legislature's Women's Caucus & Jessy Rosales, Campus Coordinator w/The Women's Foundation of California, discuss SB 24, the 'College Student Right to Access Act,'...and Jessy shares her own, impactful abortion story. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio

Central Valley State Senator Melissa Hurtado talks about her bipartisan efforts in 2019 to help secure safe, clean, accessible water in California, especially in her Valley communities. Click here to access a closed-captioned version of this audio!  

State Senator Richard Pan discusses his on-going legislative efforts - in the face of strong rhetoric and personal threats - to tighten California's childhood vaccination laws. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio!

Governor Newsom has just signed Senator Bob Wieckowski's bill that would jump-start construction for ADUs in California. In this episode from earlier this summer, Senator Wieckowski discusses ADUs as 'informal housing,' with UCLA Professor Vinit Mukhija. Visit YouTube for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Tuesday, Oct 8, 2019, is the 2nd anniversary of the North Bay Fires in Northern California. State Senator Bill Dodd & Napa County Fire Chief Geoff Belyea discuss their own memories of the devastating blazes of October, 2017, lessons learned and policies changed in the wake of the fires...and praise for the resilience of community. Click here for a closed-captioned version of the podcast audio!

Senator Jim Beall and Anthony Portantino, co-authors of SB 5, discuss plans for renewing a state & local government partnership to fund and build affordable housing in California. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio!

Senator Durazo and Mr. Coleman discuss the legislative efforts to further expand Medi-Cal coverage for all Californians (regardless of immigration status), including low-income, undocumented seniors. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio!

One of California's newest state senators, Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), talks about her love of family - and baseball(!), a career in tech...and being 'battle-tested' as a local government leader for her future as a policy advocate in the state legislature. Please click here for a close-captioned version of this episode!

State Senator Bob Wieckowski discusses Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as 'informal housing' for communities, with UCLA Professor Vinit Mukhija. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast