It's a short week, so we've got a short episode for you. Rich and Tim look south for Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics.  We'll be back next week with a special end-of-year wrap up - don't miss!

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Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

Ranked Choice Voting had a bit of a "moment" in 2022, helping send Democrat Mary Peltola to congress in Alaska, and clearing a first-ballot hurdle for statewide acceptance in Nevada. This year, proponents of the RCV process got proposals on the ballot in four states (Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and the confirmation vote in NV), but ultimately found themselves on defense, losing all four, and also losing a Missouri ballot measure to ban the method from use in the state.  A measure to repeal RCV in Alaska failed by just 743 votes. Conversely, use of RCV continues to expand in cities and other localities. In Washington DC, a measure to introduce RCV passed with over 70% of the vote this year.

Our guest today, Josh Rosa, is on the Steering Committee of Better Ballot Sacramento, an organization promoting adoption of Ranked Choice Voting in Sacramento.  Rosa is a lecturer at Sacramento State and has a long history in the capitol community, including a stint in the Schwarzenegger administration. We chat about the various types of RCV and look at the pros and cons of the system.

Plus - Who had the Worst Week in California Politics?

Show Notes:

3:06 What is Ranked Choice Voting?

6:26 Benefits

10:29 Downsides

13:23 What is driving newfound opposition to RCV?

17:05 How does the Sacramento plan stack up?

20:02 Insights?

26:47 #WWCA

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Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

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CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference HEALTH CARE IN CALIFORNIA, which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, October 3, 2024

This is PANEL 3 – IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS

Panelists: Jess Bartholow, SEIU California; Michelle Cabrera, County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California; Beth Capell, Health Access California; Scott Graves, California Budget and Policy Center

Moderated by Kristen Hwang, Calmatters

Thanks to the sponsors of the event:

CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA; KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS

Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ 

Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

One of the many stories out of the 2024 election was President Trump's improved performance with voters of color. While voter data is still being analyzed, it is clear that the former and future president made significant inroads in 2024 with constituencies with whom he has historically lagged, notably Latinos. For a politician who based his first presidential campaign on a promise to build a wall between the US and Mexico and referring to Mexican immigrants as drug dealers, criminals and rapists, ANY improvement is a big shift.

But, that shift was not uniform: While a majority of Latino men favored Trump in November, three in five Latina voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris, rejecting Trump for the third time. Why the disparity between Latinas/Latinos, and could the Democrats have done more outreach to this crucial constituency?

Our guest today is Sonja Diaz, a civil rights attorney and former policy advisor to California Attorney General Kamala Harris, and Co-Founder of the Latina Futures 2050 Lab. Prior to starting the Latina Futures, 2050 Lab, Diaz co-founded and directed the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, the first comprehensive think tank within the University of California system dedicated to addressing the policy needs of the nation’s second-largest racial/ethnic group.

Plus, Who had the Worst Week in California Politics?

Show Notes:

1:13 The Latina Futures 2050 Lab

4:29 Policy advisor to AG Kamala Harris

6:17 Latinas make up 12% of all female voters

13:19 A deeper systematic problem?

15:25 "Persuadability exists in very narrow forms"

19:11 The Special Session

24:59 #WWCA

Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ 

Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

As her final term in the senate comes to an end, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman joined us to reflect on her twelve years in the state legislature. A self-described "pragmatic progressive," Eggman represents the 5th Senate District - San Joaquin County, parts of Stanislaus County and the Sacramento County community of Galt - areas which saw a significant Republican shift this year; San Joaquin County went to Trump in 2024.  We asked what she thought her party could do to speak to disaffected voters, what she saw as her successes from her time in office, and where she goes from here.

Plus, Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?

:40 How can Democrats do a better job of connecting with voters?

5:13 Messaging

9:25 "You can't let the base drive the conversation"

10:48 Disconnect on crime

12:22 "People will rise to the expectations we put on them"

15:44 The status of CA's mental health system

18:50 A look back and a look forward

20:41 The End of Life Act

21:49 Involuntary care

22:44 Right to Repair

26:01 #WWCA

Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ 

Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io

While most political junkies have their eyes on DC in the wake of Donald Trump's successful bid to return to the White House, we're looking south, where Los Angeles voters delivered a seismic shift to the region's politics, passing Measure G, which expands the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five members to nine, and Charter Amendment DD, which creates an independent redistricting commission for the city. Support for reform measures exploded after the 2022 release of "The Tape," a secret recording of council members Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon and LA County Labor Fed President Ron Herrera making racist and derisive comments about their colleagues and constituents, and planning a gerrymander of Nithya Raman's district in order to oust her. Two years after the release of the tape, de Leon was the only one of the four still in place, and on November 5, District 14 voters handed the former state senator his walking papers in favor of DSA candidate Ysabel Jurado, giving the Democratic Socialists a four seat bloc on the city council. We asked political consultant and California Target Book co-editor Robb Korinke to walk us through what just happened and what it all means.

Plus: Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?

2:01 Measure G

4:37 County Executive

5:52 What will the new districts look like?

9:30 Charter Amendment DD

11:48 KDL

15:38 Nithya Raman

16:15 Adrin Nazarian

17:02 George Gascon

19:20 Turnout

23:00 Incumbency

25:24 #WWCA

Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ 

Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang 

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On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.

We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.

In this episode we present The Keynote: THE NATIONAL PICTURE

The National Picture was recorded live at the UC Student and Policy Center, and featured a panel of expert voices from both sides of the aisle. The discussion shared insights into how the 2024 election will influence California’s policy and politics in 2025 and beyond.

Panelists: Mark Baldassare, Public Policy Institute of California; Marva Diaz, Marva Diaz Strategies; Thad Kousser, UC San Diego; Paul Mitchell, Political Data Intelligence; and Kristin Olsen-Cate, California Strategies.

Moderated by Laurel Rosenhall of the Los Angeles Times

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.

We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.

In this episode we present Panel 3: A LOOK AHEAD

What happens now? A Red Wave election threatened Dem super majorities in Sacramento and soundly rejected progressive crime policies across the state. And, the results of the presidential contest are more consequential than ever: President Trump will head back to the White House in January 2025 with promises to deport millions and punish his political enemies. Given this titanic political shift, what will be the big issues under Sacramento's capitol dome next year? And, what does it mean for the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026?

Panelists: Susannah Delano, Close the Gap California; Jon Fleischman, Fleischman Consulting Group; Jodi Hicks, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California; Evan McLaughlin, California Professional Firefighters; Roger Salazar, ALZA Strategies

Moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.

We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.

In this episode we present Panel 2: THE BALLOT INITIATIVES

California voters confronted a wide variety of themes on this year’s ballot - how did they vote on these important issues, and why?

Panelists: Brandon Castillo, Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs; Jeff Gozzo, Gozzo Strategy & Campaigns;  Susie Shannon, AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Becky Warren, Elevate Public Affairs

Moderated by Robin Epley of the Sacramento Bee

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center presented A Post-Mortem of the 2024 Election.

We gathered a score of experts for a timely and informative review of the November 5 election, providing analysis, opinions and insight. What happened inside the campaigns? Why? What happens next? Nearly two dozen California insiders will discuss the results of the election and provide a look-ahead at what it means for 2025.

In this episode we present Panel 1: FACE OF THE ELECTORATE

President Trump improved his numbers with independents, men, Muslims and Latinos; Will Republicans in tight House races see similar results? Also – a rundown on key California races – the battles for Congress and the Legislature. Who were the voters in 2024?

Panelists: Mike Madrid, author, The Latino Century; Courtni Pugh, Hilltop Public Solutions; Tim Rosales, The Rosales Agency; Michael Wagaman, Wagaman Strategies; Bill Wong, The Ronin Project.

Moderated by Christopher Cadelago of POLITICO

We have reached the end of the road - Election Day. After a years-long presidential campaign filled with twists, turns and surprises, we are at the deciding point: will the next president be former president Donald Trump, or Vice President Kamala Harris?  And, which party will control congress? Does the path to control of the House run through Orange County? What does all of this mean for California's 2026 gubernatorial race?  Political data guru Paul Mitchell joins us to read the tea leaves and tell us what to expect on Election Night.

Show Notes:

1:26 What do we know?

2:36 The polling

6:15 A new name

6:49 Any surprises in the data from the past few days?

8:04 That Selzer Poll

11:23 Herding

13:42 Turnout

15:54 The Latino Vote

18:53 Congress

21:47 The 2026 governor's race

25:34 Post-Mortem

28:38 Will we know who won the presidential contest on Tuesday night?

Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ 

Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang