SacTown Talks

Jarhett had the privilege of sitting down with Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan on SacTown Talks to delve into California politics, her journey, and the pressing issues of our time, including AI regulation, mental health, and student protests.

This episode of SacTown Talks features a detailed conversation with Senator Bill Dodd, covering his decade-long political career, contributions, and views on various issues affecting California. Senator Dodd discusses his transition from business to politics, his achievements including the passage of over a hundred bills, and his work on wildfire management, education, and community safety. He also shares insights into the challenges of maintaining a strong legislative staff, navigating the budget deficit, the significance of community colleges, and the importance of addressing the state's insurance and homelessness crisis. The senator reflects on the impact of term limits, the shifting dynamics in the Senate and Assembly, and his commitment to legislative oversight and community wellbeing in his final year in office. This Episode was record on 5/1/24 00:00 Welcome to SACTown Talks: A Dive into California Politics 02:22 Senator Bill Dodd's Journey: From Business to Politics 06:03 Tackling Wildfires: Legislative Efforts and Achievements 10:01 Facing California's Budget Deficit: A Legislative Perspective 12:18 Championing Community Colleges: A Personal and Political Mission 14:14 Addressing Police Staffing Challenges in Vallejo 18:29 Navigating Committee Season: Legislative Package and Challenges 19:52 Focusing on Student Success and Charter Schools 20:24 Navigating Legislative Processes and Charter School Concerns 21:17 International Relations: Sister State Relationships and Ukraine 22:35 Reflections on Senate vs. Assembly Roles 24:09 Term Limits and Legislative Experience 26:02 Approaching Legislation with a New Perspective 29:16 Innovations in Restaurant and Hospitality Legislation 30:59 Adapting to Post-COVID Legislative Dynamics 33:30 Oversight and Accountability in Legislation 34:16 Addressing Homelessness and Insurance Challenges 39:38 Personal Insights: Commuting and Podcasts 41:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Goals

E334: Innovating Policy Analysis with AI: The Plural Story

This episode of SacTown Talks features an engaging conversation with Damola Ogundipe, co-founder and CEO of Plural, a company dedicated to improving the analysis of public policy documents through technology. Damola discusses the inception of Plural, its focus on utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate the understanding and tracking of legislation and regulations across all 50 U.S. states. The discussion covers Plural's journey from raising venture capital to developing AI-driven features that precede the ChatGPT explosion, highlighting the importance of AI in legislative tracking. Damola details the challenges of catering to different jurisdictions, Plural's emphasis on collaboration in public policy, and the significant impact of early investor and customer support from major organizations. The conversation also explores the future of AI in policy analysis, the strategies behind Plural's growth, the importance of a free version for public access, and Plural's unique data acquisition methods, concluding with Damola's basketball musings. This Episode was record on 4/17/24 00:00 Welcome to SacTown Talks: Introducing Damola Ogundipe 00:24 The Genesis of Plural: Revolutionizing Legislative Tracking 02:36 The Power of AI in Public Policy Analysis 07:12 Expanding Horizons: Plural's Nationwide Coverage and Challenges 09:06 The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Idea to Innovation 13:24 Building a Diverse and Dynamic Team at Plural 14:52 Looking Ahead: The Future of Plural and Policy Tracking 18:17 The Importance of Accessibility in Public Policy Information 21:44 The Challenge of Creating a Standout Tech Product 24:35 Plural's Unique Approach to Legislative Tracking 27:04 How to Connect with Plural and Final Thoughts

Today we welcome Nicole Rice, President of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (CNGVC). We discuss her time in Sacramento, CNGVC as an organization, the transition to renewable natural gas, and more. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy, and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders and analyses by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Today we welcome State Senate candidate, Nicole Parra. Nicole is a former California Assemblymember, running in the 16th Senate District. We discuss her run for State Senator, overcoming challenges with water in the 16th district, her experience in politics, and more. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Interview with Asm. Tom Lackey

Today we welcome Assemblymember Tom Lackey of the 36th Assembly District, encompassing Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Palmdale. Before his work in the political space, Mr. Lackey was a special education teacher and a member of the California Highway Patrol for 28 years. He then ran for his local school board, then Palmdale City Council, and finally the Assembly in 2014. We discuss redistricting, what legislators can contribute when they are in the super minority, his work with California Problem Solvers Caucus, and more. SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!