How do you compel lawmakers to take the hard votes needed to pass bold worker's rights and climate action policies when they have Corporate America breathing down their necks? Last fall I had the honor to interview Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-27 - San Jose) during my advocacy webinar “All Politics…

Jennifer Kent, knower of all things health care policy in the state of California, takes time to share her valuable insight on how the state budget sausage gets made. Currently the CEO of the Kent Group, Jennifer Kent served under three different Governors, most recently as the Director of the…

There are few who can speak on California politics with as much authority as Bill Wong. As former Political Director for the California Assembly Democrats, Bill led efforts in 2018 and 2020 to build the largest Democratic “giga” majorities in the state Assembly in over a century. He served as…

High school and, if we’re lucky, college may give us a basic understanding of how our democracy and government are supposed to work. ⁣ It completely fails, however, is teaching us how it works in real life. ⁣ You won’t understand politics until you understand power. ⁣ How it works.…

How many times have you heard this? “I know federal elections are important, but I live in California - there’s nothing I can do!” Yes, California is as blue a state as they come. But the reality is pro-Trump extremists are active throughout the state and some of them are…

Who are the most influential groups in Sacramento? We all know the traditional power players. Organizations that play big in electoral politics. Either they write big campaign checks, mobilize big voter turnout, or perhaps do both. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll see they aren’t the only ones at the Capitol…

Lobbying is not “one size fits all”. As any savvy lobbyist will tell you, securing funding in the California budget is very different from working to get a policy bill signed. You must follow timelines and committees that are separate and distinct from the legislative process. All of this can…

In 2019, Kipp Mueller, a workers' and civil rights attorney, entered the race for California State Senate District 21, challenging incumbent and at the time Republican Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk. Encompassing northern Los Angeles county and parts of the High Desert, SD 21 had been a Republican stronghold for…

The Gann limit hovers over the California capitol like an ominous cloud on an otherwise sunny day. Despite massive tax revenues and a discretionary budget surplus of $20.6 billion (with a strong potential to exceed this amount by $15 billion), the state must abide by an arbitrary spending cap adopted…

No matter where you are in your advocacy journey, there is so much to learn from Aquilina Soriano Versoza. A seasoned and accomplished worker and immigrant rights advocate, Aqui co-founded and is now the Executive Director of the Pilipino Workers Center based in Southern California. She is President of the…

Is your legislation on the infamous Chamber of Commerce "job killer" list? Is your campaign facing stiff opposition from corporate America with its infinite resources? In a battle of David and Goliath, how can marginalized communities come out on top? Today I am honored to be joined by Victor Narro,…

Governor Newsom released his proposed state budget for FY 22-23 and it is something to behold. The state is estimating another year of historic budget surplus - $45.7 billion to be exact. Of that amount $20.6 billion is regarded as discretionary, meaning there are no strings attached. According to the…

Trying to break through the noise at the California Capitol to get your issue front and center? I get it. Been there. Done that. Today I talk with Eduardo Garcia, Legislative Director for the California Labor Federation, who shares valuable insight for advocates based on his years of experience as…

Advocacy is not just about lobbying the Legislature or Governor's Office. Advocates should pay attention to the less known but highly impactful "rulemaking process". California agencies adopt, amend, and repeal regulations in order to "implement" the laws adopted by the Legislature. For small business owners, these regulations can have a…

There is so much knowledge in my interview with Ludovic Blain I don't know where to start. Mr. Blain is the Executive Director of California Donor Table, a statewide community of donors who pool their funds to make investments in communities of color so they have the power and resources…

Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act now! #gerrymander #gerrymandering #rigged #votingrights #johnlewisvotingrightsact

Clip from our discussion - "How to build bipartisan support" watch full video here: https://youtu.be/7OHkxhojud0

As any good lobbyist in Sacramento will tell you, at the end the day what matters is getting the 21/41 votes you need to move your bill. This has always been a significant challenge; in our era of toxic political polarization it's can be near impossible. That's why I'm excited…

I talk with Amy Everitt, President of Golden State Opportunity, a nonprofit that strives to end poverty and improve the lives of low-income workers in California. Amy shares with me the top 4 lessons she's learned in her more than two decades of advocacy, both in California and federally. We…

Clip from interview with Amy Everitt, President at Golden State Opportunity. From Blueprint for California Advocates podcast. Listen to the full interview - https://anchor.fm/kristina-bas-hamilton/episodes/How-to-become-a-more-effective-advocate-with-guest-Amy-Everitt-e19do0r

Ready to make positive change in your community? Communities that are well organized and connected to their local, state and federal representatives are better positioned to win the policies and resources they need to thrive. Special guest California Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-76) shares her valuable insight as an elected…