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Most folks rightly recognize the New Deal as the collection of Great Depression-era government programs implemented under the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1930s. But there is another much more current NewDEAL out there as well, an organization that just turned 15 years old focused on bringing together center-left politicos from around the country with the specific goal of addressing and finding solutions for some of the country's most pressing problems. NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan has spent more than three decades in Democratic politics and public policy, including 15 years at the Democratic Leadership Council, including serving as National Political Director and Chief of Staff, helping shape strategy for state and local elected officials across the country. We spoke with her on today's show about NewDEAL and her work with leaders like San José Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan and Senator Alex Padilla, as well as a national network of leaders focused on pragmatic economic policy and opportunity.    2:30 Capitol Weekly Interns Jasleen Kaur & Chris Ramirez 7:25 Profiles on Assemblymembers Lurie Davies & Jessica Caloza 11:30 Debbie Cox Bultan 12:58 “The best kept secret in Washington” 15:15 What makes a NewDEAL leader? 17:25 What does joining NewDEAL offer? 21:52 “Democrats are going to to have to stand for something” 25:54 Focusing on kitchen table issues 28:17 “Democrats need to provide an on-ramp” 29:27 How did you get into this work? 30:57 A labor of love 33:02 "Politics is so disconnected from the reality of life” 37:25 An honorable profession 41:45 “They want something that’s going to deliver a result” 44:00 #WWCA 52:25 Affordability Conference   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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There was an old ad slogan for a well-known brokerage firm: When EF Hutton talks, people listen. The sentiment survives today, with a slight modification: When Fiona Hutton talks, people listen. Fiona Hutton runs one of the state's preeminent public affairs firms, with a score of employees handling strategic planning, research & insights, media relations and more for a host of high-powered clients. Fiona Hutton and Associates celebrates their 25th anniversary this year, and Hutton joined us to talk about her early years as a one-woman (and a baby) shop,  what it's like to do this work in LA, and the challenges of being a woman in this business.  Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics. (You might have a guess....) 1:15 Affordability 4:05 Capitol Briefs 4:51 Asm. Jessica Caloza 5:07 Experts Expound 5:43 Fiona Hutton 7:45 90% of businesses in California are small businesses 8:50 In the beginning 10:16 "My water broke on a conference call with a client" 12:55 What does a public affairs firm do? 16:46 What is it like being a woman in this space? 20:13 Generational approach 26:06 "Do not look at your to-do list - go check on your team first" 26:52 What has changed in 25 years? 28:54 Working in LA 35:26 "There is no down-shifting" 38:35 What next? 40:52 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's guest is Sacramento Bee reporter Lia Russell. Russell covers the governor for The Bee’s Capitol Bureau, and was part of the team that broke the story of Dana Williamson's arrest last year.  We asked about that story, covering the capitol, and what it was like to cover politics in their earlier gigs in Bangor, Maine and Baltimore, Maryland.  :47 Affordability 2:00 What's on Capitol Weekly 4:16 Lia Russell 6:09 The race to replace Gov. Newsom 8:20 "Whether they like it or not..." 10:15 View from Maine 16:37 Working for the Baltimore Sun 18:37 The Dana Williamson story 23:45 Reading indictments 26:16 Origin story 32:04 The tattoos 33:43 Asm. Matt Harper mention 38:06 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Membership in California labor unions grew by over 100,000 members between 2024 and 2025, and California union membership currently stands at 2.4 million - the most of any state. These gains come in the face of strong anti-labor policies put in place by the Trump Administration. Our guest today is one of the reasons for those gains. Former Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez is the President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, which is made up of more than 1,300 unions, representing 2.3 million members. in the Legislature, Gonzalez was one of the most respected - and feared - members.  She has brought her patented take-no-prisoners approach to the Labor Fed, getting arrested at protests and sparring online with foes ranging from Elon Musk to centrist Democrats. We spoke with Gonzalez about the status of the labor movement, the threat - and opportunities - of AI, and the impact of Cesar Chavez' sudden downfall.  1:26 Capitol Briefs 2:18 Jacqui Nguyen 3:21 Remembering Sam Kieth 6:27 Lorena Gonzalez 8:53 Where is the governor on AI bills? 10:52 And the gubernatorial candidates? 14:13 "Everything is AI enabled" 16:04 What are the big issues for Labor in 2026? 17:25 "Labor grew in California last year by 100,000 members" 19:29 Quad endorsement 22:08 More union members voted MAGA in 2024 - where are they now? 25:47 Are the Dems hearing the Labor message? 29:00 The impact of the Chavez revelations 38:10 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last week's spectacular downfall of Labor icon Cesar Chavez was unprecedented. The New York Times' bombshell report on allegations of sexual abuse of young girls by Chavez, coupled with UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta's disturbing story of rape at his hands toppled the legacy of one of the most significant figures in California history. If Chavez' exposure was a surprise, the general content of the stories was tragically familiar. The revelations come as America is roiled in controversy over Jeffrey Epstein's crimes against women and girls, and nine years after the We Said Enough moment exposed rife sexual harassment - and worse - in the Capitol Community. Our guest, POLITICO Melanie Mason reported extensively on We Said Enough as that story broke, and joined us to reflect on the Chavez allegations, abuse of power and the difficulties survivors face in coming forward. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Local journalism in the United States is in crisis. Almost 40% of all local newspapers in the US have vanished since 2005, leaving "news deserts," areas that lack consistent local reporting. Many of these areas now have no local reporting; in others, legitimate news outlets have been replaced by "Pink Slime" - partisan "fake news" websites masquerading as independent local news. What can be done to stop the collapse of local news? Two years ago, Arizona State University launched NEWSWELL, a nonprofit organization that offers comprehensive wraparound services - including fundraising - to their newsroom partners, helping them build sustainable business models. NEWSWELL now has a string of 15 news outlets, including 11 in California. We're joined by Nicole Carroll, Executive Director of NEWSWELL and a professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She shares the vision behind NEWSWELL, explains the ASU connection and looks at what indie news needs to survive. 2:06 Billionaires tax 3:01 Litigation around card rooms 3:29 Insurance Commissioner candidates 5:56 Nicole Carroll 7:29 The California Connection 9:09 Plight of local news 11:09 The Cronkite School 11:57 ASU internship program 13:27 Capitol Weekly internships 14:11 New study: Media Impact Founders 21:33 The Pulitzer Committee 24:00 Leisure time? 25:43 3WWCA 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Housing remains the hottest topic in California policy, and our guest today is Sanjay Wagle, who heads up the Governmental Affairs team for the California Association of Realtors. The Realtors' Gubernatorial Forum was a hot ticket in Sacramento last week, and we discuss the topics raised there, and many others. And, of course we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics. 1:32 CAR Gubernatorial Forum 6:55 Single Stair reform 7:58 Insurance Commissioner's Race 9:53 Ticketmaster 11:43 TV picks? 17:06 Sanjay Wagle 18:05 The state of the housing market 20:30 Home prices: California vs. rest of US 23:03 You need an average income of $213K to afford a home in CA 24:35 How many houses does California need? 30:28 Cost of permits and fees is a de facto block on housing 34:58 Insurance 38:52 Impact of Fire Hardening on curb appeal 42:40 Housing bond 43:48 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at A Conference on Housing, which was held in Sacramento on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. This is the Keynote: Asm. Buffy Wicks in conversation with Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our guest Jennifer Barrera has been President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce since 2021. The venerable institution - founded in 1890 as the California State Board of Trade - advocates for pro-business policies and investments. Barrera is well known and well respected in the capitol community, and has been an effective messenger for the CalChamber's many causes, including reform of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). She spoke with us about the Chamber's approach to the state's affordability crisis, the increasing calls to tax the ultra-rich and a ballot measure to reform CEQA.  1:27 What's on Capitol Weekly? 4:00 February 25, 1942: The Battle of Los Angeles 5:30 Jennifer Barrera 6:08 Thoughts and expectations for 2026 8:10 Affordability 10:28 CEQA ballot measure 19:29 Ballot measure process 24:39 PAGA reform 31:49 AI - Boon or bubble? 35:42 Taxing the ultra-rich 41:13 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we welcome Clint Kellum, the new (as of November 2025) Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control.  The CDCC licenses and regulates cannabis businesses, including regulation of cannabis growers, manufacture of cannabis products, and sales, transportation and tracking of cannabis goods. Kellum took the helm just after Governor Newsom signed AB 564, a bill to reset the state’s cannabis excise tax rate at 15% until 2028, giving California's struggling legal cannabis market hope after a rough few years. Kellum explains what AB 564 means for the industry and the state, and looks at challenges and opportunities ahead. And, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics. 1:03 Bill introductions and lobbying reports 3:42 The Top Two Simulator 6:04 Clint Kellum 6:45 AB564 8:09 The taxation environment 12:42 Complexities of descheduling 13:30 Startups? 15:02 Illegal cannabis seizures 19:46 Direct to consumer sales 21:54 Biggest challenges and opportunities 25:49 How did you get into this? 29:03 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we're joined by lobbyist Jennifer Fearing of Fearless Advocacy.  Fearing was a key player in the negotiations to pass SB 54, a landmark bill that regulates plastic waste in California. Governor Newsom signed the bill in 2022, but as we all know, passing legislation is one thing, implementation is another. Fearing walks us through the bill's complicated journey, and gives us an updates on it, and other environmental actions in the state.  Plus - Who had the Worst Week in California Politics. :42 Sports tix for electeds 7:06 Jennifer Fearing 8:55 Regulating SB 54 12:13 How often do regs change? 13:50 SB 54 has legs outside of California 16:57 The steps 19:39 Some environmental good news 24:54 "Deals are a bunch of trades" 26:21 Recycling: not a new idea 29:01 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom has taken up most of California's political oxygen so far this year, but there are other statewide races coming up, including Lt. Governor, State Insurance Commissioner, and - potentially - a slew of Ballot Measures. Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen, reporter Leah O'Tarrow and podcast co-host Tim Foster take a look at the 2026 ballot. Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics. 1:42 Gubertorial debate 3:23 Not talking about the Governor's race 5:46 Top Two: Republicans for Governor? 10:01 Lt. Gov's race 12:32 Tim Myers 17:25 The Insurance Commissioner's race 24:20 Ballot Measures 28:21 Polling - the Herding Effect 30:16 Auto accident liability payouts 32:27 Child safety - AI and smartphones 34:43 Liability for rideshare companies 40:30 Gratuitous Alex Vassar mention 44:43 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're joined today by longtime capitol consultant - now retired - Brian Green, who worked in communications for the Senate Dem Caucus from 2011 until last year. As principal consultant, Green prepared talking points and issue updates, recorded videos, set up press conferences and hosted the “Then There’s California” podcast featuring in-depth interviews with Democratic senators. He began his career at 16, working as a DJ at a Redding radio station, parlaying that experience into talk radio gigs at high-power southern California stations KABC and KTMS. One year into retirement, he has launched his own podcast, "California Voices, with Brian Green." 1:32 What if Matt Mahan gets in the race for governor? 4:00 Housing Conference 5:44 Sacramento Bee article on tiny homes 6:18 Brian Green 8:28 Reading Lou Cannon 10:28 Memorable figures in #Caleg 12:08 "The voice of God" 12:37 Willie Brown's weekly radio broadcast 16:32 "Then There's California" 23:03 Sen. Leland Yee 24:53 "You are lucky if you can influence legislation on the fringes of public policy" 26:20 "California Voices with Brian Green" 31:07 A sit down with Sutter 34:16 Celebrities at the capitol 38:51 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jack Ohman has been a political cartoonist for 48 years; he got his start at the Minnesota Daily when he was still a college student, and at 19 he became the youngest-ever syndicated cartoonist in the United States. He has worked at major papers across the US, including The Detroit Free Press, The Oregonian and The Sacramento Bee, where in 2016 he won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. Since 2023 he has been the editorial cartoonist and a political columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle, and also publishes at his Substack, Jack Ohman's You Betcha. He joined us to talk about his history in the news biz, the state of editorial cartooning, the death of Scott Adams, and much, much more.   Plus - Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics. 1:00 Sports betting update 3:27 The Prop. 50 court decision 5:41 Clarissa Laguardia podcast 6:47 Jack Ohman 7:46 Origin story 9:23 Collapse of the afternoon papers 11:53 Substack 14:04 Political cartooning vs. comic strips 15:30 "I never really wanted to be a cartoonist, I wanted to be governor of Minnesota" 16:00 Kate Brown 18:27 Youngest syndicated cartoonist 23:46 Are we in a new Yellow Journalism era? 26:58 "In some ways we're fighting the same battles of the Civil War" 33:27 The Death of Scott Adams 36: 39 Bacchi Decision 40:21 Where is cartooning right now? 48:46 Thomas Nast 49:43 #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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're joined today by Clarissa Laguardia, Executive Director of the California Center for Civic Participation (CalCenter). CalCenter is a non-profit organization that works to engage young people in the democratic process. Their approach to civic participation centers youth voices, demystifies the process, and equips and connects young people with opportunities to create impactful change in their communities. Laguardia is passionate about CalCenter's projects - she knows firsthand the importance of engaging in the poltical experience. She grew up in El Salvador during the Salvadoran Civil War and migrated to the United States after high school, speaking no English. She navigated the immigrant experience largely on her own, mastering the language and gaining a profound understanding of the importance of communication. Her background has helped her connect with young people statewide. While CalCenter's programs have always been the heart of the organization, it is probably best known for producing The California Roast. For decades, the Roast was one of the highest-profile fundraisers on the Capitol calendar, with Governors, Attorneys General, Speakers, Pro Tems and other well known California pols flaming each other in a bawdy evening of - mostly - good-spirited fun. The Roast ended nearly a decade ago - and backfilling that fundraising is a challenge in itself. 1:33 A Conference on Housing 4:39 PSA: Op-Eds 5:55 Clarissa Laguardia 7:06 What is the CalCenter? 9:21 Capitol Focus, She Shares and The California Roast 12:11 "Speaking their language" 16:32 Shout out to Jim Muldavin 18:08 Laguardia's backstory and how it helps her connect with young people 20:14 "Being the other has helped me... I know what it's like in my own skin" 26:39 Cynicism about Democracy 29:26 Reaction of students 34:04 Shake the Future Up 37:55 #WWCAWant 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.