Capitol Weekly Podcast

Our guest today is Eloy Oakley, the President of the College Futures Foundation. He earlier served as Chancellor of California's Community Colleges and was on the Board of Regents for the University of California. Oakley himself is a community college success story - he attended Golden West College before transferring to UC Irvine where he earned a BA and MBA. He argues that postsecondary attainment isn't just an education issue, it's an economic one. The research backs him up: studies suggest that California could unlock trillions of dollars in long-term economic gains by better developing the talent that's already here. 1:09 The Insurance Commissioner race1:22 The Tribes vs. prediction markets1:52 The undervote3:38 Post-Mortem of the Election4:53 Eloy Oakley8:12 A different definition of "college"10:56 Advice: Broaden your education13:23 A Working Learner17:08 The changing labor market19:53 What the candidates for governor say23:42 The Golden Ticket27:01 Funding29:14 A clear through line between education and better economic outcomes31:32 Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics?Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode we discuss two very different aspects of family. First up is our conversation with former Sacramento Bee editorial columnist Tom Philp, who joins us to talk about his moving five-part series examining how California’s mental health system is failing the families who need its help the most. Then we are joined by Ken Monroe, chairman of the Family Business Association of California, who highlights some of the challenges and opportunities facing California’s family-owned businesses. 2:47 Haney’s AB 23443:42 How do lobbying firms grow?4:13 Tom Philp5:22 Series on Califia Carlisle7:52 State history on behavioral health10:18 CARE Court: “The teeth were taken out.”13:51 Incredibly challenging to cover18:40 “It was a story of systemic failure.”22:04 What can be done to get off of this track?24:53 How can cities and counties work better together? 28:18 “All of the creators of content are under attack”33:01 Ken Monroe33:36 What is the Family Business Association?39:35 “We talk with a lot of people who have just given up.”40:39 Holt & Caterpillar tractor’s origins in Stockton42:05 Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)45:43 What’s the message from the legislature?48:20 Have you seen change post PAGA reform?51:01 One size does not fit all55:16 We spend all of our time defending ourselves57:31 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donationhere: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way"; by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kelly Calkin heads Calkin Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm that advises some of the biggest names in California politics. Calkin has a different background from many of his public affairs colleagues - he cut his teeth working for Labor, first at the California Building and Construction Trades State Council then for the California Professional Firefighters. Later stints with the Personal Insurance Federation of California and PG&E broadened his portfolio and gave him a look at the "business" side of doing business in California. He launched CPA thirteen years ago, but "refreshed" and expanded the firm in 2025. He joined us to talk about his career, how government affairs has changed, and his approach to making things happen in California. Plus, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics.:46 Props to California6:40 Legislation wrap-up7:11 The effort to reintroduce Grizzly Bears10;00 Swim California11:43 NIL legislation13:20 Kelly Calkin14:40 Starting with Labor19:30 To California Professional Firefighters22:11 "Can i staff the BBQ?"23:11 Why the reorganization?26:53 Authenticity29:45 How to present36:26 Lobbying vs. Public Affairs39:03 When a client isn't a good fit41:45 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donationhere: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at California Health Care which was held in Sacramento on September 23, 2026.This is Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1Our panelists are: Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy CenterModerated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol WeeklyThanks to our event sponsors:THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP, CALKIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, STUTZMAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS and FIONA HUTTON & ASSOCIATES Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're joined today by Larry Lee, Publisher of The Sacramento Observer, and head of the rapidly expanding OBSERVER Media Group, which now includes the Sacramento News and Review, the Chico News and Review, and the Stockton Observer. The Sacramento Observer was founded in 1962 by Lee's father, Dr. William H. Lee, radio personality Geno Gladden, and businessman John W. Cole. The Observer has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and has been named the "Best Black Newspaper in America" eight times. And, speaking of excellence, The Observer is hosting the 2026 ONYX Awards, honoring Sacramento's most influential and respected Black leaders. Lee Gives us the history of the paper, shares his vision for OBSERVER Media, and talks about the honorees of this year's ONYX Awards, including Hall of Famer Willie Brown.1:35 Card room story1:50 Megan Yee2:10 Byron Sher4:00 Larry Lee5:19 "The Nation's Best Black Newspaper"7:40 Black press began in 18479:18 Food reviews from Greg Lucas11:43 Dr. Lee and Ronald Reagan14:40 Relationships!16:01 Stockton Observer22:50 The ONYX Awards25:26 There are many political players on the ONYX list26:22 Hall of Fame: Willie Brown  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.