Policy Chats

In this episode, Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board, Dr. Angelov Farooq talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about state strategies and policies to combat historic unemployment, a struggling economy, and distance learning amidst a statewide shelter-in-place order. About Angelov Farooq: Angelov Farooq is the owner of AVM Innovation Consulting, LLC, a Southern California based economic development firm. In 2013, Dr. Farooq was appointed the Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board under Governor Gavin Newsom's administration. . As Chairman, he leads the largest workforce development system in the country under the vision of the Governor & Secretary of Labor. In 2015, he was elected on the Board of Education for the Riverside Unified School District. Dr. Farooq is also the Founding Director of the UC Riverside Center for Economic Development. Learn more about Angelov Farooq via https://angelovfarooq.com/about. Podcast Highlights: “The number one focus has been about the digital divide...not everybody is on an equal plainfield so getting people technology devices has been the number one priority.” -       Angelov Farooq on the topic of school closures and addressing online learning from Governor Newsom and the state superintendent. “The bottom line is there are a lot of inequities in a strong economy and those inequities can only be potentially extended even further during a crisis.” -       Angelov Farooq on the topic of the impact of California's Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan during the unemployment crisis. “There’s going to be a new normal after the shelter in place has lifted and the reality is that it’s likely going to be done in phases.” -       Angelov Farooq on the topic of non-essential workers telecommuting due the pandemic. Guest: Angelov Farooq (Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Imad Jobah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/

In this episode, Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino Philanthropy Director, Carolyn Solar talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy to discuss food insecurity amid this pandemic. About Carolyn Solar: Carolyn Solar currently serves as the Philanthropy Director for Feeding America in Riverside and San Bernardino. She joins Feeding America with experience running her own food blog, where she tastes, photographs, and reviews food from all over Southern California. Prior to this role, she served as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator where she directed and led all mail marketing initiatives and developed marketing content. Learn more about Carolyn Solar via https://www.feedingamericaie.org/team. Podcast Highlights: “The people that are coming to us for support are everyday people like you or me, they just need extra help right now.” -       Carolyn Solar on the topic of the recent changes in demand for food from food banks. “Food insecurity has been an issue and will continue to be an issue...despite what's going on now, the need is still there.” -       Carolyn Solar on the topic of the national attention that food insecurity is gaining due to COVID-19. “We are going to keep continue to do these emergency distributions for as long as we are able to...” -       Carolyn Solar on the topic of food distributions and preparing for possible decreased donations. Guest: Carolyn Solar (Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino Philanthropy Director) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Aaron Walter (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

In this episode, various UCR students talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about their unique perspectives in regards to motivation, policies and more during COVID-19. COVID-19 has impacted college students across the nation, and the world. The overnight transition to online learning has left some students vulnerable and worried about what is to come. These four students shine a light on their specific situations, and how they are coping during this crisis. Podcast Highlights: “For meetings it’s holding things through Zoom or a Group FaceTime and such, so you could always be in touch with familiar faces and not feel like you’re completely isolated. While still keeping yourself, your friends, and all relatives involved safe and healthy.” -       Carolina Cardenas on the topic of giving advice to her fellow colleagues on how to stay safe during COVID-19. “What keeps me grounding is I would say thinking that I’ve done so much hard work during my undergraduate studies, it’s just not worth it to throw it all away...we all have future prospects as of now so we need to have that power within us to look forward.” -       Edoardo Melchiori on the topic of staying motivated to continue academic coursework. “The idea and the intent of the social distancing order policy, I would say, is definitely a good idea. Something as simple as literally don’t hang out with one another, can decrease the contractions of COVID-19.” -       Luis Huerta on the topic of support of the social distancing orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. “I think they are necessary because this virus does have a higher death rate for people who are immunocompromised and people that are older. I do think some younger, healthier people are taking for granted that they don’t have to worry about the threat as much.” -       Julian Bell on the topic of implemented policies that are reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Guests: Carolina Cardenas (Political Science Major, Sophomore) Edoardo Melchiori (UCR Business Major, Senior) Julian Bell (UCR Electrical Engineer Major, Senior) Luis Huerta (UCR Political Science Major, Junior) Interviewer: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

In this episode, Group Manager of the Water Resource Management at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Brad Coffey talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the safety, reliability, and affordability of water during this pandemic. About Brad Coffey: Brad Coffey serves as Group Manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He leads the Water Resource Management Group and is responsible for planning and managing metropolitan's imported and local water resource programs, advancing water-use efficiency, and providing supply and demand forecasts for the region. Recently, Mr. Coffey has served as an Assistant Manager for the System Operations Group. As Assistant Manager, he helped manage more than 900 employees who import, treat, and deliver water throughout Southern California. Learn more about Brad Coffey via http://www.mwdh2o.com/WhoWeAre/Management/Executive-Staff Podcast Highlights: “Your drinking water is heavily protected against many things, including the virus which causes COVID-19.” -       Brad Coffey on the topic of concerns regarding the quality of water during COVID-19. “Hand washing is one of the main things we can do to fight this virus so it would be unconscionable for us to turn off the tap, shut someone off, and they couldn't have water to wash their hands. That just won’t happen.” -       Brad Coffey on the topic of water industries maintaining services for customers. “Almost all the clogs in sewer systems these days, it’s not by fats or greases, its by these sanitary wipes...it's really not good for the sewage collection systems.” -       Brad Coffey on the topic of flushing down sanitary wipes and showing up in sewages. Guest: Brad Coffey (Group Manager of the Water Resource Management at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) Interviewer: Kurt Schwabe (Associate Dean, Chair and Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, UCR School of Public Policy) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

In this episode, former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Michael Huerta talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the possibilities of the airline industry facing bankruptcy due to COVID-19. About Michael Huerta: Michael Huerta served as a former administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration between 2013 and 2018. He was nominated by former President Barack Obama and was the longest tenured Administrator in the agency’s history. Before being named Administrator, Mr. Huerta served as Acting Administrator of the FAA from 2011 to 2013 and FAA Deputy Administrator from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Huerta currently serves as a transportation industry consultant, including acting as a Senior Advisor to Macquarie Capital. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Mr. Huerta is a UC Riverside Alumnus (‘78) and serves as an Advisory Board Member for the UC Riverside School of Public Policy. Learn more about Michael Huerta via https://spp.ucr.edu/about/people#advisory_board Podcast Highlights: “I don’t think you can make a general statement about how the industry overall will do. It’s very airline specific and a lot of it’s going to be driven by the markets they are in and their own financial position going into that.” -       Michael Huerta on the topic of effects on the airline industry following COVID-19 . “The airline needs to be looking at this for the long term and I think that as we come out of a crisis like this, the public will remember who were the good operators, who were the corporate citizens that really worked with people” -       Michael Huerta on the topic of airline companies decisions to refund flight tickets due to the flight restrictions. “As we came through 9/11, it became very clear what we were responding to, what we were fighting. And with COVID-19, there is still a lot of debate about what the enemy is and what we know about that enemy and how we respond to that” -       Michael Huerta on the topic of the comparison between COVID-19 and 9/11 in relation to the airline industry. Guest: Michael Huerta (UCR alum and School of Public Policy Advisory Board Member) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Sam Roberts (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

In this episode, President of Filament Strategies LLC and former member of the California State Legislature, Lloyd Levine talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the effects of COVID-19 on students, legislation, and non-essential business. About Lloyd Levine: Lloyd Levine ('92) is a UC Riverside alumnus and one of the state’s leading experts on energy, telecommunications, and technology policy. Between 2002 and 2008, Mr. Levine served as a member of the California State Legislature where he was chair in the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce.  He is now president of Filament Strategies, a Sacramento-based consulting firm, and provides consulting services in the technology and environmental sectors. As president, Mr. Levine works on  issues ranging from Electric Vehicles to broadband adoption and the digital divide. Mr. Levine is also an Advisory Board member of UC Riverside’s School of Public Policy and in 2018 he was named a Senior Policy Fellow. Learn more about Lloyd Levine via https://spp.ucr.edu/about/people#advisory_board Podcast Highlights: “I think it’s going to exacerbate existing disparities...households where the parents don’t have the education level or where they have to go out of work and can’t help the children, those sorts of things will make it more challenging.” -       Lloyd Levine on the topic of the consequences of remote learning during COVID-19. “Ultimately, I don’t even know when we’re going to go back, I don’t even know how we are going to go back. Are we going to go back in July and it’s going to be phased in to return to work, vulnerable people stay home. How do we determine who’s vulnerable?” -       Lloyd Levine on the topic of the uncertainties on how work life will resume during Covid-19. “The theatre organizations with a budget between 2 million and 10 million are really struggling... We have no revenue coming in, but unlike the big ones we don’t have any endowment.” -       Lloyd Levine on the topic of how the art community is being affected by Covid-19. Guest: Lloyd Levine (UCR alum, School of Public Policy Senior Policy Fellow and Advisory Board Member) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Arleth Flores Aparicio (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

In this episode, population health scientist and medical sociologist, Professor Richard Carpiano talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the short term and long term impacts on public health and daily life during COVID-19. About Richard Carpiano: Richard Carpiano is a Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He is also the co-editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, the leading journal for medical sociology scholarship. As a population health scientist and medical sociologist, Professor Carpiano examines how social factors, like socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity, social connections, and community conditions, contribute to the physical and mental health of adults and children. His most research program investigates social, behavioral, and attitudinal factors underlying child vaccination uptake and coverage (and refusal or delay) in the US and Canada. Learn more about Richard Carpiano via https://sociology.ucr.edu/faculty/richard-m-carpiano/ Podcast Highlights: “Our public health system is something that’s been underinvested in for many years and so I’m hoping, from a taxpayer standpoint and a citizen standpoint, of public support for these important government services.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of short term and long term impacts of COVID-19. “It really does highlight the importance of, not just the government sector, but also the civil sphere and society itself.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of different policies and orders being implemented to slow down coronavirus. “We are going to see in the aftermath of this, some very pronounced inequalities.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of the economic impact of COVID-19. Guest: Richard Carpiano (Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, UC Riverside) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Eric Calderon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

In this episode, Professor Richard Carpiano talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the severity of COVID-19 in relation to public health in general, as well as in comparison to other global infectious diseases, such as measles or SARS. About Richard Carpiano: Richard Carpiano is a Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He is also the co-editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, the leading journal for medical sociology scholarship. As a population health scientist and medical sociologist, Professor Carpiano examines how social factors, like socioeconomic status, race-ethnicity, social connections, and community conditions, contribute to the physical and mental health of adults and children. His most research program investigates social, behavioral, and attitudinal factors underlying child vaccination uptake and coverage (and refusal or delay) in the US and Canada. Learn more about Richard Carpiano via https://sociology.ucr.edu/faculty/richard-m-carpiano/ Podcast Highlights: “Viruses unfortunately do happen and outbreaks do occur...but it presents a nice opportunity for us to be thinking about how important public health is, not just private health care.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of COVID-19 labeled as a public health emergency and international concern from the World Health Organization. “An eccentric question gets a larger issue of how does the public perceive risk...and our brains are just not very good at thinking about risk.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of why behaviors change when a threat of virus heightens. “Whenever there is misunderstanding, whenever there is confusion...and it comes from a particular region of the world… we associate certain features with those characteristics.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of the similarities and differences between coronavirus and SARS. Guest: Richard Carpiano (Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, UC Riverside) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Eric Calderon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.