SacTown Talks

Today we welcome back to the program Assemblymember Mike Gipson. Gipson represents Assembly District 65 and previously served as Mayor Pro Tempore for Carson City. We Gipson's legislative priorities, gun control, law enforcement, foster care, and more. (05:42) End of session, bills, and budget (14:14) Talking homelessness  (18:55) Police and criminal justice reform (24:06) Education for foster car...

Today we welcome back, attorney, lobbyist, and author, Chris Micheli. Micheli is back, talking about his two new handbooks on legislative drafting in California and understanding the California legislative process.   Available now!   https://he.kendallhunt.com/search?search_api_views_fulltext=Chris+Micheli This episode was recorded on 09/15/2023 SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics...

Today we welcome to the program political journalist Lara Korte. Korte is a co-author of POLITICO California Playbook. We discuss Korte's career in journalism, POLITICO, and all things political reporting.   This episode was recorded on 09/05/2023.   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by ex...

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Phil Ting. Ting represents Assembly District 19 and serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. We discuss Ting's career, education access, affordability, housing, and more.   (02:24) Ting’s journey to politics (08:10) College affordability and access (13:13) Eliminating APPI hate (19:16) The Housing Accountability Act (25:09) End of session sus...

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. Zbur represents Assembly District 51 and previously worked in environmental law. We discuss Zbur's career, LGBT rights, issues with homelessness, housing, the environment, and more.   This episode was recorded on 08/16/2023   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with Californ...

Today we welcome Tom Campbell, former United States Representative, law professor, and current chair of the Common Sense Party. We discuss Campbell's career, as well as a deep dive on the Common Sense Party and why California would benefit from another party.   This episode was recorded on 08/11/2023   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews...

Today we welcome Jeff Farrah, Executive Director of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. Farrah and the AVIN believe autonomous vehicles will make our world safer, more efficient, and provide life-changing mobility benefits to those who are disadvantaged. We discuss self-driving vehicles, transportation, cyber security and more.   This episode was recorded on 08/02/2023   SacTown Talks is...

Today we welcome back Chris MacKenzie, Senior Director of Communications for Chamber of Progress. Mackenzie has a strong background in connecting with center-left voters and thought leaders through digital media campaigns and traditional press outreach. Today we are focused on artificial intelligence. Development, advancement, regulation, legislation and more.   This episode was recorded on 07/20/...

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. Pellerin represents Assembly District 28 and previously served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County from 1993 until her retirement in December 2020. We discuss Pellerin's background career, issues with homelessness, marriage rights, the election system and more.   This episode was recorded on 07/12/2023 SacTown Talks is...

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria. Soria represents Assembly District 27 and as a first-generation American daughter of farm workers, knows firsthand about hard work and sacrifice, having worked alongside her parents in the Central Valley’s agricultural fields throughout her childhood. We discuss  Soria's background career, issues in the Central Valley, healthcare, wa...

Today we welcome Jennifer Capitolo, Executive Director of the California Water Association. Capitolo has previously served in the Department of Finance under Governor Gray Davis and as a district representative for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Assemblymember Ellen Corbett. We discuss Capitolo's career, CWA, groundwater, California drinking water and more.   This episode was recorded on 06/...

Today we welcome Chris MacKenzie, Senior Director of Communications for Chamber of Progress. Mackenzie has a strong background in connecting with center-left voters and thought leaders through digital media campaigns and traditional press outreach. We discuss Mackenzie's career, the Chamber of Progress, the CA Journalism Preservation Act and more.  This episode was recorded on 06/23/2023  SacTown...

Today we welcome to the program Monica Miller. Miller is the owner and President of Sacramento Advisors, LLC. We discuss Miller's career, involvement in non-profits, work in foster care and more.  This episode was recorded on 06/22/2023  SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and ins...

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Gregg Hart. Hart represents Assembly District 37 and previously served as Planning Commissioner, City Council Member, California Coastal Commissioner, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor. We discuss Hart's career, issues with housing, the environment, budget goals and more.   This episode was recorded on 06/20/2023 SacTown Talks is a podcast about Ca...

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Bill Essayli. Essayli represents Assembly District 63 and previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney as well as a Riverside County Deputy District Attorney. We discuss Essayli's career in law, gun violence, incarceration, drug issues and more. This episode was recorded on 05/24/2023 SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, p...

Today we welcome to the program, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. Smallwood-Cuevas represents Senate District 28 and is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center. We discuss the election, issues with the prison system, employment, housing and more.  This episode was recorded on 05/23/2023  SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with Cal...

Today we welcome to the program labor and employment law expert, Ryan McCoy. McCoy is Partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP, with a focus on employment litigation. We discuss employment litigation in CA, wage issues, AB5 and more.   This episode was recorded on 05/18/2023   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, a...

Today we welcome back to the program political consultant, Bill Wong. Bill Wong recently released his new book Better to Win: Hardball Lessons in Leadership, Influence, & the Craft of Politics. We discuss the book, contemporary politics, the Asian American community, and more of Wong's work.   This episode was recorded on 05/16/2023   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy an...

Today we welcome Nanette Farag, Vice President of Political Affairs for Randle Communications. Farag has more than 20 years of experience leading strategic operations and has served as Chief of Staff to two Assemblymembers. We discuss Farag's career, political campaigns, technology advancements, advertising and more.   This episode was recorded on 5/11/2023.   SacTown Talks is a podcast about Cali...

(03:55) Ashby’s journey to politics  (07:17) Ashby’s City Council experience through tough times (11:04) The needs of the people of Sacramento\ (15:01) Addressing homelessness and education for foster youth (17:56) The potential of downtown Sacramento (21:20) Ashby’s bill package

Today we welcome Assemblymember Diane Dixon to the program. Dixon represents Assembly District 72 and previously served two terms as Mayor of Newport Beach. We discuss public safety, transportation, housing and more. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the...

Today we welcome Senator Alvarado-Gil to the program. Alvarado-Gil represents Senate District 4 and serves as State Commissioner for Special Education. We discuss education, fentanyl, public safety, and more. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol...

Today we welcome Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen to the program. Nguyen represents Assembly District 10 and previously served as Executive Director of Asian Resources. We discuss crime rates, education, homelessness, and more.   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders foc...

Today we welcome Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua to the program. Villapudua represents Assembly District 13. We discuss  vocational training, rehabilitation, the water bond, and more SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscr...

Today we welcome back Nick Sanders of Sanders Political Law. We talk all things new with political law including elections, recounts, the FPPC, development and more.   SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn mor...