The California Conversation

Southern California faced the devastation of multiple massive, destructive wildfire outbreaks last week – some of the worst in the state’s history. We have to ask – were these fires preventable? How could they have spread so quickly and destroyed entire communities? What policy decisions allowed this – or worse, enabled it? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we will be looking at the policy failures...

The Biden Administration just took action to approve California’s groundbreaking mandate that all new cars sold in the state in 2035 must be electric vehicles. President Trump is touting that he will rescind that approval upon his return to office. Just what is going on in California with electric vehicles? Is Newsom’s new mandate realistic and attainable with the next ten years? I’m your host Tes...

As 2024 ends, where is your hope rooted for 2025? How will you weather the political storms that may come our way, as both a country and as a state? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and I want to give you some encouragement on where true hope can be found on this week’s episode of The California Conversation! Partnerships: AMALLOW: Get 15% off clean skincare at Amallow Tallow through my link https://a...

Governor Gavin Newsom called for an emergency session to safeguard California’s laws and values before President Trump takes office in January. One of the issues at the forefront of the conversation is our state's status as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. But not everyone across California is on board with the Governor’s actions, including one outspoken Sheriff in Southern California. I’m...

Assembly Bill 28 adds an 11% excise tax to the purchase of guns and ammunition in the State of California. The revenue is supposed to fund programs and initiatives to prevent gun violence, addressing the rise in gun crime we’ve seen over the past 5 years. But how exactly are these initiatives planning to increase safety, and has their effectiveness been proven? How do our second amendment rights f...

Assembly Bill 1955, known as the SAFETY Act, prohibits school districts from requiring teachers to notify parents of changes in their child’s pronouns or gender identity. Proponents say this helps to create a safe environment for students to be themselves, but the bill has drawn stark opposition from those advocating for parent’s rights. Join me as we cover all of this and more on today's episode...

With Thanksgiving just two days away, I want to take the time this week to reflect on what we can be thankful for this year, especially as it relates to legislation passed in 2024, shifts in political patterns after the election, and some characteristics of California overall! Think of today's episode like your Thanksgiving dinner - a mashup of all different topics meant to help you as you celebra...

Senate Bill 450 limits the autonomy of local governments across California to pass housing restrictions protecting single family zoning. Should the state restrict the power of local governments in matters of residential housing? And, is single family zoning important to preserve, or does it promote discrimination and racial segregation? I'm your host, Tess Abraham, and join me as we talk about all...

While the election is now over, Governor Gavin Newsom just passed a bill about one of the most debated issues that comes up during election season: Voter ID. I thought it appropriate coming off the general election to dive into the new law, especially since it is set to go into effect before the 2026 midterm. What is this bill, what is it set to do, and what is the general sentiment toward Voter I...

The 2024 election is over, and it's time to examine the results of California's ballot propositions and key candidates! I'll be breaking down where all the races stand post election day on today's bonus episode of the show! Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast, please visit thecaliforniaconversation.com . As mentioned, go check on the status of your ballot here, before Dec...

Happy Election Day! Today is the day to get out to the polls and exercise the greatest privilege we have in this country: voting! After months of preparation together, we finally get to cast our ballots and make known the representatives we want in office and our views on the 10 propositions affecting California. But some make the argument that living in a state like California means that your vot...

Jeff Greeson is the Chief Deputy District Attorney for Sutter County in Northern California. He has extensive experience as a prosecutor and Deputy DA, which has given him valuable insight into the criminal justice system in California – especially through legislative changes like the reduction of theft and drug crimes to misdemeanors back in 2014. I had the opportunity to discuss the trends in cr...

With election day just ONE WEEK away, it is time to prepare your ballot and decide how you will be voting on all the measures we have covered together on the show! I’ll be walking through the California ballot with you today to recap all the important issues up for your vote! You can find my voter guide and resources on candidates here: Website & Sources: For more information about the podcast...

Proposition 32 is a familiar proposal, as it seeks to raise the minimum wage in California - this time up to $18 per hour. This would place California as the state with the highest minimum wage across the country. But what economic effects would this increase have? And would it really help minimum wage workers? Join me as we cover our final ballot initiative together on this week's episode of The...

Proposition 34 regulates how healthcare entities can spend revenues they earn through drug discount programs. But is this proposition really meant to help patients, or are there deeper motivations underneath the surface? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering what I think is one of the most interesting propositions on our ballot this election on this week’s episode of The California C...

Proposition 6 seeks to change the language in the California constitution to remove the ability of the state to use involuntary servitude as a form of punishment for crime. Supporters of the proposition argue that this amounts to modern-day slavery and is both inhumane and reprehensible. Does the state constitution allow slavery? Or is there more to understand? On another note, we have covered 7 p...

In California, the Managed Care Organization Provider Tax is paid by healthcare providers to fund the state’s healthcare program. Proposition 35 would make this tax permanent, and restrict the ways the government can use the funds. What does all of this mean for you, and how should you think about it at the ballot box? Join me on this week's episode of The California Conversation to discuss all of...

Proposition 3 seeks to redefine marriage in the California constitution. What changes would it make and what implications would those changes have in our state? Plus, should only Christian values be considered, or are there societal factors to consider as well? I'm your host, Tess Abraham, and we’ll be breaking down all of this and more on this week’s episode of The California Conversation! Websit...

Proposition 5 would amend the California Constitution to lower the requirements to pass local bonds. What effects would this have, and does it really matter? We’ll go through it all today so that hopefully by the end of this you are equipped to vote, and are convinced as to why it matters! Note that this proposition deals with bonds, and as a reminder, we have been discussing bonds in detail for t...

In this week's episode we are breaking down all the facts about Proposition 24 which seeks to approve a bond issuance to fund climate initiatives. What are these initiatives, what would they cost our state, and what issues would they address? We dive head first into understanding the environmental challenges that our state is facing and if, or how, this proposition attempts to tackle them! Website...

In this week's episode we are breaking down all the facts about Proposition 2, which seeks to approve a bond issuance to fund public school infrastructure. We look at a wide range of topics from funding the public school system, to the state of the California budget, to the issues facing the education system, and of course, common sense responses to all of it! Website & Sources: For more infor...

Assembly Bill 1840 passed in the California Senate this past Tuesday, August 27th, and now it's set to go before Governor Gavin Newsom for either his approval or veto. The bill is seeking to expand California's Dream for All Program to include illegal immigrants as those eligible. This will affect our housing crisis, our state budget, and the morale of California citizens overall. This is happenin...

In this week’s episode, we dive into Proposition 33 together and discuss all things rent control and the California housing cost crisis! This proposition has been introduced to help curb the high cost of renting in the state, yet its opposition is arguing it will do the exact opposite. What are the true economic implications of rent control policies? We examine all the details – from the economics...

In this week’s episode, we look at our first proposition together – Proposition 36! This proposition has been introduced and supported by citizens and prominent leaders on both sides of the political aisle, yet it is being described as one of the most contentious issues on the California ballot this election. How could a proposition meant to address rising crime and drug use be controversial? We e...

We kick off our journey to understanding legislation in California by first diving into an overview of California’s legislative process. We answer questions like: Who makes up the legislature? How do bills become laws? And most importantly, where does your vote – and your voice – factor in? We end the show by looking at practical takeaways of how you can be engaged in this part of California polit...