Can California Be Saved? Real Talk with Former Speaker Curt Pringle

Guest:

Curt Pringle - Former Speaker of the California Assembly and Mayor of Anaheim

Guest Bio: 

Curt Pringle is a seasoned political leader and strategist with deep roots in California governance. He served as Speaker of the California State Assembly and later as Mayor of Anaheim, where he spearheaded major housing developments and infrastructure reforms. With decades of experience navigating California’s political evolution, Pringle brings a candid and seasoned voice to today's most urgent state issues.

Show Summary

Is California stuck in a cycle of dysfunction? In this bold and wide-ranging conversation, Curt Pringle and Jon Slavet pull back the curtain on what’s really holding the state back—from education failure and housing policy gridlock to the corrosive effects of single-party rule. Drawing from years as Speaker of the Assembly and Mayor of Anaheim, Pringle offers an unfiltered perspective on leadership, affordability, and the path forward. Whether you’re frustrated, hopeful, or somewhere in between—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Chapters

00:00 – The Rise of Curt Pringle

01:10 – Lessons from Willie Brown

03:45 – How Supermajorities Hurt Democracy

07:15 – Is Newsom Moving to the Center?

09:00 – What Changed in Sacramento

10:45 – Why Housing Is a Disaster

14:00 – CEQA, Costs & California Gridlock

18:30 – Why Developers Are Leaving

20:15 – Energy Prices, Gas, and Bad Policy

22:40 – The Education Crisis in California

26:00 – Teachers’ Unions vs. Students

29:00 – Voter ID & Election Integrity

32:00 – The Budget Deficit Trap

35:30 – What Gives Pringle Hope

Connect with Curt

Twitter: https://x.com/curtpringle

Instagram:​​ https://www.instagram.com/curtpringleandassociates/?hl=en

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-pringle-47889110/

Website: https://www.curtpringle.com/

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