This episode of SacTown Talks features a detailed conversation with Senator Bill Dodd, covering his decade-long political career, contributions, and views on various issues affecting California. Senator Dodd discusses his transition from business to politics, his achievements including the passage of over a hundred bills, and his work on wildfire management, education, and community safety. He also shares insights into the challenges of maintaining a strong legislative staff, navigating the budget deficit, the significance of community colleges, and the importance of addressing the state's insurance and homelessness crisis. The senator reflects on the impact of term limits, the shifting dynamics in the Senate and Assembly, and his commitment to legislative oversight and community wellbeing in his final year in office.

This Episode was record on 5/1/24

00:00 Welcome to SACTown Talks: A Dive into California Politics

02:22 Senator Bill Dodd's Journey: From Business to Politics

06:03 Tackling Wildfires: Legislative Efforts and Achievements

10:01 Facing California's Budget Deficit: A Legislative Perspective

12:18 Championing Community Colleges: A Personal and Political Mission

14:14 Addressing Police Staffing Challenges in Vallejo

18:29 Navigating Committee Season: Legislative Package and Challenges

19:52 Focusing on Student Success and Charter Schools

20:24 Navigating Legislative Processes and Charter School Concerns

21:17 International Relations: Sister State Relationships and Ukraine

22:35 Reflections on Senate vs. Assembly Roles

24:09 Term Limits and Legislative Experience

26:02 Approaching Legislation with a New Perspective

29:16 Innovations in Restaurant and Hospitality Legislation

30:59 Adapting to Post-COVID Legislative Dynamics

33:30 Oversight and Accountability in Legislation

34:16 Addressing Homelessness and Insurance Challenges

39:38 Personal Insights: Commuting and Podcasts

41:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Goals

This episode of SacTown Talks features an engaging conversation with Damola Ogundipe, co-founder and CEO of Plural, a company dedicated to improving the analysis of public policy documents through technology. Damola discusses the inception of Plural, its focus on utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate the understanding and tracking of legislation and regulations across all 50 U.S. states. The discussion covers Plural's journey from raising venture capital to developing AI-driven features that precede the ChatGPT explosion, highlighting the importance of AI in legislative tracking. Damola details the challenges of catering to different jurisdictions, Plural's emphasis on collaboration in public policy, and the significant impact of early investor and customer support from major organizations. The conversation also explores the future of AI in policy analysis, the strategies behind Plural's growth, the importance of a free version for public access, and Plural's unique data acquisition methods, concluding with Damola's basketball musings.

This Episode was record on 4/17/24

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!

00:00 Welcome to SacTown Talks: Introducing Damola Ogundipe

00:24 The Genesis of Plural: Revolutionizing Legislative Tracking

02:36 The Power of AI in Public Policy Analysis

07:12 Expanding Horizons: Plural's Nationwide Coverage and Challenges

09:06 The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Idea to Innovation

13:24 Building a Diverse and Dynamic Team at Plural

14:52 Looking Ahead: The Future of Plural and Policy Tracking

18:17 The Importance of Accessibility in Public Policy Information

21:44 The Challenge of Creating a Standout Tech Product

24:35 Plural's Unique Approach to Legislative Tracking

27:04 How to Connect with Plural and Final Thoughts

This episode of SacTown Talks features Anne McLeod from the Private Essential Access Community Hospitals (PEACH) discussing the role and challenges of safety net hospitals in California. The state has about 440 hospitals, with roughly 90 designated as safety net hospitals serving vulnerable populations. These hospitals fill the gap in healthcare coverage in regions not served by the sparse public hospitals. Despite the critical services they provide, safety net hospitals face financial difficulties, with many operating at a loss due to inadequate Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, among other challenges. The discussion also touches on the impacts of COVID-19, hospital funding, the conception of a state definition for safety net hospitals, and the potential steps forward to address the system's sustainability.

This episode was recorded on 4/16/2024

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!

00:00 Welcome to SACTown Talks: A Deep Dive into Peach Hospitals

00:29 Understanding Peach Hospitals: The Safety Net for Vulnerable Populations

03:37 The Landscape of California's Hospitals: Ownership, Mission, and Challenges

06:27 The Impact of COVID-19 on Community Safety Net Hospitals

13:05 Financial Struggles and the Future of Safety Net Hospitals

24:50 Addressing Homelessness and Healthcare Inequity

29:13 The Complex Economics of Hospital Funding in California

31:32 Exploring the Financial Dynamics of Healthcare

32:07 The Complexities of Hospital Funding During COVID

32:30 Debating the Viability of Single Payer Healthcare

33:44 The Challenge of Equitable Healthcare Financing

34:15 Learning from Other States: A Comparative Approach

34:43 Innovative Funding and Regional Healthcare Solutions

41:21 Navigating Hospital Costs and Pricing Mysteries

45:33 From Banking to Healthcare: A CEO's Journey

47:55 Policy Making and Advocacy in Healthcare

54:28 Strategic Initiatives for Hospital Sustainability

57:44 Navigating Legislative Challenges in Healthcare

58:59 Looking Ahead: Potential Solutions and Voter Engagement

59:25 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

In this episode of SacTown Talks, Chris Micheli, a seasoned Attorney, Lobbyist, Author, & Professor shares insights into his move back to solo practice, his writing process for books and manuals aimed at simplifying complex legislative and lobbying processes, and his observations on changes in legislative activities and office dynamics post-COVID. Chris Micheli, who has penned multiple practical guides and is preparing for the publication of a revised lobbying manual, discusses the importance of being present in the Capitol to stay informed and influence effectively. The conversation also touches upon his teaching endeavors, the evolution of lobbying techniques, and how technology has altered legislative interactions. Finally, Micheli encourages listeners to engage with him on social media for educational content.

This episode was recorded on 4/12/2024

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!

00:00 Welcome to SacTown Talks: A Sunny Day in Sacramento

00:41 Diving into Chris Michelii's Literary World

02:44 The Transition to Solo Practice and Office Moves

05:16 Navigating the Legislative Landscape: AI, Budgets, and Hot Topics

07:01 The Impact of Homelessness Funding and Budget Surpluses

11:08 A Deep Dive into Legislative Data and Writing Process

15:32 The Art of Writing: From Inspiration to Publication

20:27 Navigating the Complexities of Case Books

21:05 The Role of AI in Legal Analysis and Education

21:47 Teaching Law in the Digital Age

21:52 Insights into California's Legislative Process

24:18 The Evolution of Legislative Practices

32:32 Challenges and Strategies in Lobbying

36:42 Adapting to Technological Changes in Lawmaking

40:02 Connecting and Learning in the Digital Era

Today we welcome Adam Probolsky, a renowned pollster from Probolsky Research, discusses the recent election outcomes, voter sentiments, and the apparent disconnect between Californian policymakers' progressivism and the electorate's views.

This episode was recorded on 4/10/2024

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!

00:00 Exploring the Disconnect in California's Political Landscape

00:45 Welcome Back to SacTown Talks with Adam Probolsky

01:00 Analyzing California's Election Surprises and Voter Sentiments

01:47 The Public's Disconnect with Progressive Policies and Homelessness Issues

03:56 Polling Insights: Californians' Views on Taxes, Housing, and Desalination

06:53 Election Trends and the Impact of Voter Turnout Models

14:07 The Role of Negative Campaigning and Voter Perception

19:22 Adapting Polling Strategies to Reach Diverse Voter Demographics

28:30 Comparing California's Unique Challenges to Other States

30:23 Deep Dive into Community Sentiments and Polling Techniques

32:12 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Today we welcome Adam Kovacevich, CEO and founder of the Chamber of Progress. We discuss the founding of the Chamber of Progress, the evolution of tech policy, the potential of autonomous vehicles, safety concerns, employment impact, the future of AV technology and more.

This episode was recorded 3/26/2024

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 Nick Warner of Nick Warner Consulting. After 30 years of experience in lobbying, Warner is a dedicated business coach, and hosts his own podcast 'Together at the Top'. We discuss the value of mentorship, meaningful client connections, the significance of personal development, podcasting for businesses and more.

This episode was recorded 3/19/2024

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 Chris Ward. Ward represents AD78, serves as Chair of the Assembly Housing, the Community Development Committee, as well as the Select Committee on Biotechnology. We discuss housing affordability, homelessness, utility pricing, elder scams and more.

This episode was recorded 3/13/2024

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 Alex Lee. Lee represents Assembly District 24 and currently serves as Chair of the Committee on Human Services, the Select Committee on Social Housing, and the Legislative Progressive Caucus. We discuss voter enthusiasm, LGBTQ+ rights, tax policies and more.

This episode was recorded 3/7/2024

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 Aaron Vad, Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Connolly. Vad is one of the youngest staffers to hold a Chief of Staff position. We discuss Aaron's journey in politics, the challenges and rewards of working in the Capitol, the importance of communication and networking, and more.

This episode was recorded 3/5/2024

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 Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Aguiar-Curry represents the 4th California Assembly District. We discuss local housing, public infrastructure, mental health, supporting families and more.

This episode was recorded 2/22/2024

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!