Political Breakdown

Marisa and Scott discuss a new poll on California's U.S. Senate race from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and what they learned from the first hearing of the legislature's special session on oil prices. Then, Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers, joins to discuss her childhood in Mexico, her journey into union leadership, the future of the UFW and her reaction to the mass shooting of farmworkers in Half Moon Bay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa talk about the controversial firing of Oakland's police chief before reflecting on the career of Senator Dianne Feinstein, who announced this week that she won't be running for another term in 2024. And Shira Stein, Washington correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle, joins to discuss reaction to Feinstein's retirement in D.C. and Feinstein's legacy on gun control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the Californians at the center of Joe Biden's State of the Union and the latest referendum to qualify for the 2024 ballot. Then, Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula joins to talk about his family's journey to California, watching his father's career in politics, his career as an emergency room doctor and his bid to be Speaker of the state Assembly.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the latest endorsement news in California's U.S. Senate race and Governor Gavin Newsom's spat with Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp. Then, California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher joins to talk about farmworker living conditions in the wake of the Half Moon Bay shootings, the referendum challenging California's new fast-food labor law and the speakership transition in the Assembly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss the political reaction to the mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay and the latest entrant into California's 2024 Senate race: Congressman Adam Schiff. Then, new Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price joins to talk about her childhood in foster care and the juvenile justice system, her activism in the civil rights movement and Yale, her career as a civil rights lawyer and her early moves as Alameda County's top prosecutor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa take an early look at California's burgeoning race for U.S. Senate with Debbie Mesloh, longtime advisor to Kamala Harris, and Joe Garofoli, Senior Political Writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. They discuss what's ahead for Senator Dianne Feinstein, what's needed to launch a statewide campaign and the outlook for Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Ro Khanna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Guy Marzorati analyze the early field in California's 2024 U.S. Senate race and discuss Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal. Then, Solano County Assemblywoman Lori Wilson joins to talk about the turmoil in her childhood, the role of faith in her life, parenting a transgender child and what Newsom's special session targeting oil prices means for the refinery community in her district. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott discuss Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy's quixotic quest of the House speakership. Then, Dana Williamson, Governor Gavin Newsom's new chief of staff discusses her return to the "horseshoe," what to expect from Newsom's inauguration, the special legislative session on gas prices and how a potential budget shortfall could affect the governor's agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott preview the year ahead in California politics, including oil policy at the capitol, new progressive prosecutors, housing fights and a brewing U.S. Senate race. Then, they revisit their conversation with Oakland's new mayor Sheng Thao.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congresswoman Jackie Speier joins Scott and Marisa to talk about the end of her final session in the House, her work combatting sexual violence in the military, how personal trauma has shaped her political career, the promise to her husband that led to her retirement and the foundation she is launching in San Mateo County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices