SacTown Talks by The Nooner W/ Scott Lay

Today we welcome Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jacskon. Jackson is doctor of social work and now represents Assembly District 60. We discuss childcare, youth development, equal rights, the mental health crisis 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 more!(02:08) Dr. Jackson’s journey to where he is now(08:03) Youth development and preventing homelessness(12:57) Being Head of Human Services and budget goals(19:22) Talking Jackson’s bills and focuses (24:37) Affordable housing and AB 11

Today we welcome Senior Vice President and Head of Global Public Affairs for East West Bank, Travis Kiyota. We discuss Kiyota's career, public policy, government relations, ending API hate 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 more!(01:19) Kiyota’s start in politics and government relations (06:02) Global dynamics and Kiyota’s focus with East West Bank (11:35) Dual roles with East West Bank (13:23) Addressing API hate (17:32) Expert networking and hiring staff

Today we welcome back Government Affairs and Communications Manager for Friant Water Authority, Alexandra Biering. In this episode, Biering provides us with an update on California water. We discuss California's water cycle, the drought, water delivery systems 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 more!(03:41) Are we still in a drought?(12:25) Dams, snow pack, and managing groundwater storage(22:17) Who owns our water? (29:05) Losing water during wet years and flood management(35:43) Recharging groundwater. How does that work?(43:07) Comparing California’s water systems with other countries, ways to improve (50:06) Talking water bonds and the politics behind it

Today we welcome Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. Irwin represents Assembly District 42. We discuss the improvements in education, community colleges, digital upskilling, 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. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!(02:02) Front of mind issues in District 42(12:53) Education and community college improvements(18:17) Housing issues in Ventura County(20:47) Talking digital upskilling(26:27) Tech issues and training software engineers (32:17) Keeping the public safe in Thousand Oaks

Today we welcome Assemblymember Luz Rivas. Rivas represents Assembly District 43. We discuss the importance of education, computer science, climate change, priorities for 2023, 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 more!(03:23) 2023 budget priorities (08:15) Being chair of natural resources(12:10) Talking energy and competing agendas (16:55) Prioritizing climate change and how we should invest(24:20) Computer science and climate change education

Today we welcome newly elected Assemblymember Damon Connolly. Connolly represents Assembly District 12. We discuss climate change, housing, bringing a fresh perspective to AD12, 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 more!(02:39) Talking AD12 and housing in Marin County(07:16) Connolly’s journey into politics(14:02) Climate change policy and clean energy(21:26) Wildfire prevention and preparation

Today we welcome Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva. Quirk-Silva represents Assembly District 65. We discuss how we can improve education, housing, veteran support, 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 more!(02:49) Getting elected in orange county, harvesting ballots(09:00) Special session on windfall oil profits(13:31) What needs to be done to improve housing? (19:18) Education funding (27:04) Working for veteran support

Today we welcome newly elected Assemblymember Joe Patterson. Patterson represents Assembly District 05. We discuss clean energy, electric vehicles, public safety, narcan in schools 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 more!(09:16) California quality of life and affordability(13:28) Patterson’s origin story(21:54) District priorities by county(28:20) Oil and the transition to clean energy(31:15) Patterson’s fentanyl bills (41:15) Patterson’s budget priorities

Today we welcome Beau Kilmer, McCauley Chair in Drug Policy Innovation for RAND Corporation. We discuss the problems with fentanyl, losing your license to drink, common trends with drugs, policy issues 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 more!(01:09) What is RAND? (07:04) Research on supervised consumption sites(16:58) The fentanyl crisis (25:51) Finding solutions, what can be done?(32:34) Alcohol and losing your license to drink(40:01) Reducing drunk driving, and other consumption (50:09) What policies actually work?

Today we welcome Floor Director Brian Ebbert. Ebbert is also a registered Parliamentarian and former Asst Chief Clerk. We discuss Ebbert's role in the legislative process, the unwritten history of the legislature, what's changed in his 31 years here 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 more!(11:43) What’s changed in Ebberts time on the floor?(15:38) Becoming a registered Parliamentarian(25:04) Comparing Ebbert’s roles and responsibilities(35:02) Most memorable floor moments(43:29) Delivering bills and bill processes

Today we welcome Senator Melissa Hurtado. Hurtado represents Senate District 16. We discuss water shortage, food scarcity, agriculture and other issues that pertain to the central valley. 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!(03:22) What’s top of mind in SD16?(08:04) New technology to help water shortage(12:28) Bringing agriculture to the forefront of CA issues(17:50) Fixing infrastructure and canals to save water

Today we welcome former Assemblymember Mike Gatto, representing Los Angeles. We discuss affordable housing, development, leadership battles, 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 more!(02:36) State of housing in LA since Newsom took over(09:05) What is in our control and what can be done?(19:10) Addressing homelessness(25:39) Leadership battles and incoming class(43:43) Housing prices and what the future holds

Today we welcome Senator Josh Newman. Newman represents Senate District 29. We discuss environmental protection, alternative fuel, elections, the democratic process, 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 more!(01:07) Newman’s path to becoming Senator(08:41) The bear suit story and effective political advertising(19:34) The Problem Solvers Caucus (23:50) Alternative fuel vehicles(30:28) Climate change and California’s impact(41:26) Fundamental democratic process and elections

Today we welcome Assemblymember Chris Holden. Holden represents Assembly District 41. We discuss civil rights, solitary confinement, the environment, our carbon footprint, 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 more!(01:30) Holden’s journey into Politics(12:30) LA politics and uniting communities(16:40) Civil rights and the Black Caucus(23:00) Fast Recovery Act and solitary confinement(32:35) Climate change and addressing our carbon footprint(42:35) California's issues moving forward

Today we welcome Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. McCarty represents Assembly District 07. We discuss issues in Sacramento such as homelessness, education, rising gas prices, 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 more!(04:06) How McCarty got his start in politics (11:38) Talking close election races(26:43) Addressing homelessness(30:21) Involvement in education(38:59) Special session and high gas prices

Today we welcome Assemblymember Heath Flora. Flora represents Assembly District 12. We discuss rising gas prices, combating wildfires, the problem solvers, elections 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 more!(01:57) High California gas prices(14:32) Combating wildfires(18:39) California water shortage(31:26) Becoming chief objector (35:07) Major legislative shift(42:10) Gaining Republican votes

Today we welcome Senator Scott Wiener. Wiener represents Senate District 11. We discuss affordable housing, public safety, transportation, legalizing psychedelics 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 more!(01:15) Strong year for housing(07:01) San Francisco COVID rebound(14:02) Transportation improvements(22:32) The importance of legalizing psychedelics

Today we welcome Principal Clerk II/Reading Clerk, David Bowman. We discuss the importance of preparation, mentorship, term limits, how he got started in the Capitol 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 more!(07:11) Preparing for floor session(12:08) Becoming Reading Clerk(25:38) Term limits and learning the rules(34:58) Visits from celebrities (52:54) Dressing the part(57:57) Importance of mentorship

Today we welcome Arnulfo De La Cruz, Executive Vice President of SEIU 2015. We discuss home care, fair wages, structural racism, the goals of SEIU, 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 more!(02:20) Different elements of home care(06:04) Union bills(09:54) The power and purpose of unions(14:45) SEIU union rankings(21:01) Structural racism

Today we welcome Lance Hastings, President and CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association. We discuss energy, legislative impact, solutions in manufacturing, 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 more!(06:06) Shortage of necessities (09:54) Affordable and reliable energy(16:57) Keeping business in California(22:21) Transportation method transition(29:50) Lance talks receiving his EMBA