Political Breakdown

President Trump nears a nomination for a successor to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Scott and Marisa preview the roles of California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris in a potential confirmation hearing. They also discuss why so many Californians are undecided on key state ballot measures. Then, California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu joins to share his memories of clerking for G...

President Trump visits California as the state deals with a historic wildfire year. Marisa and Scott discuss the president's visit with Katie Orr, along with new polls on Proposition 15 and Proposition 16. Then, California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot shares the story behind his confrontation with the President over climate change and wildfires, the future of forest management in...

The finger-pointing continues at the state Capitol after a frantic end to the legislative session. Katie Orr joins Scott and Marisa to talk about Senate vs. Assembly feuding, Anthony Rendon's leadership and how criminal justice reforms fell short. Then, former Assemblyman Mike Gatto joins to talk about legislative leadership styles, parenting in office, running for Assembly while in college, his f...

After a wild end to the legislative session, Marisa and Guy Marzorati talk with Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, who voted on the floor with her four-week old baby. They also provide an update on Proposition 20, and former governor Jerry Brown opening his wallet to defeat the measure. Then, actor and activist Jamal Trulove joins to talk about being framed and wrongfully imprisoned for murder in San Fran...

A COVID-19 infection derails the state legislature just days before the final recess of the session. Marisa and Guy Marzorati get the latest from KQED politics reporter Katie Orr on how the Senate and Assembly are planning to finish the year's work. Then, Joseph Rodota joins to discuss his podcast "The Oppo File" about campaign opposition research. Rodota shares stories from his time as an opposit...

Before the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Scott and Marisa discuss the week's program and Senator Kamala Harris' vice presidential acceptance speech. Addisu Demissie, senior advisor for the convention, joins to talk about his work planning the unprecedented virtual event and Rep. Ro Khanna discusses the party platform debate and Harris' speech. Learn more about your ad choices....

California Senator Kamala Harris is Joe Biden's pick for vice president. Marisa and Scott discuss the selection and the rollout of the Democratic ticket. Then, former Congresswoman Katie Hill joins to discuss her resignation from Congress last fall, her political action committee to elect more (Democratic) women to office, the media's coverage of female candidates, and why she decided to stay in W...

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks with Scott and Marisa about the re-started NBA season and the league's response to the Black Lives Matter movement. He also discusses this week's deadly explosion in his birthplace of Beirut, his family's long history in the Middle East, and how he continues to learn from his players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Joe Biden nears his decision on a vice presidential pick, Marisa and Scott discuss the contenders on his shortlist and the latest on negotiations to extend COVID-19 unemployment aid. Then, political strategist Joe Trippi, host of the new podcast That Trippi Show joins to discuss his career running Democratic presidential campaigns, pioneering 'netroots' on the 2004 Howard Dean campaign for pres...

L.A. Congresswoman Karen Bass joins Scott and Marisa to discuss the legacy of Congressman John Lewis, volunteering for Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign, coalition building after the L.A. Riots, the status of police reform in Congress, talking with Joe Biden about grief and personal loss, and reclaiming the name 'Caren.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California schools take center stage in the state's reopening debate, as Marisa and Scott discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's handling of the accelerated spread of COVID-19. Then, Jay Jordan, executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice, discusses his childhood in Stockton, his own experience going through the criminal justice system and spending time in state prison, what's at stake with...

With unemployment claims again rising as states struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19, Scott and Guy Marzorati talk with KQED's Sam Harnett about his new series "How We Got Here" about the decline of worker power in America. Then, Los Angeles Supervisor Hilda Solis joins to talk about her parent's union experiences, her fights for environmental justice in the state legislature, the upset win...

With the spread of COVID-19 increasing throughout the state, Governor Gavin Newsom orders many counties to halt their reopening. Scott and Katie Orr discuss the governor's actions and the newly signed state budget. Then, Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) shares why she felt concerned about the pace of reopening, her proposal to remove police from some crisis response situations, her #W...

With COVID-19 cases growing rapidly in California and Florida, Scott and Marisa are joined by WLRN reporter Caitie Switalski to explore how officials in the Golden State and the Sunshine State have responded to the ongoing pandemic, and how prepared the two state's hospitals are for the surge in cases. Then, Nicole Gill, executive director of Accountable Tech, joins to discuss how the new group pl...

Governor Gavin Newsom announces a requirement for face-coverings in high-risk settings, as masks become a political flash point in some California counties. Marisa and Scott also discuss the differences in how officials in California and Florida have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, University of California Board of Regents Chair John Perez, the former Assembly speaker, joins to discuss t...

Ron Davis, former Director of the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services under President Obama, talks with Scott and Marisa about reimagining public safety after the killing of George Floyd. He also discusses his current advising of the Newsom administration and reflects on following his father's footsteps into law enforcement and his years with the Oak...

BART Director Lateefah Simon joins Scott and Marisa to discuss the protests against police violence, steps cities can take to reform policing, the re-entry programs she created with Kamala Harris, her Bay Area roots and her late husband Kevin Weston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Steyer, chair of Gov. Gavin Newsom's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, talks with Scott and Marisa about the work ahead to rebuild California's economy. He also discusses what he learned on the presidential campaign trail and shares the story behind his bulk purchase of tartan ties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Legislature delves into Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal, and Marisa and Scott talk with KQED's Katie Orr about how lawmakers are pushing to reassert themselves in spending negotiations. Then, Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association, joins to discuss the financial hit hospitals are taking during the coronavirus pandemic, the outlook for support in the state b...

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans massive cuts to California's budget unless Congress approves more aid. KQED's Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos discuss the governor's May Revise and the budget process ahead with KQED's Katie Orr. Then, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, joins to share his thoughts on the governor's proposal, Assembly Bill 5, how to manage cuts to public education and the Legislature's respon...

California's contracts for protective gear draw increased scrutiny, and the Newsom administration projects a $41 billion drop in revenues. Marisa and Scott discuss those developments with KQED's Guy Marzorati, along with a preview of next week's special election in the 25th Congressional District. Then, Stephanie Valencia, president of Equis Labs, joins to discuss her extensive surveying of Latino...

As Gov. Gavin Newsom orders the closure of Orange County beaches, Scott and Marisa talk with Assemblywoman Dr. Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, about the ongoing stay-at-home order and the timeline of the Legislature's return to Sacramento. Weber also shares the story of her father fleeing a lynch mob in Arkansas, and discusses the influence of her elementary school teachers and her hopes for education...

With outbreaks of COVID-19 at skilled nursing facilities around the state, April Verrett, President of SEIU 2015, talks to Marisa and Scott about the members she represents and efforts to protect them at their job. She also discusses her childhood in Chicago, how organizing in California offers a national platform, and her hopes for the rebuilding of the state's economy. Learn more about your ad c...

As the country braces for the potential of a general election impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, Scott and Marisa are joined by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to get an update on how California is preparing to carry out the vote, and how Los Angeles County can improve voter experience in November. Padilla also shares stories from his childhood in Pacoima, his early pursuit of a care...

Dr. Mitchell Katz, head of New York City's public hospitals, updates Marisa and Scott on the coronavirus outbreak in New York City, the health system's greatest need, and what is necessary to restart the economy. He also discusses how his siblings' developmental disabilities influenced his career and his time spent as the leading health official in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Learn more about y...