Guest:

Jon Fleischman - Founder, So Does It Matter?

Guest Bio: 

Jon Fleischman is a longtime political strategist, founder of the influential conservative news sites FlashReport and So Does It Matter?, and former Executive Director and Vice Chair of the California Republican Party. A well-known commentator on California politics, Fleischman has deep insights into the inner workings of campaigns, ballot measures, and party dynamics — particularly from the conservative side of the aisle.

Show Summary

If Prop 50 passes, will it signal the end of fair representation in California? Jon Fleischman joins Jon Slavet for a candid conversation about what’s really at stake in the state’s redistricting fight. From backroom deals to public unions bankrolling legislation, Fleischman exposes the self-serving strategies behind the measure — and why it could silence voter choice.

He explains how California became a one-party state, what needs to change, and why both political sides need to wake up before it's too late. Whether you agree with him or not, this episode offers an important view on how democracy can erode — not overnight, but through single party rule and bad policy.

Chapters

00:00 – What Prop 50 Means for California

01:20 – The Fight Over Gerrymandering and Redistricting

04:00 – Lawfare, the Courts, and the DOJ’s Role

06:30 – Why the Ballot Campaign Is Just Beginning

08:45 – The Political Strategy Behind Both Sides

11:20 – The Dangers of Politicians Choosing Voters

13:00 – Flashback: How Lines Were Drawn in the Past

15:00 – How Public Unions Influence Redistricting

16:30 – Why Collective Bargaining May Be the Root Issue

18:20 – The $322 Billion Budget Question

20:00 – Inside Sacramento's Power Structure

22:00 – Why Political Competition Matters

23:30 – Rapid Fire: What Would Fix California

25:00 – What Still Gives Jon Hope

Mentioned in this Episode @ 18:30 (re California’s bloated budget)

https://www.sodoesitmatter.com/p/californias-budget-blunder-chasing?r=295f8&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

Connect with Jon Fleischman

Twitter: https://x.com/FlashReport 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-fleischman

Website: https://www.sodoesitmatter.com/

Website: https://www.flashreport.org/

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