Longtime poverty fighter Jess Bartholow surprised many when she left her longtime gig with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in 2020 to become East Bay Senator Nancy Skinner's Chief of Staff. The move made sense: Skinner has long been an outspoken advocate for California's poor, and was a personal inspiration for Bartholow. But with the senator terming out at the end of this year, Bartholow recently opted for a new post: Director of Govt. Relations for SEIU California, one of the most powerful labor unions in the state and across the country. Bartholow joined us to talk about her journey from childhood poverty to the capitol, and gave us a preview of how she plans to tackle her new role. Plus, who had the Worst Week in CA Politics :23 Introducing Jess Bartholow 1:35 The new gig 3:19 Origin story 4:36 Welfare reform started in California 7:36 "The best way to end poverty is with a good job..." 8:13 Going into the building 9:56 Getting people to understand poverty 13:16 Barbara Lee on food stamps 14:47 Meet them where they are: Don Wagner edition 16:38 What would gender parity mean in the legislature? 19:58 The Women's Caucus is the largest caucus in #caleg 20:58 What are some of SEIU California's priorities? 25:29 Minimum wage laws 28:56 San Francisco is drug testing welfare recipients 32:23 What's it like to work with Tia Orr? 35:26 #WWCA
Longtime poverty fighter Jess Bartholow surprised many when she left her longtime gig with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in 2020 to become East Bay Senator Nancy Skinner's Chief of Staff. The move made sense: Skinner has long been an outspoken advocate for California's poor, and was a personal inspiration for Bartholow. But with the senator terming out at the end of this year, Bartholow recently opted for a new post: Director of Govt. Relations for SEIU California, one of the most powerful labor unions in the state and across the country. Bartholow joined us to talk about her journey from a childhood in poverty to the capitol, and gave us a preview of how she plans to tackle her new role.
Plus: Who had the Worst Week in CA Politics.
:23 Introducing Jess Bartholow
1:35 The new gig
3:19 Origin story
4:36 Welfare reform started in California
7:36 "The best way to end poverty is with a good job..."
8:13 Going into the building
9:56 Getting people to understand poverty
13:16 Barbara Lee on food stamps
14:47 Meet them where they are: Don Wagner edition
16:38 What would gender parity mean in the legislature?
19:58 The Women's Caucus is the largest caucus in #caleg
20:58 What are some of SEIU California's priorities?
25:29 Minimum wage laws
28:56 San Francisco is drug testing welfare recipients
32:23 What's it like to work with Tia Orr?
35:26 #WWCA
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