September 6, 2024 • 38 mins
Welcome to the first episode of KIISFM's In The Know podcast. In this episode you'll get to know co-hosts Kayla Thomas, Emily Sklar and Colette Huber. They also break down Proposition 2 and discuss the pros and cons of voting YES in November. You will also get to hear an interview with Democratic candidate Derek Tran who is running for congress to represent the 45th district of California.
Get more information on Derek Tran here!
Visit our In The Know blog!
Watch all of our candidate interviews here!
Get more information on Derek Tran here!
Visit our In The Know blog!
Watch all of our candidate interviews here!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the In the No Podcast. My name is Kayla.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I have.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Okay, so we're starting this podcast and we were super nervous,
but we're excited because this podcast is going to bring
so much good to LA. It's called the in the
Know Podcast because basically, we want to be the source
for everything that matters here in LA. So we're excited
for this journey. Obviously, right now, we're starting with the election,
(00:28):
but it's gonna be so much more than that. Right,
We're going to talk about things, anything about anything when
it comes to LA.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Right, totally.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
We want to make sure you are in the know,
and we are kind of becoming in the know as
we research and learn along with you. So this is
this is a journey, and I'm excited to start the journey.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
It's like we're learning with our listeners, you know.
Speaker 5 (00:48):
Yeah, And with the election, we always you have to
educate yourself every election, you know, you have to learn
all new things. So we're learning all about these propositions
and everything and making sure that we're making an educated decision.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Yeah, this podcast is not going to be for everyone, okay,
but it's for the people who want to learn. I mean,
I have not been the most well versed when it
comes to politics, if we're being honest, I've always been
the type that's like, what is this all right?
Speaker 6 (01:13):
Check?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Check?
Speaker 1 (01:14):
No, yes, no, like barely reading it, you know, But
I know that I care so much about the city,
and I know I care so much about our residents,
and it would be a disservice.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
To not do research.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
It'd be a diservice to not try to learn, because
it affects each and every one of us, like all
these propositions and stuff, and so the more that I'm
researching about it now, I'm like, wow, like my voice
does matter. I really should research this and then make
an educated vote, so cause it affects so many more
people than just me.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
I think that's the thing too.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
A lot of people forget when it comes to election
day that there's more than just one race happening. Yeah,
there's a lot of races that you have a direct
hand in creating the outcome, and that outcome directly impacts
your everyday life. A lot of these local races, a
lot of these you know, congressional seats have a really
direct impact on us here in California, and you specifically
(02:07):
in your district and in your everyday life. So learning
and getting an education when you go to the ballots
on November fifth, it's going to really help change what
you see right here at home.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
I'm also of the opinion that you cannot complain about
what's happening in our city or anything unless you're voting,
unless you're educating yourself.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
I mean, come on, and I like to complain, Okay,
if that's one thing I'm gonna do is complain, So
I can't, you know, I have.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
To do my research. So that's what this podcast is for.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Over the next couple of weeks, we're going to focus
obviously on the election, so we're gonna have a bunch
of candidates who are running for local office on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
And wait, so then your point about that too. If
you do like to complain, we're gonna we're gonna give
you all of the people that you can complain too.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yes, makes a positive change in your life.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And we're so fortunate that we can get them to
come on the podcast and talk to them and learn
about their views and their goals and what they want
for their district. And I think that's so cool. We're
gonna have roundtable discussions. So it's not gonna be just
us three. We're gonna bring in some people who maybe
are for a certain prop or against a certain prop,
so you can hear both sides. That's the point too.
It's like, we're not here to tell you who to
(03:15):
vote for, what to vote for, what to say yes
or no.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
One.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
We want to give you the fact so that you
can make an educated decision on your own.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
For you, especially if you're a first time voter as well.
I know I'm a first time California voter. So for me, yeah,
I'm learning and there's a lot that you know, didn't
apply in my life before I moved to California. So
whether you're a first time voter, whether you've voted before,
there's a lot to learn. There's a lot to explore,
and that's what we're doing here, and we're learning right.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Along with you.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah, we'll speaking of you being a first time voter.
Let's get to know us. So you know who is
on this podcast every single week. So should I start?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Okay? So I'm Kayla.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
I do nights, I do late nights and weekends on KISSFM.
I'm a transplant. I am not from California. I've actually
lived a lot of places, guys. I've lived in in
six different state, six or seven different states.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Wow, I didn't know this about. Yeah, my dad had
us moving all over the place.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
He just he works in convention centers and he just
kept like getting promoted and just like doing well and
being They moved him from city to city. So but really, like,
I'm from Maryland, That's where I spent the longest. So
I'm an East Coast girly born in Philly, Okay. And yeah,
so I came over here for radio my job. I've
been in radio for seven years at this point, straight
(04:29):
out of college.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So I don't know if this was the same for you, Emily.
But like I originally was going to go into television. Yeah,
I was gonna say television, okay, but I didn't like
the whole Newsy situation.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, and like I don't know, being on camera all
the ready every day. I'm so sorry, no thing. Listen.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Isn't it so nice in radio that we can pull
up in like sweats and a T shirt.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
But the fact that I put on color did I
just like simply put on a vest that had.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Color on it, and you guys are like, oh my god,
you looks so nice to that.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
I'm like, bars love because we don't see each other
like past up Ever.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
I work at I start work at five am.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
I work for Seacrest, so like I'm in leggings and
shirts all day every day.
Speaker 6 (05:08):
Man.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah, we have the exact same, exact opposite schedules.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
You come at five am.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I don't get in the building until eight unless I
have an interviewed Tarth today. But anyway, we love this
thing called radio. I went to school for TV, but realized, like,
radio is so much more fun. I can show more
of my personality blah blah blah, and through radio has
just become so many other opportunities and open my horizon
to other things like this and being on camera and talking.
(05:34):
Here we are talking about community and politics. I am
so passionate about community, and that's why I'm so excited
about this podcast. I wherever I am, whatever state that
I'm in, I ingrain myself into the community.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I get involved, like I.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Host June teenth for the City of Irvine every single year,
and I love that. I get involved with the Loopis
Foundation of America because I have lupus and so I
get involved in the events that they have around the commune,
and so I think this is like perfect for me
because I just love community so much and I think
it's important for the community be educated.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Right, So that's really basically it about me.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
I came here about two years ago, two and a
half years ago, and I love it.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I live in Burbank.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So what district is at thirty thirty thirty, thirtieth district?
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Look at us? Knowing I know that, look at me.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
My name is Kayla Thomas and I'm from the thirtieth district.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
I feel like I've been hunger Games. Every time I
say district, I'm so sorry I have to say that.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I'm like, oh wow, I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
But yeah, so I've been Burbank and I love the
city of Burbank.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
It is is beautiful.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
I didn't want to live in the like the city
city of la because it's just like so much, you know,
like just a lot. And here it's like you there's
families and there's grass and you walk and I don't know,
I just love it so much. And it's close to
the station and the people here are amazing and I
really feel like this is my home.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I'm away from home.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Like I was worried when I first came here about
getting ingrained with LA and you know, because East Coasters
are so different from West Coasters.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
But I don't know.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Like the city of Burbank has really like taken me in.
I found great community of friends, I've gotten involved within
the community, and I love it here and that's all
I can say.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
So that's basically me.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I love the dance. I take dance classes, that's my hobby.
And pilates and that's basically it. Oh my gosh, Yeah,
I love it.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
So I'm Clitte Huber. I'm twenty five.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
I'm from San Diego, so I'm not like an LA native,
but I am from SoCal I went to school in
northern California, Saint Mary's College of California. Go girls, you know,
I had to throw it in there. And I then
I moved after college down to LA. So I've lived
all over California. I love this state so so much.
I currently live in uh San Gabriel. So that's the
(07:55):
thirty first district, right, and I personally think it's the
best district.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Obviously, No, it's good, but I don't have a war.
Speaker 5 (08:07):
Yeah, we're gonna battle, and I'm gonna win because I
have the best food. So I don't like San Gabriel
has the best food. Like any like culture of food
you want to get, San Gabriel has it. It's great
And I don't think i've been to San Gabriel either.
Here is that it's like near Pasadena from Bourbank about
thirty minutes. So okay, that's what I kind of love is.
(08:27):
I kind of get to see like two different parts
of La. I get to see like the burbank side
when I come to work, and then I get to, like,
you know, come home to San Gabriel and it's great. Yeah,
a little hot, you know, but it's beautiful and I
love it and it's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
My boyfriend is not boyfriend fiance, not.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Used to that yet show up the Blaze.
Speaker 5 (08:48):
But he is an Angelina. He's from San Gabriel, born
and raised here. So after college I moved back down here,
found a job with Kiss FM, and it was kind
of amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
I love seeing La.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
Through his eyes because it's just like there's so much
love there and I get to see like a different
part of La that you know, the tourist may not see.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
But it's so fun.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
And let's see, I mean other than that, I'm a
crazy cat lady.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
I have two cats.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
I love my cats.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I actually do have a little bit of political experience.
I was an intern in college for the League of
Women Voters, which is a really awesome organization. Check it
out if you can. And I actually simplified propositions. So
this podcast, and yeah, I love that.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
That's about it. That's me, all right, guys.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Well, my name is Emily and I kind of do
a whole bunch of things here at KSFM, and I
heart in La and that's kind of my life story.
I've always had hands in kind of like multiple pots
all over the place, and from Michigan.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Originally a suburb of Detroit.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
My parents and my family has always encouraged just being
in the know. My dad is really politically active in Michigan.
My I think for one of my birthdays, my birthday
gift was taking me to get registered to vote.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
So yeah, that's so cute.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Yeah, she was always my grandma was very much on
the forefront of just like a proponent for getting your
voice out there, making it her being informed. So this,
I feel like is almost carrying on her legacy because
she always really instilled that in me at a very
young age, although I don't think I necessarily took that
to heart until.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
I got older. I ended up moving to DC for
a job in radio.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
I did a night show there for like four and
a half years, and that city really gave me the interest,
I think in politics and in just realizing how strong
your voice could be and how much change you could
have by speaking up. Being you know, a mile away
from the White House during twenty twenty was a really really.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Eye opening you poor thing that tell us about it?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, I mean I heard helicopters overhead for like months straight.
I was able to walk to the White House and
just witness the protests that were happening and first hand
and being able to see all that and witness everything
with my own eyes, the power of the people was
just like something that I'll never be able to scrub
from my mind, or would I want to. But it
was really moving thing, and it really, like to my core,
(11:11):
gave me this feeling that you know, your voice does matter.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Well, you're talking about the January sixth insurrection.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
The insurrection too, I had you were you were there,
I wasn't there but I were a mile away. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Actually it was funny because we were working from home
at the time, so it was broadcasting in radio from
home a mile from where that was going on. And
I had a friend who works for someone very high
up in the world of politics and was there that day,
and I was like texting and making sure that they
were okay, and yeah, so yeah, living in DC during
that time definitely shaped my I don't want to say
(11:50):
love for politics, because I wouldn't go that far to
say that. I'm like, you know, interested, my interest in
and just that that feeling of like you do have
a voice and you do matter. And I think staying
informed and saying knowledgeable is just a really important thing,
and it's like the easiest thing you can do is
just you know, educate yourself, even in the smallest of ways.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
So that's really exciting.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Other than that, aside from that, I moved to LA
to be here. Honestly, kiss FM was always my dream
from the moment I started in radio. Kind of like
Kayla said, yeah, I was obsessed with like TV news.
I was sessed with E news back in the day,
and I wanted to like follow and like back then
it was Julian Ransick or like Chelsea Handler. She had
(12:31):
Chelsea Lately, and I thought her show was funny and
she also infused politics into entertainment.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
And yeah, so I wanted to work at KISSFM forever
left DC to just like take a leap. Music is
one of my passions as well.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
So she's a fantastic singer.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yeah, I'm in a band out here. It's a lot
of fun. So just really exploring. I only moved here
about a year and a half ago, so still really
exploring everything that La has to offer, which is so much,
and not only La, but California in general. Like I
took a trip to Orange County last weekend. I like
to take trips to Pasadena, Eagle Rock, that area.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
I think it's so cool too.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
So really just learning that there is so much to
do in this state, isn't there?
Speaker 5 (13:15):
It's crazy, dude, especially La, I mean La. Like I'm
from San Diego and I love San Diego, don't get
me wrong, But like La, it's just like I find
myself doing something new every weekend, trying something new, expanding
my palette, expanding my worldview.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Like it's just fantastically.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
I live in West Hollywood so also District thirty and
West Hollywood.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
I feel like it's such like a central hub.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
There's so many things like there was Hollywood, Like Halloween
celebration is so much fun. Obviously, Pride is one of
my absolute favorite weekends of the year.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Ever, Pride in DC was a lot of fun.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
So when I moved to LA, I was like very
excited to be able to celebrate Pride in me hoo.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I mean like iconic, that's like, yeah, that is literally Pride. Yeah,
so much fun.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
So yeah, it's been a really fun experience just getting
to know the city.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Yeah, it's amazing because everybody dreams of coming to LA
and the fact that we got to do it. It's
not a lot of people get to come out here
and experience all that it has to offer, you know
what I mean. So I'm just grateful that the universe
brought me here so that I can experience it and
meet people like you guys. So I'm excited to be
doing this with you guys. This is gonna be so
(14:16):
much fun. And again, this isn't gonna be like a
boring political podcast. We want your inputs. What do you
guys want to hear? Okay, So let us know interact
with us on socials at one O two seven KSFM
on Instagram. We're gonna be posting all these clips and
things that you want to learn about. And you don't
thinks that you don't understand, ask us, and then we
can dissect it together. So I wanted to ask you
to what do you two want to get out of
(14:39):
this experience over the next few months.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
I just want to.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
Figure out what I'm going to actually vote for. Like
it's so weird because like when we're voting, we think
it's just like a one day thing. We just get
in there, we vote, we vote, or we have the
mail in and we do it really quickly and send
it off. But it's like you have to go through
each of these propositions and actually like know what you're
gonna vote for. So I honestly, I'm just really excited
to kind of have some like planning done beforehand so
when it comes time for election day, I can just
(15:04):
be ready to go and know exactly what I'm going.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
To vote for.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
So I'm still figuring out what to vote for. So
it's kind of exciting.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Same for sure.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
And also I think too with this like more a
well rounded knowledge that we're getting as well. It's kind
of like we can see what actually comes to fruition, right,
all of these promises that politicians are making, or all
of these promises in propositions, we can see if they
actually happen, and if they don't actually happen, maybe we'll
have like a little bit more of a background to
(15:31):
know who the person is to reach out and be like, hey,
why isn't this happening?
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Or you know, know who not to vote for next time? Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
I think for me, I am really excited to interview
these candidates. Interviewing politicians is by the way, so different
than interviewing like a pop star. Interviewing like let's say,
Derek Tran is different than Tate McCrae. Such a semona
together and see what happened. I guess such a switch
for me, But I'm learning so much. And for me,
whenever I thought of politics, I thought of people that
(15:59):
were not accessible, people that I can't get in contact with,
people who are just like unreachable.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
If does that make sense?
Speaker 6 (16:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (16:06):
And so I think I wasn't very interested because and
people be using these big words that I don't understand,
and I know, I'm thirty and maybe I should understand
what a bond is, but like I don't know, you
know what I mean. I even had to look up
what a proposition was, you know, stuff like that. And
so I want this to be a safe space for
people who really just don't know. Maybe you're a first
time voter or whatever, like, and you have questions that
(16:26):
may seem dumb to you.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
I probably got them same questions.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Okay, So like this is a safe place for us
all to learn and there's no dumb questions. And that's
why we're going to have so many different people and
different inputs.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
People who are.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Very experienced and politics are going to come on and talk.
Some people who maybe just you know, want to know
what a bond is we'll come on here too. So
I'm excited to do this. Yay, let's do it. So
should we get into a proposition too? Yes, all right
it so mind you and correct me if I'm wrong.
But on the November ballot, if you live in California,
you're gonna be determining the fate of ten propositions. So
(17:01):
you're gonna see Prop one or Prop two, Prop thirty four,
like whatever, Right, this specific one that we're talking about
to do is Prop two. Okay, so California community colleges
and public schools, especially in rural areas, they want to
modernize their buildings. So Prop two voters can allow the
state to borrow ten billion dollars to do that to
fix up the schools, which includes leaks in the in
(17:24):
the vents or whatever, or run down walls, blah blah
blah blah. So what they're gonna do is eight point
five billion of that money is going to go to
K twelve schools. One point five billion is going to
go to community colleges for construction and modernization. So, Emily,
what are the people who are four Prop two?
Speaker 2 (17:45):
What are their argument?
Speaker 3 (17:46):
So they're saying, thirty eight percent of students are currently
going to school in schools that need repairs and that
are not up to standards right now.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Thirty eight percent of students. That's a lot of kids
going to school every day.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Think about how much time you spend at school as
a kid, and if your school isn't up to par,
we should be fixing that. I mean, we're investing right
back into our communities by making sure these kids have
safe access to education.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, people who are.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Against Okay, So it honestly comes down to one thing
and one thing only, which is the money. Right, Like,
straight up, I had to learn what a bond was
for this?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Yeah, what had to teach me what bond? A bond? From?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
What?
Speaker 5 (18:22):
How I understand it? And again correct me if I'm wrong, listeners,
let me know. But this is coming out of the
state treasury. So basically, whenever we pay taxes, it goes
into the state treasury. So a bond would be taking
that ten billion dollars out of the treasury and then
it takes like a certain number of years most of
the time a very long time for all of us
to pay it back.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
So for this one, yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
So California currently has the highest tax rate, which is
thirteen point three percent, and that would just keep going
up basically if we take out ten billion dollars for
these repairs. And they also say that the state should
include school repairs in its regular budget rather than turning
to taxpayers who already have to pay a lot of taxes. Yeah,
(19:06):
and it would also they say, they argue that prop
too would not directly impact students, and some voters and
organizations are also voice and concerns over the inequitable distribution
of funds. So basically, like a school in Burbank might
not need this as much of a school in like
San Gabriel my district, for instance. Like so it's like saying,
why should they get the same amount of money when
(19:27):
this school needs more fixing up than the other school.
So they're saying that the sliding skill for matching funds
should be wider and those lower income districts should receive
a majority of those funds. And also the nonprofit law
firm Public Advocates is threatening to sue if the measure passes,
so that also could be a bad thing. And a
(19:48):
lot of people, you know, a lot of people are saying,
like most kids are not even in the public school system,
where most kids are in the charter school or private school.
So there's also that argument from some people. But honestly,
it just comes down to the money.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
You said thing about how people think that it doesn't
directly affect the schools, I mean the students, but people.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Who are for it, they do say.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
That attendance and schools may be higher if you fix
up the schools. Research has shown that students who attend schools,
and like substandard facilities, they tend to have lower attendance rates,
lower morale, and lower achievement. And it's true, I guess,
like the environment that you in is you know, it
affects your protectivity, right, So.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Not only that too, but modernizing things like science labs
and schools, performing arts spaces, transitional kindergarten classrooms, all of
these things that not only are you know, relevant in
the present moment but make for innovation for future is
lacking right now because schools don't have the funds to
upgrade these things and to keep up quite literally with
the times.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
I mean honestly, like it's just like, yes, all that
stuff is true, but a lot of people who are
on the opposing side are saying that this money should
already be budgeted within what the schools are already getting.
The fact that they don't like that taxpayers are going
to have to pay for this when it should just
be kind of expected in the first place.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
And this was shown too in twenty twenty. The last
time that they put one of these bond bills or
bond propositions up in twenty twenty, it failed, so that
left schools without the money that they needed, and that
was twenty twenty. It's four years later and they still
need this money.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
We were talking me in collect a little bit earlier
and she kind of broke it down for me because
I was still kind of confused. So the people who
are against this, they think that the money should come
from the state and not the tax space. The taxpayers, correct,
but the taxpayers our money is going into a bond
or something like.
Speaker 5 (21:37):
That or yeah, so it's kind of like our taxes
go into the state treasury, so then a bond would
be taking the money, so it.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Is, but so it is technically coming from the state.
Am I wrong?
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Yes, I'm still quite figuring it out.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
But like with this bonds and taxpayer stuff, it does
get very confusing, which is why some of the language
in this proposition is really difficult to understand. But yeah,
in terms of they think that like the budget that
schools already get, some of it should be allocated towards whatever,
you know, the money. So it's basically just saying they
just want more money to help these schools.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
And from my understanding, they think they tried this back
in twenty twenty and it failed miserably, So that's another
reason why people don't want to do this do it
this way again. Also, at people who are against it
are saying that they don't like how the money is
being divided, and they think that lower income districts should
get a larger share of the funds.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
Yeah, which I honestly kind of makes sense, but you know, it's.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Well it should make sense because those schools, you know,
think about the district that they're coming from the people
in that district. So when schools need repairs and things
like that, districts can do fundraisers locally. Right, those districts
that are in lower income areas can't raise as much
money as a district with higher income can just on
(22:57):
its own.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
It's never gonna be able to do that.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
So yeah, a lot I think allocation is something people
are worried about. But on the flip side of that,
just leaving schools to fend for themselves is not the solution.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (23:09):
So a lot of the taxpayers and people who are
opposing this bill are saying it would take like five
hundred million in bond repayment like every year, so it
would take like at least thirty five years to pay off.
And think about the kids that are in school right now,
they're going to be paying those taxes when they're older.
So it's like it's so, you know, we're worried about
the future of our kids with you know, the school buildings,
(23:31):
and yes, but are we also worried about how much
debt and how much taxes they're going to have to
pay in the future because of this decision?
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Makes sense?
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Okay, all right, well those are you know, both sides
have strong arguments, and the it's up to you. What
do you think it's going to be on your ballot?
Is your decision and your decision alone, vote yes or no.
In November, we actually talked to Derek Tran he was
here a little bit earlier. He is a Democrat, right,
he is trying to represent the forty fifth district, and
(23:59):
I actually asked him about proposition to and his viewpoint.
So you're gonna get to hear that in the interview.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
But I liked him. Did you like him? I did
like him.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
I thought it was really interesting the fact that he
is a Democrat going for a traditionally Republican seat right,
and his district actually went blue in the twenty twenty
election because between Trump and Biden. While usually they usually
went red, they went blue this last election, so he
does have a chance of switching this sweet seat from
Republican to Democrats.
Speaker 3 (24:25):
There are thirty four seats that they're looking to flip
in the House and this could be one of us.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Could be one.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Yeah, So here's his interview.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Welcome back to the in the No podcast. My name
is Kayla from Kiss FM and today I am with
Derek Tran.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Kayla, welcome to the KISFM studios.
Speaker 6 (24:40):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
It is so nice to meet you. We're so excited
to get to know you and learn about you and
what you believe in. So thank you for sitting with me.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Okay, So first we want to know about your district.
So your district forty five. What areas does that cover?
Speaker 6 (24:53):
So it's a large area.
Speaker 7 (24:55):
It runs from a North Fullerton Placentia area all the
way down to Buena par Our, Garden Girl, Westminster Fountain
Valley and has some La cities in there, Artisia, Soritos,
that's Hawaiian Gardens.
Speaker 6 (25:07):
That's my district, Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Is that where you grew up?
Speaker 7 (25:09):
No, I met my wife grew up in the area,
and when I met her, i had to move out there.
Speaker 6 (25:13):
So I've been out in that area for about fourteen
years now, so you're.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Pretty well versed with the area. Yes, favorite place to eat?
Speaker 6 (25:21):
Look, Vinamese food.
Speaker 7 (25:22):
This is the largest Vitamese community outside of Vietnam resides
in Little Saigon in my district, and the Vinamese food
there is amazing.
Speaker 6 (25:30):
So it depends on what you want.
Speaker 7 (25:31):
You want Vitamese crapes, you want fu, you want soup
plus seventy nine Okay, some really good ratings.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Yes, I gotta go out there. You have to.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
So tell me why your district is so special.
Speaker 7 (25:41):
Look, I think that representation matters. This is a district
that is home to the largest Vitamese community outside of
Vietnam who's never had representation in Washington, DC in forty
nine years that they've been here. Next year marks the
fifty year anniversary since the fall of Saigon. They want
and they need a boy in Washington DC.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
What do you love the most about the district?
Speaker 7 (26:03):
You know, I love all the people out there and
the diversity that's out there. You can go a few
miles and you're in the Little Korea part of Korea
town of the district, right, and then you've got little
Saigone part of the district, and then you've got the
Arab community in the Anaheim area.
Speaker 6 (26:20):
So it's a great area to be part of. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Okay. So one of your key issues is transpancy with elections,
limiting lobbyists influence on elections, and you say you won't
take money from special interest groups.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Why is this so important for you?
Speaker 1 (26:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (26:35):
Look, I think our political system has been flawed with
all the amount of money that's coming in from special
interests out there, whether it's big oil or the drug companies.
It's something that's serious, right, and we want to make
sure that when you elect a leader that represents your
district and represents you, their value should be aligned with you,
(26:55):
and they shouldn't be I guess they should be aligned
with these corporate big pockets that provide money to their campaign.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Yeah. One of your biggest campaigns is stand up to China.
So how is your stance different from your opponent.
Speaker 7 (27:13):
Look, I think she talks a lot about standing up
to China and communism, but if you look at her actions,
she's complete She's a complete contradiction. Right, I'm here to
make sure that we are aware of the threats, the
real threats of China with the our fellow allies in
Southeast Asia South Asia. But when it comes to her,
(27:37):
she's taking not only money through her husband with Chinese diplomats.
You know this was reported on by the Wall Street Journal,
but you know she's also awarding certificates to known communists
that are from Vietnam, which is an issue.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
On the topic of schools, we just had a school
shooting and it is one of the leading cause of
death for kids in What is your stance for tackling
gun violence.
Speaker 7 (28:04):
Look, I think this is one of the most common
sense things that we can do as a society, is
combat gun violence through you know, common sense gun reform laws.
It's just we have to stand up to the NRA.
I mean, you know, the problem is the right side
of the party. They're too afraid of that organization and
they're taking money from that organization.
Speaker 6 (28:25):
I have three young kids and their public school.
Speaker 7 (28:28):
I you know, it hurts me to think that I
can drop them off and might not see them that evening.
So this is something that is fixable. We just got
to have the Kohonas to stand up to the NRA.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Yeah. Speaking of schools, proposition too is on our ballot
in November. We want to raise ten million dollars in
funds to help with, you know, school improvements, to fix
like the schools that are ran down.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
What is your stance on that.
Speaker 7 (28:53):
I think anytime we can invest in our schools, in
our children, we need to do it. I know it's uh,
you know, everyone hates more taxes and stuff like that,
but the investment in our children and the facilities where
they attend is so important.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Yeah. Can you explain proposition to for like elementary terms
for everyone?
Speaker 6 (29:11):
Yeah, the best I can.
Speaker 7 (29:13):
Where you know, you're going to get taxed on whatever
it is you're buying, and some of that money is
going to be funneled towards facilities improvement at a school place.
Maybe they need a new library, maybe they need a
tech center. That's what's being done with LA Unified.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Okay, nice. So the Democrats want this seat. Biden won
this district in twenty twenty voters in the forty fifth district.
Why should they be confident in you?
Speaker 6 (29:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (29:39):
Look, I think I'm a breath of fresh air in
the sense that I'm not a I've never ran for
office before. This is my first time running, so I'm
not a politician, right, I'm running because you know, my
whole life has been dedicated to public service. I you know,
elicited in the military when I was eighteen because I
wanted to give back to the country that took in
my refugee parents. And then when I became a lawyer,
(30:00):
I dedicated my practice to representing employees that were discriminating,
harassed at the workplace. And this is really a further
extension of that service for me.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Yeah, you're also a lawyer, right, Yes, so you said
army the business owners. So how does this affect the
way that you view policy?
Speaker 6 (30:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (30:16):
I think there you know that that experience that I
have in all three of those aspects. As a business owner,
it's so hard for people to be able to start businesses, right,
there's so many layers and barriers. We got to get
rid of that so people can be entrepreneurs and make
their own money. As a lawyer, I you know, I
am very familiar with reading laws and legislation, and I
think that's going to help me when I when I
(30:37):
get to Congress.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
So what changes are you going to make first, what
is your first goal as soon as you are elected.
Speaker 7 (30:43):
Look, I think the people of my district has been
yearning to be heard. No one's listening to them. You know,
I got about fourteen cities in my district. I want
to meet with all the local elected leaders there. I
want to meet with the community community member leaders there
and find out from them what's their priority, what's going on,
and then take an account of all of that stuff
so I can start working on fixing that for them.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Yeah. I think a common theme is that we are
not able to get face to face time with our
local congressman, like you guys are not you guys, but
you guys are like not that accessible, and so sometimes
people think like, oh, well, we reach out to them,
we email, we don't hear from them. They don't even
email us back, they don't respond. How are you going
to be more accessible.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Than the others?
Speaker 7 (31:25):
Yeah, So, first off, my plan, My wife told me
she's not leaving California, So when I win, I'm flying
back every weekend, so I'm going to be back in
the district.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Right.
Speaker 7 (31:35):
I want to make sure that I have an open
door policy at my office, so any in my constituents
want to come in and talk to us, ask us
for help.
Speaker 6 (31:43):
We want to be able to help them.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Okay, what about like town halls and stuff?
Speaker 7 (31:46):
Absolutely for it, Like you know something about my opponent.
She's never debated ever in her political career. She doesn't
want to answer the people for the lackluster performance she's
had these last two terms in Congress.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
Well, let's get to know a little bit about you. Okay,
do you like music?
Speaker 6 (32:01):
I do.
Speaker 7 (32:02):
I'm more of like, gosh my my, I'm an edim guy.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
Okay, last concert you went to?
Speaker 7 (32:10):
I uh, well, I don't go to that many concerts
because I am so fearful of like large crowds.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Really, I.
Speaker 7 (32:21):
I yes, i am, but I'll share that my very
first concert that I've been to was a Wengl tango. iHeartRadio,
and I've stated yeah, yeah yeah, truth, truth, truth, And
then and then.
Speaker 6 (32:36):
I went I went to E d C for one
day because I couldn't handle it. I was just like,
oh my god, this is too crazy to a people,
so sol the bracelet and this that's it.
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Are you like an introvert? Do you prefer to you know,
be alone with like a small group of people?
Speaker 6 (32:50):
You know?
Speaker 7 (32:50):
I like people in general, and I'm okay with both
as just when it's like a massive amount of people
around me, I get like, oh, start panicking a little bit, so.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
I get watch two and then you know those concerts
they like to be shoulder to shoulder. You can't breathe.
So when you're at home on the weekends, what are
you doing.
Speaker 7 (33:10):
I got three young kids, so we're juggling our young
family eight six and two. My son plays soccer, so
I love taking him to his practices or his games.
And then I like spending time with my daughter. That's
my middle child, maybe my favorite.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
I'm not saying that.
Speaker 7 (33:25):
So we we try to do stuff together, either gardening
or going to the park and just hanging out.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Okay, and then last question, why exactly should people vote
for you? What makes you different and what makes you
stand out in your opinion?
Speaker 6 (33:37):
Look, I think for me, it has to do with
the fact.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
That if you look at people in Congress, the House,
and the Senate, you know, I'm forty three years old.
I'm going to be half the average age of the
folks that in Washington, DC. We need serious representation of
like the younger generation. Now, I don't represent like you know,
the twenties and the thirty year old. But you know
it's that's that's a serious problem in Washington. You know,
(34:01):
we need voices that represents our younger community. Yeah, I agree,
any last thing you want to say, No, I appreciate
this offer to you so much. If you have a
chance to vote and check out my website, go to
derektranfcongress dot com. We're always looking for canvassing canvassers to
help us out, volunteers, and I thank you so much.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
You live my district. Please vote for me.
Speaker 1 (34:21):
Thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 6 (34:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
All Right.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
That was Derek Tran, Democrat representing District forty five.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Yeah, it was awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:30):
So again, we're gonna be having more and more candidates
come on every single episode and we're excited to bring
them to you.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
And yeah, so those fine guys. That was what I
learned a lot I do.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
So let's wait, let's before we go, let's do some
fun of facts and some interesting things about District forty five.
So if you are in the Orange, it's like Orange
County area, yah Hawaiian gardens. Yeah yeah, okay, So here's
a fun fact that I found out did you know
that it's a famous surfing spot.
Speaker 4 (34:59):
Oh yeah, those beaches are the bed.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Everybody knows that.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
I actually went to the US Open of Surfing a
couple weeks ago and that was in like Orange County.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
Wow, and it was incredible. I had so much fun.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
But yeah, OC's Huntington Beach is home to the Wedge,
which is one of the most famous surf spots in
the world. Surfers travel from all over the world just
to surf in this location, and over the years, Orange
County has become like the surfing capital of the world.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
I'm pretty sure everybody knows that. But if you's so fund.
Speaker 4 (35:30):
The LA twenty eight Olympics, Oh.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
My god, my god, don't even get me started on
the Olympics in the twenty twenty eight but yeah, so yeah, anything.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
Coming up in the District forty five, Yeah, and Garden Grove.
There's a lot going on on twenty first. If you
are a chili person, I mean, like, who isn't. I'm
vegan and I even still love chili. There's a chili
cookoff and a car show that is September twenty first,
twelve to four pm. It is a community event, so
it'll be a lot of fun. Also, if you want
to help out the community in another way, there is
(35:57):
a community cleanup. It looks like there's a lot of
them that have and but the next one is going
to be September fourteenth.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
Nine am to eleven am and you can help clean
up the city for the day. All right, So yeah,
that's about it.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
If you want to know more about the propositions that
are going to be on your ballot on November fifth,
all you got to do is check out Vote for
one One's voter guide.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
It's so easy. At did it the other day.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
You just enter your address and it pops up everything
your ballace, propositions, the candidates, the races, everything, everything is
online for you.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Also vote vote, register to.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
Vote it and register in your city too, because I
still need to switch my address over and I need
to make sure I tet. The deadline is coming up
right MLA October twenty first, I'm making sure I have time, please,
I know I need to.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
Also, did you guys get a packet with all the propositions?
I know a lot of people got to pack me
because you're not registered.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
Okay, I got I need to check my mail.
Speaker 1 (36:51):
Look out for your packet, because the packet is going
to have so much information for you. It's going to
have all the propositions laid out in big words. But also,
like I don't like reading especially like so if you're
like me, TikTok has a lot of information too. You
just type in like whatever you're looking you know, proposition one,
preposition two, and you can find out easy information.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Like it's all available for you.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
You just have to take the time to want to
take the time to learn about these type of things.
Speaker 5 (37:17):
I mean, there's also other websites and stuff you can
check out, like cowmatters dot org and ballot Pedia and stuff.
They also break down the propositions. But of course you
also listen to this lovely podcast. Yes, but yeah, there's
plenty of ways to figure out how you're going to
vote for these propositions and.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
Know that your voice is being heard right here as well.
You can always hit us up on Instagram and let
us know what you want to hear more about what
your concerns are for your district and how maybe.
Speaker 2 (37:42):
We can address them with a local politician in your area.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Hit us up at one O two seven KISSFM on Instagram.
I am At, Kayla Thomas forty, I'm at.
Speaker 4 (37:49):
Collett Underscore Huber Collet spelled with one L, two t's.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
I am at.
Speaker 3 (37:53):
It's its Emily Sklar on Instagram and TikTok, and we
will talk to you next week.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
Bye bye bye
Welcome to the In the No Podcast. My name is Kayla.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I have.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Okay, so we're starting this podcast and we were super nervous,
but we're excited because this podcast is going to bring
so much good to LA. It's called the in the
Know Podcast because basically, we want to be the source
for everything that matters here in LA. So we're excited
for this journey. Obviously, right now, we're starting with the election,
(00:28):
but it's gonna be so much more than that. Right,
We're going to talk about things, anything about anything when
it comes to LA.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Right, totally.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
We want to make sure you are in the know,
and we are kind of becoming in the know as
we research and learn along with you. So this is
this is a journey, and I'm excited to start the journey.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
It's like we're learning with our listeners, you know.
Speaker 5 (00:48):
Yeah, And with the election, we always you have to
educate yourself every election, you know, you have to learn
all new things. So we're learning all about these propositions
and everything and making sure that we're making an educated decision.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Yeah, this podcast is not going to be for everyone, okay,
but it's for the people who want to learn. I mean,
I have not been the most well versed when it
comes to politics, if we're being honest, I've always been
the type that's like, what is this all right?
Speaker 6 (01:13):
Check?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Check?
Speaker 1 (01:14):
No, yes, no, like barely reading it, you know, But
I know that I care so much about the city,
and I know I care so much about our residents,
and it would be a disservice.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
To not do research.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
It'd be a diservice to not try to learn, because
it affects each and every one of us, like all
these propositions and stuff, and so the more that I'm
researching about it now, I'm like, wow, like my voice
does matter. I really should research this and then make
an educated vote, so cause it affects so many more
people than just me.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
I think that's the thing too.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
A lot of people forget when it comes to election
day that there's more than just one race happening. Yeah,
there's a lot of races that you have a direct
hand in creating the outcome, and that outcome directly impacts
your everyday life. A lot of these local races, a
lot of these you know, congressional seats have a really
direct impact on us here in California, and you specifically
(02:07):
in your district and in your everyday life. So learning
and getting an education when you go to the ballots
on November fifth, it's going to really help change what
you see right here at home.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
I'm also of the opinion that you cannot complain about
what's happening in our city or anything unless you're voting,
unless you're educating yourself.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
I mean, come on, and I like to complain, Okay,
if that's one thing I'm gonna do is complain, So
I can't, you know, I have.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
To do my research. So that's what this podcast is for.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Over the next couple of weeks, we're going to focus
obviously on the election, so we're gonna have a bunch
of candidates who are running for local office on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
And wait, so then your point about that too. If
you do like to complain, we're gonna we're gonna give
you all of the people that you can complain too.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yes, makes a positive change in your life.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And we're so fortunate that we can get them to
come on the podcast and talk to them and learn
about their views and their goals and what they want
for their district. And I think that's so cool. We're
gonna have roundtable discussions. So it's not gonna be just
us three. We're gonna bring in some people who maybe
are for a certain prop or against a certain prop,
so you can hear both sides. That's the point too.
It's like, we're not here to tell you who to
(03:15):
vote for, what to vote for, what to say yes
or no.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
One.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
We want to give you the fact so that you
can make an educated decision on your own.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
For you, especially if you're a first time voter as well.
I know I'm a first time California voter. So for me, yeah,
I'm learning and there's a lot that you know, didn't
apply in my life before I moved to California. So
whether you're a first time voter, whether you've voted before,
there's a lot to learn. There's a lot to explore,
and that's what we're doing here, and we're learning right.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Along with you.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Yeah, we'll speaking of you being a first time voter.
Let's get to know us. So you know who is
on this podcast every single week. So should I start?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Okay? So I'm Kayla.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
I do nights, I do late nights and weekends on KISSFM.
I'm a transplant. I am not from California. I've actually
lived a lot of places, guys. I've lived in in
six different state, six or seven different states.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Wow, I didn't know this about. Yeah, my dad had
us moving all over the place.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
He just he works in convention centers and he just
kept like getting promoted and just like doing well and
being They moved him from city to city. So but really, like,
I'm from Maryland, That's where I spent the longest. So
I'm an East Coast girly born in Philly, Okay. And yeah,
so I came over here for radio my job. I've
been in radio for seven years at this point, straight
(04:29):
out of college.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So I don't know if this was the same for you, Emily.
But like I originally was going to go into television. Yeah,
I was gonna say television, okay, but I didn't like
the whole Newsy situation.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, and like I don't know, being on camera all
the ready every day. I'm so sorry, no thing. Listen.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Isn't it so nice in radio that we can pull
up in like sweats and a T shirt.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
But the fact that I put on color did I
just like simply put on a vest that had.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Color on it, and you guys are like, oh my god,
you looks so nice to that.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
I'm like, bars love because we don't see each other
like past up Ever.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
I work at I start work at five am.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
I work for Seacrest, so like I'm in leggings and
shirts all day every day.
Speaker 6 (05:08):
Man.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah, we have the exact same, exact opposite schedules.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
You come at five am.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I don't get in the building until eight unless I
have an interviewed Tarth today. But anyway, we love this
thing called radio. I went to school for TV, but realized, like,
radio is so much more fun. I can show more
of my personality blah blah blah, and through radio has
just become so many other opportunities and open my horizon
to other things like this and being on camera and talking.
(05:34):
Here we are talking about community and politics. I am
so passionate about community, and that's why I'm so excited
about this podcast. I wherever I am, whatever state that
I'm in, I ingrain myself into the community.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I get involved, like I.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Host June teenth for the City of Irvine every single year,
and I love that. I get involved with the Loopis
Foundation of America because I have lupus and so I
get involved in the events that they have around the commune,
and so I think this is like perfect for me
because I just love community so much and I think
it's important for the community be educated.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Right, So that's really basically it about me.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
I came here about two years ago, two and a
half years ago, and I love it.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I live in Burbank.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So what district is at thirty thirty thirty, thirtieth district?
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Look at us? Knowing I know that, look at me.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
My name is Kayla Thomas and I'm from the thirtieth district.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
I feel like I've been hunger Games. Every time I
say district, I'm so sorry I have to say that.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I'm like, oh wow, I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
But yeah, so I've been Burbank and I love the
city of Burbank.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
It is is beautiful.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
I didn't want to live in the like the city
city of la because it's just like so much, you know,
like just a lot. And here it's like you there's
families and there's grass and you walk and I don't know,
I just love it so much. And it's close to
the station and the people here are amazing and I
really feel like this is my home.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I'm away from home.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Like I was worried when I first came here about
getting ingrained with LA and you know, because East Coasters
are so different from West Coasters.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
But I don't know.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Like the city of Burbank has really like taken me in.
I found great community of friends, I've gotten involved within
the community, and I love it here and that's all
I can say.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
So that's basically me.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I love the dance. I take dance classes, that's my hobby.
And pilates and that's basically it. Oh my gosh, Yeah,
I love it.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
So I'm Clitte Huber. I'm twenty five.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
I'm from San Diego, so I'm not like an LA native,
but I am from SoCal I went to school in
northern California, Saint Mary's College of California. Go girls, you know,
I had to throw it in there. And I then
I moved after college down to LA. So I've lived
all over California. I love this state so so much.
I currently live in uh San Gabriel. So that's the
(07:55):
thirty first district, right, and I personally think it's the
best district.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Obviously, No, it's good, but I don't have a war.
Speaker 5 (08:07):
Yeah, we're gonna battle, and I'm gonna win because I
have the best food. So I don't like San Gabriel
has the best food. Like any like culture of food
you want to get, San Gabriel has it. It's great
And I don't think i've been to San Gabriel either.
Here is that it's like near Pasadena from Bourbank about
thirty minutes. So okay, that's what I kind of love is.
(08:27):
I kind of get to see like two different parts
of La. I get to see like the burbank side
when I come to work, and then I get to, like,
you know, come home to San Gabriel and it's great. Yeah,
a little hot, you know, but it's beautiful and I
love it and it's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
My boyfriend is not boyfriend fiance, not.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Used to that yet show up the Blaze.
Speaker 5 (08:48):
But he is an Angelina. He's from San Gabriel, born
and raised here. So after college I moved back down here,
found a job with Kiss FM, and it was kind
of amazing.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
I love seeing La.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
Through his eyes because it's just like there's so much
love there and I get to see like a different
part of La that you know, the tourist may not see.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
But it's so fun.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
And let's see, I mean other than that, I'm a
crazy cat lady.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
I have two cats.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
I love my cats.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I actually do have a little bit of political experience.
I was an intern in college for the League of
Women Voters, which is a really awesome organization. Check it
out if you can. And I actually simplified propositions. So
this podcast, and yeah, I love that.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
That's about it. That's me, all right, guys.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Well, my name is Emily and I kind of do
a whole bunch of things here at KSFM, and I
heart in La and that's kind of my life story.
I've always had hands in kind of like multiple pots
all over the place, and from Michigan.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Originally a suburb of Detroit.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
My parents and my family has always encouraged just being
in the know. My dad is really politically active in Michigan.
My I think for one of my birthdays, my birthday
gift was taking me to get registered to vote.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
So yeah, that's so cute.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Yeah, she was always my grandma was very much on
the forefront of just like a proponent for getting your
voice out there, making it her being informed. So this,
I feel like is almost carrying on her legacy because
she always really instilled that in me at a very
young age, although I don't think I necessarily took that
to heart until.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
I got older. I ended up moving to DC for
a job in radio.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
I did a night show there for like four and
a half years, and that city really gave me the interest,
I think in politics and in just realizing how strong
your voice could be and how much change you could
have by speaking up. Being you know, a mile away
from the White House during twenty twenty was a really really.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Eye opening you poor thing that tell us about it?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, I mean I heard helicopters overhead for like months straight.
I was able to walk to the White House and
just witness the protests that were happening and first hand
and being able to see all that and witness everything
with my own eyes, the power of the people was
just like something that I'll never be able to scrub
from my mind, or would I want to. But it
was really moving thing, and it really, like to my core,
(11:11):
gave me this feeling that you know, your voice does matter.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Well, you're talking about the January sixth insurrection.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
The insurrection too, I had you were you were there,
I wasn't there but I were a mile away. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Actually it was funny because we were working from home
at the time, so it was broadcasting in radio from
home a mile from where that was going on. And
I had a friend who works for someone very high
up in the world of politics and was there that day,
and I was like texting and making sure that they
were okay, and yeah, so yeah, living in DC during
that time definitely shaped my I don't want to say
(11:50):
love for politics, because I wouldn't go that far to
say that. I'm like, you know, interested, my interest in
and just that that feeling of like you do have
a voice and you do matter. And I think staying
informed and saying knowledgeable is just a really important thing,
and it's like the easiest thing you can do is
just you know, educate yourself, even in the smallest of ways.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
So that's really exciting.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Other than that, aside from that, I moved to LA
to be here. Honestly, kiss FM was always my dream
from the moment I started in radio. Kind of like
Kayla said, yeah, I was obsessed with like TV news.
I was sessed with E news back in the day,
and I wanted to like follow and like back then
it was Julian Ransick or like Chelsea Handler. She had
(12:31):
Chelsea Lately, and I thought her show was funny and
she also infused politics into entertainment.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
And yeah, so I wanted to work at KISSFM forever
left DC to just like take a leap. Music is
one of my passions as well.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
So she's a fantastic singer.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yeah, I'm in a band out here. It's a lot
of fun. So just really exploring. I only moved here
about a year and a half ago, so still really
exploring everything that La has to offer, which is so much,
and not only La, but California in general. Like I
took a trip to Orange County last weekend. I like
to take trips to Pasadena, Eagle Rock, that area.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
I think it's so cool too.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
So really just learning that there is so much to
do in this state, isn't there?
Speaker 5 (13:15):
It's crazy, dude, especially La, I mean La. Like I'm
from San Diego and I love San Diego, don't get
me wrong, But like La, it's just like I find
myself doing something new every weekend, trying something new, expanding
my palette, expanding my worldview.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Like it's just fantastically.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
I live in West Hollywood so also District thirty and
West Hollywood.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
I feel like it's such like a central hub.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
There's so many things like there was Hollywood, Like Halloween
celebration is so much fun. Obviously, Pride is one of
my absolute favorite weekends of the year.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Ever, Pride in DC was a lot of fun.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
So when I moved to LA, I was like very
excited to be able to celebrate Pride in me hoo.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I mean like iconic, that's like, yeah, that is literally Pride. Yeah,
so much fun.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
So yeah, it's been a really fun experience just getting
to know the city.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Yeah, it's amazing because everybody dreams of coming to LA
and the fact that we got to do it. It's
not a lot of people get to come out here
and experience all that it has to offer, you know
what I mean. So I'm just grateful that the universe
brought me here so that I can experience it and
meet people like you guys. So I'm excited to be
doing this with you guys. This is gonna be so
(14:16):
much fun. And again, this isn't gonna be like a
boring political podcast. We want your inputs. What do you
guys want to hear? Okay, So let us know interact
with us on socials at one O two seven KSFM
on Instagram. We're gonna be posting all these clips and
things that you want to learn about. And you don't
thinks that you don't understand, ask us, and then we
can dissect it together. So I wanted to ask you
to what do you two want to get out of
(14:39):
this experience over the next few months.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
I just want to.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
Figure out what I'm going to actually vote for. Like
it's so weird because like when we're voting, we think
it's just like a one day thing. We just get
in there, we vote, we vote, or we have the
mail in and we do it really quickly and send
it off. But it's like you have to go through
each of these propositions and actually like know what you're
gonna vote for. So I honestly, I'm just really excited
to kind of have some like planning done beforehand so
when it comes time for election day, I can just
(15:04):
be ready to go and know exactly what I'm going.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
To vote for.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
So I'm still figuring out what to vote for. So
it's kind of exciting.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Same for sure.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
And also I think too with this like more a
well rounded knowledge that we're getting as well. It's kind
of like we can see what actually comes to fruition, right,
all of these promises that politicians are making, or all
of these promises in propositions, we can see if they
actually happen, and if they don't actually happen, maybe we'll
have like a little bit more of a background to
(15:31):
know who the person is to reach out and be like, hey,
why isn't this happening?
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Or you know, know who not to vote for next time? Exactly.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
I think for me, I am really excited to interview
these candidates. Interviewing politicians is by the way, so different
than interviewing like a pop star. Interviewing like let's say,
Derek Tran is different than Tate McCrae. Such a semona
together and see what happened. I guess such a switch
for me, But I'm learning so much. And for me,
whenever I thought of politics, I thought of people that
(15:59):
were not accessible, people that I can't get in contact with,
people who are just like unreachable.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
If does that make sense?
Speaker 6 (16:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (16:06):
And so I think I wasn't very interested because and
people be using these big words that I don't understand,
and I know, I'm thirty and maybe I should understand
what a bond is, but like I don't know, you
know what I mean. I even had to look up
what a proposition was, you know, stuff like that. And
so I want this to be a safe space for
people who really just don't know. Maybe you're a first
time voter or whatever, like, and you have questions that
(16:26):
may seem dumb to you.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
I probably got them same questions.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Okay, So like this is a safe place for us
all to learn and there's no dumb questions. And that's
why we're going to have so many different people and
different inputs.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
People who are.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Very experienced and politics are going to come on and talk.
Some people who maybe just you know, want to know
what a bond is we'll come on here too. So
I'm excited to do this. Yay, let's do it. So
should we get into a proposition too? Yes, all right
it so mind you and correct me if I'm wrong.
But on the November ballot, if you live in California,
you're gonna be determining the fate of ten propositions. So
(17:01):
you're gonna see Prop one or Prop two, Prop thirty four,
like whatever, Right, this specific one that we're talking about
to do is Prop two. Okay, so California community colleges
and public schools, especially in rural areas, they want to
modernize their buildings. So Prop two voters can allow the
state to borrow ten billion dollars to do that to
fix up the schools, which includes leaks in the in
(17:24):
the vents or whatever, or run down walls, blah blah
blah blah. So what they're gonna do is eight point
five billion of that money is going to go to
K twelve schools. One point five billion is going to
go to community colleges for construction and modernization. So, Emily,
what are the people who are four Prop two?
Speaker 2 (17:45):
What are their argument?
Speaker 3 (17:46):
So they're saying, thirty eight percent of students are currently
going to school in schools that need repairs and that
are not up to standards right now.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Thirty eight percent of students. That's a lot of kids
going to school every day.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Think about how much time you spend at school as
a kid, and if your school isn't up to par,
we should be fixing that. I mean, we're investing right
back into our communities by making sure these kids have
safe access to education.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, people who are.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Against Okay, So it honestly comes down to one thing
and one thing only, which is the money. Right, Like,
straight up, I had to learn what a bond was
for this?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Yeah, what had to teach me what bond? A bond? From?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
What?
Speaker 5 (18:22):
How I understand it? And again correct me if I'm wrong, listeners,
let me know. But this is coming out of the
state treasury. So basically, whenever we pay taxes, it goes
into the state treasury. So a bond would be taking
that ten billion dollars out of the treasury and then
it takes like a certain number of years most of
the time a very long time for all of us
to pay it back.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
So for this one, yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
So California currently has the highest tax rate, which is
thirteen point three percent, and that would just keep going
up basically if we take out ten billion dollars for
these repairs. And they also say that the state should
include school repairs in its regular budget rather than turning
to taxpayers who already have to pay a lot of taxes. Yeah,
(19:06):
and it would also they say, they argue that prop
too would not directly impact students, and some voters and
organizations are also voice and concerns over the inequitable distribution
of funds. So basically, like a school in Burbank might
not need this as much of a school in like
San Gabriel my district, for instance. Like so it's like saying,
why should they get the same amount of money when
(19:27):
this school needs more fixing up than the other school.
So they're saying that the sliding skill for matching funds
should be wider and those lower income districts should receive
a majority of those funds. And also the nonprofit law
firm Public Advocates is threatening to sue if the measure passes,
so that also could be a bad thing. And a
(19:48):
lot of people, you know, a lot of people are saying,
like most kids are not even in the public school system,
where most kids are in the charter school or private school.
So there's also that argument from some people. But honestly,
it just comes down to the money.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
You said thing about how people think that it doesn't
directly affect the schools, I mean the students, but people.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Who are for it, they do say.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
That attendance and schools may be higher if you fix
up the schools. Research has shown that students who attend schools,
and like substandard facilities, they tend to have lower attendance rates,
lower morale, and lower achievement. And it's true, I guess,
like the environment that you in is you know, it
affects your protectivity, right, So.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Not only that too, but modernizing things like science labs
and schools, performing arts spaces, transitional kindergarten classrooms, all of
these things that not only are you know, relevant in
the present moment but make for innovation for future is
lacking right now because schools don't have the funds to
upgrade these things and to keep up quite literally with
the times.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
I mean honestly, like it's just like, yes, all that
stuff is true, but a lot of people who are
on the opposing side are saying that this money should
already be budgeted within what the schools are already getting.
The fact that they don't like that taxpayers are going
to have to pay for this when it should just
be kind of expected in the first place.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
And this was shown too in twenty twenty. The last
time that they put one of these bond bills or
bond propositions up in twenty twenty, it failed, so that
left schools without the money that they needed, and that
was twenty twenty. It's four years later and they still
need this money.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
We were talking me in collect a little bit earlier
and she kind of broke it down for me because
I was still kind of confused. So the people who
are against this, they think that the money should come
from the state and not the tax space. The taxpayers, correct,
but the taxpayers our money is going into a bond
or something like.
Speaker 5 (21:37):
That or yeah, so it's kind of like our taxes
go into the state treasury, so then a bond would
be taking the money, so it.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Is, but so it is technically coming from the state.
Am I wrong?
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Yes, I'm still quite figuring it out.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
But like with this bonds and taxpayer stuff, it does
get very confusing, which is why some of the language
in this proposition is really difficult to understand. But yeah,
in terms of they think that like the budget that
schools already get, some of it should be allocated towards whatever,
you know, the money. So it's basically just saying they
just want more money to help these schools.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
And from my understanding, they think they tried this back
in twenty twenty and it failed miserably, So that's another
reason why people don't want to do this do it
this way again. Also, at people who are against it
are saying that they don't like how the money is
being divided, and they think that lower income districts should
get a larger share of the funds.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
Yeah, which I honestly kind of makes sense, but you know, it's.
Speaker 3 (22:35):
Well it should make sense because those schools, you know,
think about the district that they're coming from the people
in that district. So when schools need repairs and things
like that, districts can do fundraisers locally. Right, those districts
that are in lower income areas can't raise as much
money as a district with higher income can just on
(22:57):
its own.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
It's never gonna be able to do that.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
So yeah, a lot I think allocation is something people
are worried about. But on the flip side of that,
just leaving schools to fend for themselves is not the solution.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (23:09):
So a lot of the taxpayers and people who are
opposing this bill are saying it would take like five
hundred million in bond repayment like every year, so it
would take like at least thirty five years to pay off.
And think about the kids that are in school right now,
they're going to be paying those taxes when they're older.
So it's like it's so, you know, we're worried about
the future of our kids with you know, the school buildings,
(23:31):
and yes, but are we also worried about how much
debt and how much taxes they're going to have to
pay in the future because of this decision?
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Makes sense?
Speaker 1 (23:38):
Okay, all right, well those are you know, both sides
have strong arguments, and the it's up to you. What
do you think it's going to be on your ballot?
Is your decision and your decision alone, vote yes or no.
In November, we actually talked to Derek Tran he was
here a little bit earlier. He is a Democrat, right,
he is trying to represent the forty fifth district, and
(23:59):
I actually asked him about proposition to and his viewpoint.
So you're gonna get to hear that in the interview.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
But I liked him. Did you like him? I did
like him.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
I thought it was really interesting the fact that he
is a Democrat going for a traditionally Republican seat right,
and his district actually went blue in the twenty twenty
election because between Trump and Biden. While usually they usually
went red, they went blue this last election, so he
does have a chance of switching this sweet seat from
Republican to Democrats.
Speaker 3 (24:25):
There are thirty four seats that they're looking to flip
in the House and this could be one of us.
Speaker 4 (24:29):
Could be one.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Yeah, So here's his interview.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Welcome back to the in the No podcast. My name
is Kayla from Kiss FM and today I am with
Derek Tran.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Kayla, welcome to the KISFM studios.
Speaker 6 (24:40):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
It is so nice to meet you. We're so excited
to get to know you and learn about you and
what you believe in. So thank you for sitting with me.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
Okay, So first we want to know about your district.
So your district forty five. What areas does that cover?
Speaker 6 (24:53):
So it's a large area.
Speaker 7 (24:55):
It runs from a North Fullerton Placentia area all the
way down to Buena par Our, Garden Girl, Westminster Fountain
Valley and has some La cities in there, Artisia, Soritos,
that's Hawaiian Gardens.
Speaker 6 (25:07):
That's my district, Okay.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Is that where you grew up?
Speaker 7 (25:09):
No, I met my wife grew up in the area,
and when I met her, i had to move out there.
Speaker 6 (25:13):
So I've been out in that area for about fourteen
years now, so you're.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Pretty well versed with the area. Yes, favorite place to eat?
Speaker 6 (25:21):
Look, Vinamese food.
Speaker 7 (25:22):
This is the largest Vitamese community outside of Vietnam resides
in Little Saigon in my district, and the Vinamese food
there is amazing.
Speaker 6 (25:30):
So it depends on what you want.
Speaker 7 (25:31):
You want Vitamese crapes, you want fu, you want soup
plus seventy nine Okay, some really good ratings.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Yes, I gotta go out there. You have to.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
So tell me why your district is so special.
Speaker 7 (25:41):
Look, I think that representation matters. This is a district
that is home to the largest Vitamese community outside of
Vietnam who's never had representation in Washington, DC in forty
nine years that they've been here. Next year marks the
fifty year anniversary since the fall of Saigon. They want
and they need a boy in Washington DC.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
What do you love the most about the district?
Speaker 7 (26:03):
You know, I love all the people out there and
the diversity that's out there. You can go a few
miles and you're in the Little Korea part of Korea
town of the district, right, and then you've got little
Saigone part of the district, and then you've got the
Arab community in the Anaheim area.
Speaker 6 (26:20):
So it's a great area to be part of. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Okay. So one of your key issues is transpancy with elections,
limiting lobbyists influence on elections, and you say you won't
take money from special interest groups.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Why is this so important for you?
Speaker 1 (26:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (26:35):
Look, I think our political system has been flawed with
all the amount of money that's coming in from special
interests out there, whether it's big oil or the drug companies.
It's something that's serious, right, and we want to make
sure that when you elect a leader that represents your
district and represents you, their value should be aligned with you,
(26:55):
and they shouldn't be I guess they should be aligned
with these corporate big pockets that provide money to their campaign.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Yeah. One of your biggest campaigns is stand up to China.
So how is your stance different from your opponent.
Speaker 7 (27:13):
Look, I think she talks a lot about standing up
to China and communism, but if you look at her actions,
she's complete She's a complete contradiction. Right, I'm here to
make sure that we are aware of the threats, the
real threats of China with the our fellow allies in
Southeast Asia South Asia. But when it comes to her,
(27:37):
she's taking not only money through her husband with Chinese diplomats.
You know this was reported on by the Wall Street Journal,
but you know she's also awarding certificates to known communists
that are from Vietnam, which is an issue.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
On the topic of schools, we just had a school
shooting and it is one of the leading cause of
death for kids in What is your stance for tackling
gun violence.
Speaker 7 (28:04):
Look, I think this is one of the most common
sense things that we can do as a society, is
combat gun violence through you know, common sense gun reform laws.
It's just we have to stand up to the NRA.
I mean, you know, the problem is the right side
of the party. They're too afraid of that organization and
they're taking money from that organization.
Speaker 6 (28:25):
I have three young kids and their public school.
Speaker 7 (28:28):
I you know, it hurts me to think that I
can drop them off and might not see them that evening.
So this is something that is fixable. We just got
to have the Kohonas to stand up to the NRA.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Yeah. Speaking of schools, proposition too is on our ballot
in November. We want to raise ten million dollars in
funds to help with, you know, school improvements, to fix
like the schools that are ran down.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
What is your stance on that.
Speaker 7 (28:53):
I think anytime we can invest in our schools, in
our children, we need to do it. I know it's uh,
you know, everyone hates more taxes and stuff like that,
but the investment in our children and the facilities where
they attend is so important.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Yeah. Can you explain proposition to for like elementary terms
for everyone?
Speaker 6 (29:11):
Yeah, the best I can.
Speaker 7 (29:13):
Where you know, you're going to get taxed on whatever
it is you're buying, and some of that money is
going to be funneled towards facilities improvement at a school place.
Maybe they need a new library, maybe they need a
tech center. That's what's being done with LA Unified.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Okay, nice. So the Democrats want this seat. Biden won
this district in twenty twenty voters in the forty fifth district.
Why should they be confident in you?
Speaker 6 (29:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (29:39):
Look, I think I'm a breath of fresh air in
the sense that I'm not a I've never ran for
office before. This is my first time running, so I'm
not a politician, right, I'm running because you know, my
whole life has been dedicated to public service. I you know,
elicited in the military when I was eighteen because I
wanted to give back to the country that took in
my refugee parents. And then when I became a lawyer,
(30:00):
I dedicated my practice to representing employees that were discriminating,
harassed at the workplace. And this is really a further
extension of that service for me.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Yeah, you're also a lawyer, right, Yes, so you said
army the business owners. So how does this affect the
way that you view policy?
Speaker 6 (30:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (30:16):
I think there you know that that experience that I
have in all three of those aspects. As a business owner,
it's so hard for people to be able to start businesses, right,
there's so many layers and barriers. We got to get
rid of that so people can be entrepreneurs and make
their own money. As a lawyer, I you know, I
am very familiar with reading laws and legislation, and I
think that's going to help me when I when I
(30:37):
get to Congress.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
So what changes are you going to make first, what
is your first goal as soon as you are elected.
Speaker 7 (30:43):
Look, I think the people of my district has been
yearning to be heard. No one's listening to them. You know,
I got about fourteen cities in my district. I want
to meet with all the local elected leaders there. I
want to meet with the community community member leaders there
and find out from them what's their priority, what's going on,
and then take an account of all of that stuff
so I can start working on fixing that for them.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Yeah. I think a common theme is that we are
not able to get face to face time with our
local congressman, like you guys are not you guys, but
you guys are like not that accessible, and so sometimes
people think like, oh, well, we reach out to them,
we email, we don't hear from them. They don't even
email us back, they don't respond. How are you going
to be more accessible.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Than the others?
Speaker 7 (31:25):
Yeah, So, first off, my plan, My wife told me
she's not leaving California, So when I win, I'm flying
back every weekend, so I'm going to be back in
the district.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Right.
Speaker 7 (31:35):
I want to make sure that I have an open
door policy at my office, so any in my constituents
want to come in and talk to us, ask us
for help.
Speaker 6 (31:43):
We want to be able to help them.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Okay, what about like town halls and stuff?
Speaker 7 (31:46):
Absolutely for it, Like you know something about my opponent.
She's never debated ever in her political career. She doesn't
want to answer the people for the lackluster performance she's
had these last two terms in Congress.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
Well, let's get to know a little bit about you. Okay,
do you like music?
Speaker 6 (32:01):
I do.
Speaker 7 (32:02):
I'm more of like, gosh my my, I'm an edim guy.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
Okay, last concert you went to?
Speaker 7 (32:10):
I uh, well, I don't go to that many concerts
because I am so fearful of like large crowds.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Really, I.
Speaker 7 (32:21):
I yes, i am, but I'll share that my very
first concert that I've been to was a Wengl tango. iHeartRadio,
and I've stated yeah, yeah yeah, truth, truth, truth, And
then and then.
Speaker 6 (32:36):
I went I went to E d C for one
day because I couldn't handle it. I was just like,
oh my god, this is too crazy to a people,
so sol the bracelet and this that's it.
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Are you like an introvert? Do you prefer to you know,
be alone with like a small group of people?
Speaker 6 (32:50):
You know?
Speaker 7 (32:50):
I like people in general, and I'm okay with both
as just when it's like a massive amount of people
around me, I get like, oh, start panicking a little bit, so.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
I get watch two and then you know those concerts
they like to be shoulder to shoulder. You can't breathe.
So when you're at home on the weekends, what are
you doing.
Speaker 7 (33:10):
I got three young kids, so we're juggling our young
family eight six and two. My son plays soccer, so
I love taking him to his practices or his games.
And then I like spending time with my daughter. That's
my middle child, maybe my favorite.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
I'm not saying that.
Speaker 7 (33:25):
So we we try to do stuff together, either gardening
or going to the park and just hanging out.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
Okay, and then last question, why exactly should people vote
for you? What makes you different and what makes you
stand out in your opinion?
Speaker 6 (33:37):
Look, I think for me, it has to do with
the fact.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
That if you look at people in Congress, the House,
and the Senate, you know, I'm forty three years old.
I'm going to be half the average age of the
folks that in Washington, DC. We need serious representation of
like the younger generation. Now, I don't represent like you know,
the twenties and the thirty year old. But you know
it's that's that's a serious problem in Washington. You know,
(34:01):
we need voices that represents our younger community. Yeah, I agree,
any last thing you want to say, No, I appreciate
this offer to you so much. If you have a
chance to vote and check out my website, go to
derektranfcongress dot com. We're always looking for canvassing canvassers to
help us out, volunteers, and I thank you so much.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
You live my district. Please vote for me.
Speaker 1 (34:21):
Thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 6 (34:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
All Right.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
That was Derek Tran, Democrat representing District forty five.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Yeah, it was awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:30):
So again, we're gonna be having more and more candidates
come on every single episode and we're excited to bring
them to you.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
And yeah, so those fine guys. That was what I
learned a lot I do.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
So let's wait, let's before we go, let's do some
fun of facts and some interesting things about District forty five.
So if you are in the Orange, it's like Orange
County area, yah Hawaiian gardens. Yeah yeah, okay, So here's
a fun fact that I found out did you know
that it's a famous surfing spot.
Speaker 4 (34:59):
Oh yeah, those beaches are the bed.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
Everybody knows that.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
I actually went to the US Open of Surfing a
couple weeks ago and that was in like Orange County.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
Wow, and it was incredible. I had so much fun.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
But yeah, OC's Huntington Beach is home to the Wedge,
which is one of the most famous surf spots in
the world. Surfers travel from all over the world just
to surf in this location, and over the years, Orange
County has become like the surfing capital of the world.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
I'm pretty sure everybody knows that. But if you's so fund.
Speaker 4 (35:30):
The LA twenty eight Olympics, Oh.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
My god, my god, don't even get me started on
the Olympics in the twenty twenty eight but yeah, so yeah, anything.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
Coming up in the District forty five, Yeah, and Garden Grove.
There's a lot going on on twenty first. If you
are a chili person, I mean, like, who isn't. I'm
vegan and I even still love chili. There's a chili
cookoff and a car show that is September twenty first,
twelve to four pm. It is a community event, so
it'll be a lot of fun. Also, if you want
to help out the community in another way, there is
(35:57):
a community cleanup. It looks like there's a lot of
them that have and but the next one is going
to be September fourteenth.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
Nine am to eleven am and you can help clean
up the city for the day. All right, So yeah,
that's about it.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
If you want to know more about the propositions that
are going to be on your ballot on November fifth,
all you got to do is check out Vote for
one One's voter guide.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
It's so easy. At did it the other day.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
You just enter your address and it pops up everything
your ballace, propositions, the candidates, the races, everything, everything is
online for you.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Also vote vote, register to.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
Vote it and register in your city too, because I
still need to switch my address over and I need
to make sure I tet. The deadline is coming up
right MLA October twenty first, I'm making sure I have time, please,
I know I need to.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
Also, did you guys get a packet with all the propositions?
I know a lot of people got to pack me
because you're not registered.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
Okay, I got I need to check my mail.
Speaker 1 (36:51):
Look out for your packet, because the packet is going
to have so much information for you. It's going to
have all the propositions laid out in big words. But also,
like I don't like reading especially like so if you're
like me, TikTok has a lot of information too. You
just type in like whatever you're looking you know, proposition one,
preposition two, and you can find out easy information.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Like it's all available for you.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
You just have to take the time to want to
take the time to learn about these type of things.
Speaker 5 (37:17):
I mean, there's also other websites and stuff you can
check out, like cowmatters dot org and ballot Pedia and stuff.
They also break down the propositions. But of course you
also listen to this lovely podcast. Yes, but yeah, there's
plenty of ways to figure out how you're going to
vote for these propositions and.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
Know that your voice is being heard right here as well.
You can always hit us up on Instagram and let
us know what you want to hear more about what
your concerns are for your district and how maybe.
Speaker 2 (37:42):
We can address them with a local politician in your area.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Hit us up at one O two seven KISSFM on Instagram.
I am At, Kayla Thomas forty, I'm at.
Speaker 4 (37:49):
Collett Underscore Huber Collet spelled with one L, two t's.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
I am at.
Speaker 3 (37:53):
It's its Emily Sklar on Instagram and TikTok, and we
will talk to you next week.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
Bye bye bye
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