Capitol Weekly Podcast

CAPITOLWEEKLY
  • 3.9 (17)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Capitol Weekly Podcast covers California politics and public policy, and features interviews with elected officials, staffers, advocates, analysts, newsmakers, and even, -gasp- journalists. Listen at Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, or at capitolweekly.net

  1. 1D AGO

    From Cesar Chavez to We Said Enough.

    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.

    52 min
  2. NEWSWELL wants to transform journalism. Can they help solve the local news crisis?

    MAR 16

    NEWSWELL wants to transform journalism. Can they help solve the local news crisis?

    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 Many of these areas now have no local reporting; in others, legitimate news outlets have been replaced by "Pink Slime" - partisan "fake news" websites masquerading as independent local news.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.

    32 min
  3. A conversation with Sanjay Wagle of the California Association of Realtors

    MAR 9

    A conversation with Sanjay Wagle of the California Association of Realtors

    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.

    57 min
  4. Special Episode: A Conversation on housing with Asm. Buffy Wicks

    MAR 2

    Special Episode: A Conversation on housing with Asm. Buffy Wicks

    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.

    36 min
  5. A chat with Jennifer Barrera of CalChamber

    FEB 23

    A chat with Jennifer Barrera of CalChamber

    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.

    50 min
  6. A chat with Clint Kellum of the Department of Cannabis Control

    FEB 16

    A chat with Clint Kellum of the Department of Cannabis Control

    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.

    40 min

  7. FEB 9

    Where are we on SB 54? Plus more enviro updates with Jennifer Fearing

    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.

    47 min

  8. FEB 2

    Beyond the Governor's Race

    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.

    57 min
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3.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Capitol Weekly Podcast covers California politics and public policy, and features interviews with elected officials, staffers, advocates, analysts, newsmakers, and even, -gasp- journalists. Listen at Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, or at capitolweekly.net

Information

  • Creator
    CAPITOLWEEKLY
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    450
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Capitol Weekly Podcast

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