All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg How Matt Mahan Thinks He Can Save California
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Mar 23, 2026 
Matt Mahan, San Jose mayor and former civic tech founder, lays out his case for fixing California. He digs into Sacramento lobbying, housing rules that choke supply, homelessness and treatment policy, rising energy costs, pension debt, and immigration reform. The conversation also hits populism, government accountability, and why the state spends more but delivers less.
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Home Insurance Fails When California Ignores Real Risk
- Mahan says California broke home insurance by suppressing risk-based pricing and failing to invest enough in wildfire prevention.
- He wants private insurers back with granular rates, homeowner mitigation incentives, and more state vegetation management because California spends $8 on response for every $1 on prevention.
Pension Promises Now Crowd Out Today's Public Services
- Mahan says California's pension problem came from politicians promising benefits without doing the math, leaving cities to sacrifice current services.
- He says San Jose now sends 19% of its general fund to unfunded liabilities and created a new tier with more realistic returns and shared downside.
California Expanded Bureaucracy Faster Than Population Or Results
- Mahan says California's exploding budget reflects zero-based budgeting never happening as headcount and programs grew even while population stayed flat.
- He says spending rose 75% in six years, state employee headcount grew over 20%, and agencies should be rebuilt around measurable outcomes.