SacTown Talks returns from the end of session break with a strong episode. Senate Lena Gonzalez returns to discuss broadband access and how California needs to close the digital divide, the way the state can save money by using technology, and why she felt safe returning to the Capitol. The conversation then focuses on her chairpersonship of the Senate Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response. She discusses what type of the oversight the committee will provide, how it will continue to hold hearings throughout the fall, how it will meet with from across the globe in the coming months so that California can open up safely and quickly. She also explains the need for both rapid tests and 40,000 contact tracers to control the spread of covid, and that the state will need to do a robust job of explanation of its plan in order to be successful.  Follow  us on Twitter and Facebook

SacTown Talks

143 Senator Lena Gonzalez

SacTown is pleased to welcome Assemblymember Kevin McCarthy to the show. The show starts with a bang with the real time reaction to Kamala Harris being chosen as the Democratic vice presidential candidate. Kevin gives his reaction both as a California politician and a bi-racial person. The episode then flies through a range of topics including covid and school reopening, his reduced bill package, police reform, race and social issues, the EDD and unemployment, debt free college and distance learning. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

143 Assemblymember Kevin MacCarthy

SacTown Talks welcomes Speaker Pro Tempore Assemblymember Kevin Mullin to the podcast. They discuss this sober time in government and what it was like representing one of the first areas in the US to shut down due to COVID. The conversation moves to his unique background: working for Rep. Jackie Spear and how he influenced his father’s decision to run for office, and how he now holds that same office. They continue with one of his legislative priorities, now titled Proposition 18, that his father started the fight for, which would allow 17 year olds that would turn 18 by the general election to vote in the primary election. He discusses his role as Speaker Pro Tempore, and how it relates to his days as a DJ. Then they discuss his second bill, a change to property taxes to support the funds to battle wildfires which quickly moved to his work on an economic stimulus committee, his fear of future tough budget battles, and his hope for a new federal administration. Finally they touch on social justice legislation and the problem of the tight budget deadline. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

142 Assemblymember Kevin Mullen

Today we welcome Assemblymember Shirley Weber to the program. We waste no time and start directly on her bill package, which was paired down to 3 major issues all of which focus on social justice in California. The first was ACA 5, which will be on the November ballot as Proposition 16 and would repeal Proposition 209. Dr. Weber discusses the details of political maneuvering both inside and outside Sacramento that allowed the bill to pass. The conversation then turns to AB 3121, which would establish a commission to study the effects and legacy of slavery in Calfornia and report on what California can do going forward to repair the damage. Then she discusses AB 1460, the history of ethnic studies in California, the political navigation of passing legislation around ethnic studies and why the study of ethnic history is important for all Calfornians. Finally they discuss the challenges COVID-19 has presented to California, especially to communities of color, and what she might tackle next year. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

141 - Assemblymember Shirley Weber

Today we welcome Ann Ravel, candidate for State Senate District 15. She and Jarhett start by discussing her background. She has been at every level of government from the Santa Clara city government, to being appointed by Jerry Brown to the California Fair Political Practices Commissions, then to the Federal Elections Commission by President Obama and why she decided this was the right time to try for elected office, and to tackle her primary issues of wealth disparity, homelessness and healthcare. They then discuss the campaign changes Covid caused, missing the connection with voters, and getting experts in different fields to answer the concerns of her potential constituents. The conversation shifts to her expertise in campaign finance, the potential of public funding, the drawbacks of grassroots only camping, what can be done about Citizens United, and what can be learned from other counties electoral systems. They also discuss what CA can do about Covid, social justice and why she thinks she’ll be a different kind of legislator. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

140 Ann Ravel

We welcome today Assemblymember Jose Medina, of the 66th Assembly District, which covers  Riverside California. They started by discussing what it's like being back in the legislature, how everyone’s bill package went on a “covid diet,” but as chair of the higher education committee he still gets to hear important bills. They discuss his background as the son of immigrants, becoming a school teacher, school board member and community college trustee, and his belief that education is the key to success. Then they turn to the main focus of the interview, AB 331. This bill would create an ethinic studies requirement for all California high school graduates. They discuss the policy path for the bill, from it being vetoed by Gov. Brown, to it being propelled forward the last few months. They talk about what ethinic studies is, why it needs to be part of the curriculum, and how it can be integrated into the curriculum. Asm. Media then discusses the changes he has seen in ethnic studies over time. The conversation then turns to the challenge of opening schools due to covid, and his thoughts on the challenges of distance learning. And they finish with some book recommendations including:Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the SunRudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, UltimaJames Bank’s Teaching Strategies for Ethinic StudiesRonald Takaki’s Strangers from a Different Shore Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

139 - Asm. Jose Medina

SacTown Talks welcomes Senator Bob Archuleta of the 32nd Senate District, or as he calls it “the fightin’ 32nd.” They discuss his path to the senate, from the 82nd Airborne to county commissioner and his belief in the rewards one gets from serving the community. They discuss his belief that COVID brings communities and families together, especially in his district. Then they discuss his bill priorities, including a bill mandating law enforcement wear uniforms that identify the department for whom they work, a bill from expediting background checks for volunteers, and a bill for recycling lithium ion batteries. He finishes by discussing how policing will be changed for the better by recent protests and his feeling confident in his safety returning to the Capitol. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

138 - Senator Bob Archuleta

SacTown Talks is pleased to welcome Senator Lena Gonzalez of the 33rd Senate District. Please note that due to technical difficulties this podcast is audio only. She discusses a very interesting first year in the Senate and her background on the Long Beach City Council. Then the discussion pivots to her role as chair of the special committee on pandemic emergency response, the need for more data on COVID, more testing and more contract tracing. They also discuss that the internet is a necessity for all Californians and SB 1130, her bill to amend the California Advanced Services Fund to help it modernize and improve California's internet capability.  Add us on Twitter and Facebook

#137 Senator Lena Gonzalez

SacTown Talks welcomes Mark Guillen of Crown Castle to the program. Crown Castle is a nation large infrastructure provider in the telecommunications space - fiber, small cells and towers. They discuss the geographic and digital divide both across the nation and specifically in California, how COVID has shone light on digital divide and how legislators are thinking about how to close the gap, the future of fiber for high speed internet and how the new technology of microtrenching is key to building the future of internet access in California. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

#136 Mark Guillen

This week SacTown Talks welcome Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi of the 66th Assembly District. The discussion includes how he got into politics, his coming back to win his seat after a loss, and what drives him in politics. Then he and Jarhett discuss anti-Asian racism both in his district and across California, how the legislature can respond both to COVID and systematic racism, and how environmental justice is connected to social justice. Finally they discuss school reopening, distance learning and how to bridge the digital divide for all CA students. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

135 - Asm. Al Muratsuchi

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134 - Kate Whelan

SacTown Talks welcomes Senator Steve Glazer, of the 7th Senate District, to discuss the resurgence of COVID in California, the role and responsibility of the Governor, the Legislature and the citizens of the state, and his recent op-ed in the Sacramento Bee. The senator discusses the positive steps the governor took at the beginning of the crisis, and where the state went wrong last month. He argues that we need much more testing, and clearer, statewide guidelines on what businesses should be open, who should be sheltering in place, and what mask policy should be. He also discusses the need for remote voting to safely reopen the legislature, and how his limited bill package focused on critical needs, such as maintaining power generation for emergencies. Finally he emphasizes that California needs testing and tracing to safely reopen again. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

133 - Senator Steve Glazer

SacTown Talks is pleased to introduce the host of our new upcoming podcast Politcal-ish, David Quintana. In this episode we discuss his backstory, how he got into lobbying, his passion for interior design, his view that lobbying is akin to sales, his work creating the Back to Session BASH party, and how COVID had changed the nature of lobbying. Then they discuss what the new podcast is going to be about, why it’s called Political-ish and some of the stories from his premiere episode. You won’t want to miss the stories, and make sure to subscribe to SacTown Talks for more details. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

132 - David Quintana

Today on SacTown Talks we have two guests: Assemblymembers Todd Gloria and Jacqui Irwin. Assemblymember Todd Gloria joins us to discuss constituent service and campaigning during a pandemic, and the changing nature of San Diego politics. Then they talk about housing and homelessness, how his bill package went on a diet, and how funding for mental health services can be better spent. They finish with the Assemblymember explaining how his time in Sacramento will help him become a more effective Mayor of San Diego, and his worries about the continued spread of the coronavirus.  Then, we were happy to welcome Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. She and Jarhett discuss her work to keep constituents informed during the pandemic, leading the charge antibody testing, that testing is the only way to reopen safely. Then they discuss her limited bill package, the need for more security in online charitable giving, how to responsibly regulate guns with GRVO, and her bill to get those with a mental health crisis help more quickly. Finally they discuss police reform, crisis intervention, and de-escalation, and the challenges going forward toward school reopening and equity for all students. Add us on Twitter and Facebook

#131 - Assemblymembers Todd Gloria & Jacqui Irwin

Today we have a special live in studio conversation edition of SacTown Talks with Assemblymembers Heath Flora and Jim Cooper. The discussion points include changing law enforcement, overcriminalization, next tier solutions such as after school programs and early childhood education, ACA 5, discussing the political process and how bills develop or devolve supports, the Central Valley, water rights, housing in California, and how to raise revenue during the pandemicAdd us on Twitter and Facebook

#130 Assemblymembers Jim Cooper and Heath Flora

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