Women's History Month has passed, but the discussions continue, and the State Senate's new Majority Leader, Senator Lena Gonzalez, shares her viewpoints on the growing number of women in elected office and in the work force, pay disparity & 'occupational segregation,' reproductive rights...and seeing the movie "Barbie!"

In this wide-ranging podcast conversation, Senator Caroline Menjivar explains how she is starting her second year in office feeling 'way more confident' - while helping tackle a sobering state budget deficit, introducing a 21-bill policy package focused on issues important to her San Fernando Valley district, pushing back against culture wars that threaten LGBTQ+ youth, and navigating life as a lesbian lawmaker, daughter and military veteran. 

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"If you're a former foster youth, there should be no barrier to your success in college..." Senator Angelique Ashby & Cody Van Felden, a former foster youth and now-advocate, discuss SB 307, the 'College For Foster Youth Act,' which was signed into law in 2023 by Governor Newsom. SB 307 secures $25 million in ongoing annual funding to make debt-free college a reality for California's foster youth. Cody also shares her personal story of struggles and aspirations as a former foster youth and explains how SB 307 will be a game-changer for young people in the foster care system who want to go to college but have limited financial resources and support.

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In honor of Black History Month 2024, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas celebrates the memory of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, and explains how her courageous actions that helped launch the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott in 1955 placed her front and center at the nexus of the ongoing fight for racial and gender equality.

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State Senator Ben Allen & Los Angeles Times Environmental Reporter Rosanna Xia - author of the book "California Against the Sea - Visions for Our Changing Coastline" - join together in a conversation about how our state is confronting the environmental and political challenges related to sea level rise, and the lessons our coastal communities are learning about our rising oceans in this ongoing era of climate disruption. 

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"I always want it to be a positive journey," says Senator Aisha Wahab, and in this podcast conversation, the freshman lawmaker from CA's East Bay looks back on an eventful past year in office, the fate and future of her 'Caste' bill, her passion for restorative justice, housing & economic priorities in her 10th district...and plans for 2024.

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State Senator Bill Dodd shares his perspective on California's leading role in encouraging A.I. innovation and creativity...while also prioritizing individual privacy and 1st amendment rights.

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Despite continued grim climate change forecasts, California continues to be a global leader on climate solutions, and State Senator Josh Becker updates us on our state's continued success in 'getting to zero' greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating our transition to 100% clean energy.

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The California Reparations Task Force has released its report on how our state can begin to repair the damage of slavery and racism. Senator Steven Bradford & Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas assess the details of the report, and discuss the anticipated next steps for addressing the impact of America's 'original sin.'

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She's a former 3-term city mayor, a journalist, and is passionate about transportation issues, the environment, addressing homelessness, and tackling gun violence. Meet newly-elected State Senator Catherine Blakespear!

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When it comes to gun safety, California is a safer state than others, and our gun laws work in concert with each other. Senator Anthony Portantino joins us to talk about the ongoing effort to protect Californians from gun violence and his current gun safety legislation.

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