Episode 463: Return of the Living Debt

Episode 463: Return of the Living Debt

Author: National Review September 2, 2026 Duration: 1:01:05

In 1999, the last time California boosted the benefits it pays government employees – earlier retirements, richer retirements – financial disaster followed quickly. Now, state lawmakers want Newsom to try it again. We fact-check Newsom’s claims on housing starts (terrible) and jobs (worse). Iowa’s AG sues California for blocking the Paramount-Warner merger. Now that he’s successful, Mark Zuckerberg says social media companies must be regulated. David and Will break down the Nick Shirley Act. Music by Metalachi.
 

Email Us:
dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.com
will@calpolicycenter.org

Follow Us:
@DavidBahnsen
@WillSwaim
@TheRadioFreeCA

Show Notes:
David Bahnsen’s “Profit from the profit”
Ishi discovered in California 
Meta to Pay Up to $17.1 Billion in Landmark Settlement Over Social Media Addiction Claims
“Hardly any” AI regulations? Becerra should know better
Iowa Attorney General Says She’s Taking California to the Supreme Court Over Paramount-Warner Bros. Lawsuit
Gavin Newsom still doesn’t understand the limits of his power
California set to force big companies to disclose historic links to slavery
Kenneth Schrupp on Newsom’s jobs report
Newsom’s big housing claim is built on bad data
Lawmakers vote to let first responders retire earlier and with more money. Will Newsom sign on?
AB 1383 is a costly pension mistake in the making
AB 2624 signed into law, California rejects hated-filled (sic) misinformation campaign
Will’s work here would likely be illegal under the Act


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National Review's Radio Free California Podcast from National Review dives into the perilous state of the Golden State - and why it matters wherever you live. California is the Lefts hothouse lab, a nation-state testing the next wave of statist policies, culture, and lifestyles that often spread nationwide. Each podcast episode unpacks how Sacramento politics, regulations, and activism shape everything from your taxes and schools to crime, energy, and free speech. Hosted by sharp, knowledgeable voices who know California inside and out, the show blends reporting, analysis, and lively conversation to reveal what is really happening behind the headlines. Expect smart skepticism, a focus on liberty, and a clear-eyed look at the consequences of progressive governance. Tune in to listen episodes that connect Californias experiments to national trends, helping you understand not just where the state is headed, but where the country may be going next.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

National Review's Radio Free California Podcast
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