SacTown Talks by The Nooner W/ Scott Lay

Today we welcome to the program Roger Salazar, President of ALZA Strategies. Salazar is known for his work in the White House under the Clinton Administration, working on the 2000 Gore campaign and as campaign press secretary for former California Governor Gray Davis. We discuss Salazar's journey to politics, experience in the White House, crisis communication, and more. This episode was recorded on 11/28/2023 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 more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Devon Mathis. Mathis represents Assembly District 33 and previously served as Sergeant for the Army National Guard for nearly ten years, with two combat tours in Iraq. We discuss Mathis' career, path to politics, the opioid crisis, helping veterans and more. This episode was recorded on 11/09/2023 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 more!

Today we welcome to the program regulatory expert, activist,  and former President of the California PUC, Loretta Lynch. We discuss Lynch's career, the rising cost of utilities, AB 205 and more!This episode was recorded 11/08/2023SacTown 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 more!

Today we welcome back Principal Clerk II/Reading Clerk, David Bowman. We reflect on the year, David's 15 years in the Capitol, dive into the staffers perspective and more.This episode was recorded on 10/24/2023SacTown 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 more!

Today we welcome back Russell Lowery of High View Strategies. Lowery is an expert in digital communication and political bridge building. We discuss effective lobbying, digital communication strategy, social media success and more.(01:11) High View Strategies update (07:49) Using social media to your advantage(13:49) Communication and social media strategy (22:31) How to successfully reach a member and digital ads(31:48) Regulatory work vs. legislative work This episode was recorded on 10/10/2023 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 more!

Today we welcome back California water expert, Alexandra Biering, of California Farm Bureau. Here Biering provides us with an update on California water, discusses the water year, flood protection, water rights and more.(03:49) Melting snow and how it affects reservoirs (11:00) Why we can expect more and more flooding this year(14:26) California water rights(22:18) CA agriculture and the water bond(32:56) Union workers, farm workers, and funding(39:45) End of session, important water billsThis episode was recorded on 10/03/2023.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 more!

Today we welcome back to the program Senator Dave Min. Min represents Senate District 37 and  serves as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, which has jurisdiction over the state’s environmental stewardship. We discuss Min's legislative priorities, the environment, biodiversity, homelessness and more.  This episode was recorded on 10/02/2023SacTown 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 more!

Today we welcome to the program Steve Cruz of Cruz Strategies. Cruz has over 20 years of legislative and political experience having worked on behalf of a multitude of interests, both public and private, before the California State Legislature and various state agencies. We discuss Cruz's journey to politics, housing, effective lobbying, and more.(07:09) Becoming a lobbyist in Sacramento(16:37) Pursuing homebuilding and development(23:30) Successful business development for lobbying(27:44) How can we build more homes?(36:06) Steve’s interest in low riding cars This episode was recorded on 09/27/2023 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 more!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo. Schiavo represents Assembly District 40 and previously was a small business owner and nurse advocate who worked in the labor movement for more than 20 years. We Schiavo's legislative priorities, housing, homelessness, healthcare, and more.(03:58) The issue with healthcare and insurance(09:23) Schiavo’s background, making it to Sacramento(21:04) Schiavo’s bill package and focuses(24:12) Electric roads bill(31:26) Affordable housingThis episode was recorded on 09/21/2023SacTown 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 more!

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 care youthThis episode was recorded on 09/19/2023 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 more!

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+MicheliThis episode was recorded on 09/15/2023SacTown 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 more!

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 experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

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 suspense This episode was recorded on 08/31/2023SacTown 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 more!

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 California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!(01:35) Zbur’s path from law to politics(09:47) Being gay before strides in the LGBTQ movement(17:07) Talking environmental law(23:51) Zbur’s motivation for running for Assembly(28:26) LGBTQ rights and states with anti-LGBTQ views(37:41) AD51 priorities

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 with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

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 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 more!

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 07/20/2023 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 more!

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 07/12/2023SacTown 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 more!(06:04) Pellerin’s work with historical members and transitioning to Santa Cruz(10:15) Voting technology and the future of voting(15:13) Marrying couples as County Clerk during COVID(20:49) ACA5 and the right to marry(23:04) Talking mental health care and addressing homelessness (28:06) Pellerin’s bill package

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, water, housing and more.  This episode was recorded on 07/3/2023SacTown 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 more!(05:26) Talking Bay Area Caucus, speaker change, and leadership(10:14) Hospitals and healthcare in the Central Valley(18:05) Water quality issues in the Central Valley(21:00) Budget goals and accomplishments(27:51) Talking fentanyl and related bills

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 06/30/2023 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 more!(06:33) The current state of water in CA and affordability (14:12) Is California tap water safe to drink?(21:15) Water conservation and environmental regulations(29:33) Wasting money on vended and bottled water(38:18) Talking water storage