Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Trump's California Advantage and Encampment Politics Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

As Donald Trump faces his third criminal indictment, Scott and Guy Marzorati discuss changes to the state's Republican primary that could benefit the former president, with Los Angeles Times political writer Seema Mehta. Then, as mayors around the state push to clear homeless encampments, Scott and Guy share what voters in a recent San Jose focus group had to say about the issue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

School Board Clashes and a Look Inside Newsom's San Quentin Reforms Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to reform San Quentin State Prison — and Scott shares what inmates are saying about it. Then, Los Angeles Times reporter Mackenzie Mays joins to discuss school board fights in Southern California that have caught the attention of Newsom and other state officials.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lexi Reese on AI Regulation and Breaking Polarization in the Senate Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

Marisa and Scott discuss the ongoing feud between the Temecula Valley Unified school board and Governor Gavin Newsom, after the board rejected instructional material referencing Harvey Milk. Then, tech executive and U.S. Senate candidate Lexi Reese joins to discuss her family's economic turmoil, her siblings' battles with addiction, what separates her from other Democrats in the race, how the Senate should regulate artificial intelligence and whether Congress should adopt Gusto's no-shoes policy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigation Explores San Francisco - Honduras Drug Trade Links Jul 14, 2023

Show notes

Scott and Marisa talk to Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle crime reporter, and Gabrielle Lurie, San Francisco Chronicle staff photographer, about their investigation into Honduran migrants selling drugs in San Francisco. They talk about the genesis and findings of the investigation, respond to criticisms of their story and analyze the political fallout in San Francisco.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willie Brown at KQED Live (Pt. 2) Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

In the second part of their conversation at KQED Live, Scott and Marisa talk to former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown about his unorthodox strategy for winning an Assembly seat, what he learned from Jesse Unruh, forging bonds with San Francisco's LGBTQ community and his years in the crosshairs of the FBI.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Split-Screen Moment for Racial Politics Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

The Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action in college admissions. Hours later, a California task force studying reparations for African-Americans delivers a groundbreaking final report. Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the political crosscurrents at play with Stephen Menendian, the Assistant Director and Director of Research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. Plus, Alexei Koseff, State Capitol Reporter at CalMatters joins to discuss the final state budget deal.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Rendon Reflects on Historic Speakership Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Anthony Rendon will soon step down as Assembly Speaker after the second-longest tenure in California history. Marisa and Guy Marzorati talk to Rendon about fatherhood and child care, the legislature's historic 2017 session, losing his speakership to Robert Rivas and his plans for the future.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Ortega on the State Budget and Interpreting for Her Community Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the legislature's budget agreement and Governor Gavin Newsom's interview with Sean Hannity. Then, Assemblywoman Liz Ortega joins to talk about her journey to America, interpreting for family members and neighbors as a kid, her career in organized labor, her reaction to the budget deal to aid public transit and her thoughts on labor disputes over CEQA and housing.

PLUS: Take our Political Breakdown newsletter survey.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Migrant Flights and Marlene Sanchez on Bringing Incarcerated Voices to the Halls of Power Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Marisa and Guy Marzorati react to Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal for a 28th amendment on gun safety and talk to KQED politics editor Tyche Hendricks about the political and legal fallout from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' flights carrying migrants to California. Then, Marlene Sanchez, executive director of the Ella Baker Center, joins to talk about getting arrested at age 11, her work bringing the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Californians to the halls of power, her views on the appropriate policy response to the fentanyl crisis and her support of Senate Bill 94, a controversial bill to allow the review of some older life sentences.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Annie Fryman on Public Transit in 'Emergency Mode' Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss how the deal to raise the federal debt limit divided California House Democrats, with implications for the 2024 U.S. Senate race. Then, Annie Fryman, Director of Special Projects at SPUR joins to discuss her work with State Senator Scott Wiener crafting landmark changes to California housing law. She also lays out the stakes for California transit agencies in the ongoing negotiations over the state budget.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices