State Senator Lena Gonzalez reacts to the recently-enacted, controversial Texas abortion law and its potential to further threaten women's reproductive rights across the country...and highlights her ongoing legislative efforts to ensure California remains a strong, reproductive freedom state. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Then There's California

"Women have just about HAD it..." / Senator Lena Gonzalez & the Fight for Reproductive Freedom

Izabella Vasquez, a senior at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, recently joined her state senator, Melissa Hurtado, for a day at the Capitol! Izabella talks about her ambitions as a future leader, how young people in the valley are coping with economic, environmental and social challenges, and the work she does to support her peers and their farmworking families. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

“Our spirits are very much alike…” / Senator Melissa Hurtado & Central Valley High School Senior Izabella Vasquez

Law School Professor-turned-freshman State Senator, Dave Min (D-Irvine), discusses his pre-legislative career & family background, the continued struggle against anti-Asian-American violence and racism...and explains how a collective philosophy of long-term investment in the future can help California and America. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Senator Dave Min / “If we want to continue being prosperous, we have to continue embracing diversity & inclusivity”

Central Valley Senator Melissa Hurtado reminds us that hunger knows no border, no race and no nationality, and explains how her 'Comida Para Todos (Food For All) Act' will provide greater food security to low-income immigrant workers in California. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Comida Para Todos - "The Human Right to Food" / Senator Melissa Hurtado

Kingsburg, CA City Councilmember Jewel Hurtado and State Senator Anna Caballero discuss how a Pride Month resolution and a request by Councilmember Hurtado to fly the rainbow flag in Kingsburg prompted intense and caustic debate within the city, and on-going civic and personal soul-searching  - even statewide - about the acceptance of diverse individuals and communities. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

That Night in Kingsburg / Senator Anna Caballero & Kingsburg City Councilmember Jewel Hurtado

Senator Bob Archuleta, a military veteran and Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, talks about how 4th of July fireworks can trigger anxiety in military veterans, and how those veterans and their families can ease the anticipated tension and still celebrate a holiday that honors their service to our country, Senator Archuleta is joined in this discussion by two distinguished California military veterans: George Dixon, Supervisor, Veterans Services Office, County of Los Angeles Larry Vasquez, Director, Office of Military & Veterans Affairs, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

Fireworks & Military Veterans - "It's going to trigger memories..." / Senator Bob Archuleta

From growing up in a mixed-race family in Chicago...to becoming the only African-American female lawmaker in the California State Senate, LA Senator Sydney Kamlager talks about life, legislating, fighting for social injustice...and compelling the world to listen to the voices of women of color. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!

Senator Sydney Kamlager / "We have a responsibility to use our voice..."

June is Pride Month…and on this episode, State Senate Leader Toni G. Atkins shares her enthusiasm about Pride 2021, reflects on her memories of past Pride celebrations, and talks about her coming-of-age and ‘coming out’ experiences as a young college student in conservative Virginia in the early 80’s. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this episode!  

CA Senate Leader Toni G. Atkins, and a 'Joyful' Pride 2021

California's Senator Majority Leader Robert Hertzberg uses the movie "The Princess Bride" as a metaphor for explaining how Californians are not always handed the perfect tools for dealing with the state's challenges, including housing, homelessness and drought, but "..we have to use what we got, and figure it out." Click here for a closed-captioned version of the audio!

"A Cloak & A Wheelbarrow" / Senator Bob Hertzberg, on the Tools for Restoring CA

Senator Bob Wieckowski reminds us that CA ranks third to last in bottle recycling redemption rates among bottle deposit states, and he discusses his ongoing effort to transform our state's broken bottle recycling system with SB 38, which would make CA's bottle recycling process more consumer-friendly. Click here if you would like to access a closed-captioned version of this episode!

“We’re in a world of hurt, as far as recycling goes…” / Senator Bob Wieckowski and CA’s Bottle Bill

State Senator Susan Eggman of Stockton has found a heart for the art of baking bread, and loves to share her homemade loaves with legislative colleagues and friends! On this episode, Senator Eggman, a trained hospice social worker, also talks about life, and death, and reminds us that, even as with baking bread...for everything there is a season. Please click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

“You have to find your rhythm, and pay attention to details…” / Senator Susan Eggman, on bread baking & bill making

Freshman State Senator Dave Cortese is following the path of his father, former Assemblyman Dominic Cortese, in becoming a Silicon Valley lawmaker, but he has his own, unique legislative priorities and goals for navigating a 21st century California. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this podcast!

State Senator Dave Cortese / "I'd like to come away from this experience hearing people say even a small percentage of what i hear about my dad..."

On our 50TH podcast episode, Santa Barbara State Senator Monique Limon recalls growing up amidst the environmental awareness image of the coastal district she currently represents, and talks about co-authoring SB 467, which would ban hydraulic 'fracking' in CA by the year 2027. Click here for closed-captioned version of this audio!

"It's important to have a legislative conversation on fracking..." / Senator Monique Limón & SB 467

LA Senator Anthony Portantino talks about the violence, oppression and hate crimes that have impacted the diverse communities in his 25th senate district, how COVID has affected the mental health of students as well as the public at-large...and the societal and environmental issues that we still need to confront, post-pandemic. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio!

"We have to stand by one another, we have to love one another." / Senator Anthony Portantino

State Senator Bill Dodd, along with two water equity and affordability advocates, discusses his legislation that would protect Californians from 'water debt' - ensuring protections for all ratepayers who are struggling to afford access to safe, reliable drinking water, especially during the COVID pandemic. Click here for a closed-captioned version of this audio!

Senator Bill Dodd / SB 222 & SB 223 - Water Equity & Accessibility

‘Then There’s California' is a dynamic, new podcast featuring members of the California State Senate Democratic Caucus discussing legislative priorities, policy and other related issues that make California...Exceptional!