Capitol Weekly Podcast

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California's 4th Assembly District, which includes Napa, Lake, Yolo, Colusa Counties and part of Sonoma County. She is the chair of the bipartisan California Legislative Women’s Caucus and is also the Assembly Majority Leader. As Majority Leader, Aguiar-Curry guides her party’s legislative strategy, coordinates with committee chairs and helps ensure the efficient pr...

We're joined today by Dr. Shirley Weber, California's Secretary of State. Governor Newsom appointed the four-term assembly member as Secretary of State in 2020 to fill the remainder of Alex Padilla's term when Padilla went to the US Senate. Voters elected her to a full term on November 8, 2022.   Serving as the state's chief elections officer is a natural fit for Weber, whose family left Arkansas...

We hear a lot of discussion about what it takes to campaign for Governor of California, but, as in the 1972 film The Candidate , not so much about what it takes to govern the state. Former Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg has served as an advisor to governors and want-to-be-governors for decades. With the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026 heating up, Hertzberg...

Today we welcome a first-time guest to the podcast: Stephanie Roberson, of Stephanie Roberson Strategies. Roberson formed SRS, a boutique, black-owned single member firm, in late 2022 after 15 years representing the California Nurses Association. During Roberson’s tenure, the Nurses waged fierce battles in the capitol over guaranteed universal healthcare, and confronted the COVID epidemic. She sat...

Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by Politico's Chris Cadelago for a deep dive (our longest-ever episode?) into California politics in 2024 - and a look at what the Horseshoe might look like next year as Nathan Barankin takes over for departing chief of staff Dana Williamson. Plus: Who Had the Worst YEAR in California Politics?  We give you our Top 10. 2:44 From Dana Williamson to Nathan...

It's a short week, so we've got a short episode for you. Rich and Tim look south for Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics.  We'll be back next week with a special end-of-year wrap up - don't miss! Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/  Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang  "#WorstWeekCA" Beat prov...

Ranked Choice Voting had a bit of a "moment" in 2022, helping send Democrat Mary Peltola to congress in Alaska, and clearing a first-ballot hurdle for statewide acceptance in Nevada. This year, proponents of the RCV process got proposals on the ballot in four states (Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and the confirmation vote in NV), but ultimately found themselves on defense, losing all four, and also los...

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024 This is PANEL 3 – IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS Panelists: Jess Bartholow, SEIU California; Michelle Cabrera, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California; Beth Capell, Health Access...

One of the many stories out of the 2024 election was President Trump's improved performance with voters of color. While voter data is still being analyzed, it is clear that the former and future president made significant inroads in 2024 with constituencies with whom he has historically lagged, notably Latinos. For a politician who based his first presidential campaign on a promise to build a wall...

As her final term in the senate comes to an end, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman joined us to reflect on her twelve years in the state legislature. A self-described "pragmatic progressive," Eggman represents the 5th Senate District - San Joaquin County, parts of Stanislaus County and the Sacramento County community of Galt - areas which saw a significant Republican shift this year; San Joaquin Cou...

While most political junkies have their eyes on DC in the wake of Donald Trump's successful bid to return to the White House, we're looking south, where Los Angeles voters delivered a seismic shift to the region's politics, passing Measure G, which expands the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five members to nine, and Charter Amendment DD, which creates an independent redistricting com...

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election. We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the elect...

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election. We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the elect...

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election. We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the elect...

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election. We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the elect...

We have reached the end of the road - Election Day. After a years-long presidential campaign filled with twists, turns and surprises, we are at the deciding point: will the next president be former president Donald Trump, or Vice President Kamala Harris?  And, which party will control congress? Does the path to control of the House run through Orange County? What does all of this mean for Californ...

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024 This is the KEYNOTE – Asm. Jim Wood in conversation with Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly Thanks to our sponsors: CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETRO...

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024 This is PANEL 2 – OFFICE OF HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY: TARGETS Panelists: Ben Johnson, California Hospital Association; Lynne Kinst, Hemophilia Council of California; Elizabeth Mitchell, Purc...

Capitol Weekly presented HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Over a dozen experts and elected officials joined us for our annual look at Health Care in the Golden State. Today we present Panel 1: AI in Health Care. Artificial intelligence (AI) has huge potential to innovate and reshape health care. AI has the potential to benefit both providers and patients, with...

Political data expert and regular Capitol Weekly contributor Paul Mitchell joins us for a look at the most competitive congressional districts in California. The race for control of Congress is tight, and these districts could decide which party holds the House in 2025.  And he tells us which polls to watch (and which to ignore) and makes his prediction in the Kamala Harris- Donald Trump race.  Pl...

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Through spirited discussion and reasoned debate, proponents for each side explored the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in a conversation moderated by a journalist. Today's episode presents: Proposition 36 ALLOWS FELONY CHARGES AND INCREASES SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN DRUG AND THEFT CRIM...

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Through spirited discussion and reasoned debate, proponents for each side explored the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in a conversation moderated by a journalist. Today's episode features a discussion of Propositions 33 and 34. In a state known for confusing, contentious ballot-bo...

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Today's episode presents The Keynote for this event: A look at California’s congressional and legislative races, with California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks and Assemblymember James Gallagher, moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly. James Gallagher James Gallagher has represented...

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Capitol Weekly hosted the California Ballot Forum: 2024 Election Preview. Through spirited discussion and reasoned debate, proponents for each side explored the strengths and weaknesses of the proposals in a conversation moderated by a journalist. Today's episode presents: Proposition 32 - RAISES MINIMUM WAGE. INITIATIVE STATUTE. If passed, Proposition 32 would ra...

Former California State Assemblymember and current Fair Political Practices Commissioner Catharine Baker has been appointed director of the newly opened University of California Student and Policy Center, UC's hub in Sacramento, located just steps from the state capitol. Baker will lead public programming and outreach, aimed at introducing UC students and faculty into the capitol community - and v...