Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Melissa Walker, principal strategist, Giving Circles, at The States Project.

In the conversation Walker explained how giving circles can help regular people influence state legislative outcomes by pooling resources.  Here are a few key points from the conversation: 
- Walker described giving circles as groups of people who combine donations and focus them on state legislative races through The States Project.
- State legislatures shape education, health care, environmental policy, civil rights, voting rights, reproductive rights, and climate policy.
- Her first circle helped close campaign funding gaps for nine Virginia state legislative candidates in 2017. "They all won their seats," she told WCPT, "and the balance of power got so close to flipping in Richmond, just one seat away, that the next year Virginia expanded Medicaid, and 400,000 people got health care who hadn't had it before."
- The program now includes 214 giving circles, and The States Project participated in 59 races decided by fewer than a thousand votes in 2024.
- Circles can include a few friends, a larger mailing list, co-workers, neighbors, or family members.
- They are intended as recurring annual work rather than an activity limited to election years.

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Democratic member of the California State Assembly, District 16.

Bauer-Kahan, who serves as chair of the California State Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, discussed California’s approach to regulating artificial intelligence, emphasizing child safety, consumer protection, and values-based voting. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- A California law signed into law protects children from AI systems that encourage addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, or social isolation.
- Bauer-Kahan said the law could disappear if the federal government preempts state AI regulations.
- She supports preserving beneficial uses of AI while adding safeguards for vulnerable users.
- She said that technology companies that she works with vary in their approach: some oppose regulation, while others view consumer trust and regulation as beneficial to innovation and growth.
- She urged voters to evaluate candidates by their values and positions on protecting children and future generations.

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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Ryan Geddie, Texas-based political content creator (find him on YouTube). 

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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Tom Moore, senior fellow for Democracy and Government at the Center for American Progress and former chief of staff to former Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen L. Weintraub.

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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Pennsylvania State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny). 

The interview focused on Pennsylvania’s energy affordability, grid modernization, data-center growth, and the political path to addressing these issues. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Sen. Pisciottano said Pennsylvania families are facing higher electric bills alongside rising housing and utility costs.
- He identified grid modernization, additional generation, and battery capacity as important to improving affordability, reliability, and sustainability across the PJM network.
- Data centers, he said, should be developed responsibly, with local input and environmental protections, without subsidizing large technology companies at residents’ expense.
- Wind, solar, natural gas, nuclear power, and batteries can collectively help meet rising demand.
- Democrats are seeking to win a Pennsylvania Senate majority after decades of Republican control; Pisciottano spoke about incremental bipartisan progress while Democrats have been in the minority.

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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Graig Meyer, executive director of the North Carolina Justice Center.

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Patti Vasquez is joined by Gwen Levey, Nashville recording artist and activist.

Gwen and Patti  discussed sexual violence, survivor advocacy, institutional accountability, and Gwen’s new album, "Wife For Life," released last week and available through streaming services and YouTube; CD and vinyl copies are available for pre-order at www.gwenleveyandthebreakdown.com/merch.

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Patti Vasquez is joined in studio by comedian and writer Janice Rodriguez, producer of the 5th Annual Latina Comedy Festival, October 1-3 at Chicago's Lincoln Lodge. Patti will perform on opening night. Get your tickets today: https://latinacomedyfestival.com/tickets.

The conversation highlighted Janice's work building an inclusive comedy festival and creating more opportunities for Latina and women comedians. Here are a few key points from the interview:
- Janice founded the Latina Comedy Festival with Las Locas Comedy; it grew from a single 2022 show into its fifth annual festival.
- The festival features comedians from across North America, including English, bilingual, and Spanish-language shows.
- Programming includes themed events such as a moms’ show, an LGBTQ show, and a lotería show.
- Janice emphasized connecting comedians, building supportive touring networks, and giving performers longer sets and access to larger stages.
- The conversation identified ongoing barriers in Chicago comedy, including intense competition and limited booking opportunities for women and Latinas.

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Patti Vasquez is joined by Cliff Cash, comedian and progressive activist. The interview focused on Cliff's political comedy, activism, upcoming protests, and live performances.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Cliff described leading protests and bringing demonstrators to Washington, D.C., where he believes congressional offices should face sustained constituent pressure.
- He plans to lead citizens to Congress October 6-8, with a stated goal of 3,500 participants, followed by similar actions in state and local offices. 
- The campaign message is “hands off our midterms,” supported by calls, emails, faxes, letters, and in-person visits.
- He also discussed his podcast, "Bless Your Heart," available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

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Patti Vasquez is joined by Randi Olson, chair of DeKalb County Democrats. 

Patti will be the keynote speaker at DeKalb Democrats' Paul Simon Awards Dinner & Fundraiser Sunday, October 4.

The interview focused on DeKalb County Democrats’ election efforts, local priorities, voter engagement, and community concerns. Here are a few key points:
- Olson said the party is working to regain the county board and support state and congressional candidates.
- Early voting began with strong turnout, and residents can find voting and mail-in ballot information through the DeKalb County government website.
- Maintaining the county nursing home remains a major priority after an earlier attempt to privatize it.
- Data centers are a bipartisan concern in the community.
- Farmers are facing pressure from tariffs, rising prices, and high diesel costs.

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