California Underground

Summary In this episode of the California Underground podcast, host Phil interviews Mayor Will O'Neill about his background and experiences in California politics. They discuss his journey from attorney to city council member and eventually mayor of Newport Beach. Mayor O'Neill shares his insights on running for office, the challenges of local politics, and the importance of community engagement. They also delve into the topic of public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of Prop 47 on crime rates. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the current efforts to reform Prop 47 and the implications for public safety in California. In this conversation, Mayor Will O'Neill discusses the challenges faced by progressive city councils in California and the need for competent conservative governance. He highlights the negative impacts of policies like defunding the police and the importance of electing moderate Democrats over progressives. Check out our full site at www.californiau

On this episode we discuss what a special district is and what they do and how much money they take in. We also discuss the recent push to ban plastic bags in California and whether it makes a difference or not. Finally we discuss the Recall effort of Gavin Newsom and how they have collected no signatures but raised $1 million. Check out our full website at www.californiaunderground.live Takeaways Special districts in California provide specialized services and are governed by a board of directors elected or appointed by voters. The ban on plastic grocery bags has led to an increase in the use of paper bags, which has its own environmental impact. The hosts emphasize the importance of local elections in determining the individuals who make decisions about special districts and their funding. The environmental impact of different types of bags, including reusable bags, is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. The hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness of banning plastic bags and hig

On this episode we discuss the conviction of Donald Trump in Manhattan. We discuss the ramifications of the conviction and whether it will hurt or help Donald Trump in his campaign for re-election to the Presidency. Check out our full website at www.californiaunderground.live Check us out on social media IG: californiaunderground X: CA_Undergound --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/californiaunderground/message

On this episode, we discuss Newsom's proposed budget for 2024-2025 and breakdown his "tricks" to keep the budget "balanced" without adding more to the deficit. Check out our full website at www.californiaunderground.live Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Recap of California GOP Convention 02:03 Governor Newsom's Budget Proposal and State's Financial Problems 06:18 Newsom's Stance on Taxes and Reliance on Federal Money 14:31 Teachers' Anger over Budget Cuts 33:16 Gavin Newsom's budget proposal and potential budget emergency 40:10 The impact of COVID-19 on businesses in California 45:08 Newsom's tendency to blame local governments 49:21 Newsom's hand gestures and lack of coherence 59:37 The $100 billion surplus and budget negotiations 01:02:17 Final thoughts and call to action --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/californiaunderground/message

Tune in to our episode live from the 2024 CAGOP Convention floor in San Francisco. 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 This episode was recorded on 5.18.24 *The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.* --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/californiaunderground/message

Summary In this episode, Phil and Camille discuss the recent audit that revealed that $24 billion allocated for homelessness in California has gone missing. They highlight the lack of transparency and accountability in the state's approach to addressing homelessness. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness, the agency responsible for tracking and analyzing spending on homelessness services, has not analyzed any spending past 2021. The audit also found that San Jose and San Diego failed to account for their spending or measure the success of their programs. The hosts express frustration and call for accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars. In this conversation, Phil and Camille discuss the mismanagement of funds and lack of accountability in California's homeless programs. They highlight instances of fraud and wasteful spending, such as a shelter operator charging for work that was never done and a nonprofit falsifying invoices. They also discuss the failure of the Project Room Key pro

On this episode, we are joined by independent journalist, Anthony Cabassa, who was on the ground reporting live on the UCLA protests and their confrontation with the police. We further discuss his thoughts on why these protests are happening and whether they will continue into the summer. Check out our full website at www.californiaunderground.live Takeaways Protests at UCLA were organized by college students demanding divestment from Israeli ties. The encampments at UCLA had strict access control and were organized with tactics such as interlocking arms. Motivations of the protesters varied, with some genuinely concerned about the conflict and others joining for social reasons. There were concerns about the presence of agitators and professional protesters within the movement. Pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses are strategic and well-organized. Tactics such as umbrellas, leaf blowers, and masks serve specific purposes. The left has a long history of organizing and mobilizing, giving them an adva

Summary On this episode we discuss the recent case of Grants Pass v. Johnson that was heard in front of the Supreme Court recently regarding bans on camping in public spaces. We dive into previous court rulings, listen to some oral arguments, and discuss the potential impact the Supreme Court's ruling will have on homelessness in the near future. Check out www.californiaunderground.live for more info about the podcast. Takeaways The Ninth Circuit's ruling on homelessness in the Martin v. City of Boise case has had a significant impact on the enforcement of camping bans in California, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, and Hawaii. The petitioners in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case argue that the Ninth Circuit's ruling violates the Eighth Amendment, as it criminalizes the status of being homeless and imposes cruel and unusual punishments. The Supreme Court's decision in this case could have far-reaching implications for the regulation of public spaces and the enforcement of camping bans. The argument

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

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 conc

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/californiaunderground/message

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

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&

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

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.  Summary In this episode of the California Underground Podcast, the hosts discuss the recent senatorial debate and share their impressions of the candidates. They highlight the lack of impressive candidates and the unimpressive nature of the debate itself. The conversation covers topics such as inflation, minimum wage, and the deficit. The hosts critique the candidates' proposed solutions and highlight the need for fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention. www.californiaunderground.live Takeaways Undocumented labor and immigration reform were key topics discussed in the debate. The trust of Latino voters w

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.  On this episode, we dive into Prop 1, a proposition that says it will help with homelessness and mental health issues. We discuss who's in favor, who will likely benefit from it, and whether it will fix the problem. This episode was recorded on 2.16.23 www.californiaunderground.live Links Mentioned in the Show https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_1,_Behavioral_Health_Services_Program_and_Bond_Measure_(March_2024) https://calmatters.org/california-voter-guide-2024/prop-1-mental-health https://www.hoover.org/research/newsom-wants-add-64-billion-californias-16-trillion-debt-proposition-1 https://calmatters.org/h

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.  On this episode, we are joined by Denise Aguilar who is running for the California Assembly in District 13. We discuss her time fighting vaccine mandates, her stance on reducing crime in California, and the challenge of running in a deep blue district. This episode was recorded on 2.6.23 *The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.* Visit our website at www.californiaunderground.live Support California Underground on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CaliforniaUnderground Follow California Underground on Social Media  Instagram: www.instagram.com/califor

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.  On this episode, we do a follow up episode on Carl DeMaio and his run for State Assembly in the 75th District. Why did he enter a race with two Republicans already running? How much money did he truly raise in just 24 days? This episode was recorded on 2.1.23 *The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.* Support California Underground on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CaliforniaUnderground Follow California Underground on Social Media  Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8SabIcF4AKqEVFsLmo1jA Su

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.  On this episode, we discuss the recent news that California has a $68 billion budget deficit, how it got this bad, and whether or not it will get better in the future. This episode was recorded on 1.23.24 *The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.* Support California Underground on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CaliforniaUnderground Follow California Underground on Social Media  Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8SabIcF4AKqEVFsLmo1jA Substack: https://substack.com/profile/72986149-ca_under

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.  On this episode, we are joined by Michael Oxford who discusses his run for California State Senate in District 17. We discuss his thoughts on homelessness, the fentanyl crisis, and speaking up in a deep blue state. This episode was recorded on 1.16.24 *The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.* Support California Underground on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CaliforniaUnderground Follow California Underground on Social Media  Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8SabIcF4AKqEVFsLmo1jA Substack: