Political Breakdown
KQED
Join hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos as they unpack the day in politics with a California perspective. Featuring interviews with reporters and other insiders involved in the craft of politics—including elected officials, candidates, pollsters, campaign managers, fundraisers, and other political players—Political Breakdown pulls back the curtain to offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics works today.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 1, 2020 • 32min
Dr. Shirley Weber on Her Family’s Journey to California and the Teachers Who Paved Her Path
As Gov. Gavin Newsom orders the closure of Orange County beaches, Scott and Marisa talk with Assemblywoman Dr. Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, about the ongoing stay-at-home order and the timeline of the Legislature's return to Sacramento. Weber also shares the story of her father fleeing a lynch mob in Arkansas, and discusses the influence of her elementary school teachers and her hopes for education and criminal justice reform in the coming years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 24, 2020 • 31min
April Verrett on Leading the Nursing Home Workers at the Center of the Coronavirus Pandemic
With outbreaks of COVID-19 at skilled nursing facilities around the state, April Verrett, President of SEIU 2015, talks to Marisa and Scott about the members she represents and efforts to protect them at their job. She also discusses her childhood in Chicago, how organizing in California offers a national platform, and her hopes for the rebuilding of the state's economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 17, 2020 • 31min
Alex Padilla on Preparing for the November Vote and His Stint as Mayor of L.A. on 9/11
As the country braces for the potential of a general election impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, Scott and Marisa are joined by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to get an update on how California is preparing to carry out the vote, and how Los Angeles County can improve voter experience in November. Padilla also shares stories from his childhood in Pacoima, his early pursuit of a career in rocket science, and how ended up as mayor of Los Angeles on September 11th, 2001. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 10, 2020 • 31min
Dr. Mitchell Katz on Battling Outbreaks from AIDS to Coronavirus
Dr. Mitchell Katz, head of New York City's public hospitals, updates Marisa and Scott on the coronavirus outbreak in New York City, the health system's greatest need, and what is necessary to restart the economy. He also discusses how his siblings' developmental disabilities influenced his career and his time spent as the leading health official in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 3, 2020 • 31min
Congressman Raul Ruiz on Expanding Coronavirus Testing, Fundraising to Attend College, and Going from the ER to Congress
Marisa and Scott are joined by Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) to talk about the state's progress in battling COVID-19 and expanding testing in medically underserved communities. Ruiz also discusses his childhood in the Coachella Valley, his strategy to raise money in order to attend college and the reason he left the emergency room to run for Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 26, 2020 • 31min
Eleni Kounalakis on the Lieutenant Governor’s Role During the Coronavirus Outbreak and Lessons from Diplomacy in Hungary
Scott and Marisa discuss California's response to the coronavirus outbreak -- analyzing Governor Gavin Newsom's latest executive orders and private sector partnerships. Then, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis joins to discuss her work repatriating Californians abroad during the coronavirus outbreak, her father's journey from Greece, and her time as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary during the leadership of conservative prime minister Viktor Orbán. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 20, 2020 • 31min
State Sen. Dr. Richard Pan on California’s Coronavirus Response
As California cities shut down and the state prepares for a surge of coronavirus cases, Scott and Marisa check in with KQED's Katie Orr on the state government's response (0:20). Then, state Sen. Dr. Richard Pan joins to talk about battling disinformation in the public health sphere, the state's preparation for the outbreak and the personal responsibility of Californians residents in slowing infections (8:35). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 17, 2020 • 31min
Coronavirus Update: Six Bay Area Counties Issue ‘Stay-at-Home’ Order
Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos talk with San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Santa Clara Supervisor Joe Simitian, Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman, and Amanda Fried, chief of policy and communications at the San Francisco Treasurer and Tax Collector's Office, after six Bay Area counties issue a stay-at-home order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 13, 2020 • 31min
Lenny Mendonca on the Coronavirus’ Economic Impact — and His Career From Dairy Farms to the Newsom Administration
Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined by Lenny Mendonca, chief economic and business advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, to discuss the latest on how the coronavirus could impact the state's economy. They also talk with Mendonca about his childhood on a dairy farm in Turlock, his business consulting career and the Newsom administration's vision for high-speed rail, the Central Valley economy and the future of work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 6, 2020 • 31min
Warren’s Exit and a California Primary Recap
Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined by KQED's Guy Marzorati and Politico's Carla Marinucci to talk about Sen. Elizabeth Warren's exit from the presidential race, chew over the results of California's primary and discuss the returns for the Proposition 13 school bond and the state's competitive congressional races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
