Then There's California
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Then There's California
‘Then There’s California' is a dynamic, new podcast featuring members of the California State Senate Democratic Caucus discussing legislative priorities, policy and other related issues that make California...Exceptional!
Episodi recenti
120 episodi
Senator John Laird / Perspectives on the New Legislative Session
As the 2025-2026 legislative session convenes, State Senator John Laird also begins his latest - and final - term in elected office! Senator Laird off...
"It's clear they want to hook the next generation of smokers" / Senator Susan Rubio & SB 1230
State Senator Susan Rubio & advocates share details about SB 1230, the STOP and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act, which will strengthen enforcement...
"I've learned a lot more by LISTENING to people" / Senator Bill Dodd Looks Back on His Legislative Career
After 25 years as a local and state lawmaker and an astonishing 115 (and counting!) bills signed into law in his legislative career, State Senator Bil...
Senator Steven Bradford & Assembly Speaker Emeritus Willie L. Brown, Jr. - Reminiscences & Perspectives
On the occasion of the recent 'Willie L. Brown, Jr. Day' at the State Capitol, the legendary Assembly Speaker & San Francisco Mayor Emeritus joined St...
Senator Anthony Portantino - "The wonderful opportunity to work on issues I care about"
As Senator Anthony Portantino prepares to leave the legislature this fall, he speaks about how communication with constituents, family viewpoints - an...
"Sourdough & Kindness" - Senator Susan Eggman Looks Back on Her Legislative Career
When her distinguished legislative career comes to a close this fall, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman wants to continue to be invested in implementing...
SB 1106 & Elder Abuse in Conservatorships - Senator Susan Rubio
State Senator Susan Rubio is joined by the children and advocates of 3 actors & media personalities - Casey Kasem, Mickey Rooney & Nichelle Nichols -...
Senator Steve Padilla & Pride Month-2024 - "Diversity around us is something to celebrate..."
For Pride Month, we meet Senator Steve Padilla, who shares his candid personal & professional story of coming out publicly as a gay man & lawmaker in...
Senator Nancy Skinner Looks Back on Her Legislative Legacy: "I'm a bold legislator, but I've also been a fortunate one..."
With her time in the legislature ending this fall, State Senator Nancy Skinner is ready to talk legacy - the record of progressive public policy she t...
A Conversation with the New Senate Majority Leader, Lena Gonzalez: "We, as women, we just press on..."
Women's History Month has passed, but the discussions continue, and the State Senate's new Majority Leader, Senator Lena Gonzalez, shares her viewpoin...
A Second-Year Conversation with Senator Caroline Menjivar: "How I'm looking at it this year is, how to be more strategic..."
In this wide-ranging podcast conversation, Senator Caroline Menjivar explains how she is starting her second year in office feeling 'way more confiden...
SB 307 - The College for Foster Youth Act / Senator Angelique Ashby & Former Foster Youth Cody Van Felden
"If you're a former foster youth, there should be no barrier to your success in college..." Senator Angelique Ashby & Cody Van Felden, a former foster...
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas on the Memory & Legacy of Rosa Parks: "We have to be like Rosa, we have to stand up on these issues..."
In honor of Black History Month 2024, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas celebrates the memory of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, and explains how her courag...
Senator Ben Allen & LA Times Reporter Rosanna Xia ~ California's Coastline & the Rising Sea
State Senator Ben Allen & Los Angeles Times Environmental Reporter Rosanna Xia - author of the book "California Against the Sea - Visions for Our Chan...
Senator Aisha Wahab Looks Back on 2023: "The first year was a learning lesson in so many ways..."
"I always want it to be a positive journey," says Senator Aisha Wahab, and in this podcast conversation, the freshman lawmaker from CA's East Bay look...
Senator Bill Dodd, on Artificial Intelligence: "It's not just the future, it's the present..."
State Senator Bill Dodd shares his perspective on California's leading role in encouraging A.I. innovation and creativity...while also prioritizing in...
Senator Josh Becker on CA's Climate Change Solutions / "The New Enviromental Future"
Despite continued grim climate change forecasts, California continues to be a global leader on climate solutions, and State Senator Josh Becker update...
"The debt that is owed" - A Conversation on Reparations / Sen. Steven Bradford & Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
The California Reparations Task Force has released its report on how our state can begin to repair the damage of slavery and racism. Senator Steven Br...
Senator Catherine Blakespear / "I feel that tremendous sense of honor to have been chosen to do this work..."
She's a former 3-term city mayor, a journalist, and is passionate about transportation issues, the environment, addressing homelessness, and tackling...
Senator Anthony Portantino, on Gun Violence / “The more guns in more hands, the more violence we have in our society. It’s that simple.”
When it comes to gun safety, California is a safer state than others, and our gun laws work in concert with each other. Senator Anthony Portantino joi...
Senator Maria Elena Durazo & The Summer of Labor~2023
Is the summer of 2023 the 'Summer of Labor?' State Senator Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles talks about the waves of so-called 'labor unrest' sweepin...
OUR 100TH EPISODE! "Pie with the Pro Tem" / Senate President Pro Tem Toni G. Atkins
To celebrate our 100th episode, State Senate President Pro Tem Toni G. Atkins baked us a pie(!), and served up some delicious conversation about her S...
Sacramento Senator Angelique Ashby & Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, on Poverty: "How do we give people agency over their own lives?"
We gave Sacramento's State Senator, Angelique Ashby and Sacramento's Mayor, Darrell Steinberg, an 'assignment' to read and report back on a provocativ...
A Conversation with Senator Aisha Wahab / "The policies we push help people's lives..."
As the first Muslim & Afghan-American elected to the CA State Senate, Senator Aisha Wahab is one of the most high-profile lawmakers currently serving...
Senator Nancy Skinner & CA. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis / Proposition 1 & the Fight for Abortion Rights
State Senator Nancy Skinner, the Chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus, is joined by California's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, in a look b...
Senator Caroline Menjivar / "Being able to represent for queer kids is a feeling I never forget"
Senator Caroline Mejnivar's policy priorities for her first year in legislative office reflect the life experiences that she has had herself ~ as a yo...
Senator Josh Newman / "Our sacred charge is to make sure California students have access to a quality education."
State Senator Josh Newman is the new Chair of the Senate Education Committee, and he talks about how, in 2023, California schools, students and their...
Celebrating Women’s History Month & Telling Our Stories / Senator Monique Limón & Isabella Martinez, 2023 Senate Fellow
State Senator Monique Limon & her 2023 Senate Fellow, Isabella Martinez, celebrate Women's History Month by sharing their own stories about equity, ca...
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas / "We've got to start, as a new majority, undoing our 20th-Century burdens"
Freshman State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas says she has witnessed, in her work and life, the impact of what MLK called 'SoulForce,' the power and di...
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil / "It's people before politics - that's always been my mantra"
Meet freshman State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil ~ a two-time cancer survivor, an education innovator, a rancher, a Garth Brooks fan...and a Democrat pr...
Senator Steven Bradford & Black History Month-2023 / "We tell the stories and make people understand"
Black History Month, 2023, frames this discussion with Senator Steven Bradford, the Vice-Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, about the murder of Ty...
California's CARE Court / Senator Susan Eggman & Senator Tom Umberg
Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman & Senator Tom Umberg are the original authors of the new CARE Court Act, a law that establishes new court systems to a...
Senator Lena Gonzalez / "This Democratic Caucus is committed to ensuring that we're improving people's lives"
Our first TTC episode of 2023 features Senator Lena Gonzalez, of Long Beach, the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the NEW Vice-Chair o...
Freshman State Senator Angelique Ashby / "Equal representation is important ~ And the goal"
In her first few weeks after being sworn in as Sacramento's new state senator, Freshman lawmaker Angelique Ashby discusses the historic diversity in t...
“You’re supposed to push the envelope...” / Senator Robert Hertzberg Reflects on His Years in Public Service
State Senate Majority Leader Emeritus (and former Assembly Speaker) Robert Hertzberg is leaving the legislature this week, and in this episode, he loo...
"These goals MEAN something..." / Senator John Laird & the California Senate's Plans for Addressing Climate Change
As the legislature prepares to convene its 2023-2024 session, Senator John Laird talks about climate change laws and policies in the Senate, his plann...
"This is my life's work; this is what I do" / Senator Bob Wieckowski Looks Back
Senator Bob Wieckowski is leaving the legislature after 12 years in the Assembly & Senate, and he reflects on his early career as a congressional staf...
Senator Richard Pan Says Good-bye to the Legislature: "As long as I had more good days than bad days, I feel like I made things better…”
Dr. Richard Pan, Sacramento's first Asian -American state senator, is leaving the legislature after serving 12 years. In this reflective and candid co...
Talking Trash: Fighting Plastic Waste / Senator Ben Allen & SB 54
State Senator Ben Allen, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality, shares behind-the-scenes details of the effort to enact SB 54, transf...
"Time to go on to a new adventure" / Senator Connie M. Leyva Leaves the Capitol & Heads Home to Family
Senator Connie M. Leyva is leaving the legislature this fall, after two extraordinary terms in the State Senate. Senator Leyva reflects on her earlier...