SacTown Talks

Today we welcome back Government Affairs and Communications Manager for Friant Water Authority, Alexandra Biering. In this episode, Biering provides us with an update on California water. We discuss California's water cycle, the drought, water delivery systems and more.  

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(03:41) Are we still in a drought?

(12:25) Dams, snow pack, and managing groundwater storage

(22:17) Who owns our water? 

(29:05) Losing water during wet years and flood management

(35:43) Recharging groundwater. How does that work?

(43:07) Comparing California’s water systems with other countries, ways to improve 

(50:06) Talking water bonds and the politics behind it

Today we welcome Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. Irwin represents Assembly District 42. We discuss the improvements in education, community colleges, digital upskilling, public safety and more. 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(02:02) Front of mind issues in District 42

(12:53) Education and community college improvements

(18:17) Housing issues in Ventura County

(20:47) Talking digital upskilling

(26:27) Tech issues and training software engineers 

(32:17) Keeping the public safe in Thousand Oaks

Today we welcome Assemblymember Luz Rivas. Rivas represents Assembly District 43. We discuss the importance of education, computer science, climate change, priorities for 2023, and more.

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(03:23) 2023 budget priorities 

(08:15) Being chair of natural resources

(12:10) Talking energy and competing agendas 

(16:55) Prioritizing climate change and how we should invest

(24:20) Computer science and climate change education

Today we welcome newly elected Assemblymember Damon Connolly. Connolly represents Assembly District 12. We discuss climate change, housing, bringing a fresh perspective to AD12, and more.  

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(02:39) Talking AD12 and housing in Marin County

(07:16) Connolly’s journey into politics

(14:02) Climate change policy and clean energy

(21:26) Wildfire prevention and preparation

Today we welcome Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva. Quirk-Silva represents Assembly District 65. We discuss how we can improve education, housing, veteran support, and more. 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(02:49) Getting elected in orange county, harvesting ballots

(09:00) Special session on windfall oil profits

(13:31) What needs to be done to improve housing? 

(19:18) Education funding 

(27:04) Working for veteran support

Today we welcome newly elected Assemblymember Joe Patterson. Patterson represents Assembly District 05. We discuss clean energy, electric vehicles, public safety, narcan in schools and more. 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(09:16) California quality of life and affordability

(13:28) Patterson’s origin story

(21:54) District priorities by county

(28:20) Oil and the transition to clean energy

(31:15) Patterson’s fentanyl bills 

(41:15) Patterson’s budget priorities

Today we welcome Beau Kilmer, McCauley Chair in Drug Policy Innovation for RAND Corporation. We discuss the problems with fentanyl, losing your license to drink, common trends with drugs, policy issues and more. 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(01:09) What is RAND? 

(07:04) Research on supervised consumption sites

(16:58) The fentanyl crisis 

(25:51) Finding solutions, what can be done?

(32:34) Alcohol and losing your license to drink

(40:01) Reducing drunk driving, and other consumption 

(50:09) What policies actually work?

Today we welcome Floor Director Brian Ebbert. Ebbert is also a registered Parliamentarian and former Asst Chief Clerk. We discuss Ebbert's role in the legislative process, the unwritten history of the legislature, what's changed in his 31 years here and more. 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(11:43) What’s changed in Ebberts time on the floor?

(15:38) Becoming a registered Parliamentarian

(25:04) Comparing Ebbert’s roles and responsibilities

(35:02) Most memorable floor moments

(43:29) Delivering bills and bill processes

Today we welcome Senator Melissa Hurtado. Hurtado represents Senate District 16. We discuss water shortage, food scarcity, agriculture and other issues that pertain to the central valley. 

SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

(03:22) What’s top of mind in SD16?

(08:04) New technology to help water shortage

(12:28) Bringing agriculture to the forefront of CA issues

(17:50) Fixing infrastructure and canals to save water