Hometown California

In the latest episode of Hometown California, RCRC’s Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs, Paul A. Smith, holds a conversation about political reform, the state of California politics, and influential ballot measures in an interview with Bob Stern, J.D., a man with a long history of influence in California politics.

Bob Stern made his mark on California politics In the 1970's, as the co-author of California's Political Reform Act (1974). And, his influence doesn't stop there. When former Governor Jerry Brown was Secretary of State, Stern served as his Elections Counsel. He also became the first General Counsel of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, and was the former President of the Center for Governmental Studies (a non-profit research organization). He has been a mover-and-shaker of California politics for many decades. 

Listen in as Paul and Bob discuss the impact of political reform in California, what's working, and what could be better. Hear Bob's insights about influential ballot measures of the past, as well as the present. And, listen as Bob shares his thoughts about the impact COVID-19 is having on the state, and about the political divisions-- both in the state and the nation-- that have become prominent in recent years.

Our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with the 2021 Chair of RCRC, Mono County Supervisor Stacy Corless. 

After facing a year of devastating wildfires, a global pandemic, and the resulting changes to everyday life, we enter 2021 with new resolve and hope.  Although uncertain what the immediate future holds, Supervisor Corless is focused on the comprehensive wildfire response and long-term recovery necessary for rural California and its communities to survive and thrive. In this episode, get a glimpse of the inspiration that drives Supervisor Corless as a leader in one of California’s smallest counties.  Hear about her experience as a county leader through what was arguably one of the toughest years in recent history, and about her vision for RCRC in the year ahead.

In this episode, our host, Paul A. Smith speaks with the Dr. Michael V. Drake, the 21st President of the University of California about the intersection of the UC and rural communities of the Golden State.  

For many rural communities, the significance of the UC goes beyond the education, licensing, and credentialing it provides. Partnerships between the UC and rural communities have a considerable impact as well. One of the most important UC programs involved in rural communities is the Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) Cooperative Extension. Listen in, as Paul and Dr. Drake discuss the funding and the future of that program as well as other topics such as enrollment trends, distance learning and broadband deployment, and how the pandemic has impacted the University as a whole.

Check out these helpful links to learn more about the University of California and get connected:

• UC Homepage
• UCANR Cooperative Extension

More ways to connect with UC ANR

• Connect on Facebook
• Follow on Twitter @ucanr
• Follow On Instagram
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel

California voters decided the fate of twelve ballot measures during the 2020 General Election this year. In August, our host, Paul A. Smith, spoke with Jeremy B. White of Politico in a two-part series during which we looked at each ballot measure, what each proclaimed to do, and where the money was coming from. There was special emphasis on what each measure would mean for rural counties, and a look at the position taken on each measure by the Board of Directors of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC).

 In this episode,  Jeremey B. White of Politico returns for an examination of how each measure faired when put before the voters. In a conversation with our host, Paul A. Smith, Jeremy shares his insights about what may have contributed to the wins and losses, what we can ascertain about the California electorate, and which measures we can expect to see before the voters again in the future.

If you missed the original series, you can catch up now to hear how the conversation began.
Episode 5- Propositions 14 through 18 (English or Spanish)
Episode 6- Propositions 19 through 25 (English or Spanish)

Visit Politico on the web at politico.com
Follow Politico California on Twitter @politicoca
California Playbook: Subscribe Here

In this episode, our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down with Assembly Member Frank Bigelow for a conversation about his experience being a representative for rural California in the State Legislature. 

Assembly Member Bigelow shares about his transition from local government to state politics, the challenges of being in the political minority in the California State Legislature, and how he builds relationships and stays focused on common ground to be an effective voice for rural California.  He opens up about the personal impact of this year's devastating wildfires and the global pandemic that has created unique challenges for rural areas. 

Elected to the Madera County Board of Supervisors in 1998, Bigelow was later elected to the California State Assembly where he currently represents California Assembly District 5. The district is comprised of the RCRC member counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Tuolumne, and a bit of Placer.

 

On Thursday, as election votes were being counted, our host, Paul A. Smith, spoke with National Journal  Hotline Editor-in-Chief, Leah Askarinam about what we reliably know, what is expected based on trends and counts so far, and what still hangs in the balance.  Listen as Paul and Leah breakdown the early return dynamics in this latest episode of the Hometown California 2020 Election series.

 Why is the Presidential Race so much closer than most pundits expected?

• But for the personality of Donald Trump, would Republicans have easily won this election?
• How has the anticipated realignment of the national electorate played out?
• Who’s going to control the U.S. Senate and what’s going on in California’s key House Races? 

 And the question on everyone’s mind….

• How are the results shaping up against Paul’s election predictions?

As the nation waits, listen in to  gain timely insights.

National Journal on the Web: nationaljournal.com
National Journal's Hotline on Twitter: @njhotline

Just days before the 2020 Election, our host Paul A. Smith, speaks with Leah Askarinam of the National Journal  to take one last look at polling and trends leading up to Election Day.  With early voting well underway in many states, Leah and Paul discuss the hottest races in California and across the nation. 

Leah is the Editor-in-Chief of the Hotline at the National Journal and has been a guest on previous episodes of Hometown California, providing her insight about the Presidential race and key congressional races.

In this episode:

• Will Donald Trump hold on to the White House?
• Will this election flip the balance of power in the U.S. Senate? 
• What will the House of Representatives look like when the dust settles?

Listen in to the conversation, and catch the predictions in this episode of Hometown California.

And be on the lookout for a post-election wrap up when Paul and Leah examine the outcome in the days following what promises to an unforgettable race.

Previous episodes in the November 2020 Election series with Leah Askarinam:

Episode 08- The Presidential Election 2020 (The Race for the White House)
Episode 09- The Battle for the U.S. Senate 2020
Episode 10- U.S. House Races 2020
Episode 11- Election Check-In

National Journal on the Web: nationaljournal.com
National Journal's Hotline on Twitter: @njhotline

Our host, Paul A. Smith, speaks with Randy Moore, head of the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) of the U.S. Forest Service, about the work of managing California's forests and wildlands in these trying times of record-setting wildfires amid a global pandemic.

 In this episode:

• How is the  U.S. Forest Service structured for managing forests nationally and forest-by-forest?
• How does the Shared Stewardship Agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE impact rural communities and the future of California's National Forests?
• How is the U.S. Forest Service partnering with RCRC's Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) to benefit and protect rural communities?
• How has COVID-19 impacted the activities of the U.S. Forest Service?
• How could the outcome of the Presidential election impact forest service policy and the initiatives underway?

Find out more about the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service:
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r5
Twitter:  @usfs_r5
Facebook:  @usforestservice
YouTube:  usdaForestService

During a visit to Washington D.C. in early October, our host, Paul A. Smith, sat down with Matt Chase, CEO and Executive Director of the National Association of Counties (NACo), RCRC's national advocacy partner, for a conversation about the important work NACo does on behalf of and in partnership with counties across the nation.

NACo represents counties as intergovernmental partner, driving federal policy on behalf of America's counties. Beyond federal advocacy, NACo addresses national policy trends and works with county governments as policymakers to meet the needs of communities. 

Listen in to learn more.

• What is NACo and how is the organization structured?
• What is the role of NACo with California and rural California?
• What are NACo's advocacy priorities, and how does NACo work in partnership with local and federal governments to find solutions to long term problems?
• How can listeners get involved?

Check out NACo on the web: naco.org
Follow NACo on Social Media: Twitter | Facebook  | LinkedIn

In a typical election year, Congress would break by October 1st, as members hit the campaign trail. But 2020 has proved again and again to be anything but typical.

Our host, RCRC's Paul A. Smith, sits down with two of the most respected advocates on the Hill, Sheryl Cohen of the American Continental Group (ACG) and Kevin Eastman of PACE LLP., for a discussion about the closing weeks of the 116th Congress.

Recorded in Washington D.C. on the day President Trump's coronavirus diagnosis was announced, Kevin and Sheryl share their insights about the successes and failures of the 116th, the vacancy on the Supreme Court due to the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and what to expect in a Lame Duck and the 117th Congress.

About ACG: acg-consultants.com
About PACE LLP: pacellp.com