Maddy Institute – Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition (RADIO & PODCAST)

The Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition is our weekly one-hour public affairs radio program and podcast covering how State and Federal policy and politics impact the north, central and southern regions of the San Joaquin Valley. It is broadcasted on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) on Sundays from 10 to 11 am.

KMJ, which uses a 50,000 watt transmitter, can be heard throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Its signal can be picked up as far south as Santa Clarita and as far north as San Francisco. The program is also available as a podcast on major podcast platforms.

The first half-hour of this program (“The Maddy Report” segment) is an audio version of the weekly half-hour tv program, The Maddy Report, seen on KFSN ABC30 (Sundays 10:00am). The Maddy Report focuses on public policy issues being addressed at the State Capital and in Washington, D.C. that are important to California and the San Joaquin Valley.

The second half hour (“Valley Views” segment) focuses the conversation on how the particular topic specifically impacts Valley residents. To ensure a wide range of viewpoints and an informative discussion, guests from throughout the political spectrum and from throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley are invited to participate.

The goal of The Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition is to provide a balanced, fact-based and thought-provoking examination of issues facing the San Joaquin Valley—from Bakersfield to Stockton and every city in between. It is intended to advance our mission of fostering more informed discussion and a more engaged electorate.

The Maddy Report-Valley Views Edition debuted in 2013.

A special thank you to our Maddy Associates Senator Circle for their contributions:

Aera Energy LLC

Bonner Family Foundation

Fresno State

Community Medical Centers

E&J Gallo Winery

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant

Nossaman, LLC

Sagaser, Watkins & Wieland PC

Valley Children’s Hospital

Listen on: Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Breaker, and Pocket Cast

The following is a list of the most recent Maddy Report shows.

Season 12

Fire and Smoke: How Can We Minimize the Negative Impact of California Wildfires?: Pedro Nava, Chair of California Little Hoover Commission.
When It Rains It Pours. And When It Doesn’t…: Ellen Hanak, Director – Public Policy Institute of California Water Center.
Care Courts: A Comprehensive Look: Thomas Curwen, LA Times.
Is There a Role of Unions in the 21st Century?: Jesse Bedayn, Reporter – CalMatters; Judy Lin, Assistant Editor – CalMatters; and Grace Gedye, Economy Reporter – CalMatters.
California Water Politics – Are There Any Solutions?: Mark Keppler is joined by Ellen Hanak, Director – Public Policy Institute of California Water Center.
U.S. Supreme Court: Implications for California and the Valley: Leslie Jacobs, Professor of Law, McGeorge School of Law
Improving Career Pathways: Thinking Systemically, Acting Locally: Ashley Swearengin, Executive Director – Central Valley Community Foundation; Lee Ann Eager, President – Fresno County Economic Development Corporation.
Bad Apples: Are We Doing Enough to Regulate Professional Misconduct?: Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times; Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times; and Elaine Howle, Former State Auditor.
Looking for Accurate Information on State Policy? Look no further…: Tani Cantil-Sakauye, President/CEO, PPIC and former Chief Justice, California Supreme Court
Climate Change: State Actions and A Possible Solution: Roger Aines, Senior Scientist – Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sarah Cornett, Fiscal and Policy Analyst, LAO.
The Future of Valley Ag: Ryan Jacobsen, CEO – Fresno County Farm Bureau and Tricia Stever Blattler, Executive Director – Tulare County Farm Bureau.
$88 Million Question: Will New Federal Grants Drive the Valley’s Economy: Ashley Swearengin, Executive Director – Central Valley Community Foundation and Lee Ann Eager, President – Fresno County Economic Development Corporation. He is also joined by Alejandra Y. Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development – U.S. Department of Commerce.
What’s New in Regional and Local Water Conservation?: Ellen Hanak, Director of the Public Policy Institute of California Water Center, Dr. Andrew Ayres, Research Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center, Dr. Alvar Escriva-Bou, Senior Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center, Charles Hillyer, Interim Associate Vice President of the California Water Institute, Dr. Steve Blumenshine, Director of Research and Education at the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center, and Helle Petersen, Director of the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center.
Valley Report Card: Academic Performance & Graduation Rates: senior fellow at the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California; school superintendents from Modesto to Bakersfield: Sara Noguchi, Robert Nelson, Eimear O’Brien, Mark Luque, and Kirk Shrum
Improving Digital Equity In the Valley K-12 Education: Tami Lundberg the Chief Technology Officer at FUSD; Don Soyinthisane, Director of Learner Support at FUSD; and Peter Sonkeen, the Director of Technology at Lindsey USD
The Power Players in State & Valley Politics: Scott Linesburg, the editor of Stocktonia; Joe Kieta, the editor of the Fresno Bee; Paul Hurley with the College of the Sequioas; and Robert Price, with the KGET, Bakersfield’s NBC affiliate.
The State of Higher Education in the Valley: University Leaders Lynnette Zelezny, Dr. Ellen Junn, Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz.

Season 11

A Glimpse at the Future of Energy in Kern County: Anthony Rathburn, Interim Director of the California Energy Research Center, CSUB; Liz Rozell, Director, Valley Strong Energy Institute, Bakersfield College
Senior & Hospice Care: Are We Ready for the Coming Senior Tsunami?: Michael S. Tilden, Acting Califonia State Auditor; Kim McCoy Wade, Director – CA Department of Aging
California’s Housing Crisis: Impact on Valley Housing: John Beckman, CEO, Greater Valley Building Industry Association; Michael Prandini, President & CEO, Building Industry Association of Fresno/Madera Counties; David Dmohowski, Executive Officer, Home Builders Association of Kern County
Is Better Police Training the Answer to Police Misconduct?: Janna Sidley, Commissioner – Little Hoover Commission; Deepak Premkumar, Research Fellow – Public Policy Institute of California
Wildfires in the Sierra: Is There Any Defense?: Helen Kerstein, Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst – Legislative Analyst’s Office; Michael S. Tilden, California State Auditor.
Homeless Comes Home to California and the Valley: Monica Davalos, Policy Analyst – California Budget & Policy Center; Lourdes Morales, Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst – Legislative Analyst’s Office; Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Research Fellow – Public Policy Institute of California; Hanna Wiley, Politics Reporter – Los Angeles Times; Jerry Dyer, Mayor – City of Fresno; Karen Goh, Mayor – City of Bakersfield; and Sue Zwahlen, Mayor – City of Modesto
Law Enforcement Training in California and the Valley: Janna Sidley, Commissioner – Little Hoover Commission; Paco Balderrama, Chief of Police – City of Fresno; Curt Fleming, Chief of Police – City of Clovis; and Jose Garza, Chief of Police – City of Coalinga
The State of Valley Water: Ellen Hanak, Director – Public Policy Institute of California Water Center; Sargent Green, Water Management Specialist – California Water Institute, Fresno State
Radio Racial Disparities in Law Enforcement Stops: Magnus Loftstrom, Policy Director and Senior Fellow – PPIC; Sebastian Sclofsky, Professor of Criminal Justice – CSU Stanislaus; Paco Balderrama, Police Chief – Fresno
Biggest State and Local Political Issues for 2022: Paul Hurley, Visalia Times Delta; Danielle Bergstrom, Fresno Bee/Fresnoland; Garth Stapley, Modesto Bee
A Valley School uses LCFF to Close the Achievement Gap: Carolyn Jones, Senior Reporter – EdSource; Alma Lopez, Counselor – Livingston Middle School
Climate Change Forecast for Valley’s Water: High and Dry?: Ellen Hanak, Director – Public Policy Institute of California Water Center; Lois Henry, CEO and Editor – SJV Water; Ian LeMay, President – California Fresh Fruit Association
The Future of Unions in California and the Central Valley: Boom or Bust?: Jesse Bedayn, Reporter – CalMatters; Judy Lin, Assistant Editor – CalMatters; Grace Gedye, Economy Reporter – CalMatters; Dillion Savory: Fresno-Madera Labor Council; Pedro Ramirez, Kern-Inyo-Mono Labor Council, Tim Robertson, Merced-Stanislaus-Tuolumne Labor Council
California Change Electorate: Is the Valley’s Electorate More or Less So?: Pedro Nava, Chairman – Little Hoover Commission; Dr. Thomas Holyoke, Professor of Political Science – Fresno State; Dr. Jessica Trounstine, Professor of Political Science – UC Merced
Universities & Foundations: The Valley’s Institutional Change Agents: Lynnette Zelezny, President – CSU Bakersfield; Ellen Junn, President – CSU Stanislaus; Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President – Fresno State; Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Chancellor – UC Merced; Ashley Swearengin, President and CEO – Central Valley Community Foundation; Marian Kaanon, President and CEO – Stanislaus Community Foundation
Climate Change Forecast for Valley’s Water: High & Dry? Dr. Andrew Ayres, Research Fellow – Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center; Ellen Hanak, Director – Public Policy Institute of California Water Center; Lois Henry, CEO and Editor – SJV Water; Ian LeMay, President – California Fresh Fruit Association
Building More Affordable Housing: What Works and What Doesn’t: CA State Auditor Elaine Howle; John Myers – LA Times; Dan Walters – CalMatters; Matt Levine – CalMatters; Dan Dunmoyer – California Building Industry Association
Valley Water: Where & Why is it Unsafe to Drink: Ellen Hanak – Director of PPIC Water Center; Sarge Green – Research Scientist at Fresno State’s CA Water Institute
Closing the Valley’s Digital Divide and the Promise of Telemedicine: Dr. Casey Grey – Kaiser Permanente; Laurence De Sault – Mercury News/CalMatters; Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula; Barb Yellowlees – CETF
Valley Air: Are We Breathing Any Easier?: Tom Jordan – Senior Policy Advisor, San Joaquin Valley Air District; Dr. Tania Pacheco-Werner, Co-Director, Fresno State’s Central Valley Health Policy Institute
The Current and Future Economic Impact of the Valley’s CSU’s: Lynette Zelezny, President of CSU Bakersfield; Ellen Junn, President of CSU Stanislaus; Saul Jimenez Sandoval, President of Fresno State
Climate Change and Electric Vehicles: Public Action and Private Markets: F. Noel Perry – Founder of Next 10; State Senator Fran Pavley
California’s Electric: Or Soon to Be!: F. Noel Perry, Founder – Next 10
The Valley Experience with On-Line Government: Pedro Nava, Chairman – Little Hoover Commission, Danielle Bergstrom, Fresnoland – Documenter’s Program; Erica Manuel, CEO & President of the Institute for Local Government
Two State Watchdogs Take A Bow: Elaine Howle, CPA – California State Auditor; Mac Taylor, Former California’s Legislative Analyst

Season 10

Aging Better: What’s the Plan?: Barbara Feder-Ostrov and Jocelyn Wiener from CalMatters
Keeping them Honest: The Role of State and Local Watchdogs:Jim Boren, Executive Director – Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State; Dympna Ugwu-Oju, Co-Editor – Fresno Bee’s Fresnoland discuss the role of state and local watchdogs
Fracking in the Valley: Pros and Cons: Dr. Liaosha Song, an Assistant Professor of Geology, CSU Bakersfield and is an expert in subsurface geology. Dr. Catherine Garoupa White, the Executive Director, Central Valley Air Quality Coalition (CVAQ)and a lecturer at CSU Stanislaus and Columbia College discuss geology and environmental issues.
Reporter’s Notebook: High Speed Rail Update: Tim Sheehan from the Fresno Bee and David Lightman from McClatchy Newspapers give an update on the high speed rail projects and their implications for the Valley.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla: Valley Impressions : Brian Clark, Editor of the Modesto Bee and Merced Sun Star; Joe Kieta, Editor of the Fresno Bee, and Paul Hurley who is formerly with Visalia Times Delta discuss valley impressions.
Will Telemedicine Cure the Valley’s Doctor Shortage? : Dr. Casey Gray from Kaiser hospital, Laurence Du Sault of Mercury News/CalMatters, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, Barb Yellowlees of CETF, Dr. John Kinnison, Medical Director of Telemedicine at Valley Children’s Medical Center, Dr. Syed Ali, Family Medicine Physician with Gould Medical Group, and Dr. Judi Binderman, Vice President, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Community Medical Centers
Can Distance Learning Span the Valley’s Digital Divide? : Sydney Johnson of EdSource, E. Toby Boyd of the California Teachers Association, Amy Li, Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Sunne McPeak, President & CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund, Dr. Tamara Ravalin, Superintendent of Visalia Unified, Dr. Sara Noguchi, Superintendent of Modesto Unified, Dr. Eimear O’Farrell, Superintendent of Clovis Unified, and Kurt Madden, Chief Technology Officer at Fresno Unified.
Valley & State Politics: The Most Influential Non-Politicians: John Howard, Editor of Capitol Weekly, Robert Price of Bakersfield Californian, Joe Kieta, Editor of The Fresno Bee and Merced Sun-Star, Paul Hurley of the Visalia Times Delta, and Brian Clark of the Modesto Bee
The Valley’s Public Universities: An Update : UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Fresno State President Joseph Castro, Stanislaus State President Ellen Jun, and CSU Bakersfield President Lynnette Zelezny
Philanthropy in the Valley: An Update : Don Howard, President & CEO, The James Irvine Foundation, Kristen Beall Watson, President & CEO – The Kern Foundation, Marian Kaanon, President & CEO – The Stanislaus Community Foundation, and Ashley Swearingen, President & CEO – The Central Valley Community Foundation
The November Propositions: Valley Implications : Ben Christopher from CalMatters, Jessica Trounstine from UC Merced, Greg Soydemir from Stanislaus State, Lisa Bryant from Fresno State, Ivy Cargile from CSU Bakersfield, Mary Roaf from Stanislaus State, and Sebastian Sclofsky from Stanislaus State
Valley Politics: What Does 2020 Mean for 2021? : Dan Walters of CalMatters, John Myers of the Los Angeles Times, Robert Price of Bakersfield’s KGET and the Bakersfield Californian, Joe Kieta of the Fresno Bee, Paul Hurley, formerly with the Visalia Times Delta and now with the College of the Sequoias, Brian Clark of the Modesto Bee
All Politics Are Local: The Big Issues for Valley Cities in 2021: Matthew Serratto, Mayor of City of Merced, Jerry Dyer, Mayor of City of Fresno, Steve Nelson, Mayor of City of Visalia, Karen Goh, Mayor of City of Bakersfield, Robert Price of Bakersfield’s KGET and the Bakersfield Californian, Joe Kieta of the Fresno Bee, Paul Hurley, formerly with the Visalia Times Delta and now with the College of the Sequoias, and Brian Clark of the Modesto Bee
Closing the Valley’s Digital Divide and the Promise of Telemedicine: Dr. Casey Gray, Kaiser; Laurence Du Sault, Mercury News/CalMatters; Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula; Barb Yellowlees, CETF
The Pandemic’s Effect on Small Business in the Valley: Pedro Nava, Chairman – Little Hoover Commission; Nick Ortiz, President/CEO – Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce; Greg Newman, CEO – Clovis Chamber of Commerce; Dave White, CEO – Opportunity Stanislaus; Katy Winders, Director – Small Business Development Center, Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties
State Legislative Agendas: State Sen. Andreas Borgeas; Asm. Heath Flora; Asm. Devon Mathis; State Sen. Anna Caballero; Asm. Rudy Salas
Congressional Agenda for 2021: Congressman David Valadao; Congressman Jim Costa; Professor Greg Soydemir – Stanislaus State; Professor Nate Monroe – UC Merced; Professor Lisa Bryant – Fresno State
To Catch a Thief: Combatting Unemployment Comp and Workers Comp Fraud: CA State Auditor Elaine Howle
Building a More Competitive and Inclusive Valley Economy: Don Howard, President & CEO – The James Irvine Foundation
Labor Trafficking, Poverty and Income Inequality: Sarah Bohn, Public Policy Institute of California
Building More Affordable Housing: What Works and What Doesn’t: CA State Auditor Elaine Howle; John Myers – LA Times; Dan Walters – CalMatters; Matt Levine – CalMatters; Dan Dunmoyer – California Building Industry Association
Will Redistricting Change the Political Landscape?: Alvaro Hernandez, Executive Director – Citizens Redistricting Commission; Pedro Toledo, Commissioner – Citizens Redistricting Commission; Eric McGhee, Senior Fellow – PPIC; Dan Walters – CalMatters; Tom Holyoke, Professor of Political Science – Fresno State; Jessica Trounstine, Professor of Political Science – UC Merced; Ivy Cargile, Asst. Professor of Political Science – CSU Bakersfield
Valley Water: Where & Why is it Unsafe to Drink?: Rachel Ehlers, Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst – Legislative Analyst’s Office; Ellen Hanak, Director – PPIC Water Center; Sarge Green, Research Scientist – Fresno State’s CA Water Institute
Valley Air: Are We Breathing Any Easier?: Rachel Becker, Environmental Reporter – CalMatters; Tom Jordan, Senior Policy Advisor – San Joaquin Valley Air District; Dr. Tania Pacheco-Werner, Co-Director – Fresno State’s Central Valley Health Policy Institute
Medical Education in the Valley: Current & Future Prognosis: Dr. Michael Peterson, Associate Dean – UCSF Fresno; Chancellor Juan Sanchez Munoz – UC Merced; CA State Asm. Adam Gray – (D-Merced); CA State Asm. Dr. Joaquin Arambula – (D-Fresno); Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno); Dr. Thelma Hurd, Director of Medical Education – UC Merced; Janine Spencer, Assistant Chair, RN-BSN Program Coordinator – Fresno State; Dr. Florence T. Dunn, President – California Health Sciences University

Season 9

Educational Performance from A to Z: Julien Lafortune, Sarah Bohn, Radhika Mehlotra and Patrick Murphy from PPIC, and Dorothy Leland, Chancellor, UC Merced
California Wildfires: Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later: Pedro Nava, Chair of California Little Hoover Commission and Dr. Ross Brown, California Legislative Analyst Office
Poverty and the Economic Situation of California Latinos: Sarah Bohn, Public Policy Institute of California and Mindy Romero, Director of USC Price School of Public School
Who are the Key Valley Influencers?: John Howard, Editor of Capitol Weekly, Nate Monroe with UC Merced, Robert Price with the Bakersfield Californian, Paul Hurley, formerly with the Visalia Times-Delta and now with the College of the Sequioas, and Joe Kieta, with the Fresno and Modesto Bee
California Migration and Immigration: Who Is Coming and Who is Going?: Secretary of State Alex Padilla; Sarah Bohn, PPIC; John Myers, LA Times; Judy Lin with CALmatters
California’s Housing Crisis: Are Granny Flats the Answer?: Monica Davalos, Aureo Mesquita and Adriana Ramos-Yamamoto from the California Budget and Policy Center, Matt Levin with CALmatters, Dan Dunmoyer with California Building Industry Association, John Myer with LA Times
Recidivism: Statewide Data and a Local Program That Works: Justin Gross of the Public Policy Institute of California, CSU Fresno Prof. Emma Hughes, Project Rebound Director Jennifer Leahy, and Project Rebound’s Arnold Trevino
ICE Detention Facilities, Specifically & Immigration, Generally: Elaine Howle, California State Auditor; Dan Morain, CALmatter; Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of Calif., Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee and Dan Walters with CALmatters
Police Use of Deadly Force: Valley Perspectives: Laurel Rosenhall with CALmatters, Ron Lawrence with California Police Chiefs Association, Alice Hoffman with California Chapter – NCAAP, Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming, and Sandra Celedon, President & CEO of Fresno Building Health Communities
Problems Surrounding California’s Medi-Cal Program: Elaine Howle, California State Auditor
How Will AB5 Impact the Valley?: Dillon Savory, Executive Director of the Fresno-Madera-Tulare-Kings Central Labor Council; Nathan Ahle, Execuctive Director of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce; and Jamie Bossuat, member of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce an attorney with the law firm Kroloff, Belcher, Smart, Perry, & Christopherson.
California’s Workers Comp System: Two Key Issues : State Auditor Elaine Howle

Season 8

2018 November Elections: Laurel Rosenhall, CALmatters and John Myers, Los Angeles Times Sacramento Bureau
Prop 6: Gas Tax Repeal – Implications for the Valley: Laurel Rosenhall, CALmatters; John Myers, Los Angeles Times Sacramento Bureau; Paul Golaszewski, LAO; Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Tax Payers Association; Allan Zaremberg, California Chamber of Commerce; Tony Boren, Fresno COG; Rosa Park, Stanislaus COG; Ahron Hakimi, Kern COG; Mike de Manuel, Fresno Co. Republican, and Michael Turnipseed, Kern County Taxpayers Association
California Props, In General & Prop. 6, In Particular: Laurel Rosenhall, CALmatters; John Myers, Los Angeles Times Sacramento Bureau; Paul Golaszewski, LAO; Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Tax Payers Association and Allan Zaremberg, California Chamber of Commerce
California’s Most Influential People: John Howard, Capitol Weekly; Paul Hurley former reporter at Visalia Times-Delta; Mike Dunbar, reporter at Modesto Bee and Tim Sheehan, reporter at The Fresno Bee
Campus Shootings: Are Local Schools Prepared?:California State Auditor, Elaine Howle, Doug Collins with the Merced City School District, and Steve France with the Clovis Unified School District
State Spending: High Speed Rail and Other Big Ticket Items: Tom Richards, Vice Chair of the High Speed Rail Board of Directors; Tom Van Heeke from the Legislative Analyst’s Office; Jon Coupal with the Howard Jarvis Tax Payers Association; and California’s Legislative Analyst, Mac Taylor
Groundwater Recharge: Regionwide Challenges, Local Solutions: Alvar Escriva-Bou with the Public Policy Institute of California and Alan Hoffman, General Manager of the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
State Budget: How the State Spends Your Money: Scott Graves, Director of Research for the Calif Budget & Policy Center and Mac Taylor with the LAO
New State Budget: Will Past Be Prologue?: Scott Graves, Director of Research for the Calif Budget & Policy Center and former California’s Legislative Analyst, Mac Taylor
November Elections Results: State Blue, Valley Purple: Mindy Romero, USC Price School of Public Policy; John Myers, LA Times; Laurel Rosenhall, CALmatters; Joel Fox, Fox & Hounds; Mike Dunbar with the Merced Sun Star and Modesto Bee; Rory Appleton with the Fresno Bee; Paul Hurley, formerly with the Visalia Times Delta and Ivy Cargile, Prof. of Political Science at CSU Bakersfield
More Issues, Fewer Federal Judges: What Will it Mean for the Valley?: Lawrence O’Neil, Chief U.S. District Judge; McGregor Scott, U.S. Attorney General for the Easter District; Daniel Jamison, Dowling Aaron, Richard Watters with Miles, Sears & Eanni; and California’s Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor.
State’s Fiscal Outlook Sets the Stage for Upcoming Budget Negotiation: Scott Graves, Director of Research for the Calif Budget & Policy Center and Mac Taylor with the LAO
The Senior Boom: Preparing for the Baby Boom Aftershock: PPIC Analyst Laurel Beck
California Politics: A Look Back and A Look Forward: John Myers (LA Times), Dan Walters and Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters), Scott Lay with The Nooner, Mindy Romero with USC Price School of Public Policy and Joel Fox with Fox & Hounds
High Speed Rail: Leaving the Station?: California State Auditor, Elaine Howle and Tim Sheehan with the Fresno Bee
The Valley’s Public Universities: An Update: Sarah Bohn, Radhika Mehlotra, and Patrick Murphy from PPIC; Dorothy Leland – Chancellor – UC Merced; President Joseph I. Castro from California State University, Fresno; President Ellen Junn from California State University, Stanislaus, and President Lynnette Zelezny from California State University, Bakersfield
Cal Facts, Valley Economic Opportunities: former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin; Pete Weber, co-chair of CalFwd & Director of the Fresno Bridge Academy and Carolyn Chu, Legislative Analyst Office
Voters and Legislators: The Midterm’s New Faces: Mindy Romero, USC Price School of Public Policy; John Myers, LA Times; State Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), State Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R- Fresno), Mindy Romero, USC Price School of Public Policy; John Myers, LA Times; and Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Madera County Pilots New Voting Process: What Were the Results?: Secretary of State Alex Padilla; Laurel Rosenhall, CALmatters; John Myers, LA Times; Rebecca Martinez the Clerk/Recorder/Registrar of Voters for Madera County
Census & Immigration: Distinctly Different Issues Intersect: Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee, Dan Walters with CALmatters, SOS Padilla, Sarah Bohn with PPIC, and John Myers, LA Times
A Comprehensive Look at the Valley’s Water Challenges: Ellen Hanak, Director – Water Policy Center – PPIC
End of an Era: What’s next?: Former California’s Legislative Analyst, Mac Taylor and Dan Walters with CALmatters
Climate Change Generally and Air Pollution Locally: Will Barrett, Director of Advocacy, Clean Air for the American Lung Association in California and Samir Sheikh, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District; Ross Brown, Legislative Analyst’s Office

Additional Episodes

Climate Change: Adapting to a Slow Moving Emergency: Carole D’Elia, Little Hoover Commission
Political Influence in California Politics: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: John Myers (KQED’s Senior Editor for California Politics & Government) and Marisa Lagos (KQED Reporter, California Politics and Government)
Unintended Consequences: Do Open Meeting Laws Undermine Good Decision Making?: Carole D’Elia, Little Hoover Commission
Democracy at Risk: Voter Registration and Turnout Really Do Matter: California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Mindy Romero, Executive Director of the California Civic Engagement Project at the UC Davis Center for Regional Change
Occupational Licensing: Worth the Cost?: Carole D’Elia, Executive Director of Little Hoover Commission
Fake News & Info Illiteracy: Senator Bill Dodd (D), Renée Ousley-Swank, President Elect – CA School Library Association, John Myers,Sacramento Bureau Chief – LA Times and Dan Walters, Reporter of the Sacramento Bee
Veterans Programs and Services: Carole D’Elia, Executive Director of Little Hoover Commission and Jacqueline Barocio from LAO
The San Joaquin Valley’s Water Challenges: A Comprehensive Review: Ellen Hanak, Director of Water Policy Center – PPIC
Little Hoover Commission Report: What’s So Special About Special Districts?: Carole D’Elia, Executive Director – Little Hoover Commission
Immigration: Dreaming in a Sanctuary State: Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of Calif., Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee and Dan Walters with CALmatters
New State Transportation Tax: Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later: Brian P. Kelley – California Secretary of Transportation, Lisa Marie Alley – California High Speed Rail Authority, Dan Walters with CALmatters and John Myers with Los Angeles Times
Gov’s Twin Tunnels Project: Planning Snafus?: State Auditor Elaine Howle
Out of District Charter Schools: Does Out of Sight, Mean Out of Mind?: State Auditor Elaine Howle
Reducing Recidivism: Do Prisoner Rehabilitation Programs Actually Work?: Jonathan Peterson of the California Legislative Office
California’s Concealed Carry Permits: The Wild West of Permitting?: California State Auditor Elaine Howle
The Road Ahead for Zero-Emission Vehicles in CA: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10
To Catch a Thief: Workers Comp Fraud: California State Auditor Elaine Howle
Public Employee Union Dues: “Fair Share” v. “Free Speech”: Laurel Rosenhall with CALmatters, Steve Smith with California Labor Federation, Dan Walters from CALmatters and John Myers from LA Times

Season 7

Special Districts: Relevant or Redundant?: Guests: Carole D’Elia, Executive Director – Little Hoover Commission, David Fey from LAFCO Fresno, Sara Lytle-Pinhey from LAFCO Stanislaus, William Nicholson from LAFCO Merced, David Braun from LAFCO Madera and Alan Hoffman, General Manager of the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District,
Most Influential Leaders in California and the Valley: Guests: Tim Sheehan with the Fresno Bee, Paul Hurley, formerly with the Visalia Times Delta and Mike Dunbar with the Merced Sun Star and the Modesto Bee
Candidate for Governor: John Chiang: Guests: State Treasurer John Chiang and PPIC Experts: Sarah Bohn, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Paul Warren, Magnus Lofstrom and Brandon Martin.
SB 1: What It Means for California Highways and Local Byways: Brian P. Kelley – California Secretary of Transportation, Lisa Marie Alley – California High Speed Rail Authority, Dan Walters with Calmatters, John Myers with Los Angeles Times, Tony Boren, Fresno COG, Ahron Hakimi, Kern COG, Patrick Pittenger Merced COG and Rosa De León Park, with the Stanislaus COG.
California’s State Budget: How the State Spends Your Money: Scott Graves, Director of Research for the Calif Budget & Policy Center and Mac Taylor with the LAO
One California: Immigration and Gubernatorial Candidate Amanda Renteria: Guests: Amanda Renteria
Prosecuting Workers Comp Fraud in the Valley: Guests: Manuel Jimenez (Fresno Co. DA), Janelle Crandell (Stanislaus Co. DA), Specer Johnston (Tulare Co. DA), Dave McKillop (Kern Co. DA)
Climate Change and Electric Vehicles: Public Action and Private Markets: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10 & State Senator Fran Pavley
Concealed Carry Permits: Are Valley Standards the De Facto State Standards?: Fresno Co Sheriff Margaret Mims, Tulare Co Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, Stanislaus Co Sheriff Adam Christianson
How Prepared is California for Natural Disaster, Generally and Forest Fires, in Particular: Christina Curry, Cal OES Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention and Pedro Nava, Chair of California Little Hoover Commission
Project Rebound: Breaking the Cycle of Crime: CSU Fresno Prof. Emma Hughes, Project Rebound Director Jennifer Lehy and Project Rebound graduate Arnold Trevino.
Proposed State Budget: Implications for the Valley : Mike Dunbar, Modesto Bee & Merced Sun Star and Prof. Ivy Cargaly CSU Bakersfield
Natural Disasters & Emergencies: Is the Valley Prepared? : Christina Curry, Cal OES Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention; Georgianna Armstrong, Kern Co. Emergency Services; Andrew Lockman, Tulare Co. Emergency Services; David Pomaville/Ken Austin, Fresno Co. Emergency Services and TRacie Riggs, Toulumne Co. Emergency Services
Is There a ‘Water Fix’ for the Valley?: Guests: State Auditor Elaine Howle and Ellen Hanak, Director – Water Policy Center – PPIC
Are Education Reforms & Charter Schools the Answer?: Guests: California State Auditor Elaine Howle; Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of California; Dan Walters with CalMatters
Gubernatorial Candidate Delaine Eastin & The Price of Education: Guests: Delaine Eastin and Judy Lin, CalMatters Reporter
State Politics: The Year Past & the Year Ahead: Guests: John Myers (LA Times) and Dan Walters (CalMatters).
Income Inequality and Immigration: Are They Related?:Guests: Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of California; Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee; Dan Walters with CalMatters; California Budget Center Policy Analyst Luke Reidenbach; National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) California State Director Tom Scott
Gubernatorial Candidate Antonio Villaraigosa & Cal Facts: Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; James Mayer, President and CEO, CA Fwd; Fred Silva, Senior Fiscal Policy Advisor, CA Fwd; Matt Lege, Research Analyst, SEIU UHW; Cathy Martin, VP of Workforce Policy, California Hospital Association; Cathy Creswell, Housing Policy Specialist, Creswell Consulting
Government Waste: Who You Gonna Call? Guests: California State Auditor Elaine Howle
Gubernatorial Candidate John Cox & Prop. 13: Guests: State Treasurer John Chiang and PPIC Experts: Sarah Bohn, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Paul Warren, Magnus Lofstrom and Brandon Martin.
State and Valley Participation: We Can All Do Better: Guests: Registrar of Voters, Kristine Lee (Kings Co.), Brandi Orth (Fresno Co.), Barbara Levey, (Merced Co.) and Justin White, (Chief Assistant to the Madera Co Clerk)
Prop 13: The Case of the Voter-Initiated Special Tax: Guests: Experts from CA’s Legislative Analyst Office: Brian Uhler and Carolyn Chu, Liam Dillon with Los Angeles Times, Jon Coupal with Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Dan Walters with Calmatters and John Myers with Los Angeles Times
Bond Measures: Are Californians Paying More for Less?: Guests: Carole D’Elia, Executive Director Little Hoover Commission and Dan Walters, Sacramento Bee Reporter
Valley Health Care Providers: Heal Thyself: Guests: State Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, President Florence Dunn and Provost Wendy Duncan of the California Health Sciences University
California’s Future: Guests: PPIC Experts: Eric McGee, Shannon McConville, Caroline Danielson, Alvar Escriva-Bou, Sarah Bohn, Paul Warren, Magnus Lofstrom and Brandon Martin
The Common Good: Solving Our Water Challenge: Guests: Cannon Michael: Pres. Bowles Farming Co., & Bd Chair of the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority; Sarge Green, a water management specialist with the California Water Institute at California State University, Fresno; Ashley Boren, Exec. Director of Sustainable Conservation; former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin—now the CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation
Recreational Marijuana: A Greener Valley?: Guests: Brian Vincente -Founding Partner, Vincente Sederberg LLC, Fresno City Council member Garry Bredefeld, Fresno Co Sheriff Margaret Mims, Fresno Bee Reporter Rory Appleton, Hanford Sentinel Reporter Seth Nidever, Atwater City Council member Brian Raymond, Modesto Bee Editorial Bd Editor Mike Dunbar.
Information Illiteracy, Fake news and Real (California) Facts: Guests: Senator Bill Dodd (D), Renée Ousley-Swank, President Elect – CA School Library Association, John Myers,Sacramento Bureau Chief – LA Times and Dan Walters, Reporter of the Sacramento Bee and Mac Taylor – California Legislative Analyst, LAO
The Budget Process: 2017 Edition Guests: Scott Graves, Director of Research for the Calif Budget & Policy Center, Mac Taylor (CA’s LAO Analyst), John Myers,Sacramento Bureau Chief – LA Times and Dan Walters, Reporter of the Sacramento Bee
Valley Seniors: The Growing Need for Nursing and In Home Care: Guest: Laurel Beck, Expert from Public Policy Institute of California.
Closing the Valley’s Income Inequality Gap: Guests: Carol D’Elia, Executive Director of Little Hoover Commission, Tom Scott, National Federation of Indep. Business, California and Luke Reidenbach, California Budget and Policy Center.
A Program That Works: Madera County’s Foster Care System: Guests: Danny Morris, Deputy Director – Madera Co. Department of Social Services and CA State Auditor Elaine Howle.
Fresno’s Solution to the Public Employee Pension Rubik’s Cube: Guests: Bruce Rudd, City Manager of Fresno; Jacky Parks, from President of the Fresno Police Officers Association and Judy Lin (Cal Matters Reporter).
Crime Trends and Police Staffing: Are Valley Towns Safe? Guests: Kings Co. DA Keith Fagundes, Madera Co. Sheriff Jay Varney, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, and CSU Criminology Prof. Emma Hughes. Experts from Public Policy Institute of California: Magnus Loftstrom and Brandon Martin
Trump Effect on the Valley Guests: Cong. Jim Costa (D- Fresno), Christine Bedell with the Bakersfield Californian, Paul Hurley, formerly with the Visalia Times Delta, Bill McEwen, with the Fresno Bee and UC Merced political science professor Nate Monroe, Dan Schnur, Director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC
2016 California Election Results: Valley Implications Guests: Dan Schnur, Director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC, Asm. Joaquin Arambula, Asm. Adam Gray and Asm. Rudy Salas
California Economic Summit: Valley Implications Guests: James Mayer, President and CEO, CA Fwd; Fred Silva, Senior Fiscal Policy Advisor, CA Fwd; Matt Lege, Research Analyst, SEIU UHW; Cathy Martin, VP of Workforce Policy, California Hospital Association; Cathy Creswell, Housing Policy Specialist, Creswell Consulting, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin; Pete Weber, co-chair of CalFwd and Director of the Fresno Bridge Academy
State Climate Change Policy: Bad or Good News for the Valley? Guests: State Senator Fran Pavley, Rob Lapsley, President of California Business Roundtable, Nathan Alonzo Government Relations Manager – Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Danielle Bergstrom, Director of Gov’t Affairs – City of Fresno and Former State Sen. Majority Leader and current California Air Resources Board Member, Dean Flores
Prop 13’s Impact on the San Joaquin Valley: Guests: Experts from CA’s Legislative Analyst Office: Brian Uhler and Carolyn Chu, Merced Sun Star and Modesto Bee Editorial Board Editor Mike Dunbar, California State Univ., Fresno political science Professor Jeff Cummins and Former Visalia Times Delta Editorial Page Editor Paul Hurley.
Valley Voters: Who Are They?/ California 2016 Election Special. guests: Paul Hurley, former editorial page editor of the Visalia Times Delta; Lisa Bryant, a political science professor at California State University Fresno; James Burger, government reporter for the Bakersfield Californian; and John Ellis, political reporter for the Fresno Bee / John Meyers, reporter of the LA Times and Dan Walters, Reporter of the Sacramento Bee
Valley Politics: Who are the Movers and the Shakers? Guests: John Ellis with the Fresno Bee; Mike Dunbar with the Merced Sun Star and The Modesto Bee; Paul Hurley formerly with the Visalia Times Delta
2016 Elections: Tax & Spending Measures: Guests: Guests: Christine Bedell, Bakersfield Californian; Mike Dunbar, Merced Sun Star and Modesto Bee; Paul Hurley, Visalia Times Delta. Host: Mark Keppler, Executive Director of The Maddy Institute.
2016 Elections: Crime Measures: Guests: Guests: Christine Bedell, Bakersfield Californian; Mike Dunbar, Merced Sun Star and Modesto Bee; Paul Hurley, Visalia Times Delta
Sacramento Politics, Valley Implications Guests Senate Democratic Leader Kevin de León and Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller discuss Sacramento politics with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Bill McEwen (Fresno Bee Opinion Page Editor), Prof. Nate Monroe (UC Merced Political Science Department Chair), and Paul Hurley (former editor of the Visalia Times Delta).
Valley Seniors: Programs and Prospects Guests PPIC Analyst Laurel Beck, Jeremy Oliver (Program Director for Kern County Office of Aging and Adult Services), Prof. Helen Miltiades (Fresno State) discuss the changes facing Valley Seniors with Maddy Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Sunshine (Laws) in the Valley: A Good Thing? Guest California’s Little Hoover Commission Executive Director Carole D’Elia discusses sunshine laws with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by UC Merced Professor Nate Monroe, Paul Hurley, Former Editor of the Visalia Times Delta, and Hilda Cantu Montoy, Fresno-area Attorney and former City Attorney for the City of Fresno.
How Will Climate Change Affect the Valley? Guests Rob Lapsley (President of the California Business Roundtable), Juan Altamirano (Associate Director of Public Policy for Audubon California), John Myers (KQED’s Senior Editor for California Politics & Government), Dan Walters (Sacramento Bee Columnist) Pete Weber (CA Fwd), Professor Roger Bales (UC Merced’s Sierra Nevada Research Institute), and Professor Tapan Pathak (UC Merced Professor) discuss climate change in the valley with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
El Nino, The Perfect or Not So Perfect Storm? Guests Rachel Ehlers (Analyst, LAO) and Alvar Escriva-Bou (PPIC Analyst) discuss the state of the drought with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Joe Del Bosque (Del Bosque Farms), Sarge Green (CA Water Institute at Fresno State), Jason Peltier (San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority), and Johnny Amaral (Westland’s Water District)
Cap & Trade: Good or Bad for the Valley? Guests Ross Brown (LAO), Dan Walters (Sacramento Bee), and John Howard (Capitol Weekly) discuss Cap & Trade issues with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Bill McEwen (Fresno Bee Opinion Page Editor), Prof. Nate Monroe (UC Merced Poli Sci Dept. Chair), Paul Hurley (fmr. editor of the Visalia Times Delta).
K-12 Education in the Valley: Rising Expectations and Rising Costs Guest Cal Matters Reporter Judy Lin discusses K-12 education with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Dr. Todd Oto (Superintendent of the Visalia Unified School District) and Michael Johnston (Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services, Clovis Unified School District).
Governor Brown’s 2016 Budget: What it May Mean for the Valley Guests Mac Taylor (CA’s Legislative Analyst) and Fred Silva (Fiscal Policy Analyst, CA Forward), discuss the 2016 California budget with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Jeff Cummins, Fresno State Political Science Professor, and Bill McEwen, Editorial Page Editor of the Fresno Bee.
Valley Prognosis in Year Two of Obamacare Guests Daniel Zingale, Senior Vice President, California Endowment, Michelle Von Tersch, VP Corporate Communications, Community Medical Centers, and John Price, CEO of Artisan Construction & Design and Chairman of the Board for Golden Valley Health Centers discuss Obamacare in the Valley today with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
Exposing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in State and Local Government Guest Elaine Howle, California State Auditor, discusses government fraud with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Paul Hurley (former Editorial Page Editor of the Visalia Times Delta) and Bill McEwen (Editorial Page Editor of the Fresno Bee).
College Grads: Can the Valley Grow Its Own? Guest PPIC Analyst Sarah Bohn discusses college graduates with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Debbie Young (Career Development Center Director, Fresno State), Jeffrey Michael (Dir. at Career Development Center, University of the Pacific), and Garo Kalfayan (Dean, School of Business and Public Administration at CSU Bakersfield).
Fresno Bridge Academy Story: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty by Teaching the Entire Family How to Fish…
The State of Public Higher Education in the Valley Guests Hans Johnson, Jake Jackson and Kevin Cook of the Public Policy Institute of California discuss higher education with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. CSU Fresno President Dr. Joe Castro offers a commentary. Radio commentary provided by Dr. Joe Castro, CSU Fresno President; Dr. Kathleen Knutzen, CSU Bakersfield Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Charles Nies, UC Merced Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
Governor’s 2015 Budget: Valley Implications Guests California Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor and Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee discuss the 2015 budget with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Dan Morain, Sacramento Bee’s Editorial Page Editor offers a commentary. Radio commentary provided by CSU Fresno Political Science Professor Jeff Cummins, UC Merced Political Science Professor Nate Monroe, and Paul Hurley, former editor of the Visalia Times Delta.
Offenders Re-Offending: Are Valley Counties Doing A Better Job? Guests Public Policy Institute of California Analysts Mia Bird and Ryken Grattet discuss realignment issues with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims & CSU Fresno Criminology Professor Emma Hughes.
Realigning the Valley’s Approach to Crime Guests Brandon Martin, Public Policy Institute Research Associate, and Magnus Lofstrom, Public Policy Institute Senior Fellow, discuss crime realignment with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Commentary by CSU Fresno Criminology Professor Emma Hughes. Radio commentary provided by Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, Modesto Chief of Police Galen Carroll, Kings County District Attorney Greg Strickland, and CSU Fresno Criminology Professor Emma Hughes.
California’s Budget Surplus: Will the Valley Benefit? Guest Mac Taylor of the California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office discusses the state budget with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by CSU Fresno Political Science Professor Jeff Cummins; UC Merced PL SI Prof. Nate Monroe; and Paul Hurley, former editor of the Visalia Times Delta.
Community Development in the Valley: A Federal Response Guest Leilani Barnett, Regional Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Development discusses the Federal Reserve with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Great Valley Center President & CEO Ben Duran; CSU Fresno Office of Community & Economic Development Executive Director Mike Dozier; CSU Fresno Economics Chair Antonio Avalos; and Fresno EDC Director of Business Expansion & Retention Victor Bribiesca.
New Groundwater Regulations: Valley Concerns Guests State Assemblymember Roger Dickinson and Caitrin Chappelle of the Public Policy Institute of California discuss groundwater regulations with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by California Water Institute Program Director Sarge Green; Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability Co-Founder & Co-Director Phoebe Seaton; and Kings River Conservation District General Manager David Orth.
Adapting to Climate Change: Implications for the Valley Guests Carol D’Elia, Executive Director of California’s Little Hoover Commission, discusses climate change with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. California Fresh Fruit Association President Barry Bedwell offers commentary. Radio commentary provided by Roger Isom, President of the California Cotton Ginners & Growers Association and President & CEO of the Western Agricultural Processors Association, and Fresno Bee Environmental Reporter Mark Grossi.
Maddy Report – Ready or Not, Here We Come: High Speed Moving in the Valley Guests Jeff Morales, CEO of California High Speed Rail Authority, and Diana Gomez, Central Valley Regional Director of High Speed Rail Authority, discuss the high speed rail with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Fresno Bee Reporter Tim Sheehan, and Hanford Sentinel Reporter Seth Nidever.
Maddy Report – Covered California – Covering the Valley’s Uninsured? Guests Diana Dooley, California Secretary of Health & Human Services, and Dan Weintraub, Editor of the California Health Report, discuss California healthcare with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by John Capitman, Executive Director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute; California Endowment Senior Vice President Daniel Zingale; Michelle Von Tersch, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Community Medical Centers; and John Price, CEO of Artisan Construction and Design, and Board Chairman for Great Valley Health Center.
Stockton: Ground Zero for Public Employee Pensions? Guests California Legislative Analyst Ryan Miller, and Sacramento Bee Reporter Jon Ortiz discuss public employee pensions with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Fresno Bee Opinion Page Editor Bill McEwen, and Stockton Record Reporters Michael Fitzgerald and Roger Phillips.
November Election: Looking at Valley Results Guests Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Congressman David Valadao (R-Hanford) discuss November election results with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Paul Hurley, former editor of the Visalia Times Delta, offers commentary. Radio commentary provided by CSU Fresno Political Science Professor Jeff Cummins; UC Merced Political Science Professor Nate Monroe; and Paul Hurley, former editor of the Visalia Times Delta.
The 2014 Propositions: Valley Implications Guests Anton Favorini Csorba, Ryan Miller, Ross Brown, Drew Soderberg, and Anita Lee, of the California Legislative Analysts Office discuss November propositions with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Bill McEwen, Political Columnist for The Fresno Bee; Jeff Cummins, Professor of Political Science at CSU Fresno; and Melinda Morales, Senior Editor/Community Conversations Editor of the Times-Delta Media Group.
November 2014 Races: What They Could Mean for the Valley Guests Mark Baldasarre of PPIC and Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee discuss the November elections with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Bill McEwen of the Fresno Bee offers commentary. Radio commentary provided by John Ellis, Political Reporter for The Fresno Bee; Nate Monroe, Political Science Professor at UC Merced; and Pete Weber, Boardmember of California Forward.
Maddy Report – California Retrospectives – A Discussion with the California Legislature’s Democratic and Republican Leaders Guests Joseph Minicozzi, Principal – Urban 3; Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck; and Modesto Mayor Garrand Marsh discuss Valley planning issues with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Kepper. Radio commentary provided by Mary Savala of the League of Women Voters; Clovis city planner Dwight Kroll and former City of Fresno assistant city planner Keith Bergthold.
Maddy Report – Universal Pre-K: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Debt? Guests Lillian Mongeau, a reporter with EdSource Today, and Molly Tafoya, Early Edge California, discuss universal pre-K issues with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler. Radio commentary provided by Kendra Rogers, executive director of First Five Fresno County, and Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson.
“Connie Conway and Valley Republicans: Fork in the Road?” Guests Dean Bonner of the Public Policy Institute of California; Dan Walters, columnist for the Sacramento Bee; and John Myers, senior editor, California politics & government for KQED
“Private, For Profit Colleges: Good Deal or No Deal?” Guests Carole D’Elia, Executive Director of Little Hoover Commission, and Nancy Shulock, Executive Director of Institute for Higher Education Leadership & Policy at CSU Sacramento
“California Retrospectives: A Discussion with the California Legislature’s Democratic and Republican Leaders” Guest Connie Conway, Visalia Republican and Assembly Republican Leader
“Bill Lockyer and the Changing Nature of State and Valley Politics” Guest Bill Lockyer, former leader of the California State Senate, former Attorney General and current California State Treasurer
“2014 State Budget: Impact on the Valley” Guests State Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor; Gov. Brown’s Finance Spokesperson HD Palmer and KQED Senior Editor for Government; & KQED’s Senior Editor John Myers
“Obamacare: Impact on Valley’s Health Care System” Guests Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California; John Kabateck, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses/California; Duane Donner, president/CEO of the California Hospital Association; & Charlies Bacchi, executive vice president of the California Association of Health Plans
“Valley Republicans – Fork in the Road?” Guests state Sen. Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte); & state Assemblymembers Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) and Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto)
“CalFresh: Is California’s Food Stamp Program Too Much, Too Little or Just Right?” Guests Ryan Woolsey, fiscal and policy analyst with the Legislative Analyst’s Office; & Todd Blank, deputy director of the Welfare to Work Division of the California Department of Social Services
“ACA: The Initial (Medical and Political) Prognosis Is…” Guests David Panush, Director of External Affairs at Covered California; & Dan Weintraub, Editor of the CA Health Report
“Universal Pre-K: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Debt?” Guests Lillian Mongeau, reporter from EdSource Today; & Molly Tafoya, Early Edge California
“Capitol Crimes: A Few Bad Apples or a Culture of Corruption?” Guests John Myers, Political Reporter at KQED; Dan Morain, Editorial Page Editor for the Sacramento Bee; & Laurel Rosenhall, Reporter from the Sacramento Bee
“Groundwater Management: A Race to the Bottom?” Guests David Orth, General Manager of the King’s River Conservation District; Laurel Firestone, Attorney for the Community Water Center (both members on the California Water Foundation’s Steering Committee on Sustainable Groundwater Management); & Mark Grossi, award-winning environmental reporter from the Fresno Bee
“The Drought: Is there a Silver Lining in the Non-Existent Clouds?” Guests Richard Howitt, UC Davis Prof. of Agriculture and Resource Economics; Jonas Minton, Senior Water Policy Advisor with the Planing and Conversation League; Jeanine Jones, Deputy Drought Manager with the California Dept. of Water Resources; & Dan Morain, Editorial Page Editor of the Sacramento Bee
“High Speed Rail: The Little Engine That Could — or Couldn’t?” – Guests Hanford Sentinel reporter Seth Nidever and Fresno Bee reporter Tim Sheehan
“Common Core: A Course Correction?” Guests Tammie Calzadillas, executive director of educational services with the Merced Union High School District, and Charlene Stringham, Tulare County Office of Education – Student Academic Services Administrator
“The Local Control Funding Formula: The Devil is in the Details” Guests Mike Berg, superintendent of Central Unified School District; Maryjane Skjellerup, senior director of programs at the Youth Leadership Institute; Ruth Quinto, deputy superintendent and CFO of Fresno Unified; and Eva Ruiz, president of the Fresno Teachers Association
“Smart Growth, Good for the Valley?” Guests Joseph Minicozzi, Principal – Urban 3; Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck and Modesto Mayor Garrand Marsh discuss growth issues with Maddy Institute Executive Director Mark Keppler.
“Fracking: Boom or Bust?” Guests Robert Merrill, CSU Fresno professor of geology, Janice Gillespie, CSU Bakersfield professor of geology; and Tupper Hull, vice president of strategic communications for Western States Petroleum Association
“The State Water Plan: Peace in the Valley?” Guests Delta Counties Coalition Coordinator Doug Brown; Jason Peltier, chief deputy general manager of Westlands Water District; and California Water Institute Director Sargeant Green
“California Business and Jobs Forcast: Sunny on the Coast, Partly Cloudy in the Valley” Guests Richard Chapman, president and CEO of Kern Economic Development Corporation, and Lee Ann Eager, President and CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation
“Public Employee Pensions: Fiscal Implications for the State and Valley” Guests Marcia Fritz, director of Californians for Fiscal Responsibility, lobbyist Christy Bouma of Capitol Connection, and Jon Ortiz of the Sacramento Bee
“Covered California: California’s New Health Care Exchange Opens for Business” Guests David Panush, director of external affairs with Covered California, and Daniel Weintraub with the California Health Network and editor of the California Health Report
“Master Plan for Higher Education: Time for a New Edition” Guests Carole D’Elia, Executive Director of the Little Hoover Commission, and Nancy Shulock, Executive Director of Institute for Higher Education Leadership & Policy at CSU Sacramento
“Armed and Potenially Dangerous: Crime, Weapons and Mental Illness in the Valley” Guests Fresno Superior Court Judge Hilary Chittick, Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health director Dawan Utecht, and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims
“State Auditor” California’s High Risk Issues” Guests Paul Hurley, former opinion page editor of the Visalia Times-Delta; Bill McEwen, editorial page editor of the Fresno Bee; and Melinda Morales, Community Conversation Editor of the Visalia Times-Delta

“Fresno State President Joseph Castro: A Look Forward” Guest is: Dr. Joseph Castro, President of California State University, Fresno.
“Building Up or Building Out: The Dollars and Cents (Sense) of Smart Growth” Guests are: Joseph Minicozzi, Principal – Urban 3, Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck and Modesto Mayor Garrard Marsh.
“California’s Watchdogs” Guests are: Mac Taylor, head of California’s Legislature Analyst’s Office; California State Auditor Elaine Howle, and Stuart Drown, director of California’s Little Hoover Commission.
“California’s New Health Care Exchange” Guests are: David Panush, director of external affairs with Covered California, and Daniel Weintraub with the California Health Network and editor of the California Health Report.
“California’s Prisoner’s Dilemma” Guests are: Dr. Emma Hughes, criminology professor at Fresno State; Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson; and Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
“California’s Legislative Session: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” Guests are: Dan Walters, Political Reporter for the Sacramento Bee; Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto); and John Myers Political Editor for News 10 Sacramento.
“California’s Political Climate: Just (Not) Right” Guests are: Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee; Dean Bonner of the Public Policy Institute of California; and John Myers of News10 Sacramento.

“Tea Party: Are Reports of its Demise Premature?” Guests are: Mike Villines, former Republican State Assembly Minority Leader, Paul Hurley, former Editorial Page editor with the Visalia Times Delta, and Justin Stoner, District Director for the current Republican Minority Leader Connie Conway.
“2012: A Year in Review and Agenda for 2013” Guests are: Bill McEwen, columnist for the Fresno Bee, Paul Hurley, former Editorial page editor with the Visalia Times Delta, and Professor Nathan Monroe, director of Undergraduate Programs in Political Science at UC Merced.
“The Governor’s 2013 Budget: Back in Black?” Guests are: Jeff Cummins, CSU Fresno Political Science Professor, Bill McEwen, columnist for the Fresno Bee, and Jeff Michael, Director of the University of the Pacific’s Business Forecasting Center.
“Money in Politics: The Costs of Free Speech” Guests are: Mike Villines, former Assembly Minority Leader, Juan Arambula, formerly on the Fresno School Board, The Fresno County Board of Supervisors and a Member of the State Assembly, and John Ellis, political reporter for the Fresno Bee.
“Cap & Trade: What’s the Forecast for California’s Climate Change Program?” Guests are: Nathan Monroe, director of Undergraduate Programs in Political Science at UC Merced, Casey Creamer, Vice President of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations and the Western Agricultural Processors Association, and Paul Hurley, former Editorial page editor with the Visalia Times Delta.
“School Finance Reform: Show Me the Money!” Guests are: Tom Changnon, Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools, Michael Johnston, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Clovis Unified, Ruth Quinto, Fresno Unified’s Deputy Superintendent/CFO, and Christine Frazier, Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
“Government Regulations and Lawsuits: Balancing Jobs and Justice” Guests are: Carol Whiteside with California Strategies, Larry Artenian, a Fresno attorney, and Lorelei Oviatt, Kern County’s Director of Planning and Community Development.
“California 2025: Planning for a Better Future” Guests are: Juan Arambula, formerly on the Fresno School Board, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, and a Member of the State Assembly, Justin Stoner, district director for State Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway, and John Arthur, VP and Executive Editor of the Bakersfield Californian.
“UC’s and CSU’s: Getting a Bigger Bang for the Buck” Guests are: CSU Stanislaus President Joseph Sheley, UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland, former Fresno State President John Welty, and CSU Bakersfield President Horace Mitchell.
“CEQA Reform: Trying Not to Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater” Guests are: Judy Sly, Editor of the Opinions pages of the Modesto Bee, Sarah Hedgpeth-Harris, a Fresno land-use attorney, and Calvin Stead, a Bakersfield environmental attorney.
“The Delta – Fixing California’s Water Faucet” Guests are: Phil Isenberg, chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, and Dale Hoffman-Floerke, deputy director of Delta and Statewide Water Management for the California Department of Water Resources.
“California Retrospective: A Conversation with George Skelton” Guest is: George Skelton, political columnist for the LA Times.
“Water Woes – Dealing with the Legacy of Nitrate Contamination” Guests are: Laurel Firestone, an attorney with the Community Water Center; Dave Orth, GM of Kings River Conservation District and Co-Chair of the Governor’s Drinking Water Stakeholders; and Clay Rodgers, Assistant Executive Officer of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board.
“California Retrospective: A Conversation with Dan Walters” Guest is: Dan Walters, political columnist for the Sacramento Bee.
“Health Care Reform – California Update”
“High Speed Rail – All Aboard” Guests are: Guests former Fresno mayor and current Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) and Lee Ann Eager, President/CEO of the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County.
“The May 2013 Revise: A Debate Over Restoring Cuts v. Holding the Line” Guests are: Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway (R-Visalia) and State Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres).
“Trade with China: Challenges and Opportunities” Guests are: John Harris, a prominent west-side farmer and CEO and chairman of Harris Farms, and Pete Weber, a former corporate executive and current leader in California Forward and California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.
“Immigration Reform: What It Could Mean for California and the San Joaquin Valley” Guests are: Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) and Mike Doyle, Washington, D.C.-based correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers.
“California Agriculture and Immigration Reform: Will It Die on the Vine?” Guests are: Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau; Rob Roy, president of the Ventura County Agricultural Association; and Mark Silverman, director of immigrant policy at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
“California’s Community Colleges: Can They Meet the State’s Education and Workforce Needs?” Guests are: Jill Stearns, president of Modesto Junior College; Ron Taylor, president of Merced College; and Don Warkentin, president of West Hills College, Lemoore.
“Fresno State President John Welty: A Look Back” Guests are: Pete Mehas, current CSU trustee and former Superintendent of the Fresno County Office of Education; Bill McEwen, editorial page editor of the Fresno Bee; and Pete Weber of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

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