Political Breakdown

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The Money Behind San Francisco’s Move to the Political Middle Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

San Francisco has long been a beacon for liberal politics and social causes. But lately a steady diet of viral videos of car break-ins and smash-and-grabs have put the city on something of a mid-course correction.

Plus, the recalls of progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin and three members of the San Francisco school board, and the recent passage of measures bolstering police powers and requiring drug screenings, have added to the sense that something is shifting in San Francisco.

Scott is joined by New York Times San Francisco Bureau Chief Heather Knight, who recently penned a profile of Garry Tan, the controversial leader of a well-known venture capital firm in the Bay Area, and Joe Garofoli of the San Francisco Chronicle, who’s been reporting on an attempt to move the Republican Party in San Francisco toward more moderate positions.

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SF Mayor London Breed Facing Stiff Competition from the Left and Right Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

The race for mayor of San Francisco gets a new heavyweight contender as Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin throws his hat into the ring. Peskin is the most prominent progressive challenging incumbent Mayor London Breed. Scott and Marisa are joined by KQED politics reporter Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez to talk about the San Francisco mayor's race.

Plus, in the race to replace retiring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in Silicon Valley, Assemblyman Evan Low and County Supervisor Joe Simitian tied for second place, deadlocking at 30,249 votes each in the March primary. That means three Democrats will compete in a general election for Congress, in what's believed to be a first in California history. Guy Marzorati joins Scott and Marisa to talk about the unpredictable path to November.

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Rep. DeSaulnier on How to Make Flying More Safe Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

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.

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California’s Former Water Czar on the State’s Coming “Water Nightmare” Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

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.

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14 Bills Address the Legacy of Slavery and Racism in California Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

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.

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Jail Populations Are Down. So Why Are Inmate Deaths Up? Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

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.

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How Tomiquia Moss, Newsom’s Top Housing Official, Plans to Reduce Homelessness Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

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.

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The Stakes in the Supreme Court's Abortion Pill Case Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

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.

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Silicon Valley Lawyer Wins RFK Jr. Veepstakes Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

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.

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California Voters Could Require High School Personal Finance Class Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

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.

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