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PODCAST

Capitol Weekly Podcast

The Capitol Weekly Podcast covers California politics and public policy, and features interviews with elected officials, staffers, advocates, analysts, newsmakers, and even, -gasp- journalists. Listen at Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, or at capitolweekly.net

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All Episodes

00:37:26

A chat with Leah Barros of Barros Clay & Associates

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/10/27

Today we welcome lobbyist Leah Barros of Barros Clay and Associates. Barros is a familiar face in Sacramento, having worked in the Capitol as a staffer and later as a lobbyist for various firms before launching her own shop. Among her notable wins was leading the lobbying effort to enact The CROWN Act, the first statewide law in the country to prohibit racial discrimination on the basis of natural hairstyles in the workplace and schools. That experience changed her perception of what she could - and

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01:01:27

Special Episode: A Debate on Proposition 50

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/10/20

On October 14, 2025, Capitol Weekly, CalMatters, and the University of California Student and Policy Center presented California Votes: Proposition 50 - Should Californians support mid-decade redistricting?Proposition 50 would require California to use new congressional district maps through 2030. Use of independent Citizens Redistricting Commission maps would resume after that date.Governor Newsom and Democrats in the legislature argue that the “Election Rigging Response Act” is a temporary,

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00:44:30

A chat with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/10/13

We're joined today by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. The Treasurer is the state's banker and manages $3 trillion per year, among many other things. Ma is a former San Francisco Supervisor, state legislator and member of the Board of Equalization, and a current candidate for Lieutenant Governor. She spoke with us about the Treasurer's job, her path to that office, and about her mentor, the legendary John Burton. :21 Proposition 50 debate2:12 Lindsey Horvath and Measure G6:20 Fiona Ma7:09 What

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00:53:50

Special Episode: Health Care - Interview with Dr. S....

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/10/06

Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center presented A Conference on Health Care on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in Sacramento.In today's episode we present the Keynote: A conversation between Dr. S. Monica Soni of Covered California and Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen.California is reeling from devastating federal budget cuts to health care and social services while state leaders grapple with shortfalls in our own Budget. Whatever happens in DC and Sacramento,

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00:53:12

Nonprofits, puppy mills, a "giant mess" and more,...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/09/29

Host Rich Ehisen is back from the wilderness, just in time to welcome lobbyist Jennifer Fearing. Fearing is perhaps California's best known "White Hat" lobbyist - she largely represents animal rights orgs, environmental groups and other nonprofits - and is recognized for punching above her weight. High on her priority list this session were three bills that would curtail "puppy mill" sales in the state; SB 312, AB 519 and AB 506 have passed the legislature and are currently waiting on the

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00:22:13

A quick hit: Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics?

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/09/22

Host Rich Ehisen is on vacation, so original CW Podcast Host John Howard joins Tim Foster in the studio to chat about the news and his life post-Capitol Weekly. We also look at a laundry list of Worst Week candidates including a politician who was unceremoniously booted from office, a California company facing a political backlash, a news organization reminded once again of their past malfeasance, and many more.:43 John Howard1:16 A book on California highways3:57 A visit with the press corp6:27

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00:49:58

Ancient history (and much, much more) with Mike Gatto

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/09/15

Author, podcaster, gadfly and former Assemblymember Mike Gatto joins us to talk about the state of politics, Roman history, and the experience of being a crime victim... plus so much more.1:45 AB 3252:43 Governor's approval rating4:25 Who's in/Who's out for 26 Gov's race5:34 Mike Gatto7:30 "Courage begets courage"10:16 The diminished power of the legislature13:16 Roman history allegory14:55 Redistricting18:49 Democrats are just reacting to Trump20:01 Dems need to stand for something23:54 National

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00:41:28

Tim Storey of the National Conference of State...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/09/08

The National Conference of State Legislatures was created by state legislators and legislative staff in 1975. NCSL serves America’s 50 states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia with access to bipartisan policy research, training resources and technical assistance and hosts the annual NCSL Legislative Summit, the largest policy meeting in the US. We're joined today by Tim Storey, who has headed the organization since 2019. We asked him what the 'hot' topics were at this year's

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00:47:06

A chat with incoming Assembly Minority Leader Heath...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/09/01

We're joined by Assembly Minority Leader-Elect Heath Flora, who will take over as head of the lower house's Republican caucus later this month, succeeding Asm. James Gallagher. The collegial, no-drama GOP leadership transition stood in stark contrast to the last two Dem leadership fights - owing at least in part to Flora's reputation as one of the most well-liked members of the legislature. A straight-talking member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Flora had compliments for colleagues on both sides of

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01:09:53

Talking Top 100 with Marisa Lagos

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/08/27

Last night we published the 17th edition of Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 – our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. We look at the mostlybehind the scenes players who influence policy, elections and governance, including Capitol staff, lobbyists, Agency staff, donors, business leaders, activists, Labor leaders – and even journalists.Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by KQED's Marisa Lagos, co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast and radio show. Lagos has

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00:42:30

Mapmaker Paul Mitchell on California's emergency...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/08/15

Governor Newsom and Democratic allies announced Thursday that they will propose a constitutional amendment — The Election Rigging Response Act — to counter Texas and other Red states' mid-decade redistricting plans. Framing the proposal as a response to GOP efforts to Gerrymander and "rig" Texas’ elections next year in order to protect Republican control of congress, the proposal would replace California's current congressional district maps with new maps to be used in the 2026, 2028 and 2030

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00:43:45

On the Campaign Trail with Kevin Liao

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/08/11

We're joined today by Kevin Liao of Frontrunner Strategies. Liao spent over four years as Press Secretary and Communications Director for former Speaker Anthony Rendon, before moving on to national campaign work. He was on first Elizabeth Warren and then Joe Biden's 2020 campaign teams, and handled comms for Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz as she barnstormed the Midwest for the Harris-Walz ticket in 2024. He shares stories from the road - and tells what advice he'd give any other California

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00:52:24

Talking Solar and Alternative Energy with Brad...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/08/04

Another jam-packed episode. We start with reaction to Kamala Harris' bombshell announcement that she will not seek the governorship in 2026, effectively resetting the race, at least on the Dem side. Next up, we welcome Brad Heavner who has stepped into big shoes as Executive Director of The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA), replacing longtime ED Bernadette Del Chiaro. Heavner has his job cut out for him; the transition comes at a crucial time for California's solar industry, with

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00:38:08

Twenty years at Capitol Weekly - Plus, Frank Torres...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/07/28

We've got a jam-packed episode this week: Podcast cohost Tim Foster marks TWENTY years at Capitol Weekly. Then we speak with Frank Torres, the new Director of Political and Legislative Advocacy for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. Finally, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics, and for the first time ever, the #WWCA 'winner' is not human!:54 What's on Capitol Weekly2:50 Twenty years at Capitol Weekly!4:28 A California version of

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00:32:12

A chat with Jennifer Pierre of the State Water...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/07/21

We won't use that old Mark Twain quote (that he probably never wrote anyway) but fighting over water has been California's favorite pastime for at least 175 years. If you think norcal/socal baseball rivalries are bitter - try the socal vs. Delta water wars. One of the people tasked with managing that aqua drama is Jennifer Pierre, General Manager for the State Water Contractors – a statewide, non-profit association of the public water agencies that contract with the Department of Water Resources to

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00:50:40

Senator Scott Wiener: California and AI

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/07/14

On July 8, Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center presented California and AI, a daylong look at the Golden State's approach to regulating Artificial Intelligence. California is a global leader in AI technology and lawmakers in Sacramento are tasked with creating legislation and regulations that will help the state maintain leadership in this emerging industry, while creating guardrails that protect Californians. Legislators have introduced over 30 AI-related bills

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00:38:46

A chat with Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/07/07

We're joined today by Christina Snider-Ashtari, Tribal Affairs Secretary to Governor Gavin Newsom and head of the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs. Snider-Ashtari was first appointed to the position in 2018 by Governor Brown and previously served as Executive Secretary of the California Native American Heritage Commission. We spoke to her about both governors' approaches to Tribal policy, about the California Truth & Healing Council, and about the deep Native history on Alcatraz, which President

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00:48:34

Chris Lehane: The promise of AI

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/06/30

Chris Lehane has a solid gold resume in professional politics: consultant and oppo research in the Clinton White House, Press Secretary to VP Al Gore, and the source of the report on the "vast right wing conspiracy" so infamously cited by Hillary Clinton. Lehane also handles a wide array of corporate, Labor, entertainment and sports clients. Until recently he was Head of Global Policy and Public Affairs for Airbnb, and since 2024 has been VP of Global Affairs and a member of the executive team at

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00:33:18

A chat with Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/06/23

Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares was elected to the California State Assembly in 2020 and served for two years, narrowly losing a reelection bid for the newly drawn 40th Assembly district, then winning a seat in the Senate in 2024. In the Assembly, Valladares was a founding member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. She also serves as the Minority Whip - the first Senate Republican Whip in some time, a reflection of the GOP's increased presence in the body. She spoke with us about

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00:48:19

Lance Hastings: California Manufacturing and the...

Capitol Weekly Podcast ·

2025/06/16

Founded in 1918, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association promotes policies designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Today, CMTA represents 400 manufacturing businesses in California, which is the largest manufacturing state in the country. Heading up that operation is Lance Hastings, who began his career as a capitol staffer and has a long history with California trade associations. Hastings probably thought that the COVID pandemic would be the biggest disruptor of the

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430 results

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