Capitol Weekly Podcast CAPITOLWEEKLY

Last month, as California prepared to roll out a new $20 minimum wage for fast food workers, attention on an exemption for restaurants that bake their own bread surprised many, including both the bill's author, Asm. Chris Holden, and Gov. Newsom. "Paneragate" (named for the restaurant chain that some claimed would benefit from the exemption - note that both the governor and the franchisee dispute that the exemption applies) spotlighted a little-known tool in the legislative toolbox: the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in crafting public policy.

While NDAs are commonplace in the business world, their use in policy work was a surprise to many, even some elected officials. In March, Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong introduced AB 2654, which would ban lawmakers from entering into confidentiality agreements related to proposed legislation. The bill failed to advance out of the Assembly Elections Committee last week.

But is the use of NDAs as sinister as critics make out? Our guest today, former Speaker Robert Hertzberg argues that confidentiality agreements are a key part of building trust in sensitive legislative negotiations between diametrically opposed parties - and are sometimes the only way to get warring sides to the table.

:36 The use of NDAs in lawmaking

2:17 How common is the use of NDAs in policymaking?

3:07 "What an NDA does is builds trust - so that people can talk to each other"

5:49 Who is covered by this type of NDA?

7:29 Does the use of NDAs - effective or not - just look bad?

9:53 The art of blowing up the deal

12:27 "It's getting harder and harder and harder to solve big problems"

12:43 Chilling effect

14:34 When are NDAs not appropriate?

15:14 Impact of parties NOT in the NDA

16:43 Is anything gonna change?

17:49 "It's used in Washngton a lot more than it is here"

21:20 #WWCA

Longtime poverty fighter Jess Bartholow surprised many when she left her longtime gig with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in 2020 to become East Bay Senator Nancy Skinner's Chief of Staff. The move made sense: Skinner has long been an outspoken advocate for California's poor, and was a personal inspiration for Bartholow. But with the senator terming out at the end of this year, Bartholow recently opted for a new post: Director of Govt. Relations for SEIU California, one of the most powerful labor unions in the state and across the country. Bartholow joined us to talk about her journey from childhood poverty to the capitol, and gave us a preview of how she plans to tackle her new role.

Plus, who had the Worst Week in CA Politics

:23 Introducing Jess Bartholow

1:35 The new gig

3:19 Origin story

4:36 Welfare reform started in California

7:36 "The best way to end poverty is with a good job..."

8:13 Going into the building

9:56 Getting people to understand poverty

13:16 Barbara Lee on food stamps

14:47 Meet them where they are: Don Wagner edition

16:38 What would gender parity mean in the legislature?

19:58 The Women's Caucus is the largest caucus in #caleg

20:58 What are some of SEIU California's priorities?

25:29 Minimum wage laws

28:56 San Francisco is drug testing welfare recipients

32:23 What's it like to work with Tia Orr?

35:26 #WWCA

We're joined today by longtime journalist, and co-founder of CalMatters, David Lesher. Last year David stepped down as editor-in-chief to direct a new project at CalMatters: Digital Democracy. Using the latest technology, including AI, Digital Democracy will gather a tremendous amount of data from California's state government: "every word uttered in public hearings, every dollar given to a politician, every bill introduced, every vote taken and more."

After more than a year of development, Digital Democracy launched this month. David tells us how the system works, how it can be used by journalists, and ultimately by anyone interested in public policy, and how he hopes it will change the legislative process.

Plus, Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s Conference on Crime which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, March 21, 2024

This is PANEL 3 – THE LEGACY AND FUTURE OF PROP. 47

Panelists: Asm. Kevin McCarty; Lenore Anderson, Alliance for Safety and Justice; Marc Beaart, Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office; Sheriff Jim Cooper

Moderated by Emily Hoeven, San Francisco Chronicle

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

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s Conference on Crime which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, March 21, 2024

This is PANEL 2 – THE FENTANYL CRISIS

Panelists: Sen. Dave Cortese; Sen. Kelly Seyarto; Gretchen Burns Bergman,Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing; Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.), Law Enforcement Action Partnership

Moderated by Ashley Zavala, KCRA 3

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

This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s Conference on Crime which was held in Sacramento on Thursday, March 21, 2024

This is PANEL 1 – RETAIL THEFT

Panelists: Asm. Rick Zbur; Eric Brown, Office of Governor Newsom; Cristine Soto DeBerry, Prosecutors Alliance; Rachel Michelin, California Retailers Association

Moderated by Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee

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