SacTown Talks

Today we welcome to the program, Assemblymember Gregg Hart. Hart represents Assembly District 37 and previously served as Planning Commissioner, City Council Member, California Coastal Commissioner, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor. We discuss Hart's career, issues with housing, the environment, budget goals and more.  

This episode was recorded on 06/20/2023

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!

Today we welcome to the program Assemblymember Bill Essayli. Essayli represents Assembly District 63 and previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney as well as a Riverside County Deputy District Attorney. We discuss Essayli's career in law, gun violence, incarceration, drug issues and more.

This episode was recorded on 05/24/2023

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!

(05:40) Essayli’s career in law and path to politics

(12:50) Talking Essayli’s bill package

(15:37) Firearm enforcement bill and Bowies Law

(19:09) Gun control and prisoner rehabilitation

(24:01) Talking budget goals

Today we welcome to the program, Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. Smallwood-Cuevas represents Senate District 28 and is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center. We discuss the election, issues with the prison system, employment, housing and more. 

This episode was recorded on 05/23/2023 

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!

(09:04) Affordable housing and cost of living in LA

(14:36) Involvement in community organizing 

(23:19) Motivating running for Senate and working with the new legislative class

(34:23) Bills and legislative focuses

(44:27) Talking committees

Today we welcome to the program labor and employment law expert, Ryan McCoy. McCoy is Partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP, with a focus on employment litigation. We discuss employment litigation in CA, wage issues, AB5 and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 05/18/2023
 

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!

(03:57) What is PAGA? 

(08:00) Talking labor code violations

(14:56) 2024 voter initiative and the effect of COVID on employers

(24:48) AB5 and the impact on litigation 

(30:08) Discussing the Cal-WARN Act

(34:05) Labor code changes McCoy would make

Today we welcome back to the program political consultant, Bill Wong. Bill Wong recently released his new book Better to Win: Hardball Lessons in Leadership, Influence, & the Craft of Politics. We discuss the book, contemporary politics, the Asian American community, and more of Wong's work.

This episode was recorded on 05/16/2023

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!

(04:22) Wong’s journey from China to Northern CA

(10:21) Lessons learned from playing football and Wong’s education path

(16:36) Working for Mike Honda and Judy Chu

(24:06) The effects of member turnover 

(28:16) Talking door to door campaigning and API progress

(36:20) Wong’s future in politics

Today we welcome Nanette Farag, Vice President of Political Affairs for Randle Communications. Farag has more than 20 years of experience leading strategic operations and has served as Chief of Staff to two Assemblymembers. We discuss Farag's career, political campaigns, technology advancements, advertising and more.
 

This episode was recorded on 5/11/2023.
 

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!

(04:20) Farag’s path to Randle, working as a young staffer with Alex Biering

(09:00) Talking campaigns and escorting Danny Devito and Rob Lowe to the inauguration

(16:38) How technology has changed the game

(26:04) Geofencing and advertising

(31:11) Farag’s work for internet safety for children

(40:03) Talking experience as Chief of Staff

(43:54) Looking ahead to upcoming political campaigns
 

(03:55) Ashby’s journey to politics 

(07:17) Ashby’s City Council experience through tough times

(11:04) The needs of the people of Sacramento\

(15:01) Addressing homelessness and education for foster youth

(17:56) The potential of downtown Sacramento

(21:20) Ashby’s bill package

Today we welcome Assemblymember Diane Dixon to the program. Dixon represents Assembly District 72 and previously served two terms as Mayor of Newport Beach. We discuss public safety, transportation, housing 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!

(05:53) Dixon’s global government relations experience

(10:56) Talking CA manufacturing, energy, and the gas tax

(20:45) Housing issues in Newport Beach and AD72

(30:40) Important public safety bills, fentanyl, and rehabilitation

(36:16) Discussing Dixon’s bills out of committee

Today we welcome Senator Alvarado-Gil to the program. Alvarado-Gil represents Senate District 4 and serves as State Commissioner for Special Education. We discuss education, fentanyl, 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!

(04:19) Experience as a first generation Mexican-American

(09:01) From working with animals, to working with children in need

(14:41) Inspiration running for Senate and the election experience

(22:34) Alvarado-Gil’s rape bill and silent reactions 

(27:54) Alvarado-Gil’s fentanyl bill and gun rights

(30:35) Talking broadband and fire protection

Today we welcome Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen to the program. Nguyen represents Assembly District 10 and previously served as Executive Director of Asian Resources. We discuss crime rates, education, homelessness, 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!

(02:26) Talking the election and Nguyen’s background

(09:24) Nguyen’s upbringing in Sacramento

(15:25) Cost of living and homelessness 

(23:28) Rising crime rates and working with law enforcement 

(26:39) Looking to improve the education system