Will Waste, Fraud and Over-Spending Drown California?

Meet the Man Who Drew the California Prop50 Maps | Paul Mitchell

Guest: Paul Mitchell, Democratic Political Strategist Guest 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 Summary Can 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. Chapters 00:00 – Prop 50: Did Two Wrongs Make a Right? 00:58 – The Anti-Gerrymander Cartographer: Mitchell’s Nonpartisan Roots 02:00 – The Texas Counter-Bluff: Advising a Partisan Stand-Off 03:00 – Maintaining Map Integrity Under Partisan Constraints 04:15 – Bludgeoning the Minority Party: The Disenfranchisement of Voters 05:14 – Latte Voters and Rural Reality: The Challenge of Underpopulated Districts 07:16 – Bypassing the Commission: The Incremental Push from Washington 07:51 – Long-Term Meditation: When Democrats Started Strategic Line Drawing 08:35 – Preserving Communities of Interest vs. "Bacon Strip" Public Maps 10:11 – The Proportionality Math Problem: Self-Segregation of Electorates 12:00 – High Taxes, Worse Outcomes: Sacramento’s Lack of Economic Leadership 12:48 – Low-Information Landslides: Why Voters Backed the Anti-Trump Narrative 14:55 – Low-Information Electorates and the Realities of the Campaign Trail 15:41 – The Billionaire Network: Evaluating Elite Mobility in California 16:00 – AI, Automation, and the Pitchfork Economy: Shifting Jobs on the Chopping Block 18:26 – Crude Mechanisms vs. Mileage Taxes: The Problem with Asset Liquidation 20:07 – The Societal Compact: Reinventing Government Infrastructure Through Private Gains 21:23 – Congressional Pass: Healthcare Deficits and Abdicating Responsibility Connect with Paul Mitchell * Twitter/X: https://x.com/paulmitche11 [https://x.com/paulmitche11] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmitche11/ [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 #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold * X: https://x.com/realjonslavet [https://x.com/realjonslavet] * Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en] * Website: www.stateofgold.com [https://stateofgold.com/]

In an Average Year, the President’s Party Loses 28 Seats | Mark Halperin

Guest: 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. Chapters 00:00 – Shifting Trajectories: Why Mahan and Becerra are Leading the Field 01:12 – Selling Oatmeal: Can Matt Mahan Make Moderation Sexy? 02:15 – Breaking Becerra: Vacuum and Vulnerabilities in the Debates 03:07 – The Primary Math: Can Republicans Avoid a Top-Two Shutout? 04:34 – Open Secrets: Why the Swalwell Skeletons Exploded Late 06:35 – Defining the Perfect California Republican: The Legacy of Dick Reardon 08:45 – The Midterm Forecast: Affordability, the Iran War, and a Looming Blue Wave 11:12 – The Texas Drought: Can James Talarico Unseat a Republican Statewide? 12:26 – The Gauntlet of 2028: Family Vetos and Gavin Newsom's Presidential Ambitions 15:34 – Bestsellers and Email Lists: Sizing Up Newsom's National Appeal 18:24 – The 2028 Dem Board: Harris, Shapiro, Buttigieg, and Rahm Emanuel 21:33 – Super PAC Strategy: The Hidden Mechanics of a Winning Campaign 23:00 – The Post-Trump Era: J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and the Republican Mantle 24:12 – Game Change Lessons: Normality, Charm, and Mission Chinese Connect with Mark Halperin * Twitter: https://x.com/MarkHalperin?lang=en [https://x.com/MarkHalperin?lang=en] * Twitter (show): https://x.com/NextUpHalperin [https://x.com/NextUpHalperin] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markevanhalperin/ [https://www.instagram.com/markevanhalperin/]  * Instagram (show): https://www.instagram.com/nextuphalperin/ [https://www.instagram.com/nextuphalperin/] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpHalperin [https://www.youtube.com/@NextUpHalperin] * Website: 2waytvapp.com [http://2waytvapp.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 [https://x.com/realjonslavet] * Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en] * Website: www.stateofgold.com [https://stateofgold.com/]

The Candidate for City Attorney Who Will Clear LA's Streets | John McKinney

Guest: John McKinney - Candidate for LA City Attorney Guest 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. Chapters 00:00 – The Core of Safety: Tracing Modern LA problems to 2010s Realignment 01:45 – Leaving People on the Street: The Failure of State Corrections 02:43 – Debunking the Crime Link: Legal Immigration Status vs. Local Crime 04:34 – The Budget Levers: Board Politics and Sanctuary State Dynamics 05:58 – General Counsel or Public Interest Firm? Delineating the LA City Attorney Role 07:28 – The Practical Metrics of Success: CVS Openings, Human Bodies, and RVs 09:00 – Compassionate Accountability: Ditching Hotel Voucher Strategies for $5,000 Emergency Beds 10:45 – Partnering with Law Enforcement: Aggressive Prosecution of Misdemeanors 12:31 – Defeating Career Politicians: The Angry Consensus of the Ordinary Voter 14:18 – Critiques of the Progressive Left: Leaving the City of Los Angeles Without a Defender 15:04 – Sucking the Air Out of the Room: Spencer Pratt’s Viral AI Mayoral Insurgency 17:30 – Rapid Fire: Uncivilized Encampments and Rooting for the Home Teams Connect with John McKinney  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmckinney_/ [https://www.instagram.com/johnmckinney_/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/John-McKinney-100063804919502/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/John-McKinney-100063804919502/] * Twitter: https://x.com/johnmckinney_?lang=en [https://x.com/johnmckinney_?lang=en] * Website: https://mckinney4la.com/about/ [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 #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold * X: https://x.com/realjonslavet [https://x.com/realjonslavet] * Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en] * Website: www.stateofgold.com [https://stateofgold.com/]

California Citizens Need to Wake Up and Vote for Change | Mike Netter

Guest: Mike Netter, Candidate for CA State Senate District 22 Guest 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 Summary Is 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. Chapters 00:00 – Preview: The Apathy Party and Asset Tax Traps 00:24 – Welcoming State Senate Candidate Mike Netter 00:54 – Sizing up 2028: Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and the Illusion of Popularity 01:46 – Self-Nomination: Newsom’s Late-Night TV Political Pitch 02:11 – Announcing State Senate District 22: Representing One Million Voices 02:47 – Breaking the Disconnect: 48% Registration vs. 75% Supermajority 03:52 – Over-Taxed and Under-Served: The Case for a 28% Income Tax Cut 04:45 – Post-Prop 36 Funding: Rebuilding Public Safety and Small Business Infrastructure Connect with Mike Netter * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.netter.5/ [https://www.facebook.com/mike.netter.5/] * Twitter/X: https://x.com/nettermike?lang=en [https://x.com/nettermike?lang=en] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nettermike/ [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 #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold * X: https://x.com/realjonslavet [https://x.com/realjonslavet] * Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en] * Website: www.stateofgold.com [https://stateofgold.com/]

Who the System Actually Serves | Gus Mattammal

Guest: Gus Mattammal, Candidate for CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Guest Bio Gus 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 Summary California 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. Chapters 00:00 – Education System or Jobs Program? 00:49 – The Reality of Rankings: 38th in Reading, 44th in Math 02:27 – Breaking the Cycle: Breaking the CTA and Bureaucratic Bloat 03:02 – Restructuring the Funding Formula: A Plan for Growth Without New Taxes 06:15 – The Three Dimensions of a Superintendent: Facilitator, Advocate, and Manager 08:53 – Why Mississippi is Crushing California: The Science of Reading 11:42 – Public Shaming and Competition: Incentivizing Excellence 12:23 – Math Standards and "Social Justice": Why Singapore Still Leads 15:23 – The Collective Surrender: Why Ideology Replaces Results 18:35 – Declining Enrollment and the Financial Crisis in Urban Districts 19:27 – Compliance Costs: How Mandates Drive Administrative Bloat 23:25 – Rapid Fire: King for a Day and the "Gus Bus" Connect with Gus Mattammal * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOneTrueGus/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheOneTrueGus/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-mattammal/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-mattammal/] * Twitter: https://x.com/TheOneTrueGus [https://x.com/TheOneTrueGus] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonetruegus/ [https://www.instagram.com/theonetruegus/] * Website: https://www.votegus.org/ [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 #stateofgoldpodcast Connect with State of Gold * X: https://x.com/realjonslavet [https://x.com/realjonslavet] * Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en] * Website: www.stateofgold.com [https://stateofgold.com/]