Shows
Capitol Weekly PodcastA quick hit: Who Had the Worst Week in CA Politics?Host Rich Ehisen is on vacation, so original CW Podcast Host John Howard joins Tim Foster in the studio to chat about the news and his life post-Capitol Weekly. We also look at a laundry list of Worst Week candidates including a politician who was unceremoniously booted from office, a California company facing a political backlash, a news organization reminded once again of their past malfeasance, and many more.:43 John Howard1:16 A book on California highways3:57 A visit with the press corp6:27 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly...
2025-09-2222 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastTalking Top 100 with Marisa LagosLast night we published the 17th edition of Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 – our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. We look at the mostlybehind the scenes players who influence policy, elections and governance, including Capitol staff, lobbyists, Agency staff, donors, business leaders, activists, Labor leaders – and even journalists.Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by KQED's Marisa Lagos, co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast and radio show. Lagos has been reporting on California politics for nearly two decades, and is intimately familiar with the Golden State's political power players - elected and no...
2025-08-271h 09
Capitol Weekly PodcastTwenty years at Capitol Weekly - Plus, Frank Torres of UNACWe've got a jam-packed episode this week: Podcast cohost Tim Foster marks TWENTY years at Capitol Weekly. Then we speak with Frank Torres, the new Director of Political and Legislative Advocacy for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. Finally, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics, and for the first time ever, the #WWCA 'winner' is not human!:54 What's on Capitol Weekly2:50 Twenty years at Capitol Weekly!4:28 A California version of Roll Call5:44 "I was happily working as a construction worker"
2025-07-2838 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCalifornia Assembly Parliamentarian Brian EbbertOur guest today is the Parliamentarian to the Assembly Speaker, Brian Ebbert. Ebbert has spent over three decades in the Assembly starting as an Assistant Clerk in 1991. He served as Assembly Floor Director from 2017 to 2014; he announced his retirement last year (and even got the cake) but agreed at the end of 2024 to stay on one more year as Assembly ParliamentarianWhat does the Assembly Parliamentarian do? In this role, Ebbert is the senior procedural and parliamentary advisor to the Assembly Speaker and his leadership team. He is responsible for daily coordination of the Floor business, strategic...
2025-02-1749 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastPriorities for 2025, with Asm. Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-CurryCecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California's 4th Assembly District, which includes Napa, Lake, Yolo, Colusa Counties and part of Sonoma County. She is the chair of the bipartisan California Legislative Women’s Caucus and is also the Assembly Majority Leader. As Majority Leader, Aguiar-Curry guides her party’s legislative strategy, coordinates with committee chairs and helps ensure the efficient progression of bills. As chair of the Women’s Caucus, she helps promote policies and budget priorities that improve the well-being of women, children and families. She sat down with Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster to talk about finding common ground with her Re...
2025-02-0335 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastFrom Hope to the Secretary of State's office: Dr. Shirley WeberWe're joined today by Dr. Shirley Weber, California's Secretary of State. Governor Newsom appointed the four-term assembly member as Secretary of State in 2020 to fill the remainder of Alex Padilla's term when Padilla went to the US Senate. Voters elected her to a full term on November 8, 2022. Serving as the state's chief elections officer is a natural fit for Weber, whose family left Arkansas during the Jim Crow era after her father was threatened for agitating in favor of voting rights. The family settled in southern California, where her mother became a longtime poll worker, with the f...
2025-01-2741 minCapitol Weekly Podcast2024 in Review (and a Peek at 2025), with Chris CadelagoHosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by Politico's Chris Cadelago for a deep dive (our longest-ever episode?) into California politics in 2024 - and a look at what the Horseshoe might look like next year as Nathan Barankin takes over for departing chief of staff Dana Williamson. Plus: Who Had the Worst YEAR in California Politics? We give you our Top 10.2:44 From Dana Williamson to Nathan Barankin5:42 Ann Patterson7:20 Power couple9:23 The Horseshoe12:20 Newsom's year16:40 Newsom, the legislature and those pesky propositions21:12 Crime
2024-12-301h 53
Capitol Weekly PodcastA look at jobs, wages and workforce training with Lisa Countryman-Quiroz of JVSWith election day less than three months away, jobs and the economy are under close scrutiny. California's unemployment rate is 5.2%; up from 4.7% one year ago, and one of the highest in the nation. And, what jobs are out there often pay poorly and have limited opportunities for advancement.Our guest today, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz is the CEO of Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) - a San Francisco nonprofit that helps jobseekers gain the skills and confidence to secure high quality jobs at a living wage. Since 1973, JVS has helped more than 100,000 Californians find quality jobs and gain economic mobility. W...
2024-08-1928 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCBIA had a big year - So why was Dan Dunmoyer not on the Top 100 list?Last week we talked about this year's Top 100 list... In this episode, we're starting off with a confession: Mistakes were made.One of the hallmarks of The Top 100 is that the contents of the list are very tightly held until the moment of publication. That secrecy creates various logistical problems, not the least of which is proofreading. Only a handful of people, most of whom work in the Capitol Weekly office, are involved in the editing or proofing process at any level. Having so few eyes on the List is a recipe for error, and this year w...
2024-08-1245 minCapitol Weekly PodcastTalking Top 100, with John MyersLast night we published the 16th edition of Capitol Weekly's Top 100 - our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. We look at the mostly behind the scenes players who influence policy, elections and governance, including Capitol staff, lobbyists, Agency staff, donors, business leaders, activists, Labor leaders - and even journalists.Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by former KQED reporter and LA Times Bureau Chief John Myers, who left journalism for communications two years ago, but still keeps a watchful eye on Golden State politics. Few political observers are more respected...
2024-08-071h 05Capitol Weekly PodcastBrian Joseph on Sex Trafficking, SB 14 and moreJanuary is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Over the course of several Capitol Weekly stories this month, reporter Brian Joseph explores the nuances of this horrific crime, its cultural influences and possible reform options. He joined us today to talk about "The Life", the intersection of Pimp culture and Pop culture, Sen. Shannon Grove's SB 14, one of last year’s most controversial bills, and more. Plus, hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster take a look at a busy "Worst Week.":31 Human Trafficking Awareness Month1:37 Background2:16 SB 145:03 Third Party control6:00 Wh...
2024-01-2943 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastEnd of Year Holiday Wrap Up!For our final episode of 2023 we've got a big show with three special segments: First up, hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster talk with Sammy Perez of Prison Fellowship to learn about the Angel Tree Program, which gives incarcerated parents a way to provide a Christmas gift and a personal message for their children. Perez, who spent nearly a decade in prison, shares the importance of family connections for prisoners and their families on the outside - and how others can help support the program.Next up, we are joined by longtime Capitol Weekly editor J...
2023-12-181h 20
Capitol Weekly PodcastA Chat With Viviana Becerra, COS to Attorney General Rob BontaViviana Becerra was one of the new names this year on Capitol Weekly's annual Top 100 List. As Chief of Staff to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, she oversees the Office of Communications, Office of Native American Affairs, Office of External Affairs, Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement Team, and the Office of Legislative Affairs. While Becerra may be new to the list, she is already a capitol veteran, despite the fact that she has yet to hit 40.She sat down with hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster to talk about her journey to the AG's office and what...
2023-09-1834 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastA look at the 2023 Top 100Each year, Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 names the most powerful movers and shakers in California politics. We don’t include elected officials. Instead, we look at those who devote their professional lives to fighting for – or against – issues of state politics and policy, including lobbyists, bureaucrats, activists, trade group leaders, Capitol staffers and even journalists.Last week we published the 15th Edition of the Top 100, which was notable for two firsts: this is editor Rich Ehisen's first time at the helm of the Top 100; And, this is the first time women have made up a majority of the name...
2023-08-2153 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastA Chat with CalMatters Editor in Chief Kristen GoToday we welcome CalMatters' new editor in chief, Kristen Go, who joined the newsroom at the very end of May.Go has big shoes to fill: founding editor Dave Lesher took the organization from fledgling start up to public media behemoth in eight short years; now CalMatters is seen by many as the 800 pound gorilla of California political news. (Does that make Capitol Weekly the chimp? Nevermind.)Go certainly has the chops for the job - she has a long CV, ranging from USA Today to the San Francisco Chronicle to the UC Berkeley graduate...
2023-07-3140 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastThe Budget: Winners and Losers, with Chris HoeneFacing the first deficit in a decade, legislators finished hammering out a Budget deal with the governor this week. While the final document (as it stands now, trailer bills and tweaks notwithstanding) does not feature the catastrophic cuts some had feared, funding for some of Gov. Newsom's high priority projects did see reductions, including funds aimed at reducing homelessness and supporting the transition to clean energy.In a win for the administration, legislators agreed to include some of the governor's CEQA reform proposals - reversing the Sen. Budget Committee's earlier rejection of the proposals. The Delta Tunnel...
2023-07-0331 minCapitol Weekly PodcastWild WeekHeading into recess, hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster look back on a historic week chock full of political news: the Trump indictment, the governor's oil price-gouging bill SBx1-2, the Campaign for Democracy, emissions standards and OH SO MANY candidates for the Worst Week in California Politics.:23 WILD1:04 Trump indicted3:42 How social media played into the news cycle5:53 Trump fatigue7:06 #gwynethpaltrowskiaccidenttrial8:12 Oil price-gouging bill SBx1-212:16 Campaign for Democracy14:23 CA Emission Standards waiver14:56 ROADMAP: A Conference on California Emission Plans
2023-04-0331 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastA Look at the Career of Richard Polanco, with Dan MorainRichard Polanco served 16 years in the legislature, eight years in each house. Elected to the Assembly in 1986, he soon began efforts to build the Latino coalition in the legislature, ultimately helping expand the number of Latino legislators from seven members to 24 by the time he left office in 2002. Polanco was a shrewd and energetic organizer who grew Latino political power just as anti-immigrant sentiment swept the state, culminating in the passage of Proposition 187 in 1994. As Republicans celebrated the win (ultimately overturned by the courts), Polanco and his allies worked to identify and support strong Latino candidates; their s...
2023-01-2332 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastEnd of an Era: Farewell John Howard - Hello Rich EhisenThis week marks a huge change at Capitol Weekly, and the end of an era in Sacramento: editor John Howard is retiring.John arrived in the AP's Sacramento Bureau in 1980 and became their California state politics reporter in 1982 - Jerry Brown was governor, and Willie Brown was about to become Speaker. He has covered the capitol every day since, first for AP, then for a variety of publications including the Orange County Register and California Journal. In 2005 he became Managing Editor for the newly-revamped Capitol Weekly. Under then-Editor Anthony York, Capitol Weekly had been reimagined as the G...
2023-01-1644 minCapitol Weekly PodcastA Look Back at the Biggest California Political News Stories of 2022Podcast hosts John Howard and Tim Foster talk about the biggest California political news stories of the past year - the secret tapes of several Los Angeles City Council members, housing and homelessness, the November elections and more. Plus, they tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics.Show Notes::27 The tape2:47 Housing and homelessness4:29 The Southwest Airlines meltdown5:31 The election9:47 The Latino Caucus ban on GOP members11:22 The Bash12:16 Speakership battle13:08 Lorena Gonzalez leaving the legislature14:38 C...
2023-01-0226 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastExit Interview: AP Photographer Rich Pedroncelli Calls it a DayShaquille O'Neal. The Golden State Killer. Governors Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Jerry Brown and Gavin Newson. Longtime Associated Press Photographer Rich Pedroncelli has photographed them all - and just about every other prominent person to make an appearance in California's capitol city. Now, after over three decades behind the lens, he is hanging up his press pass.Capitol Weekly's John Howard often shared assignments with Pedroncelli when the two worked together at AP; they, along with co-host Tim Foster, reminisced about those days and talked about the changes to the industry. Plus: Who Had the Worst Week in...
2022-12-0534 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastWhat Next for the United Farm Workers?Agriculture is BIG business in California; More than half the fruits, nuts and vegetables sold in the US come from the Golden State.
This summer, the legislature passed AB616, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act, a bill to expand options for organizing agricultural workers. Modeled on the 2016 Voter's Choice Act, the bill sailed through the legislature, despite being labeled a "job killer" by agribusiness interests.
To the surprise of many - including bill sponsors the United Farm Workers - Gov. Newsom vetoed the bill on September 22. Undaunted, the UFW immediately rerouted an in-progress march...
2021-10-2126 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCase Books: Direct Democracy, and The Legislative Process, with Chris MicheliLongtime lobbyist Chris Micheli stops by the Capitol Weekly Podcast to talk with Tim Foster and John Howard about his TWO new case books: Introduction to California State Government and Cases and Materials on Direct Democracy in California.
Micheli, a lawyer and an adjunct professor at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law has published numerous books on the subject of lobbying, and explains the value of his these latest resources.
Plus, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics.
Show Notes:
:40 What is a...
2021-08-0934 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastEverything You Ever Wanted to Know About The Bash 2021The Bash (AKA The Back to Session Bash) has been a Capitol tradition for close to two decades now. The 2020 edition - the biggest ever - was held as usual in January, before COVID was a concern. Twelve months later, a January 2021 Bash was out of the question. The question then was: cancel or postpone? Bash headmaster David Quintana (AKA Q) consulted with the party's sponsors and decided to schedule The Bash for July 14 - just before the legislature's Summer recess - and here we are.
Quintana joined John Howard and Tim Foster this episode to talk...
2021-07-1234 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastUpdate: California State ParksWith Memorial Day - one of the biggest camping holidays of the year - coming up next Monday, we thought we'd check in on the status of California's State Parks. We're joined this week by Gloria Sandoval, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for State Parks who tells us how to get into your favorite park - and offers tips on what to do if your first option is booked.
As pandemic restrictions lift, Californians are returning to Parks in record numbers. California State Parks saw 75 million visitors a year, pre-COVID - based on early numbers, 2021 may shatter th...
2021-05-2425 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastSigrid Bathen: Cops and CliniciansVeteran journalist and university professor Sigrid Bathen, who has written extensively about California's mental health policies, joins Tim Foster and John Howard on the Podcast to chat about what is rapidly becoming a hot political issue -- having mental health clinicians accompany police officers on some emergency calls, such as family disturbances. The "cops and clinicians" movement is capturing attention. She also touches on the "5150" involuntary hold, the dispute over "Laura's Law" and our mental hospitals.
And Tim and John ponder Who had the Worst Week in California Politics? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...
2021-04-2627 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastEducation at the Ballot Box: Gale KaufmanThis episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast features a discussion between John Howard and Tim Foster and longtime campaign consultant Gale Kaufman. The episode was recorded live (via Zoom) at the California Community College League's 2021 Legislative Conference on January 26.
Campaign consultant Gale Kaufman has run a ballot campaign (or two, or more) in every election cycle since 1998 - and, she's won most of those. Many of the campaigns Kaufman has directed were tied to education, and she has been closely affiliated with the California Teachers Association for much of her career.
Kaufman offered her thoughts...
2021-02-0146 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastDan Morain: Kamala's WayJournalist extraordinaire Dan Morain joined John Howard and Tim Foster to talk about his new book, Kamala's Way: An American Life - the first biography of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. Morain covered Harris' rise in real time for the Los Angeles Times, The Sacramento Bee and CalMatters; that background allowed him to write and research the entire book in a few months during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Dan offers insights into the woman who will be the first woman Vice President, and also shares stories of the background players; fascinating characters of San Francisco politics, including Harris' former...
2021-01-1943 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastWhat next for the California Republican Party?On Tuesday we published journalist A.G. Block’s in-depth analysis of the woes plaguing California’s Republican Party: they run barely ahead of ‘Decline to State’ in voter registration, and the state GOP has no elected statewide officials, holds only a third of the state’s legislative seats and about a quarter of the state’s Congressional seats. Republican candidates didn’t even make the ‘Top Two’ in the state’s 2016 and 2018 U.S. Senate races.
Hours after we published the story, Democrats won both U.S. Senate seats in a Georgia runoff election, handing control of the Senate to the...
2021-01-0840 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastFrank Mecca: Looking Back on 3 Decades at CWDAFrank Mecca retires this month after serving as the Executive Director of the County Welfare Directors Association of California for nearly 30 years.
A prominent advocate for poor and disadvantaged Californians, Mecca is a champion of direct intervention: "The number one way to help kids in poverty is to give their parents the resources to get them out of poverty."
Frank joined Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster by phone to talk about his career at CDWA, the difficulties and the successes, and what's changed in the three decades since he took the helm.
2020-12-1324 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCaitlin Vega: Union MadeOur guest today is Caitlin Vega, a longtime labor activist who got her start as a Teamsters organizer when she was still in her teens. Vega is currently the legislative and political adviser to the UFCW Western States Council. She spent 16 years with the California Labor Federation, ultimately working her way up to Legislative Director, before striking out on her own.
As the November election approaches, Vega is focused on what she sees as an existential battle: the effort to defeat Proposition 22 – the initiative that would classify App-based drivers as independent contractors and remove labor protections for th...
2020-10-1924 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastThe Day That Everything Changed: Shawnda WestlyShawnda Westly is a familiar figure in California politics. From 2009-2018 she served as executive director of the state Democratic Party and "right-hand" of then-Party leader John Burton, overseeing both campaign strategy and day-to-day operations of the party. Westly's tenure saw a massive expansion in Democratic representation in the legislature, with the party surging to supermajorities in both houses, and a concurrent boost in the stability of the organization itself, boasting stocked coffers and a new headquarters on S Street in Sacramento.
In the midst of this professional triumph, however, Westly suffered a devastating personal tragedy.
2020-10-1228 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST105 Lockdown Protest w/Karlos Rene AyalaThe California state capitol was the scene of two recent Lockdown protests, the first on Friday April 17, and a second, much larger one, on the following Monday. Documentary filmmaker Karlos Rene Ayala covered both and made a short film about each of the events. The two shorts mark the launch of his STIMULUS series, about life under quarantine. While the economic uncertainty created by the stay-at-home order was a unifying theme, he discovered that the protesters brought with them a range of other notions, including vaccine skepticism, anti-government sentiment and religious fanaticism. Karlos joined John Howard and Tim Foster to...
2020-04-2300 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST102: Steve Wiegand on America's Most Improbable MuseumLongtime journalist Steve Weigand joins John Howard and Tim Foster to talk about his new book, "The Dancer, the Dreamers, and the Queen of Romania: How an Unlikely Quartet Created America's Most Improbable Art Museum." The book tells the story of the Maryhill Museum in Klickitat, Washington and the wildly different individuals, including SF socialite Alma Spreckels, and Queen Marie of Romania, whose lives and dreams came together to create it against difficult and, at times, unusual challenges.
Buy "The Dancer, the Dreamers, and the Queen of Romania" here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dancer-the-dreamers-and-the-queen-of-romania-steve-wiegand/1130339452 or at...
2020-04-0723 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST96 w/David PanushIn the capitol, David Panush is known as a longtime staffer and top-level expert on health care policy - usually one of our first calls when getting background on a convoluted healthcare story - but after dark he sheds the coat and tie and heads up a rock group called Remedy 7 (even the band name is healthcare-related!) The other members of the group are an eclectic mix, including a lobbyist, a water policy wonk and an Assembly chief of staff. David sat down with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster (who has played in more than a few...
2020-03-0325 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST95: Digital Influencers, w/Jeff RandleRandle Communications recently released their third annual Digital Influencer Report, tracking digital advocacy trends in 2019. Sad to say that the Capitol Weekly Podcast didn't make the list, but we won't hold that against them. Randle worked with Zignal Labs, hotshots in the field of social media analysis, to produce data for the report. Short take: this year’s report found that digital advocacy is more essential to public affairs and the California Legislature than ever before. Nearly all 120 legislators, and all statewide elected officials are on Twitter; some, like Senator Lorena Gonzalez and Governor Newsom, are thriving in the ne...
2020-02-2631 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST93: Nevada Caucus Preview w/Roger SalazarDemocratic political operative Roger Salazar has worn many hats over the years, working high profile gigs for political heavyweights like VP Al Gore and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. In 2008 Salazar headed to Nevada to help with the launch the then-new Nevada Caucus. Most won't remember, but up until '08, Nevada was a primary state; Roger was on hand for that very first Caucus and learned firsthand exactly how much can go wrong. He sat down with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster to chat about how caucuses work, what they look like from the organizational side and what...
2020-02-1431 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST90: KabaTalks on AB5Another KABATALKS episode of the Capitol Weekly pod, wherein two brothers working opposite sides of the political spectrum discuss issues of the day. John Kabateck is a lifelong Republican and longtime spokesperson for the NFIB; Brian Kabateck is a lifelong Democrat and the former head of the Consumer Attorneys Association. John Howard and Tim Foster of Capitol Weekly guide the discussion, which focuses this week on AB5, the landmark labor law that seeks to clarify the distinctions between employees and independent contractors in the wake of the Dynamex decision. Unsurprisingly, the Kabatecks are on opposite sides of the fence...
2020-01-1633 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST89: California's rape crisis centersReporter Scott Soriano joins John Howard and Tim foster to talk about his recently published three-part series on California's rape crisis centers. These nongovernmental organizations provide crucial resources and support to survivors of sexual assault, who often have nowhere else to turn. The value of the work performed by the centers is not in dispute - but who should pay for it is. While California has experienced a steady rise in the number of reported rapes (over 5% per year since 2015), the state’s annual General Fund contribution to rape crisis centers over the past decade has been just $45,000 — and all...
2020-01-0927 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST88: Back to Session Bash 15th AnniversaryJanuary means one thing on the Sacramento legislative calendar (well, aside from the governor's budget): the annual Back to Session Bash! Lobbyist David Quintana launched the soiree 15 years ago and has been its guiding light as the event grew from a modest gathering for capitol staffers into the star-studded blowout it is today. John Howard and Tim Foster sat down with Quintana to talk about the early years, the "Too Short Incident," what he's learned in 15 years of hosting the Bash - and to dig for clues about the surprise entertainer ("our biggest ever") booked for this year's Bash...
2019-12-2335 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST87: Kamala, What Happened? With Paul MitchellIn a surprise move, Senator Kamala Harris suspended her run for the presidency today, ending what had once been a promising campaign, launched with great fanfare in front of 22,000 Oakland supporters. The announcement came after a slate of bad news; unimpressive fundraising numbers, an ugly public departure of key staffers and several devastating media reports describing a campaign in disarray. California Political data expert Paul Mitchell joined John Howard and Tim Foster to discuss what happened, and what Harris' exit means for a race that is very much in flux.
Thanks to Gage Skidmore for use of...
2019-12-0435 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST86: Kabatalks w/Brian and John KabateckBrian and John Kabateck visit the podcast to answer the question on everyone's lips: what is Thanksgiving like for two brothers who are on opposing sides of nearly every political fight in the state? John Kabateck is a lifelong Republican and longtime spokesperson for the NFIB; Brian Kabateck is a lifelong Democrat and the former head of the Consumer Attorneys Association. The two sat down with John Howard and Tim Foster to talk about how they separate work, ideology and family, and on finding common ground. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com...
2019-11-2536 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST85: Who Saved the Redwoods?California's Redwood forests are celebrated worldwide for their beauty and wonder - but few realize that the Redwoods came close to being logged out of existence. The first reports of California's giant trees made it back to the US in the mid 1800s, before statehood. It wasn't long afterward that loggers began harvesting the redwoods, often seeking the largest - and oldest - trees as their prime targets. By the early 20th Century, only a fraction of the Old Growth Redwoods remained, and activists from the then-new conservation movement rallied to save what was left. Authors Laura and James...
2019-11-1228 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST83: Paul Mitchell on 2020Political data maven Paul Mitchell joins the Capitol Weekly Podcast's John Howard and Tim Foster to talk about the latest buzzword in the 2020 election lexicon -- electability. Electability is that indefinable something that every candidate wants but few have. It's hard to nail down, but you know it when you see it. Mitchell, the founder of the CA120 political column and one of our regular podcast guests, is a political strategist and statistician, and he takes a deep dive -- his first of many -- into the results of his first tracking poll. His findings may surprise you.
2019-09-0435 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST82: Ten Years of The Top 100 w/Anthony YorkWe're celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the Top 100 list next week, so on the Capitol Weekly Podcast today thought we'd chat with the person who was there and started it all -- Anthony York, a veteran reporter and the founding editor of the revamped Capitol Weekly. What began as a reward-your-friends-and-punish-your-enemies exercise in clickbait and cheek gradually morphed into a document of some value, however limited and flawed. Today, it's a lot different than in 2009: For one thing, we print The Top 100 Book, a profusely illustrated paperback featuring thumbnail career bios of each of the 100 subjects. For another, some...
2019-08-1534 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST 77 w/Carl GuardinoThis week's podcast guest is Carl Guardino, head of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and a member of the California Transportation Commission. Carl Sat down with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster at K Street's bustling Ambrosia Cafe (trust us, it gets quieter after a minute or two) to offer insight into the battles over new housing in the Bay Area (including SB50) and the fierce fights over improving California's rail system, from High Speed Rail, electric trains and San Jose's future subway. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...
2019-04-1026 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #70 Sen. Bob Wieckowski on PG&E BankruptcyBob Wieckowski is more than just the Senator from California's 10th Senate District - he's also a bankruptcy lawyer, giving him unique insight into utility giant PG&E's recent bankruptcy declaration. John Howard and Tim Foster visited the Senator in his office to chat about the difference between federal and state bankruptcy laws, what happens to the companies with existing or pending contracts with PG&E and the status of fire victims' insurance claims. All that, plus the story behind all those framed photos of blues musicians on the walls of his office. Hosted by Simplecast...
2019-02-0725 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #69: PG&E Bankruptcy w/JD MorrisPacific Gas and Electric filed for bankruptcy protection on January 29, citing billions of dollars in potential liabilities from the utility giant's likely role in sparking a series of devastating California wildfires. San Francisco Chronicle reporter JD Morris has been covering the case and joins John Howard and Tim Foster to discuss the ramifications of bankruptcy including the possibility that the venerable California company may be broken up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2019-02-0117 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #68: Paul Mason of the Pacific Forest TrustLongtime California environmentalist Paul Mason sits down with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster for a wide-ranging discussion covering wildfires, the status of California's forests, Julia Butterfly Hill, John's 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco and the shifting focus of the state's environmental movement in the face of global climate change crisis. Also: a shameless plug for Capitol Weekly's internship program! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2019-01-0914 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #62, with Mindy RomeroMindy Romero of the California Civic Engagement Project joins John Howard and Tim Foster of Capitol Weekly to talk about California's primary election turnout and what we -might- expect to see in November. We also ask about CCEP's recent move from UC Davis to USC. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2018-08-0722 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCW PODCAST 58 with Anthony WrightA package of over 20 healthcare bills and budget asks - called "Care For All California" - is now making its way through the legislature. Backed by a consortium of over 50 healthcare organizations, unions and nonprofits, the package would significantly reshape California's healthcare landscape and could bring the state's uninsured rate below 3%. Anthony Wright of Health Access California sits down with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster to chat about the Care For All proposal and the prospects for Universal Healthcare in California. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...
2018-05-0219 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST57 - Asm. Jim CooperAssemblyman Jim Cooper was on hand at yesterday's press conference that announced that a suspect in the notorious East Area Rapist / Original Night Stalker / Golden State Killer case had been arrested. Cooper, a former Captain in the Elk Grove Sheriff's Department, spoke about the importance of DNA collection in the solution of cold case crimes and noted that an unforeseen outcome of Proposition 47, which reclassified a number of crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, was a significant drop in DNA the state collects from suspects. John Howard and Tim Foster stopped by his office today to talk about the role...
2018-04-2714 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST49 - with Alexei KoseffSacramento Bee reporter Alexei Koseff covers California politics and higher education for the Bee’s capitol bureau — and handles the state Assembly, too. Alexei joined Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster to chat about the challenges facing UC — Alexei is a Stanford alumnus, by the way — and the unique, constitutionally protected position the institution occupies in California’s educational structure. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2018-02-0214 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST43 - with Paul MitchellPolitical Data's Paul Mitchell sits down with John Howard and Tim Foster to discuss his latest CA120 column, which examines changing - and not-so-changing - attitudes among California's Trump voters. How are the president's early supporters feeling about his time in office, the Republican majority in congress, and journalists? Listen here to find out! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2017-10-0919 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST40 - Redistricting with Paul MitchellThe 2020 Census could have a big impact on California's political districts. Could changes in population - or an undercount - cost California a congressional seat? Or, will improved counting methods give California a 53rd seat in the House? Political Data's Paul Mitchell joins John Howard and Tim Foster to discuss the possibilities for the state's second round of redistricting since the creation of the nonpartisan redistricting commission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2017-06-2123 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCWPODCAST39 - Polling with Paul MitchellCalifornia political data guru Paul Mitchell sits down with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster to talk about his latest CA120 column, which looks at changes in political polling. What does the decline of land lines, surge of cell phones and increased reliance on email mean for the future of California political polling? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2017-06-0715 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #29 With ALEX VASSARJohn Howard and Tim Foster take a short tour of the California state capitol with "unofficial" legislative historian Alex Vassar. Alex shares some tales from his new book, "California Lawmaker," about a few of the 4,424 people who have served in legislature since the state's inception. Alex serves up stabbings, shootings and fistfights on the floor - and that's all from just one incident! You'll also hear about the tile setting Nazi who restored the floor just outside the Pro Tem's office and
find out why there are no longer couches on the upper rotunda. Hosted...
2017-02-0616 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #27 With ANTHONY WRIGHTCapitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster sit down with Anthony Wright of Health Access California to talk about the impact of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare. Is it happening? If so, when? How much will it cost Californians? And, what's the significance of February 20? All this and more on the latest Capitol Weekly Podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2017-01-2718 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #23 with PAUL MITCHELLCapitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster head over to the coffee shop for a chat with data whiz and CA120 columnist Paul Mitchell. Paul expands on the ideas in his latest column, breaks down how Californians voted in 2016 (now that the final numbers are in)and what it might portend for 2018 and beyond. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-12-2023 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #18 with BUFFY WICKSWith the election just four weeks away, Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster sit down with Buffy Wicks, Democratic strategist and California State Director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 primary campaign. Wicks got her start as a congressional campaign volunteer in 1996 and parlayed that experience into significant roles in Howard Dean and Barack Obama's campaigns, later serving as a Deputy Director at the White House Office of Public Engagement. Wicks offers background on what it's like to run a campaign - and gives her take on the state of the 2016 election. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company...
2016-10-1321 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #16Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster pay a visit to Sacramento political consultants Steven Maviglio and Ray McNally who just got back from Moscow. Their mission: explain American politics to the Russians. Their problem: who could explain THIS crazy election? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-09-1810 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #15It's Election Day in California (and five other states) - but the AP already called the Democratic primary for Hillary Clinton yesterday. How did that happen? Tim Foster chats with Capitol Weekly editor John Howard - for many years a top political reporter for the AP - who explains how the process works... and how it might affect today's results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-06-0709 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #13Political Data Inc's Paul Mitchell joins John Howard and Tim Foster to chat about new numbers from the Secretary of State and the effects of purging the voter rolls. He also digs into a hot topic - how the party delegate system works, with a look at the historical evolution of the primary process. All that, AND his connection to the Zodiac Killer - only at Capitol Weekly! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-04-1218 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #10The Nooner's Scott Lay stops by to talk politics with Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster. Scott looks at potential Dem-on-Dem races, and John asks his favorite question: will this be the year that California's primary matters? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-03-1515 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly PODCAST #8Rough and Tumble's Jack Kavanagh stops by the lavish offices of Capitol Weekly for a chat with John Howard and Tim Foster about journalism, the internet, and why you won't find The Economist on R&T. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-03-0725 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly PODCAST #7John Howard and Tim Foster talk about the week in California politics, including the State Democratic Convention, forgotten assets, the end of Daylight Savings Time and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-03-0308 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #6Capitol Weekly's John Howard and Tim Foster sit down for a chat about California politics including a look at data whiz Paul Mitchell's #CA120 article covering the surprise outcome of the 2014 race for the 39th Assembly District in which political unknown Patty Lopez defeated incumbent Raul Bocanegra - was it ballot order? Also, a look at AB2249, Assemblyman Ken Cooley's bill to stop private firms term trademarking the names of public park amenities Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-02-2308 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCapitol Weekly Podcast #3Our third podcast! Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster sit down with GOP political strategist Hector Barajas to talk about the Latino vote, Donald Trump, and whether California’s presidential primary vote might actually make a difference this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-02-0114 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #2Capitol Weekly's John Howard sits down with Tim Foster and Scott Lay to talk Bond revenue, Prop 13, drama at the California Coastal Commission and the quality of the bathrooms at the capitol. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-01-2515 min
Capitol Weekly PodcastCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST #1Capitol Weekly Editor John Howard and Open California's Tim Foster chat about what's coming up at the capitol this week (following the Martin Luther King Holiday) on the debut edition of the Capitol Weekly podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2016-01-1806 min