What can we do to prepare for Trump's clear mandate? It's a marathon, not a sprint...change starts local, and in ourselves; discussion of the changing face of local journalism, with Lookout Santa Cruz's birthday last night, and how they are rolling out in local schools; Gail studied journalism in college (Cal Poly, SLO), where she was editor of the Mustang, & later a reporter at the SLO Bulletin, Elk Grove Citizen, where she realized she had opinions; worked for Rusty Arias' district office, then the Bill Tracking Unit in Sacramento, and later, Santa Cruz County Clerk; the Governor *has* called another Special Session, which will be sworn in on Dec. 2nd - the goal is to insure that the Attorney General has the funding needed for the anticipated wave of litigation that will follow Trump's inauguration (California filed 120 lawsuits in the last Trump administsration); recent Trump cabinet announcements: the Senate has to do their job, with transparency; next legislative session starts January 6th...February 21st is the last day for a bill to be introduced...can submit a "spot bill" that may be an idea where you're still working on the language; voter turnout discussion, and what we can say to young voters who may be disallusioned (remember all the other things on the ballot other than the top slot, and progress...the pendulum swints...don't give up! Hosted by "Dangerous Dan" Orange

Martine Watkins, City Councilmember in Santa Cruz, California, discusses history of sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Santa Cruz, and how earlier efforts were cut off by passage of the California Keep Groceries Affordable Act, which penalized charter cities who would raise taxes on sugar sweetened beverages. Martine and Cultiva La Salud sued the state, and won in the Third District Court of Appeal, which struck down the Act's penalty provision. On June 25, 2024, the City Council adopted resolution (No. NS-30,360) requesting that the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election ballot include a general tax of 2 cents per fluid ounce on distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages (the 1st 3 "WHEREAS"s were read on the podcast), which the City Council passed unanimously. The "No on Z" campaign has raised approximately $1.7 million, with the "Yes on Z" raising $23,000 - "David vs. Goliath"; follow the money!! Additional Santa Cruz issues discussed.