California Underground Podcast: Discussing California Politics Through a Lens of Sanity California Underground

Summary

On this episode we are joined by Todd Madison of Transparent California. Transparent California is a public database that collects data on public employee compensation in the state of California. They collect almost 4 million records per year and have about 42 million records online. The data they collect reveals that over a million public employees in California make over $100,000 a year, with 100,000 people making over $250,000 a year and 4,000 making over $500,000 a year. The conversation discusses the high salaries and benefits of public employees in California, particularly in the education sector. It highlights the disconnect between public employee compensation and performance, as well as the unsustainable pension debt in the state.

Check out our whole site at www.californianunderground.live



Check out Transparent California at www.transparentcalifornia.com



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Transparent California

07:08 Expanding Data Collection Beyond Schools

27:12 The Unsustainable Pension Debt

34:40 The Importance of Transparency






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Summary

In this episode, Phil and his guest Jeffrey Clayton discuss rising crime rates in blue states, specifically focusing on California. They explore the role of bail in the criminal justice system and its impact on crime rates. They also discuss the effects of Proposition 47, which downgraded certain nonviolent property crimes and drug possession offenses to misdemeanors. The conversation highlights the importance of deterrence and the need to send a strong message that low-level offenses will not be tolerated. In this conversation, Jeff Clayton discusses the issues surrounding bail reform and its impact on crime rates. He highlights the need for discretion in the criminal justice system and the importance of enforcing the law. The conversation also touches on the role of district attorneys in prosecuting crimes and the significance of local elections. Jeff emphasizes the need for voters to pay attention to who their district attorney is and how their policies can affect crime rates. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the American Bail Coalition and their work in advocating for fair and effective bail policies.



Check out our full site at www.californiaunderground.live



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:52 The Connection Between Bail and Rising Crime Rates

11:47 The Effects of Abandoning Lower-Level Offenses

24:08 Pressure on Legislatures

30:23 Cities with Democratic Control in Red States

37:14 Attitudes Towards Theft and Corporate Entities






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Summary

On this episode we discuss how the fast food industry is reacting to the new $20 minimum wage, the confusion around who qualifies, and how this will negatively impact workers rather than help.

Make sure to check out our full site at www.californiaunderground.live

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Minimum Wage

03:07 Anecdotal Story Time and Fast Food Industry Reaction

11:14 Exemptions and the PaneraGate Scandal

20:38 The Annual Increase in Minimum Wages

33:01 Introduction to the $20 Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers

39:09 Challenges Faced by Businesses and Potential Job Losses

53:54 The Impact on Cafeteria Workers in Public Schools

57:36 The Barrier of Minimum Wage and Entry-Level Job Opportunities

01:05:11 Concerns about Automation and Job Outsourcing

01:08:08 Considering the Economic Impact and Drawbacks of Minimum Wage Policies










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Summary

In this episode, Phil and Camille discuss the second effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom and whether he deserves to be recalled again. They review Newsom's State of the State address in 2022, focusing on his promises regarding gas prices and the economy. They also examine the process and timeline of a recall election and the challenges of electric vehicle adoption. The conversation highlights the high gas prices in California and the state's struggling economy, leading to the conclusion that Newsom's promises have not been fulfilled. In this conversation, Camille and Phil discuss the failures of California Governor Gavin Newsom in various areas, including the state's unemployment rate, job growth, homelessness, crime rates, and more. They highlight the misleading jobs numbers, the ineffectiveness of mask mandates, and the slow progress in addressing the homelessness crisis. They also emphasize the importance of focusing on local elections and flipping seats in the state legislature to bring about positive change in California. While a second recall of Newsom is discussed, they suggest that redirecting energy towards local elections may be a more effective strategy.



Make sure to check out our full website at www.californiaunderground.live



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:49 The Second Effort to Recall Governor Gavin Newsom

03:00 State of the State Address in 2022

04:31 Gas Tax Increase and Rising Gas Prices

05:50 Understanding the Recall Process

07:43 Recall Election Results

08:02 Potential Duration of a New Recall

09:25 Cost and Timing of Signature Collection

11:13 Recall Election Candidates

11:25 Cost of Recall Elections

12:29 State of the State Address in 2022

13:16 No Pause in Gas Tax Increase

15:23 Blaming Oil Companies for Gas Prices

19:24 Gas Prices and Taxes in California

20:23 Challenges of Electric Vehicle Adoption

25:47 Electric Vehicle Sales and Infrastructure

28:14 California's Leadership in Clean Technology

29:59 EV Sales and Market Growth

35:11 EV Sales and Market Slowdown

37:35 California's Economy and Job Growth

38:56 California's Unemployment Rate

39:03 California's Unemployment Rate and Job Growth

40:15 Misleading Jobs Numbers

41:41 Postponed State of the State Address

42:55 California's Economy and Budget Deficit

43:37 Impact of Acupuncturists and Dieticians on Jobs Numbers

44:04 Inaccurate Jobs Data

44:45 Public Perception of California's Economy

45:16 Lockdowns and Saving Lives

46:08 Effectiveness of Mask Mandates

47:12 Exaggerated Evidence for Masks to Fight COVID

49:24 Homelessness Crisis and Care Court

50:01 Failure to Implement Comprehensive Homelessness Strategy

58:11 Crime Rates and Failed Policies

01:00:56 Need for a Second Recall


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Summary

In this episode, Phil and Camille dive into a discussion of the primary elections and the delayed results in California. They analyze the Senate race between Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey, as well as the mayoral race in San Diego. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Larry Turner's residency and his campaign for mayor. The conversation covers the California Underground's approach to interviews, concerns about San Diego City Mayor candidates, positive election results in San Francisco, Katie Porter's claims of rigged elections, election results in San Diego's 75th District, Prop 1 passing in California, the race in the 75th District, and final thoughts.

Chapters

02:03 Discussion of Primary Elections

04:18 Why Election Results Take So Long

06:41 Analysis of Senate Race

09:11 Analysis of Mayoral Race

34:01 The California Underground's Approach to Interviews

36:22 Concerns about San Diego City Mayor Candidates

39:32 Positive Election Results in San Francisco

43:32 Katie Porter's Claims of Rigged Elections

44:59 Election Results in San Diego's 75th District

50:53 Prop 1 Passes in California

57:48 The Race in the 75th District

01:04:33 Final Thoughts



To learn more about California Underground, check out our full site at www.californiaunderground.live


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Are you a Californian who feels like your views on politics in California are not popular? Do you feel like no one will agree with you? Feels like when you meet someone who does agree you are part of a secret underground club of people who think like you? Then join us on the California Underground Podcast to hear others who share your views and solutions to save our beautiful state. 

Check out our full site at www.californiaunderground.live

Episode Summary

In this episode, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond discusses the impact of the open border on San Diego County. He highlights the situation at the border, including the presence of a hole in the fence and the influx of migrants from various countries. The conversation covers various themes related to the challenges faced by California, including the issue with Prop 1 and homelessness, the affordability problem in the state, the lack of transitional housing for the homeless, the impact of immigration and homelessness on blue cities, the consequences of increasing minimum wage, and charging utilities based on household income.

Takeaways


The border situation in San Diego County is a significant concern, with an open border allowing migrants from various countries to enter unimpeded.
Street drop-offs of migrants in San Diego County have led to confusion and strain on local resources, including the use of the airport as a makeshift migrant center.
The diversion of funds from homelessness and mental health programs to address the migrant issue has hindered efforts to address local issues.
The broken immigration system allows people to cut ahead of the line and enter the country illegally, undermining the legal immigration process. Throwing money at the homelessness problem without addressing the underlying issues and policies is not an effective solution.
The affordability crisis in California, including housing costs and taxes, is a major concern that needs to be addressed.
There is a need for more transitional housing and support for homeless individuals who have gone through detox and need a clean and sober environment.
The connection between immigration and homelessness is becoming more apparent, and there is a growing dissatisfaction among constituents with the current approach.
Increasing the minimum wage can have unintended consequences, such as job losses and automation.
Charging utilities based on household income is a form of socialism and sets a dangerous precedent.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Border Situation

03:43 Impact on San Diego Airport

08:10 Financial Burden on San Diego County

13:40 Broken Immigration System

16:11 Consequences of Immigration Policies

22:06 Impact on County Funding and Resources

23:10 Prop 1 and Homelessness Funding

27:16 The Issue with Prop 1 and Homelessness

29:48 The Affordability Issue in California

34:10 The Lack of Transitional Housing for the Homeless

38:34 The Impact of Immigration and Homelessness on Blue Cities

45:32 The Consequences of Increasing Minimum Wage

50:20 Charging Utilities Based on Household Income


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