Guest:

Southern California News Group Columnist Susan Shelley

Guest Bio: 

Susan Shelley is the Vice President of Communications at the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a columnist for the Southern California News Group, and a leading voice on California’s fiscal policy, tax reform, and constitutional protections.

Show Summary

What’s really driving California’s skyrocketing cost of living? In this conversation with Jon Slavet, Susan Shelley breaks down how climate mandates, hidden taxes like Cap & Invest, and misguided housing laws are crushing working Californians. From the impact of SB 79 and CEQA to the truth about Prop 13 and California’s bloated budget, Susan delivers a passionate and informed critique of the state’s current path — and offers bold, realistic alternatives.

She also shares insights on COVID policies, insurance premiums, the social safety net, and why the Save Prop 13 initiative is more urgent than ever.

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Susan Shelley Intro

00:32 – The Hidden Cost of Climate Mandates

02:21 – Cap & Invest: How You’re Paying for It

03:46 – Are Energy Companies Really Gouging Us?

04:44 – California’s Regulatory Burden

06:49 – How Environmentalism Got Hijacked

07:38 – California’s Taxes: Where’s the Money Going?

08:39 – Prop 13 Explained & Why It Matters

10:46 – The Truth About SB 79 & Housing Policy

16:56 – Unintended Consequences of Density Mandates

18:01 – Cuts to Insurance & Food Assistance Programs

21:03 – Prop 50: A “Gross” Power Grab

25:02 – Rapid Fire: Greenhouse Mandates, Reagan & COVID

26:54 – Save Prop 13: Why It Matters Now

Connect with Susan Shelley

• X: https://x.com/Susan_Shelley
• Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

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