Guest: Steve Westly - Founder, 21st Century Alliance & Former CA State Controller

Guest Bio

Steve Westly is a business leader, investor, and former California State Controller who has spent decades working to make state government more efficient and accountable. A longtime supporter of education and economic innovation, Steve brings both private-sector and public-sector experience to bear on some of California’s most stubborn challenges. His expertise spans budgets, accountability, public education, and housing policy, making him a leading voice for reform-minded solutions in the Golden State.

Show Summary

California is the world’s 4th largest economy — so why does the state struggle with massive budget deficits? In this thoughtful conversation, Steve Westly joins Jon to break down what’s gone wrong with the state budget, why education keeps failing students, and how outdated policies have fueled California’s housing crisis.

From the rise of unsustainable spending to the need for a more accountable state workforce, Steve lays out hard truths about what really holds California back. He also shares an optimistic vision for how voters, civic leaders, and the next generation of policymakers can turn things around. Whether you’re frustrated by fraud and waste or still hopeful about California’s potential, this episode offers a clear look at how we might rebuild the California Dream.

Chapters

00:00 – California’s Success: The Bigger Picture

02:00 – Public Education’s Broken Promises

04:30 – The Science of Reading and Reform

06:30 – The Real Role of Teachers’ Unions

08:30 – Budget Bloat and California’s Spending Problem

11:00 – Where to Start Cutting Costs

13:00 – Holding State Agencies Accountable

15:00 – Fraud, Waste, and Missed Oversight

17:00 – The Housing Affordability Nightmare

19:30 – Fixing CEQA and Building Faster

22:00 – Why He Still Believes in California

23:30 – 2026 Elections: Can Real Change Happen?

25:30 – Who Can Lead California Forward?

27:00 – Rapid Fire: Best California Leaders

29:00 – What Outsiders Get Wrong About California

30:00 – What Gives Steve Hope for California’s Future

Connect with Steve

X: https://x.com/SteveWestly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevewestly/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevewestly/

Website: https://westlygroup.com/steve-westly/

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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest: Elizabeth Barcohana - Commentator, Activist & LA County RCC Member

Guest Bio

Elizabeth Barcohana is an attorney, mother of four, and a rising voice in California’s Republican Party. After working at a major law firm while raising her young family in Los Angeles, Elizabeth entered politics during the COVID school closures, driven by frustration over policies that put unions and politics ahead of kids’ education. She currently serves on the LA County Republican Central Committee, is a delegate to the California Republican Party, and a regular contributor on Fox News. Elizabeth’s core passion is voter registration, and her approach connects everyday issues in people’s homes to bigger political forces – making her one of the most influential new voices in California conservative circles.

Show Summary

What will it take for Republicans to actually win in California? In this energizing mini-episode, Elizabeth Barcohana joins Jon to break down how voter registration determines everything from strategy to outcomes for the Republican party in California – and why independents might actually be hurting their own cause. If you’ve wondered whether change is really possible in deep-blue California, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Why School Closures Sparked Elizabeth’s Activism
01:00 – Understanding Voter Registration’s Hidden Power
02:30 – The Data That Drives Political Strategy
04:00 – How Independents Marginalize Themselves
05:00 – Project 460K: A Viral Idea Is Born
06:30 – How a Conversation on X Went Viral
08:00 – Final Thoughts on California’s Future

Connect with Elizabeth

• X: https://x.com/e_barcohana?lang=en
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethfromcalifornia/# #
• Website: https://www.elizabethbarcohana.com

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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest: Dan Schnur - Professor, Strategist, and Former California FPPC Chair

Guest Bio

Dan Schnur is a veteran political strategist, educator, and commentator who has worked on four presidential campaigns, three gubernatorial campaigns, and served as Director of Communications for Governor Pete Wilson. A former Republican turned No Party Preference candidate, he teaches politics at UC Berkeley, USC, and Pepperdine.

Dan is widely respected as a “raging moderate” — someone who believes in conservative ideas on some issues, progressive solutions on others, and independent thought across the board. His insights on political reform, California's party system, and civic leadership have made him a leading voice for restoring balance to public life.

Show Summary

Why has California become so politically imbalanced — and is there any hope of restoring healthy political competition? In this thoughtful episode, political reformer and professor Dan Schnur joins host Jon Slavet to break down the state’s broken system, rising polarization, and the slow collapse of civic trust.

From why Republicans have lost ground in the state to the strategic failure of independents, Dan shares lessons from the frontlines of politics and education. The conversation spans how special interests captured the system, and what we can learn from past leaders like Hiram Johnson, Ronald Reagan, and Pat Brown. If you’re tired of the same partisan noise, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at how we got here — and where the hope still lives.

Chapters

00:00 – Why Dan Schnur Calls Himself a “Raging Moderate”

02:15 – The Collapse of Political Role Models

04:48 – Why Gen Z Is Leaving Politics Behind

06:03 – California’s One-Party Problem

07:20 – How Republicans Lost California

09:24 – Advice for a 2026 GOP Governor Candidate

11:45 – Behind the Scenes of the GOP Convention

12:22 – Who’s at Fault for California’s Biggest Problems?

14:05 – Why Extremes on Both Sides Are to Blame

15:47 – Rating California’s Corruption (1–10)

17:22 – How Special Interests Shape the State

19:28 – The Real Reason California’s Economy Is Struggling

21:00 – What “Independent” Really Means in CA Politics

23:15 – Why Our Ballots Confuse Voters

25:03 – What Dan Learned Running for Office

26:45 – Lessons from Pete Wilson’s Leadership

28:59 – Do We Still Have Leaders Willing to Lose Their Job for What’s Right?

30:00 – Why Most Politicians Can’t “Do Trump”

32:42 – Best Advice for Politicians on Communication

34:22 – What Outsiders Don’t Get About California

35:05 – Most Admired California Leaders

36:10 – What Gives Dan Hope About the State’s Future

Connect with Dan

• X: https://x.com/danschnur
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-schnur-1625a4/
• Website: https://www.danschnurpolitics.com/

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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest: Assemblyman David Tangipa

Guest Bio

David Tangipa is the youngest member of the California State Assembly, representing the Fresno area. A proud son of Tongan immigrants and a disabled U.S. veteran, David brings a powerful voice shaped by lived experience in underserved communities. His early career in local politics and public safety set the stage for his bold entry into state leadership.

David is known for speaking hard truths on California’s fiscal irresponsibility, skyrocketing cost of living, and the dangerous policies impacting youth and public safety. Whether it’s exposing the flaws in California’s energy mandates or leading the charge to make child sex trafficking a serious felony, Tangipa is part of a new generation of leaders demanding accountability, common sense, and reform in California.

Show Summary

In this electrifying conversation, Assemblyman David Tangipa joins State of Gold to deliver a scathing critique of California’s budget crisis and misguided crime policies. As the youngest member of the State Assembly, Tangipa calls out the political cowardice and ideological extremism that’s bankrupting the state — and lays out a bold vision for change.

From personal stories about growing up in one of the state’s toughest neighborhoods and losing a family member to sex trafficking, to hard-hitting facts about California’s massive budget deficit and energy mismanagement – this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening in Sacramento. Tangipa reveals how just dozens of wealthy individuals are propping up the state budget — and why we’re one economic hiccup away from collapse.

A must-listen for anyone concerned about California’s future, this episode proves why Tangipa is one of the most important up-and-coming voices in state politics today.

Chapters

00:00 – Why California’s Budget is a Moral Crisis

01:30 – Meet David Tangipa: Youngest Assemblyman, Son of Immigrants

03:20 – From Food Lines to the State House: A Personal Mission

05:15 – Budget Breakdown: Why the Math No Longer Works

07:00 – The $9.6B Surprise Cost Nobody Saw Coming

08:45 – Who Really Pays California’s Bills? (Hint: A Few Dozen People)

10:50 – Why the Legislature Won’t Make Hard Cuts

13:15 – A Personal Story: Losing a Family Member to Sex Trafficking

15:00 – The Fight for Felony Protections for Minors

17:00 – How Ideology is Blinding Public Safety Policy

19:00 – The “Compassionate Racism” No One Talks About

21:00 – Fixing Energy Costs with Common Sense Reform

23:00 – Why Government Expansion is Driving California’s Collapse

24:30 – What Young Voters Really Want

26:00 – Gen Z Is More Conservative Than You Think

27:00 – Why $900K Homes are Pushing People Out

28:30 – Tangipa’s Vision: A California that Works for Californians

30:00 – Lightning Round: Favorite Leader, Biggest Misconception, What Gives Him Hope

Connect with David

• X: https://x.com/DavidTangipa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidjtangipa/?hl=en
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tong_ee_pa?_t=ZP-8xI2L7bsQFK&_r=1
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tangipa-819877b2/
• Website: https://ad08.asmrc.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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:

Gloria Romero - Former California Senate Majority Leader

Guest Bio

Gloria Romero is the former Majority Leader of the California State Senate and a long-time advocate for education reform. With a PhD in psychology and her fearless approach, she has challenged powerful special interests from inside and outside the Capitol. In 2023, she made headlines by switching from Democrat to Republican, publicly endorsing Trump, and speaking out about the dysfunction in both Sacramento and the national Democratic Party.

Romero is also the architect of the Parent Trigger Law and the Romero Open Enrollment Act, empowering parents in failing districts to fight for better education options. Today, she continues to lead conversations around public accountability, school choice, and breaking the monopoly of the teachers’ unions on California’s education system.

Show Summary

Gloria Romero is no stranger to controversy — and in this episode, she brings the fire. From walking away from the Democratic Party to calling out the teachers’ union grip on California schools, Romero unpacks why she left, what she’s fighting for, and how parents can reclaim control of a broken system.

She reflects on her political awakening, the moment she saw the party’s values slip away, and the blowback that followed her switch. Romero also breaks down why only 8% of Black fourth graders in California read at grade level — and why it's not about race but about a system built to serve adults over students. This is a must-watch for anyone who cares about education, political courage, and the future of California.

Chapters

00:00 – Leaving the Democratic Party: The Awakening

02:15 – Gloria Romero's Background in Politics & Education

04:30 – How Party Elites Rigged the Primary (Clooney, Pelosi, Schumer)

06:40 – Why Other Legislators Don’t Speak Up

08:20 – The Teachers’ Union’s Grip on California

10:05 – Education in Crisis: Just 8% of Black Students Proficient in Reading

12:14 – Why the System Is Built for Adults, Not Students

14:02 – CEQA for Schools: Bureaucracy Over Kids

15:55 – Rebuilding Accountability and Real Governance

18:30 – The Parent Trigger Law: Why It’s Been Neutered

20:15 – Homeschooling, Charter Schools & Parental Rights

22:40 – Advice for Parents and Citizens: Take Action Now

25:02 – Gloria’s Vision for a Better California

27:30 – Rapid Fire: Dictator for a Day, Leaders She Respects, & What Gives Her Hope

Connect with Sen. Gloria Romero

• X: https://x.com/GloriaJRomero
• Website: https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/academics/faculty/gloria-romero/

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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:

Joe Patterson - Member of the California State Assembly

Guest Bio

Joe Patterson is a California State Assemblyman representing District 5 and a leading advocate for government transparency, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. A former Rocklin City Councilmember and father of four, Patterson brings a fresh, no-nonsense approach to Sacramento, calling out waste, bureaucracy, and special interest influence.

He has been one of the few voices in the Capitol speaking out about the fentanyl epidemic, the misuse of taxpayer funds, and the culture of secrecy enabled by non-disclosure agreements and political maneuvering. Known for challenging both parties when needed, Patterson is part of a new generation of leaders committed to restoring trust in California government.

Show Summary

What happens when a California legislator pulls back the curtain on Sacramento's dysfunction?

In this eye-opening episode, Assemblyman Joe Patterson joins Jon Slavet to expose the real issues behind government waste, legislative gridlock, and the California State Assembly’s failures on criminal justice policy. From billion-dollar vanity projects to the shocking refusal to make it a felony to purchase sex from a 16-year-old, Patterson shares why the state is falling short—and what must be done to fix it.

You’ll learn why he believes NDAs are the “enemy of accountability”, how fentanyl policy is failing families, and what transparency actually looks like in practice. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how California politics really works behind the headlines—and what it will take to change the game.

Chapters

00:00 – Why Joe Patterson Chose to Serve
01:32 – The State Capitol’s NDA Problem
04:20 – Billion-Dollar Vanity Projects and Fake Transparency
07:48 – The Battle Over Fentanyl Legislation
10:01 – The Vote That Shocked Him: The 16-Year-Old Child Trafficking Loophole
12:34 – How Special Interests Quietly Kill Bills
15:03 – Patterson’s CEQA Reform Stance
17:40 – Why the Middle Class Is Being Decimated
20:19 – Inside the Budget: What They Don’t Want You to See
23:55 – What Real Transparency Requires
26:40 – Advice to Californians Who Want Change
28:30 – Patterson’s Hope for 2026 and Beyond

Connect with Joe:

• X: https://x.com/Patterdude?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patterdude/
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepatterson82/Website: https://ad05.asmrc.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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:

Jennifer Hernandez – Partner, Holland & Knight

Guest Bio

Jennifer Hernandez is a legendary land use and environmental attorney at Holland & Knight, with over 30 years of experience leading legal battles for housing, equity, and environmental justice across California. Known for her fearless critique of the state’s broken regulatory system, she has become a powerful voice in the fight to reform CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act), and dismantle the bureaucratic gridlock strangling housing development in California.

She’s represented some of the state’s largest infrastructure and redevelopment projects, while also advocating for affordable housing in working-class communities. Jennifer’s insights have been featured in The New York Times, CalMatters, and academic journals, and she’s considered one of California’s most influential experts on land use law and environmental policy.

Show Summary

Why does it cost four times more to build affordable housing in California than in places like Colorado or Texas? In this episode, attorney and housing advocate Jennifer Hernandez joins Jon Slavet to break down how the environmental movement, trial lawyers, and Sacramento’s bureaucratic bloat have created a man-made crisis that’s crushing the working-class and working poor of California.

From exposing how CEQA has become a tool for extortion, to unpacking the rise of “procedural fetishism,” Jennifer shares how well-intended policies have been weaponized to block housing, bankrupt cities, and trap families in poverty — all while benefiting wealthy NIMBYs and entrenched special interests. This episode pulls no punches and offers real, actionable ideas for restoring affordability and restoring the California Dream.

Chapters

00:00 – California’s Housing Crisis Is Manmade

01:27 – Meet Jennifer Hernandez: Land Use Attorney & Reformer

03:15 – Rage, Betrayal, and the War on Working-Class Californians

05:31 – How CEQA Became a Hydra Blocking Housing

08:48 – Who’s Really Benefiting from Blocking Housing?

10:43 – Bureaucratic Bloat and 58,000 New State Employees

13:24 – CEQA as Extortion: The Lawsuits That Never End

15:39 – Why There Are No Cranes in San Francisco

17:44 – NIMBYism with an Environmental Halo

20:31 – Why These Policies Are Anti-Union and Anti-Minority

22:11 – The Masks of Climate Doom and “Equality of Outcome”

24:24 – The Real Fix: Comply with the Law, Then Build

26:31 – The Case for Ending Lawsuit Abuse in Housing

28:49 – RAND Study: 4 Units in CO = 1 in CA

31:03 – Why Fire-Prone Logic is Often Political Theater

33:25 – NIMBY Environmentalism as Class Warfare

34:31 – The One Executive Order That Could Change Everything

36:15 – Jennifer’s Most Admired CA Leader (Hint: It’s Not Newsom)

37:19 – California’s Climate Strategy: A Fraudulent Metric?

38:28 – Final Thoughts on What’s Broken — and What’s Next

Connect with Jennifer

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jhernandezca?_t=ZP-8xI5UD0ECzv&_r=1
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hernandez-699b504/
• Website: https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/h/hernandez-jennifer-l

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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com

Guest:

David Crane - Founder, Govern for California

Guest Bio

David Crane is a businessman, educator, and former special advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is the founder of Govern For California, an organization focused on strengthening democracy and advocating for fiscal responsibility and education reform. Known for his direct, data-driven approach, Crane has been one of the state's most vocal critics of public pension mismanagement and government overspending.

Show Summary

Is California headed for fiscal collapse? In this raw and unfiltered interview, David Crane—former budget advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger—pulls back the curtain on the state’s financial dysfunction. From ballooning pension obligations to special interest power plays, Crane lays out the hard truths about where California’s money goes, why public services keep declining, and what it will actually take to fix it.

Recorded at David’s home in San Francisco, this conversation dives into the real reasons behind the state’s education crisis, the corruption behind public sector union politics, and why the next Governor will inherit a financial disaster. If you’ve ever wondered how the state with so much wealth can feel so broken, this episode explains it all.

Chapters
00:00 – Intro: Is California Failing Its Citizens?

01:10 – Meet David Crane & His Role with Governor Schwarzenegger

03:30 – Why Public Services Are Collapsing Despite Record Budget

07:00 – Political Cowardice & the Power of Special Interests

10:45 – The True Cost of Pension Mismanagement

13:25 – Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom & the Political Machine

18:10 – What Kind of Leader California Actually Needs

23:30 – Budget Corruption & Why Firefighters Can’t Get Funded

28:45 – What Makes San Francisco a Surprising Beacon of Hope

32:50 – David’s Vision for a Better-Run State

36:00 – Final Thoughts: Why It’s Up to the People to Demand Change

Connect with David

• X: https://x.com/davidgcrane
• Website: https://www.governforcalifornia.org/david-crane

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 #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com