Podcast
State of Gold
Hosted by Jon Slavet | California Politics · EN
Restoring the California Dream One Bold Idea at a Time
California was once a beacon of prosperity, hope and innovation – symbolized by the Gold Rush, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Today it’s the least affordable state in the nation and plagued by poverty, homelessness, and sky-high taxes. How did we get here, and how do we turn California around?
State of Gold is a media platform and citizens’ movement dedicated to restoring the California dream. Host and longtime real estate and tech executive Jon Slavet combines practical wisdom and insurgent energy, as he sits down with voices from across the spectrum.
The show will examine and promote the best ideas from any corner to solve the state’s most pressing issues. State of Gold cuts through the noise to explore what’s gone wrong in the Golden State – and what it’ll take to make things right.
www.stateofgold.com
33episodes
Episodes
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Meet the Man Who Drew the California Prop50 Maps | Paul Mitchell
2w ago00:22:09Tap to summarizeGuest:Paul Mitchell, Democratic Political StrategistGuest Bio: Paul Mitchell is one of the nation's premier experts on nonpartisan redistricting, political demography, and voter data analytics. He has directed decennial line-drawing for more than 100 cities, school boards, and community college districts, and served as a data consultant for independent commissions in New York and New Mexico. Long recognized as a staunch advocate for independent, nonpartisan commission criteria, Mitchell frequently collaborates with civic organizations like Common Cause and the ACLU to protect communities of interest from partisan overreach. He stepped into intense statewide debate as the lead cartographer behind California's Proposition 50 congressional maps.Show SummaryCan a partisan gerrymander ever be justified—even if it's meant to correct a wrong? In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with political data expert Paul Mitchell, the architect behind California’s highly controversial Proposition 50 gerrymander.Mitchell pulls back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes dynamics that birthed the measure, revealing his initial opposition to bypassing California's Independent Redistricting Commission. He details how he urged Democratic congressional leadership and the Governor's office to use the maps as a political "bluff" to deter Texas from aggressively redrawing its own lines. Mitchell defends the analytical integrity of his final map, explaining how he preserved key commission criteria and limited city splits while delivering the targeted five-seat shift demanded to balance the national scales.The conversation pivots to a mathematical dive into proportional representation, with Mitchell unpacking why geographical sorting makes drawing "perfectly balanced" rural and urban districts a technical impossibility. Finally, he offers a provocative reality check on how a looming, AI-driven automation wave could transform the landscape for American workers, framing wealth taxes not just as an ideology, but as a future survival mechanism for the state's economy.Chapters00:00 – Prop 50: Did Two Wrongs Make a Right?00:58 – The Anti-Gerrymander Cartographer: Mitchell’s Nonpartisan Roots02:00 – The Texas Counter-Bluff: Advising a Partisan Stand-Off03:00 – Maintaining Map Integrity Under Partisan Constraints04:15 – Bludgeoning the Minority Party: The Disenfranchisement of Voters05:14 – Latte Voters and Rural Reality: The Challenge of Underpopulated Districts07:16 – Bypassing the Commission: The Incremental Push from Washington07:51 – Long-Term Meditation: When Democrats Started Strategic Line Drawing08:35 – Preserving Communities of Interest vs. "Bacon Strip" Public Maps10:11 – The Proportionality Math Problem: Self-Segregation of Electorates12:00 – High Taxes, Worse Outcomes: Sacramento’s Lack of Economic Leadership12:48 – Low-Information Landslides: Why Voters Backed the Anti-Trump Narrative14:55 – Low-Information Electorates and the Realities of the Campaign Trail15:41 – The Billionaire Network: Evaluating Elite Mobility in California16:00 – AI, Automation, and the Pitchfork Economy: Shifting Jobs on the Chopping Block18:26 – Crude Mechanisms vs. Mileage Taxes: The Problem with Asset Liquidation20:07 – The Societal Compact: Reinventing Government Infrastructure Through Private Gains21:23 – Congressional Pass: Healthcare Deficits and Abdicating ResponsibilityConnect with Paul MitchellTwitter/X: https://x.com/paulmitche11LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmitche11/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →In an Average Year, the President’s Party Loses 28 Seats | Mark Halperin
2w ago00:25:35Tap to summarizeGuest:Mark Halperin - Editor-in-Chief - 2WAY Interactive Inc.Guest Bio: Mark Halperin is one of the nation's most experienced political analysts, authors, and commentators. He is the co-author of the New York Times bestsellers Game Change and Double Down, which provided definitive, behind-the-scenes accounts of the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. Over a career spanning decades, Halperin has served as the political director for ABC News, a senior political analyst for Time magazine, and a frequent contributor across major news networks. Currently offering national political reporting and analysis through his independent platforms, Halperin is widely recognized for his data-driven insights into campaign strategy, presidential polling, and the shifting dynamics of both state and federal elections.Show Summary“In a normal state, you'd say organize and get hot at the end. There is no organization in California—it's just get hot at the end". In this episode of State of Gold, host Jon Slavet sits down with legendary political journalist Mark Halperin for a masterclass in campaign math, media scrutiny, and national electoral trends.Halperin opens by revising his previous predictions for the 2026 California Governor's race, and outlining a path where either San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan or Xavier Becerra will ultimately take the mansion. The discussion dives into the sudden "open secret" implosion of Eric Swalwell, drawing historical parallels to presidential campaigns of the past to explain why certain scandals only ignite under a high-stakes media microscope.Zooming out to the federal level, Halperin drops a sobering forecast for the upcoming midterms, predicting a massive "blue wave" that could see Democrats flip over 30 seats in the House and capture a Senate majority. Finally, the conversation shifts to the 2028 presidential landscape, offering insider scouting reports on Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, J.D. Vance, and Josh Shapiro. From the family "veto power" on Newsom's ambitions to why a well-run Super PAC is a candidate's greatest weapon, this episode provides an unmatched look at the mechanics of modern political warfare.Chapters00:00 – Shifting Trajectories: Why Mahan and Becerra are Leading the Field01:12 – Selling Oatmeal: Can Matt Mahan Make Moderation Sexy?02:15 – Breaking Becerra: Vacuum and Vulnerabilities in the Debates03:07 – The Primary Math: Can Republicans Avoid a Top-Two Shutout?04:34 – Open Secrets: Why the Swalwell Skeletons Exploded Late06:35 – Defining the Perfect California Republican: The Legacy of Dick Reardon08:45 – The Midterm Forecast: Affordability, the Iran War, and a Looming Blue Wave11:12 – The Texas Drought: Can James Talarico Unseat a Republican Statewide?12:26 – The Gauntlet of 2028: Family Vetos and Gavin Newsom's Presidential Ambitions15:34 – Bestsellers and Email Lists: Sizing Up Newsom's National Appeal18:24 – The 2028 Dem Board: Harris, Shapiro, Buttigieg, and Rahm Emanuel21:33 – Super PAC Strategy: The Hidden Mechanics of a Winning Campaign23:00 – The Post-Trump Era: J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and the Republican Mantle24:12 – Game Change Lessons: Normality, Charm, and Mission ChineseConnect with Mark HalperinTwitter: https://x.com/MarkHalperin?lang=enTwitter (show): https://x.com/NextUpHalperinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/markevanhalperin/ Instagram (show): https://www.instagram.com/nextuphalperin/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpHalperinWebsite: 2waytvapp.comEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →The Candidate for City Attorney Who Will Clear LA's Streets | John McKinney
3w ago00:19:22Tap to summarizeGuest:John McKinney - Candidate for LA City AttorneyGuest Bio: John McKinney is a seasoned prosecutor who has dedicated nearly three decades to the criminal justice system inside the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, where he specialized in prosecuting violent crimes and major gang offenses. A native of New Jersey who overcame adversity in his youth, McKinney rose to become one of the most prominent trial lawyers in the LA legal community, known for prosecuting high-profile murder cases. Running as a pragmatist for Los Angeles City Attorney, his platform centers on restoring public safety, enforcing misdemeanor laws, tackling the homelessness crisis through structured transitional environments, and serving as a strict legal defender for the municipal corporation of Los Angeles.Show Summary"California has, by and large, chosen to leave dangerous people on the street," says veteran prosecutor John McKinney. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with McKinney for a sobering look at public safety and the humanitarian breakdown in the nation's second-largest city.McKinney links the current state of disorder in Los Angeles to the legacy of 2011's "prison realignment" policies, which pushed overcrowding down to the local counties and led to inmates being pushed out onto the streets. Drawing on his thirty years of frontline experience, McKinney offers a rare, nuanced perspective on federal immigration enforcement, local sanctuary policies, and the hidden pressures applied by the LA County Board of Supervisors.The conversation pivots to McKinney’s vision for the City Attorney's office as general counsel, rather than a "public interest law firm" as proposed by opponents on his left. He outlines a clear strategy of "compassionate accountability" to address the homeless industrial complex, detailing a shift away from high-priced permanent housing toward immediate, scalable city-owned transitional spaces. From tracking Spencer Pratt’s high-tech mayoral campaign to enforcing laws that keep business open and streets safe, this is an exploration of real-world leadership in modern Los Angeles.Chapters00:00 – The Core of Safety: Tracing Modern LA problems to 2010s Realignment01:45 – Leaving People on the Street: The Failure of State Corrections02:43 – Debunking the Crime Link: Legal Immigration Status vs. Local Crime04:34 – The Budget Levers: Board Politics and Sanctuary State Dynamics05:58 – General Counsel or Public Interest Firm? Delineating the LA City Attorney Role07:28 – The Practical Metrics of Success: CVS Openings, Human Bodies, and RVs09:00 – Compassionate Accountability: Ditching Hotel Voucher Strategies for $5,000 Emergency Beds10:45 – Partnering with Law Enforcement: Aggressive Prosecution of Misdemeanors12:31 – Defeating Career Politicians: The Angry Consensus of the Ordinary Voter14:18 – Critiques of the Progressive Left: Leaving the City of Los Angeles Without a Defender15:04 – Sucking the Air Out of the Room: Spencer Pratt’s Viral AI Mayoral Insurgency17:30 – Rapid Fire: Uncivilized Encampments and Rooting for the Home TeamsConnect with John McKinney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmckinney_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/John-McKinney-100063804919502/Twitter: https://x.com/johnmckinney_?lang=enWebsite: https://mckinney4la.com/about/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →California Citizens Need to Wake Up and Vote for Change | Mike Netter
3w ago00:05:18Tap to summarizeGuest:Mike Netter, Candidate for CA State Senate District 22Guest Bio: Mike Netter is a veteran sales executive, radio host on KABC Talk Radio 790 AM, and entrepreneur who has built and operated several small businesses, including founding Quantum Charging. A graduate of San Diego State University, Netter first stepped into the statewide political spotlight as a key leader behind the historic 2021 recall movement against Governor Gavin Newsom. Now running as a Republican challenger for State Senate District 22 in the East San Gabriel Valley, he brings decades of private-sector experience to his fight, campaigning heavily on middle-class tax relief, regulatory rollbacks for small businesses, parental rights, and robust funding for public safety.Show SummaryIs California truly a deep-blue monolith, or is a massive silent majority just stuck in "zombie mode"? In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet is joined by Mike Netter to discuss his campaign to flip the script on California's political representation and bring logic back to governance.Netter drops some eye-opening context about the true political makeup of the state, revealing that while Democrats command a 75% legislative supermajority, they only make up roughly 46% to 48% of total registered voters. And he lays out his legislative priorities, including a sweeping proposal to slash the state income tax by 28% for those earning $150,000, fully funding the recently passed Proposition 36, and untangling the regulatory maze that forces small business owners to take their passions and move out of state.Chapters00:00 – Preview: The Apathy Party and Asset Tax Traps00:24 – Welcoming State Senate Candidate Mike Netter00:54 – Sizing up 2028: Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and the Illusion of Popularity01:46 – Self-Nomination: Newsom’s Late-Night TV Political Pitch02:11 – Announcing State Senate District 22: Representing One Million Voices02:47 – Breaking the Disconnect: 48% Registration vs. 75% Supermajority03:52 – Over-Taxed and Under-Served: The Case for a 28% Income Tax Cut04:45 – Post-Prop 36 Funding: Rebuilding Public Safety and Small Business InfrastructureConnect with Mike NetterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.netter.5/Twitter/X: https://x.com/nettermike?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nettermike/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →Who the System Actually Serves | Gus Mattammal
4w ago00:25:53Tap to summarizeGuest:Gus Mattammal, Candidate for CA Superintendent of Public InstructionGuest BioGus Mattammal is a lifelong educator and the director of a leading private tutoring group in Silicon Valley. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with more than 1,000 students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Mattammal is the author of A is for Average, a book exploring the systemic failures and potential solutions for the California public school system. In addition to his work in education, he is an elected member of the Midcoast Community Council and serves on several countywide boards focused on transportation and tax oversight. He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a bachelor's degree from Pomona College.Show SummaryCalifornia currently ranks 38th in reading and 44th in math—results that Gus Mattammal argues are a direct consequence of a system that prioritizes being a "jobs program" vs. an educational provider for our kids. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Mattammal to discuss the bold, grassroots insurgency needed to reclaim the future for California's nearly 6 million students.Mattammal critiques the current leadership and the powerful influence of the California Teachers Association (CTA), proposing a radical shift in how the state handles its record $150 billion education budget. He details his plan to redo the state’s funding formula to repurpose future budget growth—beyond the rate of inflation—into hiring more teachers and lowering class sizes in struggling districts, all without raising taxes.The conversation dives into the "science of reading" and why states like Mississippi are now outperforming California with half the per-pupil spending. From the "social justice" mission creep in math standards to the administrative bloat caused by Sacramento's mandates, Mattammal offers a provocative blueprint for an education system that values merit, competition, and parental choice.Chapters00:00 – Education System or Jobs Program?00:49 – The Reality of Rankings: 38th in Reading, 44th in Math02:27 – Breaking the Cycle: Breaking the CTA and Bureaucratic Bloat03:02 – Restructuring the Funding Formula: A Plan for Growth Without New Taxes06:15 – The Three Dimensions of a Superintendent: Facilitator, Advocate, and Manager08:53 – Why Mississippi is Crushing California: The Science of Reading11:42 – Public Shaming and Competition: Incentivizing Excellence12:23 – Math Standards and "Social Justice": Why Singapore Still Leads15:23 – The Collective Surrender: Why Ideology Replaces Results18:35 – Declining Enrollment and the Financial Crisis in Urban Districts19:27 – Compliance Costs: How Mandates Drive Administrative Bloat23:25 – Rapid Fire: King for a Day and the "Gus Bus"Connect with Gus MattammalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOneTrueGus/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-mattammal/Twitter: https://x.com/TheOneTrueGusInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonetruegus/Website: https://www.votegus.org/Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →California's “Billionaire Tax” Isn't What You Think
4w ago00:05:31Tap to summarize"If this gets on the ballot, it is an existential event for California". In the second installment of our Wipeout series, we peel back the layers of the proposed 5% Billionaire Tax to reveal what is buried in the fine print: A measure that allows Sacramento politicians to expand the tax to citizens regardless of their net worth.The panel explores the "fallout" of a policy that could force Californians to declare all assets under penalty of perjury and pay cash taxes on home equity or retirement accounts like 401ks and IRAs. We discuss the aggressive enforcement mechanisms, including subpoenas for financial records and 40% penalties for valuation disagreements.With 45% of California's income tax already supported by the top 1% of earners, the episode examines the reality of an "exodus" to states like Florida and Texas. We look at how the departure of these high-net-worth individuals doesn't just mean "taking their bags," but taking billions in funding for teachers, firefighters, and clean water—effectively passing the bill down to the middle class. Featuring insights on why Governor Newsom and a bipartisan majority of gubernatorial candidates oppose the measure, this episode is a deep dive into why this "gateway drug" to higher taxes could hurt California's long-run fiscal picture.Chapters 00:00 – An Existential Event: The Looming Ballot Measure00:37 – Buried in the Fine Print: Expanding the Tax Regardless of Net Worth01:10 – The Asset Declaration: Penalty of Perjury and Cash Requirements01:25 – Enforcement Tactics: Subpoenas and 40% Valuation Penalties01:48 – Beyond Billionaires: Targeting 401ks, IRAs, and Home Values02:18 – The Franchise Tax Board: Subpoenaing Personal Financial Records02:37 – Uncle Harry’s Bill: Why the Top 1% Fund 45% of the State03:08 – The Charity Collapse: What Happens When Billionaires Leave Communities03:36 – Passing the Bill Down: Losing Billions for Schools and Firefighters04:11 – The Gateway Drug: Reaction to California’s New "Fringe" Reputation04:47 – Bipartisan Opposition: Newsom and the Gubernatorial Candidates05:14 – Truth Seekers: Closing the Long-Run Fiscal PictureEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →Why the People Who'd Fix California Are the Ones Leaving | Pete Peterson
May 1200:19:27Tap to summarizeGuest:Pete Peterson - Dean of the Pepperdine School of Public PolicyGuest Bio: Pete Peterson is a leading national voice on civic engagement and state governance, currently serving as the Dean of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. A former candidate for California Secretary of State, Peterson has dedicated his career to improving how citizens interact with their government. He is a senior fellow at the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and has been at the forefront of the "Leading Smart Communities" initiative, which trains public officials to use technology and data transparency to run more efficient municipalities. Known for his analytical approach to California’s unique political landscape, Peterson is a frequent contributor to national and state-level discussions on election reform and the future of the California dream.Show Summary"California is America on steroids," says Pete Peterson—but according to the Pepperdine Dean, being a "one-party state" for too long has left the Golden State in decay. In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet sits down with Peterson to break down the high-stakes 2026 Governor’s race and why a "political earthquake" could be on the horizon.Peterson explores the "less than 25% chance" of two Republicans emerging from the jungle primary and explains why a Republican Governor might be the only "check" left to rein in a progressive legislature. The conversation pulls no punches on the state’s fiscal reality, noting that while the budget has doubled in less than a decade, public services from education to infrastructure are in a tailspin—even underperforming states like Mississippi and Alabama.From the "Trojan Horse" of the Billionaire Tax and the "moral hazard" of public sector unions to the potential for a "California DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency), Peterson offers a masterclass in why people are "voting with their feet". This is a deep dive into whether California is at its "darkest before the dawn" and what it will take to restore the luster to the world's fifth-largest economy.Chapters00:00 – California: America on Steroids00:36 – The Jungle Primary: Could Two Republicans Emerge?01:53 – Reforming the System: Top Two vs. Top Five Primaries02:53 – Chaos as a Check: A Republican Governor vs. a Supermajority04:16 – Advice to the GOP: Creating a Vision Beyond "Reagan 2.0"06:01 – Grading the Democrats: Name Recognition vs. Policy Substance07:39 – The Moderate Lane: Can Matt Mahan or Antonio Villaraigosa Break Through?08:57 – National Politics: Trump, Midterms, and the Divided Congress11:24 – The "Gold Rush in Reverse": Why the Billionaire Tax is a Bad Idea12:49 – The Blue State Model: High Taxes and Declining Services14:52 – The Public Sector Union Problem: Breaking the Cycle17:18 – California DOGE: Applying Tech and Transparency to Sacramento20:45 – The Path Forward: Removing Collective Bargaining from Public Unions23:18 – Optimism for the Golden State: A History of Solving Human-Made ProblemsConnect with Pete PetersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteSOS/Twitter: Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →Will Waste, Fraud and Over-Spending Drown California?
May 800:03:41Tap to summarizeIn just a few years, California went from a $100 billion budget surplus to a $30 billion structural deficit. How does the world’s fourth-largest economy wipe out that much cash so quickly? In this mini-episode State of Gold takes a hard look at CA’s out of control "spending spree" as well as the rampant waste and fraud plaguing Sacramento.Noted experts break down the "regressive" nature of California’s current path, where middle-class residents are squeezed by electricity and gas prices while state government spending doubles over the past decade. Wipeout reveals the "perverse financial incentives" that allow social problems to grow, and fail, despite record spending.Chapters 00:00 – The $100 Billion Wipeout: From Surplus to Deficit00:08 – The Real Math: 60% Revenue Growth vs. 72% Spending Growth00:16 – Fraud Exported: $30 Billion Sent to Scammers00:34 – The 2022 Surplus vs. Today’s Structural Deficit00:52 – Boiling the Frog: Expanding Government Beyond Inflation01:11 – Twice the Spending, Half the Quality: The 10-Year Decline01:19 – Misaligned Priorities: School Renaming & Zoom Classrooms01:31 – Education Failure: Bottom Quintile Results Despite Billions Spent01:51 – Fraud Everywhere: From Special Districts to Wildfires02:00 – The Audit Gap: Why Lawmakers Ignore Solutions02:30 – Siphoning Funds: Interest Groups and Spending Decisions02:47 – Breaking the Basics: Failing to Deliver on Record Budgets02:58 – The Tax Loop: Solvency vs. Accountability03:15 – Next Week: The Existential Threat of the Billionaire TaxEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →California Has All the Answers and All the Problems | Senator Blakespear
May 500:24:52Tap to summarizeGuest:Senator Catherine BlakespearGuest Bio: Catherine Blakespear represents the 38th District, covering northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. A lawyer and former journalist for the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press, she transitioned into public service as the Traffic Commissioner for Encinitas before serving eight years in local government, including six years as Mayor. Now in the State Senate, Blakespear chairs the Environmental Quality Committee and the Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency. Her legislative focus includes increasing housing affordability, preventing gun violence, and finding structural solutions to California’s homelessness humanitarian crisis.Show SummaryIt costs an average of $700,000 and takes seven years to build a single unit of housing in California—a reality Senator Catherine Blakespear calls "anathema to my sense of humanity". In this episode of State of Gold, Jon Slavet and Senator Blakespear tackle the "multi-billion dollar question" of why California’s housing and homelessness crises continue to spiral despite hundreds of new laws.Blakespear shares her unique perspective as a former Mayor who once fought against high-density mandates, explaining why she now believes the state must balance local control with the urgent need for a million new homes. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the "shocking" reality of the state's homelessness response. Blakespear reveals her firsthand findings after touring Care Court, describing it as a "resource-intensive group therapy" that fails to scale because it remains entirely voluntary.In a rare moment of candor from the Democratic side, Blakespear argues it is time to move the "pendulum" back toward involuntary commitment for the gravely disabled, stating that leaving people to die in the elements is a violation of human rights. From the complexities of the insurance market and the Cap-and-Invest program to a debate over Gavin Newsom’s leadership, this episode is an essential look at the policies required to reclaim the "Golden State."Chapters00:00 – The Waiting Room: California’s Housing Math Problem01:12 – From Mayor to Senator: The Battle Over High-Density Housing02:43 – Public vs. Private: Solving the Million-Home Shortage03:41 – Local Control: Why Some Cities Fight State Mandates06:19 – Developers, Density, and the Insurance Crisis08:28 – The "Stab in the Heart": Addressing the Humanity of Homelessness09:06 – Functional Zero: Why "Permanent Housing Only" is Failing11:24 – The Case for Involuntary Commitment: Moving the Pendulum13:53 – Exposing Care Court: Why Voluntary Care Isn't Scaling16:48 – Cap and Invest: Climate Goals vs. Affordability19:43 – The Billionaire Tax and the Innovation Economy21:49 – Assessing Gavin Newsom: Practicality vs. PolicyConnect with Catherine BlakespearFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/senatorblakespear/about/Twitter: https://x.com/CblakespearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherineblakespearEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →Top Republican Minds Break Down CA Governor’s Race
May 100:14:58Tap to summarizeCalifornia is at a tipping point. With over two-thirds of residents believing the state is on the "wrong track," the race for the Governor’s mansion has turned into a high-stakes battle for the future of the Golden State. In this special episode, recorded live from the April 2026 CA GOP Convention, Jon Slavet sits down with the state’s brightest Republican political minds to break down the chaos of the primary season and the path to a Republican victory.The conversation centers on the "insanity" of current leadership and the rise of optimistic conservative voices like Steve Hilton. The panel dives into the sudden "implosion" of Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell and the reshuffling of the voter pool that follows. They also pull back the curtain on the "math problem" facing Republicans: Can they successfully navigate a top-two primary to shut out the Democrats, or will a splintered field leave the GOP on the sidelines?From "kitchen table issues" like the affordability crisis and public safety to the influence of national endorsements, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for how a Republican can win over independents and center-right Democrats in a state where they are outnumbered 2-to-1. It is a candid look at the policies, personalities, and "political earthquakes" that will define California’s next chapter.Chapters00:00 – Live from the GOP Convention: Is it Darkest Before the Dawn?01:33 – The "Wrong Track" Majority and the Search for a Plan02:44 – The Hilton Strategy: Positioning Beyond the MAGA Tag03:18 – Nationalizing the Race: How Democrats Avoid Owning Their Record04:42 – Crossing the Chasm: Appealing to Independents Post-June 2nd06:57 – The Swalwell Implosion: Allegations of Mortgage and Election Fraud09:33 – Kitchen Table Wins: Prioritizing People Over Partisanship12:01 – Hilton vs. Bianco: The Power of the Ballot Designation13:19 – The Primary Math Problem: Avoiding a Democratic Shutout15:20 – Tom Steyer and the $500 Million "Ego Trip"Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcastConnect with State of GoldX: https://x.com/realjonslavetLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=enWebsite: www.stateofgold.com
Transcribe →