Political Breakdown

With unemployment claims again rising as states struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19, Scott and Guy Marzorati talk with KQED's Sam Harnett about his new series "How We Got Here" about the decline of worker power in America. Then, Los Angeles Supervisor Hilda Solis joins to talk about her parent's union experiences, her fights for environmental justice in the state legislature, the upset win that sent her to Congress in 2000, how she became President Obama's Secretary of Labor, and how the Biden campaign is planning to win over Latino voters who supported Bernie Sanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the spread of COVID-19 increasing throughout the state, Governor Gavin Newsom orders many counties to halt their reopening. Scott and Katie Orr discuss the governor's actions and the newly signed state budget. Then, Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles) shares why she felt concerned about the pace of reopening, her proposal to remove police from some crisis response situations, her #WatchWednesdays Twitter videos, and her 1997 "Money Makeover" in the Los Angeles Times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With COVID-19 cases growing rapidly in California and Florida, Scott and Marisa are joined by WLRN reporter Caitie Switalski to explore how officials in the Golden State and the Sunshine State have responded to the ongoing pandemic, and how prepared the two state's hospitals are for the surge in cases. Then, Nicole Gill, executive director of Accountable Tech, joins to discuss how the new group plans to fight misinformation on social media platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom announces a requirement for face-coverings in high-risk settings, as masks become a political flash point in some California counties. Marisa and Scott also discuss the differences in how officials in California and Florida have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, University of California Board of Regents Chair John Perez, the former Assembly speaker, joins to discuss the Supreme Court's decisions on the DACA program and LGBT workplace discrimination. He also talks about the effort to reverse California's ban on affirmative action and compares the state's current budget crisis to the shortfall during the Great Recession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Davis, former Director of the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services under President Obama, talks with Scott and Marisa about reimagining public safety after the killing of George Floyd. He also discusses his current advising of the Newsom administration and reflects on following his father's footsteps into law enforcement and his years with the Oakland and East Palo Alto police departments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BART Director Lateefah Simon joins Scott and Marisa to discuss the protests against police violence, steps cities can take to reform policing, the re-entry programs she created with Kamala Harris, her Bay Area roots and her late husband Kevin Weston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Steyer, chair of Gov. Gavin Newsom's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, talks with Scott and Marisa about the work ahead to rebuild California's economy. He also discusses what he learned on the presidential campaign trail and shares the story behind his bulk purchase of tartan ties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Legislature delves into Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal, and Marisa and Scott talk with KQED's Katie Orr about how lawmakers are pushing to reassert themselves in spending negotiations. Then, Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association, joins to discuss the financial hit hospitals are taking during the coronavirus pandemic, the outlook for support in the state budget, how hospitals are preparing for a future surge of patients and how the crisis could change the ways hospitals operate for years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans massive cuts to California's budget unless Congress approves more aid. KQED's Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos discuss the governor's May Revise and the budget process ahead with KQED's Katie Orr. Then, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, joins to share his thoughts on the governor's proposal, Assembly Bill 5, how to manage cuts to public education and the Legislature's response to the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's contracts for protective gear draw increased scrutiny, and the Newsom administration projects a $41 billion drop in revenues. Marisa and Scott discuss those developments with KQED's Guy Marzorati, along with a preview of next week's special election in the 25th Congressional District. Then, Stephanie Valencia, president of Equis Labs, joins to discuss her extensive surveying of Latinos in 2020 battleground states, what she's watching for in pandemic polling and her time working in the Obama White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices