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Political Breakdown

Latest episodes

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Apr 5, 2024 • 31min

Rep. DeSaulnier on How to Make Flying More Safe

Summer travel season is approaching, but after months of headlines about safety issues on airplanes, some travelers may be questioning whether air travel is the best bet. Marisa and Scott are joined by East Bay Congressman Mark DeSaulnier who has some thoughts on the matter after years of digging into aviation safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Apr 4, 2024 • 30min

California’s Former Water Czar on the State’s Coming “Water Nightmare”

Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom surveyed the Sierra snowpack and outlined a new state water plan focused on climate change. Scott and KQED climate reporter Ezra David Romero are joined by California's former top water regulator Felicia Marcus. As the state’s top water czar, she navigated severe droughts, balancing demands for scare water by cities, farms, businesses and homeowners.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Apr 3, 2024 • 28min

14 Bills Address the Legacy of Slavery and Racism in California

After two years of work examining the legacy of slavery and racism, the California Legislative Black Caucus is prioritizing 14 bills aimed at addressing past wrongs.The bills range from ending involuntary servitude in prison to banning discrimination based on hair styles and a formal apology for the damage done by California’s role in supporting slavery before the Civil War. But one thing that's not on the agenda is cash payments for California residents who are descendants of slaves. Scott is joined by KQED's Guy Marzorati and Annelise Finney to talk about the importance of these bills as hearings get underway. Check out KQED's bill tracker following the progress of those 14 reparations bills.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Apr 2, 2024 • 24min

Jail Populations Are Down. So Why Are Inmate Deaths Up?

Fewer people are being held in county jails across California than a decade ago, and yet record numbers of incarcerated people are dying while in custody. Among the leading causes of death are drug overdoses and suicide. Scott talks with CalMatters reporter Nigel Duara, who spent the last nine months looking at the roots of these increased deaths in county jails and what's being done to address it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 29, 2024 • 31min

How Tomiquia Moss, Newsom’s Top Housing Official, Plans to Reduce Homelessness

As California grapples with how to reduce homelessness, Marisa and Guy sit down with Governor Gavin Newsom’s top housing official. Tomiquia Moss spent her career trying to chip away at the state's homelessness crisis, starting as a social worker in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood to now, as the Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 28, 2024 • 31min

The Stakes in the Supreme Court's Abortion Pill Case

The Supreme Court took up abortion access this week for the first time since overturning Roe v. Wade two years ago. This time, they're considering whether to restrict access to abortion pill mifepristone. Marisa talks with POLITICO health care reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein about what the conservative-led court might do.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 27, 2024 • 31min

Silicon Valley Lawyer Wins RFK Jr. Veepstakes

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his running mate in Oakland today: Silicon Valley lawyer Nicole Shanahan. Guy and Marisa talk about what the Oakland native brings to a presidential ticket that's adding a wild card to the 2024 race for the White House. Plus, can California Democrats find a way to transition to clean energy while promoting equity and affordability? Guy talks with New York Times reporter Ivan Penn about the political question lurking beneath the skyrocketing energy bills facing Californians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 26, 2024 • 23min

California Voters Could Require High School Personal Finance Class

How can young Californians prepare for today’s turbulent economy? Supporters of personal finance education say a mandatory class in pocketbook economics is the answer. Guy Marzorati talks with Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of Next Gen Personal Finance, who's pushing to place a personal finance measure on the November ballot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 23, 2024 • 22min

Garvey’s Huge Tax Bill, Newsom Calls for a Ceasefire and RFK Jr’s Running Mate

Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey owes at least $350,000 in back taxes. Plus, Gov. Gavin Newsom calls for a ceasefire and former Mayor of San Francisco Willie L. Brown Jr. celebrates his 90th birthday. Scott, Marisa and Guy talk about all that and other top political stories from the week.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 22, 2024 • 31min

Prop. 1’s Razor Margin, Plus Ro Khanna on TikTok, Gaza and Biden

More than two weeks after the primary election, Gov. Gavin Newsom's ballot measure to build housing and mental health treatment beds for Californians experiencing homelessness was narrowly approved by voters. Marisa, Scott and Guy talk about why it was such a close margin. Plus, Silicon Valley Congressman Ro Khanna is a progressive stalwart who’s not afraid to take on his own party, but he’s all in on President Biden’s reelection. Marisa and Scott talk with Khanna about the 2024 election, the crisis in Gaza and why he voted against the TikTok ban. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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