California is in the midst of a turning point in the state’s politics. We have seen an increase in the pace of economic recovery, an uptick in vaccinations – and we have also seen a change in the political fortunes to and fro of a Governor who likely faces a recall later this year. Yet Governor Newsom also has the good fortune of a state budget surplus despite an economic slowdown last year and the rise of a pandemic.

To discuss further, KCBS Radio Anchors Patti Reising and Jeff Bell were joined by Political Scientist from Sonoma State University Dr. David McCuan and Angela Hart, who covers politics and policy in California for Kaiser Health News, also known as KHN.

On Tuesday, Governor Newsom continued rolling out policy proposals ahead of the May Revise budget, this time tackling homelessness in California. Despite an economic slowdown along with the COVID pandemic, the state’s coffers are flush – with some estimates showing more than $75 billion in additional dollars coming into the state. 

For more on the impact of this this budget surplus on California and our politics, Sonoma State University Political Scientist, Dr. David McCuan, joined KCBS Radio news anchors Jeff Bell and Patti Reising on The State of California. The three of them spoke with California State Senator John Laird, to find out how this could all play out with more budget deadlines on the horizon and as the economy reopens with the pandemic subsiding.

Governor Newsom today announced initial plans for the state’s budget, kicking off a month of budget negotiations between the Governor and the Legislature.

Much of the discussion centers around how to spending a massive $38-billion budget surplus; that number includes both state and federal stimulus money.
 
To discuss further, KCBS Radio anchors Patti Reising and Jeff Bell, joined by KCBS Radio Reporter Mike DeWald spoke with State  Assemblyman Kevin Kiley.

The state legislature is currently debating what California’s schools will look like come this fall. It’s a complicated issue that doesn’t fall under typical party lines. While the Governor has called for a full reopening of school’s in the fall, some questions still remain over how to get there.

For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Patti Reising and Jeff Bell, and KCBS Radio reporter Mike Dewald spoke with State Assemblyman to discuss what's happening among state leaders. 

The Republican Party continues to find it’s identity, both statewide and nationally, in the months following the Trump Presidency. Here in California, Caitlyn Jenner did her first interview since announcing her run for Governor in an appearance on cable news last night. It comes as Congressional Republicans debate whether or not to remove Liz Cheney from her leadership role.

For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Patti Reising and Jeff Bell, and KCBS Radio reporter Mike Dewald spoke with Henry Brady, who is a Political Scientist and Dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
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