SacTown Talks

Dr. Colin Mangham, Director of Research, Drug Prevention Network of Canada joins the show to discuss Vancouver’s Safe Injection Site and his study of drug prevention policy. He explains the flaws with safe injections sites, passive treatment of drug dependency and politicization of science. He continues by discussing the necessity of mandatory addiction treatment and examines different treatment concepts across the globe. Finally he gives his personal views on addiction and his solution based on his decades of research and experience. 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Senator Holly Mitchell rejoins the program for a wide ranging discussion including COVID legislation, the California budget, Black Lives Matter, protesting and police reform and how her legislation is part of a broader effort to bring racial equity and justice to California. As the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee she discusses the challenges of creating a budget under unprecedented circumstances. Then she argues for the need to peel back the layers of systematic oppression, change policing and incarceration, and how SB 555 and 144 are a set in that direction.  

At 39:31, we then have Assemblymember Robert Rivas of the 30th District on the show. He discusses growing up in a farm working household and community, the effects of COVID on his district and the challenges of reaching constituents in rural areas. Then he explains his priorities for this year's budget, especially protections for farmworkers and how Project Roomkey can help the housing crisis.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

SacTown Talks welcomes Vincent Oliver, gaming attorney and cardroom expert, talking about the history and future of gaming in California. They discuss the history of regulation in California, how the different gaming interests came to loggerheads, why he disagrees with SCA 6 and the state's approach, why tribal casinos have issues with cardrooms and how he would change gaming regulation in California.

Add us on Twitter and Facebook

SacTown Talks has Fred Topel of the California Freelance Writers United. Fred discusses how he got into freelance writing, what freelance writing looked like before AB5, his worry that AB5 mistakes will be duplicated on the national level, his view on the changing nature of the media, and his hopes for changes to AB5 that will help both freelance writers and musicians. Note between recording and posting this episode AB 2257 and 1850 passed the Assembly and have moved to the Senate for approval. 

Add us on Twitter and Facebook

Daniel Wallach legal sports gaming experts. He presented earlier in the year to both the California Assembly and the Senate arguing about the legality of sport gaming in CA. He got his start in gaming with New Jersey sport betting cases in 2011 and became the go to expert on that case and then moved more fully into gaming law. He and Jarhett discuss the current history of sports betting across the nation. And they get into the details of constitutionality of CA gaming; including the difference between mobile betting and brick and mortar, how in person betting differs across the country, why sports leagues want to partner with the gaming industry, and the future of sports betting in California. 

Add us on Twitter and Facebook

Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian AD-46 joins SacTown Talks. He says working from home was reminiscent of a campaign but in a more comfortable environment and that working in the legislature in 2008-09 was preparation for COVID budget issues. They then look deeply at the discussion between the Governor and Legislature over the budget. He argues that it would be more disruptive to cut programs in June and restore them in September then to assume federal funding will come through. Finally they have a detailed discussion about aging and long term care in CA, including housing for seniors, his bill to cap insulin costs, and an important upcoming committee meeting. 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Senator Bill Dodd joins SacTown Talks again for an illuminating look inside the work the legislature is doing to fill the budget gap left by COVID-19. They discuss sports betting, his new bill, SCA 6, and the tensions between different gaming stakeholders. They then turn to the overall state of the budget, how the federal response hasn’t reached many of his constituents, and his worries over tourism and hospitality business returning. They conclude talking about his  reduced bill package, wildfire and energy concerns, and the need for rural broadband access across his district. 

Add us on Twitter and Facebook

This week Jarhett is joined by Calfornia State Senator Andreas Borgeas (SD8) and Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (AD65). Senator Andreas Borgeas discusses how Covid-19 has changed the legislative experience, and how well his staff has responded to help constituents, the need to take the virus seriously with tracing, resources and testing. He talks about his journey to the Senate, from international affairs to local government. They then discuss the California budget, it’s focus on Covid-19 and the business climate, his bill offering business protections against COVID related illnesses, as long as they follow guidelines, the idea that the Central Valley needs to work together to be heard in Sacramento, and the need to rebuild infrastructure in California.  

Then, at 31:40, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva joins Jarhett to discuss Covid-19 and the new reality of working from home. They touch on protests and she relates this week to her time dealing with protests while on the Fullerton City Council. That led to a discussion of her journey to the Assembly, and her views on the budget. She explains why her focus is on combining mental health and addiction treatment, stabilizing mobile home rents and childcare payments. Finally they finish talking about CDE guidelines for school reopening, and why her time as an educator gives her some doubt as to their viability.  

Add us on Twitter and Facebook

SacTown Talks welcomes two guests this week. First Senator Scott Wiener (SD-04) joins us discussing how being a politician has changed in the COVID era, legislative priorities, especially help for the hospitality industry, and how the pandemic has cast a bright light on inequities in CA.  

00:29:41:08 - Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (AD-04) discusses how her district has been battle tested, how a coming from a smaller district prepared her to be hands on, the challenges local government are going to have, how California hemp can be a revenue sources, why COVID shows that internet for all is necessary, and the difficulties of being a farmer during COVID-19. 

Add us on Facebook and Twitter.

SacTown Talks welcomes Assemblymember Jay Obernolte. He discussed how sheltering-in-place was busier than normal for the legislature and staff and the surreal nature of social distance legislating during COVID-19.  Then he and Jarhett get into the details of the budget process, the use of the Committee of the Whole, Governor Newsom’s May Revise, proposed revenue increases, and his guiding principles and what his bill package will look like this term. Finally they discuss why Assemblymember has suspended his campaign for Congress and possible tech solutions for the future of the legislature.  

Follow us on Twitter: @SactownTalks

Friend us on Facebook: @SacTownTalks