Nation State of Play

Neptune Ops

On each episode of Nation State of Play, we explore the inside political stories driving public policy in California. We cover not just what politicians are doing—but how they’re doing it in ways you won’t hear about anywhere else. We explore these stories with political insiders, business leaders, journalists, and policy-makers themselves to get below the surface of the headlines, and show you the true forces shaping our nation state. read less
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District Attorney President Vern Pierson on LA's Spiraling Gun Violence
27-02-2021
District Attorney President Vern Pierson on LA's Spiraling Gun Violence
California District Attorneys Association President and El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson, joins us to discuss Los Angeles's spiraling gun violence, and how LA District Attorney George Gascón's policies are contributing to the surge in violent crime.

Episodes

District Attorney President Vern Pierson on LA's Spiraling Gun Violence
27-02-2021
District Attorney President Vern Pierson on LA's Spiraling Gun Violence
California District Attorneys Association President and El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson, joins us to discuss Los Angeles's spiraling gun violence, and how LA District Attorney George Gascón's policies are contributing to the surge in violent crime.
Fred Buzo and Rafi Nazarians with AARP on Policy Solutions for Senior Affordable Housing
28-01-2021
Fred Buzo and Rafi Nazarians with AARP on Policy Solutions for Senior Affordable Housing
Fred Buzo and Rafi Nazarians with AARP join us to discuss AARP's new report on affordable housing for seniors.
Blanca Castro with AARP on Nursing Home Safety During COVID
23-12-2020
Blanca Castro with AARP on Nursing Home Safety During COVID
Blanca Castro, AARP's lead advocate in Sacramento joins us to discuss nursing home safety during COVID and what the legislature can do to protect seniors throughout the state.
The California Association For Private Events on the Future of Re-Opening
28-10-2020
The California Association For Private Events on the Future of Re-Opening
Amy Ulkutekin and Rob Pausmith of CAPE, The California Association For Private Events join us to discuss the future of private events in California.
Su Jin Gatlin Jez with California Competes on Workforce Education in the Age of COVID
07-10-2020
Su Jin Gatlin Jez with California Competes on Workforce Education in the Age of COVID
Dr. Su Jin Gatlin Jez, the Executive Director of California Competes, joins us to discuss the changing needs of workforce education in the age of COVID.
Rachel Michelin, President of the California Retailers Association on the Current State of Re-Opening
26-09-2020
Rachel Michelin, President of the California Retailers Association on the Current State of Re-Opening
Rachel Michelin, President of the California Retailers Association joins us to discuss the current state of re-opening, devastating tax measures on the November ballot, and what exactly it is (or is not) that the Governor's mystery Economic Taskforce has been doing.
DA Vern Pierson, President of The California District Attorneys Association on Why Governor Newsom Should Veto a Bill that Would Dramatically Impact Public Safety
23-09-2020
DA Vern Pierson, President of The California District Attorneys Association on Why Governor Newsom Should Veto a Bill that Would Dramatically Impact Public Safety
President of the California District Attorneys Association and El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson joins us to discuss a pending bill that would dramatically impact public safety throughout California. DA Pierson explains how a last minute legislative process was used  to slip through a dramatic re-write the California's criminal code, and why it's so critical for Governor Newsom to veto the bill.
Chazz Clevinger, CEO of One Click Politics on the Latest in Digital Advocacy
23-09-2020
Chazz Clevinger, CEO of One Click Politics on the Latest in Digital Advocacy
Chazz Clevinger, CEO of the award winning company One Click Politics joins us to discuss the latest developments in digital advocacy, and how COVID is disrupting the government affairs industry.
Tracy Rosenberg and Mary Stone Ross on a Ballot Measure Masquerading as a "Privacy" Proposal
22-09-2020
Tracy Rosenberg and Mary Stone Ross on a Ballot Measure Masquerading as a "Privacy" Proposal
Privacy and data expert Mary Stone Ross and Tracy Rosenberg, the Executive Director of The Media Alliance join us to discuss Proposition 24, a so-called "privacy" proposal that would in reality undo key parts of the California Consumer Privacy Act.
Donald Robertson On How To Think Like A Roman Emperor
14-09-2020
Donald Robertson On How To Think Like A Roman Emperor
Author and internationally renowned expert on Stoicism, Donald Robertson, joins us to discuss his best-selling book, How To Think Like A Roman Emperor, The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.
Ron Hasse and Jim Ewert on Why The Legislature Must Act Now to Save Local Journalism
18-08-2020
Ron Hasse and Jim Ewert on Why The Legislature Must Act Now to Save Local Journalism
Jim Ewert from the California News Publishers Association and Ron Hasse from the Southern California News Group join us to discuss a critical legislative effort to amend AB5 and save local journalism.
Jeff Rice With The Association of Personalized Learning Schools & Services
12-08-2020
Jeff Rice With The Association of Personalized Learning Schools & Services
Jeff Rice with The Association of Personalized Learning Schools & Services joins us to discuss a critical school funding issue that is jeopardizing education throughout the state.  Hear about what the legislature can do now to protect schools during COVID.
Jennifer Hernandez From The Two Hundred On Solutions To The California Housing Crisis
03-08-2020
Jennifer Hernandez From The Two Hundred On Solutions To The California Housing Crisis
Jennifer Hernandez from The Two Hundred joins us to discuss the origins of California's housing crisis, how COVID has made the crisis even worse, and what the legislature can do to change course.
Former Majority Leader Alberto Torrico On Advocacy In The Age of COVID, And Who Will Be Biden's VP Pick
24-07-2020
Former Majority Leader Alberto Torrico On Advocacy In The Age of COVID, And Who Will Be Biden's VP Pick
Former Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico joins us to discuss Sacramento advocacy in the age of COVID, the state of the union between Governor Newsom and the legislature, and who will be Biden's VP pick
Dr. Marketa Houskova From The American Nurses Association On What The California Legislature Can Do Now To Help Nurses On The COVID Frontlines
24-07-2020
Dr. Marketa Houskova From The American Nurses Association On What The California Legislature Can Do Now To Help Nurses On The COVID Frontlines
Dr. Marketa Houskova from the American Nurses Association/California joins us to discuss several pieces of legislation that California can pass now to assist nurses on the frontlines of the COVID response.
Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin on Allowing 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primaries
22-07-2020
Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin on Allowing 17 Year Olds to Vote in Primaries
Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin joins us to discuss his proposed Constitutional Amendment that would allow 17 year olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the time of the general election.
Carmela Castellano-Garcia from the California Primary Care Association discusses the role of community health centers in the age of COVID
10-07-2020
Carmela Castellano-Garcia from the California Primary Care Association discusses the role of community health centers in the age of COVID
Carmela Castellano-Garcia, President and CEO of the California Primary Care Association discusses the role of community health centers in the age of COVID.
Audrey Dow with The Campaign for College Opportunity on proposed budget cuts to higher education
08-07-2020
Audrey Dow with The Campaign for College Opportunity on proposed budget cuts to higher education
Audrey Dow with The Campaign for College Opportunity joins us to discuss the impact of proposed state budget cuts to higher education in California.
Former Senator Martha Escutia on How to Close the Digital Divide
06-07-2020
Former Senator Martha Escutia on How to Close the Digital Divide
From telehealth to online schooling, COVID has made high-speed internet access more critical than ever. Yet 1 out of every 8 households in California still lacks broadband. Former State Senator Martha Escutia discusses how to close the digital divide.
Dave Jacobson from J&Z Strategies Discusses the Battle for the House, Senate, and the Presidency
30-06-2020
Dave Jacobson from J&Z Strategies Discusses the Battle for the House, Senate, and the Presidency
Dave Jacobson, one of the leading Democratic political consultants in the country, discusses the state of play in the battles for the House, Senate, and Presidency.