Blueprint for California Advocates

Latest Episodes:

26: Going into the #CABudget May Revision 2023: What you need to know May 12, 2023

Show notes

The most anticipated - and dreaded - event of this year's #CABudget process is on the horizon - the Governor's "May Revision" 😱

This is an annual event in which the Governor updates his January budget proposal to account for updated revenue estimates and economic conditions.

For FY 23-24, it is almost certain advocates will face far worse proposed reductions to hard fought investments in services and programs from past years.

Join Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access CA, Scott Graves from the California Budget & Policy Center, Dante Golden, former #CALeg staffer now with the San Diego Housing Federation, and I for *real talk* with time for Q&A on what advocates need to know.

Recorded Live on Twitter Spaces on May 10, 2023.

📧SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR CALIFORNIA ADVOCATES NEWSLETTER https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/subscribe 📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to learn how KBH Advocacy can help move your campaign forward. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy.

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton Mastodon: @kbashamilton@union.place 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy/?hl=en 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy © 2021 – 2023 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

25: Inside the First 100 Days in Office with Assemblymember Damon Connolly May 08, 2023

Show notes

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who represents California's 12th Assembly District, for a spirited conversation recapping his first 100 days in office.

Elected to the Assembly in November 2022, Connolly is one of 34 new members of the California Legislature.

This is a record number and that turnover will only increase in the next few years. An additional 24 seats will open in 2024 and, according to Close the Gap California, by 2028 a “Motherlode” of 96 seats will have changed hands!

In today’s episode, we delve into Assemblymember Connolly’s first few months in the California Assembly. Our conversation takes you from his 18-year background in local government to the intricate world of Sacramento politics.

We discuss the learning curve all new members face when they arrive at the Capitol as they learn to navigate the complexity of the California’s legislative process to make good on campaign promises. In this episode you’ll learn about:

04:11 — The learning curve for new members 06:30 — How to use your facetime with members wisely 09:59 — The whirlwind aftermath of the November election 11:58 — Super majority caucus dynamics 17:57 — The fight to pass SBx1 2 (Skinner) 23:29 — Navigating the budget process as a new member 31:53 — Final Advice for advocates MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Senate Bill (SB)X1 2 (Skinner) Price gouging at the pump? Oil firms will have to pay up for higher prices Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times Willie Brown: A Biography A Rage for Justice: The Passion and Politics of Phillip Burton Big Daddy: Jesse Unruh and the Art of Power Politics Click here for the full transcript and video: https://kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/damon-connolly

📧SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR CALIFORNIA ADVOCATES NEWSLETTER Stay up to date with the podcast that brings you high-value conversations with advocacy leaders and lawmakers who share their insight and tactical advice on what it takes for legislative and political campaigns to succeed. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/subscribe 📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to learn how KBH Advocacy can help move your campaign forward. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy 🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton Mastodon: @kbashamilton@union.place 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy/?hl=en 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy © 2021 – 2023 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

24. Trans joy is an act of resistance with guests Evan Minton and Rainer Apostol Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Today begins Transgender Week of Visibility and to celebrate I am sharing this special episode with guests Evan Minton and Rainer Apostol. Evan (he/they) is a nationally recognized transgender advocate whose fight for gender-affirming healthcare reached the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a national co-Chair of the Transgender Advisory Committee of the Democratic National Committee and also serves as co-Chair of the Lt. Governor’s Transgender Advisory Council. Rainer (they/them) is a legislative aide in the California Senate with a passion for advocating for LGBTQ+ communities. They served last year as the Fellows Liaison on the LGBTQ Staff Association Board. Transgender Visibility is more important than ever as 420 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced so far this year in state legislatures across the nation. This is a record number, many particularly targeting transgender youth. To learn more about Transgender Visibility and how you can celebrate, check out this toolkit. You can download graphics and messaging to use on social media and more. Click here for the full transcript and video:⁠ https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/transgender-week-of-visibility 📧 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NEWSLETTER Stay up to date with the podcast that brings you high-value conversations with advocacy leaders and lawmakers who share their insight and tactical advice on what it takes for legislative and political campaigns to succeed. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/subscribe 📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to learn how KBH Advocacy can help move your campaign forward. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW AND SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and colleagues. CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy 🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy/?hl=en 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy © 2021 – 2023 KBH Advocacy, Inc.

23: Fighting Back Against Corporate Greed with guest Tia Orr Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

If you want to understand the landscape of politics and policy-making at the California Capitol, it's hard to underestimate the role of Labor.

In today's episode, I have the honor to speak with Tia Orr, Executive Director of SEIU California, one of the largest labor unions in the state. SEIU represents over 700,000 workers in both the public and private sectors.

Tia and I dive into the historic power struggle between corporations and workers and the role of unions in combating unchecked corporate greed.

From last year’s fight to pass #AB257 (Holden), historic legislation giving fast food workers the power to negotiate, to combating the manipulation of the referendum process, we discuss the ongoing struggle of low-wage workers for dignity and fairness in the workplace.

We discuss:

03:02 — Two of the Most Important Bills Passed in 2022, Blocked

05:12 — Our Referendum Process is Rigged

07:47 — Spending Millions to Profit Billions

08:30 — Pitting the Consumer Against the Low-Wage Workers

10:23 — We Will Never Be Able to Compete Dollar for Dollar

15:00 — Why Do We Need a Union? Because Everyone Else is Organized Too

17:24 — How the SEIU is Organized

20:00 — Where Do You Start? With Your Local Central Labor Councils

23:07 — Collective Power is how we win

Click here for the full transcript and video: https://kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/corporate-greed

RESOURCES MENTIONED

SEIU California: https://seiuca.org/

Pro-oil petition drive in California under question: https://apnews.com/article/california-oakland-climate-and-environment-b82cbdbb89b89890ccf24227c0493c15

California union alleges that fast-food effort to block new labor law is ‘willfully misleading voters’: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-10-27/california-union-seiu-alleges-fast-food-industry-making-false-claims-to-block-ab-257-labor-law

📧 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with the podcast that brings you high-value conversations with advocacy leaders and lawmakers who share their insight and tactical advice on what it takes for legislative and political campaigns to succeed.

https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/subscribe

📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to learn how KBH Advocacy can help move your campaign forward. https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW AND SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND

If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and colleagues.

CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON

Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

Mastodon: @kbashamilton@union.place

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy/?hl=en

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kbh_advocacy

21: How You Can Partner With the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls with guest Lauren Babb Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

I'm happy to share today my excellent conversation with Lauren Babb. Lauren is the chair of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is a change-maker and community leader. Last year, she was recognized as one of four black policy movers and shakers by the Women's Foundation.

Lauren shares the amazing work that the Commission has accomplished around the state and her vision for the future. She highlights resources and opportunities from the Commission now available for grassroots organizations that serve women and girls, including grants and youth leadership development.

There's a ton of information in today's episode. I encourage you to take notes and spread the word.

02:20 — What is The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

04:04 — How to get on a regional Commission

05:05 — Everyone has a skill set to be on a Commission

09:40 — Why advocating for yourself is how we transform policy

10:22 — Opportunities to collaborate with the Commission

11:15 — Youth Advisory Council and Women's Recovery Response grant opportunities

14:46 — The California Blueprint For Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery report

16:11 — Get Commission support for your legislation

Click here for the full transcript and video: https://kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/california-commission-women-and-girls

RESOURCES

About Lauren: https://women.ca.gov/Commissioner-lauren-babb/

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls: https://women.ca.gov/

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls — Youth Advisory Council https://women.ca.gov/ccswg-youth-advisory-council/

2023- 2024 Women’s Recovery Response Grant: https://women.ca.gov/2023-2024-womens-recovery-response/

California Blueprint for Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery: https://women.ca.gov/california-blueprint-for-womens-pandemic-economic-recovery/

Online Application for Appointments: https://www.gov.ca.gov/appointments/

📱SUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXT MESSAGES

I share actionable tips and insight on how to make legislative and political campaigns succeed. Plus, you’ll receive reminders about every episode so you don’t miss these valuable conversations.

https://joinsubtext.com/kbhadvocacy

📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento? Book a free consultation to see how we can work together on legislative advocacy, budget advocacy, or campaign strategy.

https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW AND SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND

If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and colleagues.

CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON

Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

🦣 Mastodon: @kbashamilton@union.place

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy/?hl=en

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXUzqjDz0RWXOEUo1PTQuXQ/videos

20: Behind the scenes with Capitol Press Corps reporter Byrhonda Lyons Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

We all know getting positive press coverage is an essential part of a winning legislative strategy. But for those of us without high-powered PR firms on retainer, where do we even start?

Byrhonda Lyons, an investigative reporter with the Sacramento-based news organization Cal Matters, shares her valuable insight on producing national award-winning news stories and the role advocates can play in the process.

We outline steps advocates can take to elevate their stories and gain more attention.

07:08 — How advocates can help reporters

09:08 — Crafting a powerful email subject line

14:37 — How to build relationships

16:53 — Create your own press list

19:34 — Become the “go-to” on your issue

21:26 — What about social media?

26:12 — Why you need to create educational content

Click here for the full transcript and video: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/capitol-press-corp-reporter-byrhonda-lyons

RESOURCES

Byrhonda Lyons’ work: https://calmatters.org/author/byrhonda/
Byrhonda Lyons TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ilovepublicrecords
Check out CalMatters: https://calmatters.org/
Join the Sacramento Press Club: https://sacpressclub.org/

📱SUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXT MESSAGES

I share more insights on how to make legislative and political campaigns succeed. Plus, you’ll receive reminders about every episode so you don’t miss conversations or ideas that you can apply to your work.

https://joinsubtext.com/kbhadvocacy

📱BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION

Are you ready to make a powerful impact in Sacramento?

Book a free consultation to see how we can work together on legislative advocacy, budget advocacy, or campaign strategy.

https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/book

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW AND SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND

If you found this episode helpful, learned something new, or enjoyed listening, be sure to leave a review and share it with a colleague who is also an advocate for California.

CONNECT WITH KRISTINA BAS HAMILTON

Founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy

🌐 Website: https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbashamilton

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbashamilton/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbh_advocacy/?hl=en

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXUzqjDz0RWXOEUo1PTQuXQ/videos

19. There is a spiritual core to our activism with guest Victor Narro Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

We are nearly three years into the pandemic. At the same time we face an escalating climate crisis and are fighting to protect democracy from the rising tide of fascism.

Add to this our "normal" struggles of every day life and work.

We are coping with a lot. Too much.

During this traditional time of reflection and rest, I am sharing my conversation with Victor Narro, faculty at the UCLA Labor Center, author, and renown labor and immigrant rights activist. Mr. Narro recently released his latest book, "The Activist Spirit: Toward a Radical Solidarity". We talk openly about the toll ongoing crises take on our spirit and mental health and how we can heal and rejuvenate by tapping into the spiritual core of our social justice work.

Drawing on the words and ways of historic activists St. Francis of Assisi, Cesar Chavez, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others, Mr. Narro uplifts the concept of "radical solidarity" - a recognition that our individual struggles, and, conversely, joys, are deeply interconnected to the struggles and joys of the broader community.

"This is true solidarity in action in the social justice movement - our interconnectedness and the spiritual force of love and compassion for one another..." - V. Narro

In other words, we are in this together.

Purchase "The Activist Spirit: Toward a Radical Solidarity" today! Available here.

Link to Transcript

Hosted by Kristina Bas Hamilton, founder of California lobbying and political consulting firm KBH Advocacy.

Like this episode? Please share with your family and friends and leave a review!

For more content like this, subscribe to the free text list. No spam - ever.

18. Getting ready for 2023 California Budget Advocacy with guests Scott Graves, Christopher Sanchez, and Jennifer Fearing Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

It's mid November and California budget revenue collections are way below projections. Paired with historically high rates of inflation, the Legislature may be facing a $25 billion deficit in FY 23-24. One big difference from budget deficits of the past, however, is the state has $23 billion saved in rainy day funds. Experts agree: Is the situation serious? Without a doubt. Is it a crisis? No.

So what does this mean for advocates?

Lobbying for new program investments is going to be hella difficult.

Does that mean we close up shop and go home? Heck no!

In this episode, recorded live on Monday, November 13, 2022, I talk with a California budget expert and fellow budget lobbyists about perilous budget conditions and what this portends for advocates in the new year.

I am joined by:

- Scott Graves, Director of Research at the California Budget and Policy Center

- Christopher Sanchez, Policy Associate at the Western Center on Law and Poverty

- Jennifer Fearing, President of Fearless Advocacy

We discuss:

What’s on your fall budget prep check list? (10:57)
The pros/cons of running a companion policy bill when you are lobbying a budget request (15:40)
How the state’s Budget reserves work (21:49)
Knowing how to lobby the budget will make you a better lobbyist (25:18)
How repurposing existing budget funding works (35:00)
What budget advocates might expect in the Governor’s second term (43:17)
What should we expect from our legislative champions? (51:36)
Persistence versus being a pest (55:11)

Hosted by Kristina Bas Hamilton, founder of KBH Advocacy.

Share your thoughts on today's episode with me on Twitter.

Click here to join the free text community for more insight and updates from KBH Advocacy.

This episode is sponsored by:

• FastDemocracy is a streamlined and easy-to-use bill tracker that saves you time and allows you to focus on what really matters — advocating for policy. Visit fastdemocracy.com to learn more and don't forget to use the promo code BLUEPRINT.

• Subtext helps you build genuine connections with your biggest supporters over text. Subtext is an award-winning texting platform that connects hosts with subscribers free from the chaos of social media and the clutter of email. Go to www.joinsubtext.com.

17. How to Organize Locally to Make Change in Sacramento with Assemblymember Ash Kalra Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

How do you compel lawmakers to take the hard votes needed to pass bold worker's rights and climate action policies when they have Corporate America breathing down their necks?

Last fall I had the honor to interview Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-27 - San Jose) during my advocacy webinar “All Politics is Local”: How Communities can Build Political Power. Mr. Kalra represents the city of San Jose and made history in 2016 as the first Indian-American elected to the California Legislature. An unapologetic champion for workers and their communities, he is Chair of the California Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment and was elected last year Chair of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.

Mr. Kalra offers his unique insight as a former community advocate turned elected official. Tune in for actionable advice on organizing voters locally to grow outsized influence at the California Capitol.

We discuss:

Building real relationships means you don’t just show up when you want something (2:33)
Local government is where the real power lies (7:38)
Why groups without Political Action Committees (PACs) can be just as influential as big ticket donors (10:03)
How to create the space for lawmakers to take courageous votes (13:07)
How to make your lobby visits more effective (13:49)
How to hold lawmakers accountable (16:19)

Read the full transcript here.

Hosted by Kristina Bas Hamilton, founder of KBH Advocacy.

Share your thoughts on today's episode with me on Twitter.

Click here to join the free text community for more insight and updates from KBH Advocacy.

This episode is sponsored by: