Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Lamar Thorpe on His 'Blaxican' Roots and Antioch's Groundbreaking Apology Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

The California Citizen Redistricting Commission releases its first draft of the state's new political lines. Marisa and Guy Marzorati react to the proposal and criticisms of the line drawing process before discussing Governor Gavin Newsom's re-emergence and the latest local recall news in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Then, Antioch mayor Lamar Thorpe joins to discuss his childhood in a Mexican family, his political awakening, service in the Navy and his work on police reform and Antioch's groundbreaking apology for the past violence against the city's Chinese residents.

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Liane Randolph on COP26 and California's Local Air Quality Fight Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa discuss what the election results in Virginia and New Jersey mean for the midterms in California and pay tribute to Wilma Chan, the former state and local legislator who was killed on Wednesday. Then, Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board, joins to discuss her upcoming trip to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (known as COP26) and how her agency plans to reduce emissions in California while protecting frontline communities from local pollution.

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Gloria Romero on the Political Struggle Over Schools Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the impact of new district maps and the Build Back Better agreement on next year's midterm races in California. Then, former Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero discusses why she supported Larry Elder in the recall, her critiques of teachers unions and school administrators, and her new book "Just Not That Likeable," about gender bias in the workplace.

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Allan Zaremberg Reflects on Two Decades as California's Top Business Advocate Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's push to ban new oil drilling near schools and homes, and the local recalls heading to the ballot in San Francisco and Shasta. Then, Allan Zaremberg, the president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, joins to discuss his career working for two governors and representing business interests at the state capitol, before his planned retirement at year's end.

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Nancy Pelosi on Threats to Democracy and Tough Legislative Choices (at KQED Live) Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins Marisa and Scott on stage at KQED Live to discuss the threats facing America's democracy, the Democrats voting rights agenda, her experience during the January 6th riots at the Capitol and the tough choices facing her caucus as they narrow their social policy and climate agenda.

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Hannah-Beth Jackson on Oil Spill Politics and Boardroom Diversity Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Democrats in Congress continue to negotiate social policy legislation, and Facebook comes under increasing scrutiny from both parties. Scott and Marisa discuss those developments and the politics of COVID mandates in California. Then, former state senator Hannah-Beth Jackson joins to discuss the response to the oil spill in Orange County and its political implications, the impact of the law she wrote to boost diversity in corporate boardrooms and her Little League activism.

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Anna Eshoo on the 'Political Tightropes' Facing Democrats in Congress Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Marisa and Scott discuss police reform legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and an Assembly seat in San Francisco opened by David Chiu's appointment to serve as city attorney. Then, Democratic Congresswoman Anna Eshoo joins to discuss the vote to avoid a government shutdown and the path forward for the Democrats' agenda, the Kyrsten Sinema enigma, and her push to lower prescription drug prices.

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Judy Chu on the Democrats' Legislative Agenda and How a Psychology Degree Helps on the Hill Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Katie Orr discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's decisions on a pair of controversial labor bills and San Francisco Mayor London Breed's rewriting of the COVID apology script and reflect on the passing of Scott Lay. Then, Congresswoman Judy Chu joins to discuss the path forward for Democrats on their social policy legislation and her bill to codify the abortion rights of Roe v. Wade. She also talks about how Asian-American studies classes changed her life, balancing political ambitions in her marriage and how her psychology degree comes in handy on Capitol Hill.

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Juan Rodriguez on How the Newsom Campaign Defeated the Recall Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's defeat of the recall attempt, ongoing recall attempts at the local level, the possibility of changes to the recall process and California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar's decision to step down from the court. Then, Juan Rodriguez, manager of the campaign to defeat the recall, joins to discuss investments in the field campaign and how that organizing carries over into the 2022 midterms, lessons for national Democrats about campaigning on COVID response and his own journey in politics.

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Kevin Faulconer on Governing San Diego and His Agenda on COVID and Crime Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

With just days until voting ends in the recall election, Marisa and Scott talk with Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data Inc. about what early returns tell us about the electorate and what he's watching as in-person voting ramps up. Then, Kevin Faulconer, former Republican mayor of San Diego, joins to talk about his campaign for governor in the recall election, how his parents shaped his career path, his fellowship in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood and his plans on COVID-19 response and criminal justice.

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